Cain resumed walking immediately. Rook reluctantly followed him through a stone corridor that curved deeper into the mountain. Unlike the training grounds, very few people occupied this section of Ashline’s headquarters. The occasional instructor passed by carrying bundles of scrolls or crates filled with weapons, but nobody lingered for conversation.
"The purpose of the evaluation is not to see whether you can fight," Cain finally said. "It is to determine whether you are qualified to become an Ashline operative."
"Isn’t fighting part of that?"
"It is only one part."
Rook frowned but remained quiet.
"The Survival Test measures composure under pressure. The remaining evaluations measure different qualities. Every operative who leaves Ashline represents the rebellion. Sending someone into enemy territory without knowing their strengths and weaknesses would only waste lives."
That explanation sounded reasonable.
It also meant the next four tests probably wouldn’t resemble ordinary combat training.
As they continued walking, they eventually reached a wide chamber lined with wooden tables. Several healers moved from patient to patient, applying medicine to cuts and broken bones while others prepared strange mixtures that filled the room with the smell of herbs.
One of the healers looked up the moment Cain entered.
"Another one?"
Cain nodded once.
"The Survival Test."
The elderly woman sighed before waving Rook toward an empty bed.
"Sit."
Rook obeyed without complaint.
The woman grabbed his wrist and closed her eyes for several moments. A faint green glow spread from her palm before gradually covering his entire body.
The soreness in his muscles eased almost immediately.
"Huh."
The woman glanced at him.
"First time receiving healing magic?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"You looked surprised."
"I was."
Back on Earth, Players relied mostly on potions and specialized healing abilities. Watching someone restore injuries with nothing more than a touch still felt unusual to him.
The green light slowly faded.
"Your body is under considerable strain," the healer said. "You pushed your mana pathways harder than they were meant to endure."
Rook forced an awkward smile.
"I noticed."
"You’ll recover after a night’s rest, but don’t repeat it too often. Your body has limits."
His expression remained unchanged, though inwardly he couldn’t help agreeing.
Everyone kept telling him the same thing.
His body had limits.
His skills had limits.
Even Infinite Upgrade Points came with limits.
At first, he had found the restrictions slightly disappointing.
Now, after experiencing a real battle, he understood why they existed.
Without them, he would’ve probably continued upgrading everything until his body collapsed.
The healer stepped away from the bed.
"You’re done."
"That’s it?"
"You expected something more dramatic?"
Rook scratched his cheek.
"I don’t know... maybe glowing circles or mysterious chants."
The woman laughed quietly.
"We save those for serious injuries."
Cain had already reached the doorway by the time Rook stood.
"Follow."
"You really don’t waste words, do you?"
"No."
"...Right."
The two of them left the infirmary and continued through another series of corridors until they emerged into a large courtyard. Unlike the arena, this place was filled with trainees practicing under the supervision of various instructors. Some exchanged sword strikes with wooden practice weapons while others meditated beneath large trees, their mana visibly flowing around them.
Rook slowed his pace as he observed everything around him.
"This place is bigger than I thought."
"Ashline has existed for nearly a century."
Cain didn’t stop walking.
"It would be difficult to wage war against the Demon Hierarchy with only a few buildings."
Rook nodded.
That made sense.
The inherited memories he possessed belonged mostly to the original Rook, who had spent nearly all of his time training with his own squad. There were still many sections of headquarters he had never visited.
Eventually, they arrived before a modest stone building standing apart from the others.
Cain pushed the door open.
Inside were shelves packed with books from floor to ceiling. Maps covered nearly every wall, and several elderly men and women sat around a long table, quietly discussing something over stacks of documents.
The conversations stopped the moment Cain entered.
One of the old men adjusted his glasses before looking toward Rook.
"So this is the new Elementalist."
Rook blinked.
"They already know?"
Cain answered instead.
"Sir informed the Council yesterday."
The elderly man slowly rose from his chair and approached Rook with surprising energy despite his age.
"My name is Eldric."
He extended his hand.
"I oversee Ashline’s archives."
Rook accepted the handshake.
"It’s nice to meet you."
Eldric smiled warmly.
"I’ve heard quite a bit about you."
"I’m hoping only the good parts."
"That depends."
The old man chuckled before walking toward one of the bookshelves.
"Elementalists are exceptionally rare. Those capable of wielding multiple elements are rarer still."
He carefully removed a thick leather-bound book and placed it on a nearby table.
"This is why you’re here."
Rook looked down at the book.
The cover contained no title, only a symbol resembling four intertwined circles.
"What is it?"
"A collection of every recorded Elementalist Ashline has encountered during the last ninety-three years."
Rook’s curiosity immediately grew.
"There have been that many?"
Eldric shook his head.
"Quite the opposite."
He opened the book.
"There have only been eleven."
Rook’s eyes widened slightly.
"Eleven?"
"You’re the twelfth."
The room fell silent.
Rook stared at the worn pages filled with notes, sketches, and carefully recorded observations.
Something told him this meeting had very little to do with the evaluation.
Whatever was inside that book was important enough for Ashline to preserve for almost a century.
And now...it was being placed directly in front of him.
Eldric gently turned the first page, revealing neat handwriting that had clearly been penned by many different people over several generations. Every few pages contained detailed sketches of magical circles, elemental phenomena, and handwritten notes describing the strengths, weaknesses, and habits of each recorded Elementalist.
"Our predecessors believed knowledge was just as valuable as strength," Eldric said as he rested a wrinkled hand on the open book. "Every Elementalist who was willing to share their understanding left something behind for those who came after them. Some contributed only a few pages, while others dedicated entire journals to their discoveries. Whether these records will help you or not depends entirely on your own talent and determination."