The notebook remained open on the table, but Arin had already gone through it enough times. The pattern described inside was incomplete, providing only the base structure and the method of energy flow. A part of it had to be adjusted based on the individual, and while there were notes on how to observe and adapt the flow, no direct method was given.
That part had to be formed by himself.
As he studied the structure again, the pattern became clearer. The lines formed paths that guided energy through fixed routes. Some sections allowed smooth movement, while others created resistance, making the flow harder to maintain. If the flow could not match his body, the structure would fail.
While thinking about it, an idea came to him. If failure meant death, there was no reason to test it directly on his semi-core. He still had the fragmented core, and even if it was damaged, it could be used to test the pattern and reduce the risk.
He began using the fragmented core.
At first, the energy scattered before forming anything stable. Even when the structure began to take shape, it collapsed before completion. The failures were not random. Each time, the structure broke at similar points, showing where the mismatch existed.
He started modifying those sections. The direction of flow was adjusted slightly, pressure reduced where resistance appeared, and the connections between certain paths were changed. The results were unstable at first, but gradually the pattern began to hold for longer durations.
The process required more energy than expected, and the semi-core alone was not enough. So he used green energy crystals to maintain the flow. They provided denser energy but were consumed quickly.
To support this, he repaired the energy dispenser using whatever data he could find. It only worked partially, and most of the energy was still wasted. It was inefficient, but it allowed him to continue.
Over two weeks, the pattern improved. Failures reduced, and partial success increased. The structure became clearer, and the unstable points became easier to identify and adjust.
During this time, Ren contacted him.
The registration for Astra Vale Academy had opened.
Arin checked the details. The examination would begin in twenty days, and participants would include students from minor academies, individuals, and candidates from various organizations. Astra Vale Academy was not a place everyone could enter.
He registered as an individual.
Twenty days was not enough for someone starting from this level.
He increased his effort. Cultivation and experimentation continued together, placing more strain on both his body and mind. The pattern became more stable with each attempt, and the adjustments he made began to align better with his own structure.
After another two to three days, the external testing reached its limit. The pattern held on the fragmented core without collapsing.
There was nothing more to test externally.
The next step had to be done on himself.
He stopped and prepared. His body was allowed to recover completely, and no unnecessary energy was used. He maintained his condition at its best before starting.
The next day arrived.
Arin's control was slipping. The runic structure inside the semi-core was almost complete, but the final section refused to stabilize. His energy had nearly run out, and the pattern trembled under pressure. The part he had modified himself resisted the most, making the entire structure unstable.
If this part failed, everything would collapse.
Two hours earlier, he had started in a stable condition. His body was fully recovered, and his energy was at its peak. The pattern had already been memorized, including the adjustments he had made after repeated testing.
The moment the energy entered the semi-core, the difference was immediate. The flow did not spread naturally. It was forced into the structure, moving along the paths he had created. The pressure built up instantly.
The pain came at the same time.
It spread through his body along the path of the energy, deep and continuous. The pain relief medicine he had taken beforehand did not reduce it. It only allowed him to endure and maintain control.
He continued guiding the flow. The structure began forming step by step, but it was not stable. Some sections resisted, forcing him to adjust constantly. The same failure point appeared again, the place where every attempt had collapsed during practice.
His breathing became uneven as the pressure increased. His control weakened more than once, but he forced it back each time.
At one point, a clear thought appeared in his mind. In his previous life, he had remained weak and unable to change anything. This time, stopping here would lead to the same result.
He continued.
The structure kept forming, but the strain on his body increased with each moment. His energy dropped quickly, and exhaustion began to affect his control. The pain did not lessen, and the pressure continued to build inside the semi-core.
Now the process had reached its final stage. Only the last section remained. The part he had modified himself resisted strongly, making the entire structure unstable. His energy was nearly exhausted, and the semi-core trembled under the pressure.
Stopping here was not an option.
He forced the remaining energy forward and guided it into the final segment.
The structure began to form.
Unstable.
On the edge of collapse.