Chapter 88: Array

This was the power of the Array Formations. By imbuing Ræzoň onto an object, one could make it act like it was alive. Its branches would have the same dynamic mobility as human limbs. It would have the same sentience as an animal, and therefore have the same ferality as one.

And interestingly enough, by Eren obtaining this flag, the Array Formations weren’t destroyed. Instead, they were simply turned off.

The Ræzoň symbols were still imprinted onto the roots. Meaning, if one poured Ræzoň onto the tree, they could theoretically turn it on once again.

Of course, it wouldn’t be as simple as splashing Ræzoň onto the tree. One must know the Array Formation itself, and know its inner workings before they could re-activate it.

I see... the only ones who could have the knowledge to do that is the Academic Sector.

Now it made sense why they were allowed to participate in this exam. They may not be able to fight against Hunter Awakeners, but with these Array Formations, they stood a fighting chance against them.

And therein lied the true weakness of this world.

They had too little time. They had to focus on only one aspect of their cultivation.

Sierra, Abe, Sky, and the rest of them didn’t even know how to properly use their Primal Step. But that was because their focus was on making their Martial Manuals stronger. It was a trade-off.

And he couldn’t exactly blame them for that. Only proper strength would allow them to fight against Phantoms.

Eren was the exact opposite. He had a thousand years to learn every aspect of cultivation. However, his crippledness never allowed him to use it.

But not, he was given that chance. He was allowed to use what he was taught.

He immediately went towards the neighboring tree and dug up part of its roots. There, he saw the same markings as last time.

Then, he put his hand on it. He closed his eyes, focusing on the Primary Meridian in his wrists. With the knowledge in his mind, he was able to navigate through the different veins and circuits that were implanted onto the roots.

It wasn’t long before he found the ’battery’, the very power source that had been cut off the moment that he obtained this flag.

Within just a few seconds, he was able to imbue this power source with his own Ræzoň.

It only took a few seconds. The tree glowed slightly with a tinge of red, as if given the lambent light of a fading sun.

Then, it was gone.

Eren had re-armed this tree. If there was anyone else who touched this tree, the Array Formation would immediately activate. They would then attack the intruder relentlessly until the Ræzoň that he imbued onto it was gone.

"You..."

Celeste looked at him with complete surprise and shock. She was the only one who understood the meaning of what he had done.

She knew that Array Formations was a topic of Psions that was extremely hard to understand. In fact, only a select few could ever truly understand it, much less create it.

It required a lot of studying. So much studying, in fact, that only those who spent years studying it could properly use it.

Meaning, those who choose to study Array Formations would have to neglect their own Awakening. They wouldn’t be able to practice their Martial Manuals like the other Awakeners.

That was why Academic License Awakeners were always in the backline. They weren’t deployed to the front lines. It wasn’t that they were weak. It was that they haven’t had the proper training to do so!

And yet, she looked towards the tree and understood what had happened. The Array Formation had been re-activated!

"How..."

"Hm? What happened?" Sierra asked, completely clueless.

Celeste looked at Eren. She wondered whether she should tell the others. After all, she didn’t know if Eren wanted to keep this as a secret or not.

Eren, on the other hand, shrugged his shoulders, as if he didn’t care if others knew or not.

It was at this point that Celeste turned to the others. "Don’t destroy the other trees," she told them.

"Why?"

"Eren... he’s made it so that these trees will now become our own bodyguards."

Sierra, Sky, and the others were completely confused upon hearing that.

"What—"

But as soon as they said that, they suddenly heard footsteps coming from the other side of the room.

They went completely still. It wasn’t long before the footsteps became louder and louder, and soon, a group of about ten people walked in.

"Oh, what do we have here? Looks like we weren’t the first ones here."

The new group walked towards the chamber, never minding the fact that they were trespassing.

Their leader, a man with a mohawk, walked forward and observed his surroundings. "Hmmm.... A pool of water... trees... a big space.. And oh, you’ve made a campfire for us already. Nice."

Sierra looked towards them. "We’ve already gotten the flag. Please leave now."

The mohawk leader smiled. "Hahaha, that’s not how the game goes, my dear. Our proctors clearly made this Test to see which ones could protect their Territories from other invaders.

It’s totally fair play for me to take your flag and this Territory as well."

Behind him, his nine other members smiled with sinister undertones. They were hungry for blood. "Men, let’s get our new camp, shall we?"

The mohawk leader pointed towards Eren’s group, before they charged forwards.

One by one, they ran towards the group. Abe immediately empowered his fists, fighting off one of the invaders.

Sierra raised her fists as well, standing by Sky and Berndatte. The three of them were surrounded by four men, all ready to pounce on them.

Celeste tried to stand with the other girls, but she was blocked by another man.

Meanwhile, the mohawk leader turned towards Eren, who was busy burying something in the soil. "Looky here... we have a farmer."