Life energy surged aggressively at Cole, accompanied by a large gust of air.
Due to his position and also the sheer density of life energy around them, the students didn't immediately notice anything.
Cole tried his best to curb the intense absorption rate of the World Absorbing Mantra, but just like a starved lion, it failed to listen.
Cole had always been limiting the absorption rate of his mantra intentionally to prevent causing a ruckus like he did the first time he used it.
But that intentional limit seemed to have done his body more harm than good. It had caused an unconscious lock on his mantra.
The presence of this heavily condensed life energy, combined with that sense of conscious freedom, resulted in the violent eruption.
As the cultivation practice continued deeper and deeper, more and more life energy was absorbed by Cole, producing a faint golden sheen beneath his skin and classmates began noticing.
Those at the center were still oblivious to the situation, but those close to the periphery kept canceling their cultivation to check their environment.
In no time, even those at the center started sensing a change in life energy.
****Outside the Room****
Emily stood beside a man that could be considered quite familiar for Cole.
It was the man that presided over their entry test.
"There really is something special about that kid," Emily said while staring at the screen in front of her.
On the screen, Cole's image could be seen in a completely focused state as he kept on absorbing.
"Yes, he is. The problem now is how long before those people notice." The man beside her replied.
"I hope he grows fast enough," Emily said.
****Back in the Cultivation Room****
Since most students actually had no way of determining the flow of life energy, they all wondered what was going on.
They all stared at Cole, the only person that seemed to still be cultivating.
"One star. Pathetic. Probably hasn't sensed the problem with life energy." Someone mocked.
"He probably can't absorb fast enough to notice anything," Another student added.
Only four students didn't share the same opinion as the others. Firstly, the red-headed girl.
She stared at Cole with a very interested expression.
"There is something quite special about that peasant kid." The girl muttered as she thought back to their first encounter.
The second person was actually his roommate, Bryan. He also noticed the anomaly caused by Cole.
"This further proves my thought; he shouldn't be just a one-star," Bryan thought decisively.
The third person was a kid Cole had never had any encounter with; he sat at the center of the arrangement, a large display of his talent.
The last student was quite familiar; if Cole saw him, he would immediately remember him.
The student sat at the periphery of the arrangement, his eyes displaying a deep sense of responsibility, like he was on a mission.
Cole was unbothered by the external changes at the moment. Something heavier was currently occurring deep within him.
Just like Emily described in the morning, he was feeling a certain level of fullness in his body, but before he could fully relish the situation.
"That's enough," Emily shouted out.
Everyone snapped back, wondering when she actually returned to the room.
Cole was one of those awakened, though he was quite bitter about that.
He wanted to absorb more and fully delve into what he was feeling, but all of that had been cut short.
"Today's cultivation practice has been cut short," Emily said in an unusual curt tone.
Her eyes scanned the students, lingering on Cole for two seconds longer than it should have.
The reluctant students were led out of the cultivation room, leaving Emily alone.
"That was close; he almost absorbed all the stored energy," Emily said while cleaning off fake sweat.
She turned to leave the cultivation room also, her peaceful steps now having a tinge of urgency.
"What do I do now?" Cole suddenly asked himself.
There was still quite a bit of time before the sun set, and his body felt extremely active from the cultivation session.
After a bit of struggle, he finally decided to head to the Combat Hall and train for a little while before returning to his hostel in an attempt to stop the hyperactive feeling of his muscles.
He bade farewell to Bryan, telling him where he was headed before separating from the group and heading towards the combat hall.
About ten minutes later, Cole arrived at the combat hall. The combat hall was mostly empty, except for the lone person lying in it.
It was Eleanor, the one who actually tutored him the previous day.
"I knew you would come to train," Eleanor said while staring at Cole.
"Something seems off about his life energy….it is usually active" Eleanor though as she scrutinized Cole.
"Ummm, just came to do something before heading back." Cole responded.
"Okay then, have fun," Eleanor said as she resumed her nap.
Cole also tried his best to ignore her presence, moving towards a wall of the hall where training equipment was kept.
He picked up the simplest-looking one and proceeded to do some basic physical exercises with it.
****Unseen Areas of the Academy****
A student dressed in familiar attire could be seen kneeling in front of a throne-like chair.
On the chair sat Cole's current number one enemy. Doctor Thomas.
"Any update?" Doctor Thomas asked the student.
"Yes, boss, the boy seems to have displayed a huge anomaly today, leading to the postponement of cultivation practice." The student responded.
"Hahahah, as expected of someone with that innate spirit," Doctor Thomas laughed.
"He shouldn't have grown that fast though."
"Alright, continue keeping an eye on him; the hunt will be beginning soon," he ordered.
"Alright, boss." The student replied before standing to leave.
****Cole's Room****
Bryan lay on his bed with a slightly helpless expression.
"I am sure Cole is something special. Maybe he can help me," Bryan wondered.
"I hope he can; this is much bigger than I am," Bryan conceded.
"I will tell him tonight…or it will be too late" Bryan decided with a stern expression.