Even as the Crypt Master spoke, the changes that he mentioned began, their bodies stiffened and all the channel that essence passes through in their body became lit as essence traveled the their bodies at high speed.
"Quickly! Sit in your meditation position!" The crypt Master said urgently. Although it doesn't matter but it's better to be in a calm and comfortable environment when advancing. The team arranged themselves and sat.
Vacuus narrowed his eyes as his core shook, all the essence in it started to collide into each other at high speed, then it came out of his body like smoke, bellowing around and up his body like flame.
Now his core settled but in a strange way, the essence swirled together and began to form thickly like a mud or slimes. Then the next moment it waa completely frozen solid. Vacuus thought that was the end but then a sharp crack sent the frozen core splitting into two and showed a new core.
It's still the same size but the amount of essence in there would also Vacuus to use fire wave technique for at least thirty times if he was using the amount of power he normally uses. But now that the quality of his essence have gone up and with his new upgraded fire wave technique formation his attack will be intense and cover a lot of ground.
The Absolute technique that was added to his fire wave will enable him to control fire more accurately and he'll need to upgrade it every time he advance because the amount and quality of his power will also advance.
But that wasn't the only thing he felt as he stood up with grace that wasn't there previously. His limbs are more powerful and he knew he could tear an Initiate level Awakener apart with the strength of his new body.
Unlike when the chaos core advance, his fire core directly advance his whole physical abilities.
"You look different." Stallus said, she already advance as well and now she's covering all her body in thin layer of blue essence that sparkle just like the crystals.
"What do you mean." Vacuus demanded.
"Your hair, looks more sleek and...it's more like a shining fur of a majestic beast. And you are taller too and your face more sharper. See your red eyes like blood gem."
The crypt Master laughed. "You look just the same Stallus. That's the glow that comes with advancing it'll go in a few days but your improved physical condition will remain and you'll get more life force which means you'll life longer. Once you're Master you won't have to worry about natural death for at least some six hundred years."
Vacuus nodded, he felt satisfaction because what is the use of acquiring power if you'll have short mortal life? He sucked in a breath and the essence flowed into him without much difficulty, he directed it to his core.
What he noticed is that it's going to take an astonishing amount of essence to advance. To fill in the core enough to start hardening it won't be a joke. He thought to himself, 'so this is why advancing is difficult. Each level is like another realm on its own'
Vacuus nodded in cold satisfaction. The way to power, as he knew it won't ever be easy.
They wait for Catena and Alex as they also began to advance. Their own is slow unlike the rushed one of Vacuus and then Stallus. In fact the crypt Master told them that advancing is a slow process.
Vacuus knew it must be because he's Vacuus and that's why it went that way for him. He won't overestimate himself. He has two cores and that alone put him above everyone else, he knew he could afford to be arrogant in that.
But his gaze slide to Stallus. He knew she's a genius too but sometimes he's a bit surprised by what she does. She will serve him well when the time is right.
The crypt Master didn't want to speak twice so they wait for the two to finish advancing which took a little after an hour but eventually they advanced.
"Wow! I can see better already." Alex said. "And it feels like I can throw one thousand punches without taking a break!" And as if in demonstration, he punched the air and the difference was clear with the way it snapped sharply.
Catena wondered silently to himself if he'll be able to taste better with the way he advanced, and he very much hope so.
The crypt Master clapped gently. "Congratulations on your advancement. You are now all in the Acolyte rank."
Vacuus watched him without speaking while the others murmured their thanks.
The crypt Master continued. "Unfortunately you have not finish the task from this year so you'll go back to hunting the Initiate level crypt and I doubt it should be Tim consuming. We will see again after the year ends!"
And will a bust of light the crypt Master disappeared only to appear in a dark room with a spinning portal. He went through it and appeared in Apex's office where Kael was also waiting.
He bowed to the Commander. "The students are now Acolyte rank." He said.
It wasn't much of a surprise to Kael and Apex because they were kind of expecting it but to have it confirmed is another thing entirely.
"So what will you have them do now?" The Commander asked mildly.
"I'll restrain them to the Initiate crypts for now so they can know the difference in power and learn to adjust their output. Also because my plan for the next phase isn't complete."
Captain Kael sat there without really saying anything, to think his students advance so quickly but that's nothing compared to what's in their future.
Commander Apex waved. "Do as wish, Arc. It's already in your hands and it's like anyone is stopping you. Just don't forget that the task given to you is by Master."