Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1632: Glass Cube

A perfect spot for practice would allow the trainer to dominate every aspect, crafting challenges on a whim, altering the quantity and form of items, and even altering the climate.

Such control seemed out of reach before, yet with Citadel's advanced tech, it proved straightforward. Indeed, soldiers didn't just drill in training areas or bases; they also honed skills in virtual rooms, where mentors set up the required hurdles.

This method worked for Phantoms too—though mainly the novice ones. Back when Adam initially turned into a Phantom, he'd practiced in such a chamber prior to his debut actual assignment.

However, now as a K4-Phantom, it posed too much risk. Those virtual setups were merely sophisticated imitations. They lacked any real energy involvement.

Consequently, foes couldn't surpass a specific power threshold, and should Adam unleash his powers inside, he might at most wreck costly gear, or worse, injure personnel or fellow Phantoms.

Therefore, sessions for K1-Phantoms and higher were confined to duels with other advanced Phantoms.

Adam had faced this routine himself, and during his K2 phase, Tron had assisted him.

Yet, regardless of how vast a farmland or meadow could be, a clash between two K4-Phantoms unleashing Ancient Energy freely would ravage it into barren wasteland in mere moments.

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

Lower-tier Phantoms could benefit from this too, but they had options like brawling close to the Citadel or across open lands, eliminating the urgency.

Novice Phantoms weren't meant to learn about Ancient Energy or Dark Energy. That knowledge stayed hidden until they grew powerful enough.

Clap.

Tron smacked his palms together while clouds and the sky reformed, concealing the plain gray concrete panels forming the Sky Cube.

“Ready to keep going?” he inquired.

Adam rubbed the nape of his neck.

“Uh, I could use a tip. How do you condense your energy like that? I could amp up my force to shatter the orbs, but it'd drag on, and that's not the lesson you're aiming for, right?”

“Spot on. Methods vary per person, but try picturing a real skirmish. It's your energy. After surviving all those fights, you must grasp controlling it.”

Adam gave a nod and dropped into a combat pose.

“Fine, let's dive in!”

The crystal sphere quivered while six metal balls lifted from the earth again.

Adam aimed his hand toward the initial ball, but now he opted for just one finger, treating his limb like a precision rifle.

“I might not have logged years in energy mastery drills, but I've endured countless combats. If this is key to victory, I'll pull it off!”

Tremble.

A vibration surged across the area as a bright white beam burst from Adam’s fingertip, slamming into the first ball.

An explosion akin to Tron's yet fiercer boomed nearby, with metal fragments scattering downward.

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

Adam fixed his gaze on the wreckage and swirling dust plume.

His breathing stayed steady, and his limb remained firm. As Tron predicted, this served as mere preparation, so Adam managing it on the follow-up attempt came as no shock.

Tron checked his timepiece.

“Forty-three seconds. Impressive, really impressive. So, up for a tougher challenge?”

His violet gaze sharpened.

“With confirmation you handle star energy well, next comes Ancient Energy.”

A pleased grin spread across Adam’s features.

“Ha! I smashed those marks with my energy—with Ancient Energy, nothing's holding me back! Bring on whatever barrier you got—I'll obliterate it!”

He spoke truth. A plain hit from Adam might fissure stone, but channeling Ancient Energy would carve a deep pit from the detonation.

Still, Silvana caught the hint in Tron’s look that Adam’s path ahead wouldn't unfold as smoothly as he hoped.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Rather than metal scraps, a massive glass block materialized in front of Adam, spacious enough to accommodate multiple individuals comfortably.

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

He concentrated while a violet stream tinged faintly gray seeped into the block. This marked his Ancient Energy in unadulterated state.

Tron faced Adam.

“Your goal is straightforward—neutralize or eradicate my Ancient Energy inside without shattering this block. Success demands true command over your strength.”

The rules seemed plain, yet Adam failed to see the challenge's depth.

‘Is he tossing me an easy starter again? Fine, I'll cruise past this test!’

Adam brimmed with assurance in his quick triumph, but Tron's doubt showed as he stepped toward Riska and Silvana.

“This'll occupy him awhile, so feel free to chat if you'd like.”

Before the women responded, Tron gestured, summoning a basic table and seats in front of them. He could've conjured snacks too, but they weren't edible being Gray Sky constructs.

Tap.

Simultaneously, Adam pressed his hand to the glass block as his Evolution Tree shook.

Ancient energy surged from his palm, as refined as he could muster.

‘By overwhelming his energy, it'll have to retreat or yield, yeah?’ he mused before unveiling his eyes.

The next violet surge collided with the initial one, but prior to Adam’s energy acting, Tron's quivered and repelled it via a spark-like surge.

Whoooooooosh!

The force rippled through Adam’s frame, hurling him meters away into the trees.

Tron, observing the scene, dipped his head in approval.

“Yep, he'll require time on that one. Perhaps we grab a bite. But like always, he'll conquer it in the end.”