Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1632: Glass Cube

The perfect spot for practice would allow an instructor to dominate every detail, whipping up challenges whenever desired, altering the quantity and form of items, and even tweaking the climate.

This had once been out of reach, yet with the gadgets present in the Citadel, it posed no challenge whatsoever. Indeed, the troops didn't just drill in training areas or camps; they also honed skills inside virtual rooms, where a coach set up the required hurdles for them.

It proved useful even for Phantoms, though merely for the most feeble among them. Back when Adam initially turned into a Phantom, he'd practiced in such a room prior to embarking on his debut actual assignment.

However, now as a K4-Phantom, it carried too much risk. Those virtual chambers amounted to nothing more than advanced imitations. No real power got involved whatsoever.

Consequently, the foes' might couldn't surpass a particular threshold, and should Adam unleash his powers in there, he might at most wreck costly gear, or at worst, cause harm to personnel or fellow Phantoms.

As a result, sessions for K1-Phantoms and higher got confined to bouts against fellow elevated Phantoms.

Adam had endured that too, and during his K2 phase, Tron had lent him a hand.

Nevertheless, regardless of how vast a ranch or plain could stretch, should two K4-Phantoms clash there and unleash Ancient Energy without restraint, the site would morph into barren wasteland in mere moments.

The Sky Cubes, particularly the sections of the Gray Sky, offered the ultimate fix for K4-Phantoms seeking rigorous drills.

This could benefit the frailer Phantoms as well, yet they possessed different options, like skirmishes close to the Citadel or across the plains, rendering it unnecessary.

The novice Phantoms weren't meant to learn about Ancient Energy or Dark Energy. Such knowledge stayed hidden until they grew potent enough.

Clap.

Tron slapped his palms together while the clouds and heavens reformed, concealing the drab concrete panels that truly formed the Sky Cube.

"Ready to press on?" he inquired.

Adam rubbed the rear of his neck.

"Yeah, I could use a tip. How do you pack your energy so tightly? I could crank up the force and smash the orbs, but that'd drag things out, and that's hardly the lesson you're aiming to impart, right?"

"Spot on. Each person has their method, but perhaps you ought to picture yourself in combat. It's your energy. Surviving all those scraps you've faced means you surely grasp controlling it."

Adam dipped his head and struck a combat pose.

"Fine, let's dive in!"

The crystalline sphere quivered while six metal balls ascended from the earth again.

Adam directed his hand toward the initial ball, yet this round he opted for just one digit, like his limb was a marksman's weapon.

"I might not have logged years in energy mastery drills, but I've survived countless clashes. If this is what it takes to triumph, then count me in!"

Tremble.

A quiver surged across the void as a pale gleam burst from Adam's fingertip, slamming into the lead sphere.

An explosion akin to Tron's yet fiercer boomed around as the metal shards tumbled down.

Maintaining his flow, Adam unleashed the following blasts—the second, third, and fourth. He continued until every ball lay in ruins.

Adam fixed his gaze on the wreckage and the billowing dust cloud.

He wasn't winded, nor did his limb shake. As Tron had noted, this served merely as a starter, so Adam nailing it on his next attempt came as no shock.

Tron checked his timepiece.

"Forty-three seconds. Solid work, quite solid. So, up for a real challenge?"

His violet gaze sharpened.

"With your grasp of star energy confirmed, onward to Ancient Energy we go."

A pleased grin spread across Adam's features.

"Ha! I obliterated those marks with my energy; nothing, not even Ancient Energy, can halt me! Bring it on, hurl whatever barrier you like—I'll shatter it!"

That held truth. A basic hit from Adam might scar the stone, but channeling Ancient Energy would carve a massive pit from the impact.

Still, Silvana spotted from Tron's look that it wouldn't unfold as smoothly for Adam as he hoped.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Rather than metal fragments, a massive transparent block materialized in front of Adam, spacious enough to comfortably fit multiple folks within.

"Huh?" Adam puzzled as Tron neared the block and pressed his hand to its surface.

He concentrated while a violet power stream tinged faintly gray seeped into the block. It represented his pure Ancient Energy.

Tron faced Adam.

"Your goal is straightforward—without shattering this block, neutralize or eradicate my Ancient Energy. Only with proper mastery over your force will you pull this off."

The rules rang clear, yet Adam failed to grasp the challenge's depth.

"Is he opting for yet another easy round? Fine, I'll sail right through this test!"

Adam brimmed with assurance in his quick success, but Tron's doubt shone through as he neared Riska and Silvana.

"This'll occupy him for a bit, so feel free to chat about whatever."

Ere the women replied, Tron gestured, summoning a basic desk and seats before them. He might've conjured snacks too, but they couldn't consume them given their tie to the Gray Sky.

Tap.

Meanwhile, Adam laid his hand on the transparent block while his Evolution Tree shuddered.

The ancient power surged via his palm, in its most refined state.

"If I overwhelm his power, it'll have to yield or retreat, yeah?" he mused prior to unveiling his eyes.

The next violet current collided with the prior, but ere Adam's power acted, Tron's quaked and, via a spark burst, repelled his force.

Whoooooooosh!

The jolt raced through Adam's frame, hurling him meters into the foliage.

Tron, observing, bobbed his head solemnly.

"Yep, he'll require time for sure. Perhaps we grab a bite. But he'll conquer it in the end, like always."