Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1634: Another Solution

Crunch.

Silvana bit into a chocolate cookie, her eyes fixed on the forest in front, which felt strangely both tangible and illusory.

"By the way, regarding that farm and the house over there." Silvana glanced toward Tron and Riska. "Do you reside here? Is that house yours?"

Tron shook his head.

"All of this belongs to the government and falls under the Dark Order's control. But yes, usually it's only Riska and me staying in that house. The others dwell in different spots or take on various roles."

He gestured with his hand.

"In my view, this spot is calm and pleasant. Consider it: the Second Ring stands as the sole location across the entire world for maintaining a serene farm."

He spoke truly. For a person like Goen, establishing a farm amid the Dead Lands would prove nearly impossible.

"I understand. How much time do you estimate for this training, Adam?"

Tron shrugged.

"Hard to say? His situation is unique, huh... just like ever. Typically, Phantoms initially discover the Ancient Energy, much like you did, following a trip to the Primal Lands. They come back to the Citadel, start training, and spend the following months refining their mastery of this force.

"Afterward, as a Phantom approaches the peak of his evolution, the time arrives to grasp the Dark Energy. Yet Adam has not just uncovered two forms of energy inside him during one mission, but he's also landed in that uncommon circumstance of gaining the Dark Energy right at his present level."

He pivoted, observing Adam's repeated failures. "Even so, that won't mean he'll encounter issues beyond his ability to handle. He could simply require extra time."

Riska rose from the table, gathering the empty glasses.

"I’ll fetch more juice."

Before she departed, Silvana hailed her:

"Wait!"

Riska spun back. "Hmm? Need anything?"

"Y-Yes..." Silvana replied hesitantly, dropping her eyes. "The pie you prepared for our arrival. If feasible... I'd like to learn to bake it for Adam. He surprised me nicely lately, so I wish to repay him."

Riska's eyes tightened into sharp, threatening lines.

"Ah, got it. Of course, but brace yourself. Regarding meals for our Phantoms, I become quite demanding."

Tron flicked his hand. "She's telling the truth. Even I'm wary of entering the kitchen during her sessions—it's a fearsome domain."

Silvana's mouth corners curved upward.

"Alright. I'm set."

Tron observed their departing figures, inhaled deeply, and moved toward Adam.

"What? Wasn't it simpler than anticipated?"

Adam looked up to find Tron looming above him.

Oddly, the response differed from Tron's anticipation.

"Nah, I've already worked out the method."

"Hmm?" Tron arched a brow. "In that case, why delay in completing this test?"

"Look."

Adam pressed his palm to the glass cube, directing his Ancient Energy inside.

Tron's energy attempted to push back his as previously, yet Adam easily countered the initial surge.

At present, two energy masses floated within the glass cube, confronting one another.

"I realized it's all concerning density. It required some effort to master compressing the Ancient Energy. Hah, next to ordinary energy, it's far tougher—like pitting copper against steel for durability—but achievable nonetheless."

Tron nodded profoundly. These matched the precise phases he had foreseen for Adam. They formed an element of his training regimen.

"Well done, but what's holding you back? Now you just must deploy additional energy and expel my energy from the glass cube. I intentionally employed just a bit of energy to avoid our power gap hindering your comprehension."

Adam grinned slyly.

"I could expel your energy from the glass cube, yet I aim to shatter it. That's tougher, far tougher. Watch."

Tremble.

Adam's energy quivered while nearing Tron's. His energy sought to fight back, but Adam's energy mass prevented any assault and shoved it directly against the glass barrier.

"Should I persist, your energy will merely leak away. That's not my goal."

Tron nodded.

"I get it. Alright, if you choose the tougher route, here's a tip: divide your energy, dispatch a minor portion into my mass, then form your energy encircling that piece. Thus, you'll dismantle my mass internally. However, that demands superior energy mastery."

Without pause, Adam clenched his hand while his energy mass fragmented into myriad particles that, at immense velocity, collided like soaring asteroids.

Beneath the force, the fist-sized energy mass morphed into a dense sphere scarcely bigger than a nail clipping.

Tron's eyes expanded as his stare dropped.

Drip.

A thin stream of blood trickled from Adam's mouth edge while his breaths deepened. Executing such an accomplishment burdened him more than deploying his powers.

"And now... I've got a different strategy."

"Hmm?" Tron appeared puzzled as the energy sphere quaked.

Resembling a minuscule yet perilous star, the energy sphere surged ahead. Its intense force sufficed to rip Tron's energy asunder and pulverize the glass cube into fragments.

Whoooooooosh!

The energy sphere continued, carving a rough furrow in the earth, demolishing nearby stones and harming the closest trees by stripping bark from stems and breaking limbs.

Ultimately, the energy sphere halted, shook, and, from energy depletion, disintegrated.

"Huh..." Tron felt admiration. "Impressive, quite impressive. Perhaps imposing challenges via finesse was misguided for you. You invariably devise solutions via raw power."

"Hey! My energy control has improved!" Adam objected.

Tron rubbed his ear casually.

"Yes, but your speed makes it feel insufficient now."

The glass cube materialized beside him while Tron reflected. He had to devise something straightforward but demanding for Adam.

"Well, I've got a notion."

With a hand motion, the air quivered as seventy enormous steel slabs materialized amid the woods. One alone bore enough mass to jolt the soil.

Tron grinned.

"The following challenge—inflict damage on each with one strike."

"AGH?"