Chapter 24 - Trying to get the Azure Dew

On the back mountain of Dongyun Academy, in the depths of a dense forest, there is a training ground on the edge of a cliff, intertwined with wind and rain.Amidst the swirling mist, a girl in a blue and white training outfit stands silently at the top of the cliff. She is holding a magical folding fan, her expression cool, her long hair fluttering in the wind.Her name is-Canglu Yizhi,a tactical magic engineer and a candidate instructor of countermeasure techniques, she is hailed as a potential talent "closest to the Red Joker in the talent of spell theory composition".At this moment, she is standing at the edge of the cliff, in front of her is a [Phantom Array Trial] set by her mentor, named:"Mirror Realm: The Prison of the Mind"This trial array is specifically designed to test the mental and conceptual abilities of high-level spellcasters - if the logical train of thought is broken, one will fall into a mental collapse, never able to escape the illusion.Inside the Mirror RealmCanglu opens her eyes and finds herself in a world of reflective emptiness.There is no sky here, only a mirror-like floor that reflects her every move. She sees "herself" slowly approaching from all directions, a mocking smile on her face."On what basis did you enter the main organization of the Magic Department?""Do you think you can master tactics just because you've memorized a few books?""You are not the Red Joker, and you never will be.""You are merely taking her position."These voices intertwine incessantly, crashing like waves against her will.Canglu grits her teeth, opens her folding fan, and creates a triple protective runic barrier, but it cannot block the Heart Monster formed by her self-doubt.From the cracks in the mirror, a monster formed by her memories emerges, its form resembling that of her mentor-Liviya Ains!"Lu. The phantom Liviya extends her hand, eyes icy, "You are merely a failed copy of me."At that moment, Canglu's pupils tremble, her footsteps sway, and she almost falls to her knees.Real Space: Peripheral ObservationFongke and Elfi stand before the observation mirror of the outer array, watching the pulsating flow of the phantom array."The mental test has reached its most dangerous phase." Elfi whispers, "If she can't hold on, she won't qualify to enter the Strategic Council."Fongke says nothing, just stares at the points of light deep within the Mirror Realm.Deep within the Mirror RealmJust as the phantom Liviya is about to strike, Canglu suddenly looks up and waves her folding fan!"You are not her.""She will not drive me with fear-what she has taught me is that magic comes from will, and will... cannot be falsified!"Boom-!The mirrored world shakes violently, countless fragments exploding, transforming into pathways of magic that flow back into Canglu's body.She unfolds her spell: "Astrological Composition: Fivefold Reflection"Five fields of star patterns materialize in the void, crushing all the phantoms around her.Illusions shatter, reality reconstructs.Canglu slowly opens her eyes and stands at the edge of the cliff, her gaze resolute.Magic Department: Tactical Conference RoomAs night falls, Canglu enters the assembly hall, holding the **[Master Spellcaster Certification] badge awarded by her mentor."I've returned." Her voice is not loud, but clear.Fongke stands and nods, while Elfi shows a rare smile."Then we can finally move on to the next phase."Character Quote: Canglu Yizhi"The end point of magic is not victory - it is facing yourself."Character Quote • Canglu • Iori "The end of the technique is not victory—it's when you can still firmly hold the folding fan with your hands even when facing yourself."