The plant evolution master was shocked. Fredrick dropped his jaw. Even the president didn't expect an attempt using this method.
"An item? Do you understand what you're saying now?" As the one who had to enter the booth with him, his opinion should be considered carefully.
After all, if things went out of control, he would be the first one to take responsibility.
Fredrick was a bit confused by Auric's decision as well.
He thought, 'What is he trying to do? It's true that items can also help suppress one's energy, but to be able to utilize them, you need precision.'
There was a reason why the first test was a written exam, while the second one was a precision exam.
'To counter the energy from one's body, you need to accurately measure the intensity as well as the amount of energy. Having knowledge of which material to choose is necessary.'
Fredrick crossed his arms. 'The material will lower or increase the amount to a certain extent. If there are different types of materials, they can even be used as a way to flush out energy or treat other conditions. He completed the first test far faster than anyone else and received a perfect score, now that I think about it.'
Fredrick couldn't help but consider the possibility that Auric would succeed.
'Still, among the materials, you need to be precise. If Auric selects a material that lowers one's element to 99% or lower, he will fail to evolve because his plant element can't increase it back up.'
This meant that Auric had to choose a material that would either perfectly match the number to 100% or near 100%, which he could then eliminate using his own element.
Nevertheless, all evolution masters were expected to learn this technique before becoming one. So, the rest of the participants should have some knowledge to a certain extent.
The only problem was that the difficulty in suppressing an extreme element was much higher than that of a normal variant.
However, the president thought about this approach differently.
'I don't mind if he uses it because our evolution masters are quite good, but I'm slightly worried about this approach. He's only 17 years old. It's time for him to be bold, and he has shown sufficient talent. If he fails…'
The president shivered just at the thought of having this genius experience a trauma because of his first failure.
At the same time, a failure might be what Auric needed. If this failure could teach him not to be complacent, Auric would become a much more stable and careful evolution master.
The sooner he messed up, the sooner he would start solidifying his skills.
So, it was worth a try. The moment Auric picked a herb that didn't match the amount of energy stored within the candidate, the one accompanying him could prepare himself to interfere.
Still, there was one big concern.
Before allowing Auric to attempt such a dangerous plan, the president asked for confirmation. "Do you know what will happen if you use materials to counter an extreme element?"
"Yes." Auric nodded calmly before he explained, "I first require a material with the same intensity, meaning an item that has an extreme plant element. The collision between two extreme elements is much more intense."
"That's correct. That's why you won't be able to do it. Your element can't contain their collision!" The president glared at him.
Fredrick smiled wryly, muttering to himself, 'Whoa. That glare… He's pressuring him to avoid taking the exam. It is rare for the president to apply pressure directly to a participant. Can such a young boy handle this much pressure?'
Fredrick also agreed with the president's opinion. He added, "You should know that if you can't contain this clash, it will result in damage to their bodies. Or are you going to use a lot more material to suppress that element? With the increase in materials, the complexity will also increase."
Auric was already aware of this problem after the tutoring from Lindwurm.
He raised one finger. "I only need one extreme material. It's true that I don't have the ability to contain their clash, but isn't there a technique that can do it?"
"!!!" The moment the president heard it, it felt like thunder reverberating in his ears.
How old was the person before him? Could someone this young already be aware of such an advanced technique?
'This control technique allows two extreme elements to meet and neutralize each other in a much more organized manner. However, there are not many who can use this technique. In this association, there are only the vice president and me. Don't tell me… He can do it too?'
"A technique? Is there something like that?" Fredrick frowned.
The plant evolution master was also confused.
"Extreme Bridge Management. It's a rare technique." The president opened his mouth. "The biggest requirement for this technique is sensitivity. To apply enough elemental energy without provoking the stronger element and suppressing the weaker element."
"A rare technique?" Fredrick couldn't believe what he had just heard. Could Auric actually perform a technique that he didn't even know?
The president learned that the biggest requirement for this technique is sensitivity. The sensitivity that Auric had shown earlier was the best proof that he was eligible to learn this technique.
The president pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Should I really give permission? Extreme Bridge Management. It's a technique much more popular among those who want to become diamond-grade evolution masters.'
The president suddenly thought of something. Having a 17-year-old taking the test alone was already crazy enough, but for this 17-year-old to have the ability to execute such an advanced technique, it could only be done if he was taught by a very powerful master.
'Don't tell me. Is this guy's master actually at a higher level than me? A diamond-grade evolution master? No, that kind of person might be the only person that can teach such a young genius.'
Once he reached that conclusion, he could explain the rest like a flowing river.
'I thought about recruiting him as my disciple once this test is over, but if he really has a diamond-grade master, I'm really not qualified to teach him anymore.'
To confirm his guess, the president asked, "This is a very important question, so I hope you can answer it. Do you have a teacher?"
"Well…" Auric paused before pointing up, specifically at Lindwurm. "I do have a mentor."
Lindwurm wasn't his teacher. He was more like a mentor.
He guided him along a certain path and let Auric learn the rest himself. That was why he mentioned the word 'mentor.'
Lindwurm crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and nodded with a smug smile as if he were satisfied with the answer. "Good, good."
However, that answer actually caused a small misunderstanding for the president.
'As expected…' The president was disappointed, but he was also excited. 'Pointing up. This must be a subtle hint that his master is better than me, meaning he is at least one rank higher than me, who is a 3-star gold grade evolution master.'
This was the only explanation that made sense to him.
'Since such an expert plans to nurture him, I should also give him my support.'
The president ultimately nodded. "Alright. I will give you permission to try it. Don't worry. Try your best because our people are also excellent at handling situations."
"Thank you very much." Auric nodded back politely.
'Such a humble kid. Even though his master is above me, he doesn't flaunt anything. It's no wonder he's pointing up. He doesn't want to make a huge scene in front of anyone.'
Auric became more and more pleasing to the president's eyes.
"In that case, you should start with the materials. Give him the material list. We have stocked up some from the nearby material stores, so choose anything you want." The president waved his hand.
"Y-Yes." The plant evolution master was surprised that the president had granted permission. It would be dangerous, so he had to be on alert. "This is the catalog."
He gave Auric the tablet to choose.
While Auric was searching for the item he desired, the president approached the plant master and whispered, "If he somehow fails, you help him without making him look too bad. Make sure that he still strives to improve without any trauma. Understand?"
The plant evolution master became even more confused. Since when did their president become so partial?
'What the hell is going on? Did they have a secret relationship? Or… is he… his illegitimate child?'
The plant evolution master's misunderstanding was even wilder than the president's.
'That's right. He knows something that maybe only the president knows. If he doesn't feed him the knowledge, I don't know how he can do it…'
The evolution master was shaken. There was only one thought in his mind. 'He's a royal. He's definitely a royal.'
If Hans had a connection with the water evolution master through his father, who was also an evolution master, he still couldn't be compared to Auric.
No matter whether it was the water evolution master or his father, they would be nothing if the president blacklisted them.
The evolution master couldn't help but remember Hans' continuous provocation.
'Idiot. You are trying to provoke the president's child? Let's see how he's going to suffer after this.'
Auric didn't care what was going on with their heads. He was just immersed in the items, searching for one that perfectly matched the condition.
'Mr. Golanz's condition is 113% earth element with an intensity rating of 3.9/5.0. So, I will need a material with that kind of rating as well.'
Name: Iron Bullet Ant
Element: Iron (Extreme)
Name: Man-Eating Plant
Element: Super Plant (Extreme)
Name: Spiky Rose
Element: Poisonous Thorn (Extreme)
'Hmm. I can't find anything suitable. The Man-Eating Plant is good, but it's a bit too powerful. It will end up eating too much of the element. On the other hand, the Spiky Rose is much more potent than that.'
Auric was looking for a certain plant, but he couldn't find it in the catalog.
Since it was an event held by the association, he thought he could find that kind of plant. Even though it was rare, there should be some stocks.
"What's wrong? Have you made a choice yet?" The president asked. He whispered to the others. "What about his written test?"
"Perfect score, faster than anyone else," Fredrick answered, knowing he was worried Auric wasn't good with the basic knowledge.
With that confirmation, he knew Auric would know which material he should pick.
So, his question changed to, "Nothing catches your eye?"
"Actually, yes." Auric nodded with a wry smile.
"Oh? Then, what do you want? I will call the nearby material shop to bring it over."
"I want Thorny Oak. It has robust energy like its life force and a similar fierceness to the steel element."
"Okay." The president was pretty pleased with his decision. He immediately took out his phone and called the shop owner.
"President Albert. It is rare for you to call me directly. May I know the reason for this call?"
"I need a material. Thorny Oak. Bring it here."
"This…" The owner sounded troubled.
"What's wrong?"
"Actually, we only had one, but it was bought by someone two days ago."
"What?" The president clenched his phone tighter. "You don't have one?"
Auric was bewildered. The material shop near the association was actually the biggest material shop in this city, so if that kind of shop didn't even have it, then other shops might not have it either.
"Pfft! Hahaha. I forgot about this." Lindwurm suddenly laughed while clutching his belly.
'Forgot about what?' Auric furrowed his brows.
"That girl. What was her name again—Arina? Don't you remember her solution?'
'The solution is a robust and abundant energy that can flush out the accumulated energy in her body… Wait. Robust and abundant energy…' Auric finally figured out what was going on.
"Hahaha. That girl must have bought it since she didn't fully trust you."
Auric was speechless.
'Doesn't this mean… I won't have the material needed to pass this test?'