**Chapter 38: The Opening**

Finally, Jie Ming picked up the mobility-type Talisman-Rune Artifact.

For this, he had crafted it into the shape of a belt, easily secured around the waist.

Infusing it with mental power, a gentle yet powerful energy field lifted him.

Jie Ming hovered steadily in the center of the training field, controlling the wizardry as his body gradually accelerated!

*Whoosh!*

His figure blurred into an afterimage, darting through the training field’s space at a speed far surpassing what he could achieve with a flight rune constructed solely through wizard meditation.

He nimbly weaved through obstacles, executing sharp stops, turns, ascents, and dives with fluid swiftness.

The added agility from the immortal cultivation light-body technique made him move in the air as freely as a fish in water.

In just a few minutes, Jie Ming explored every corner of the training field’s space, thoroughly satisfied with the speed and mobility provided by the artifact.

Pausing to hover in midair, he toyed with the prototype artifacts in his hands.

The training field’s energy absorption system swiftly dissipated the residual energy fluctuations from his experiments, leaving a faint scorched scent and lingering elemental ripples in the air.

After repeated tests and fine-tuning, Jie Ming felt genuine satisfaction with the performance and potential of the three Talisman-Rune Artifacts.

They fully met his initial expectations, surpassing same-level wizards in power, speed, and versatility.

While Jie Ming focused on research, crafting, and testing these prototypes in the training field, news of the trial had already caused a massive stir.

It wasn’t until he left the laboratory that he realized the trial was no longer just Amy’s whispered rumor but an official academy announcement, broadcast across every corner of Noren Academy via massive rune projections.

The apprentices reacted in varied ways.

Some looked nervous, clutching thick tomes, shuttling between the library and classrooms, frantically cramming knowledge that might be useful in the trial.

Others stood tall with battle-ready eyes, gathering in the training field to test their wizardry and magical devices, brimming with confidence that this was their chance to showcase their talents and gain favor with the academy’s higher-ups.

Some remained remarkably calm, continuing their usual study and life routines, seemingly indifferent to the trial’s outcome.

Then there were those less-gifted, often overlooked apprentices, now rubbing their hands with determination, their eyes gleaming with defiance and ambition.

They knew that in the real combat of a savage plane, talent wasn’t everything—tactics, wisdom, and thorough preparation were equally critical.

They aimed to seize this opportunity to prove they were no less than the so-called “geniuses.”

Influenced by the news, the prices of practical wizard artifacts and potions—especially combat consumables like instant-cast artifacts, emergency potions, and simple scrolls—skyrocketed, reaching several times their usual value.

This allowed some struggling logistics apprentices to make a tidy profit.

But none of this mattered much to Jie Ming.

Gazing at the faintly glowing Talisman-Rune Artifacts in his hands, he felt the power contained within.

These were the culmination of his efforts, refined through multiple tests and revisions.

“Though I have other ideas to explore, there’s not enough time… For this trial, I’ll focus on testing the practical effects of these three prototypes.”

He stowed the artifacts, his eyes glinting with eager anticipation.

…

…

On the massive teleportation array plaza, the air was thick with a complex, intense atmosphere.

Thousands of Noren Academy apprentices from the same cohort gathered, their faces a mix of excitement, tension, worry, eagerness, and unease.

Whispers and the clinking of equipment blended into a cacophony of noise.

At the plaza’s center, a colossal teleportation array shimmered with deep blue light, emitting palpitating spatial fluctuations.

Jie Ming stood slightly to the edge of the crowd, calmly surveying his surroundings.

His hands hung naturally, but his fingertips subtly brushed the metal pendants hanging at his waist—disguised Talisman-Rune Artifacts.

He observed the renowned geniuses of the academy.

Most were grouped in twos or threes, clad in self-crafted wizard robes or light armor radiating potent energy fluctuations, gripping uniquely styled wands or energy conductors.

Their aura was distinctly different from the average apprentices, exuding the arrogance and confidence of the strong.

“Jie Ming!”

A lively voice interrupted his observations.

Amy, dressed in a lightweight but rune-laden apprentice robe, holding an expensive-looking potion satchel, hurried to his side.

“You don’t look nervous at all,” Amy said with a hint of admiration. “As expected of you.”

Jie Ming smiled. “After studying so long, I can handle a scene like this.”

Amy chuckled, covering her mouth, then lowered her voice with a touch of pride. “Speaking of which, thanks for the tip last time!”

“What tip?” Jie Ming asked.

“You know, after your talk with Mentor Clark, you told me the specifics of the trial, letting me prepare early!” Amy’s eyes sparkled. “Hearing it’d involve a new plane and allow self-made apprentice-grade equipment and potions… I made a killing!”

“That’s all your own ability,” Jie Ming said, shaking his head. “I just passed along the news.”

He wasn’t being modest. With her extraordinary social skills, Amy had acted on the information by teaming up with alchemy and potioncraft apprentices.

They stockpiled common materials and rushed to produce apprentice-grade artifacts and potions.

When the trial was officially announced, Amy capitalized on the price surge of materials and consumables, earning a fortune.

Without her networking prowess, most students, even with the same information, lacked the capital to profit much.

“And didn’t you share some of the profits with me?” Jie Ming added.

“Pfft, those points are nothing compared to your help,” Amy said, waving dismissively, though her expression soon turned serious. “But this trial’s dangerous. People will die. Don’t let your guard down.”

“Don’t worry, I’m prepared,” Jie Ming said calmly.

At that moment, a booming, authoritative voice echoed from the plaza’s center.

“Silence!”