Il Ji pressed the button corresponding to 'Down' on the elevator. He assumed that it would take him to Floor 12 based on the pillar that went all the way to Floor 11.
When he arrived, it was not as he had expected. Instead of a walkway, he was presented with small forest that reached to the ceiling. Grass was ever-present, and small fireflies reached across both ground and sky.
The forest was full of 'Wait- what is that?!' Il Ji thought to himself. Little anchovies were flopping in the puddles on the ground.
Il Ji summed up the core of his thoughts with a single statement.
'Well,I guess you can just forget mere pizzas when you can have an entire forest instead.'
As he carefully stepped so as not to come in contact with the fish, Il Ji made his way to the small cabin sitting atop the only cliff in the area.
"Took you long enough." Il Ji heard a voice from behind him.
"Master Orio! It's good to see you again. As for the time, I wanted to make sure that I soaked up everything I could. As I said before, this was- and is- my dream."
The old man chuckled. "In that case, welcome to my private research area. As a tier-9 Creation Master, they let me hold onto the only Archaic research project in the surrounding area."
"If you look to your left, you might be able to spot something amidst the top of the trees."
Il Ji looked and nearly gasped. "I-Is that?"
"Aye, it is. Similar to the long necked beasts of the long-forgotten age, I created the [Archaic] rank [Mystic Saurian] from what started as a lowly [Magic Turtle]."
"Here, come take a look at my notes."
Thanking him, Il Ji respectfully looked at the notes of his predecessor. Starting from the top, he read every little detail from [Copper] rank all the way to [Archaic].
When he reached the [Gold Rank] [Mystic Magic Turtle], he smiled. Sebastian's turtle, Lily, was bound to have [Throw Berserk Aura], which paired perfectly with [Bash]. He was considering giving her [Counter Bash], but was unsure of the skill requirements. Besides, he was meeting with Sebastian tomorrow, and most likely did not have the time.
Once he completed the reading, he looked up. "Compared to what I read before, this is a much more concisely thought out path." He mumbled aloud.
Turning to the Master, he added, "Thank you for your insights, Master Orio."
"You're welcome, Il Ji. I have a proposition. Would you like to hear it?"
"Sure."
Orio Santers measured him with his eyes. "..In that case, follow me."
Il Ji followed the master scientist until they came to another, smaller cabin. Nestled within was six baby shell-less long-necked turtles that, minus their oversized neck, came up to his knees.
"These are [Copper] rank [Mystic Saurians], all with an [Archaic] bloodline."
"…You can consider this a chance of fate. I will give you a test. The deal is this: For now, I would give you the materials you need to study for the Rank 1 Creation Test Exam, and give you one of the spare computers on the second subfloor."
"If you pass, I will uphold the deal we had before. If you fail, you gain nothing, but you will show me the contract mark- as for my side, I will at least uphold our nondisclosure agreement."
"However, if you succeed the test with full marks, in addition to our earlier agreement I will give you any of these six beasts in front of you. Keep in mind that, should you choose this option, I will keep them in the Copper rank until you complete the exam."
"If you do manage to pass the exam, I will also consider adding you part-time to one of the research teams as an assistant."
"Thoughts?"
Il Ji looked at the two-headed [Mystic Saurian] sitting on his left. The [Mystic Saurian] species used their heads to cast magic. The more heads…
"If you bet big, you'd better go for broke. I'd also like the materials to seek after the Creation Master Exams Ranks 2-5, all of the Bestiary Exams, Herbarium Exams, Evolution Token Exams, Skill Knowledge Exams, and all levels of the National and Foreign History Exams."
"If I fail any of the tests, I won't take the next. However, as I pass each test, I'd ask your assistance in taking the next one for free."
"Deal!" Orio slapped his hand against Il Ji's. "Boy, if you honestly manage to pass each one, I'll even give you my most prized possessiona! That being said, I will not allow cheating of any kind whatsoever…"
Il Ji chuckled. If he managed to attain the litany of skills to make his brain capable of understanding and passing the test material, he'd surely pass them all in quick succession.
Either he had the skills he needed, or he didn't. He'd either fail every test or pass each and every one. He might as well take as many as he could.
But once he heard what Orio was saying, he stopped dead in his tracks.
"That's right! This Master has one of the Chrono Federation's most priceless items: a [Creation Master Soul Fruit]!!"
"....."
Finally breathing again, Il Ji responded weakly. "I'll do my best to make you proud, sir."
Orio slapped him on the back heartily.
"I'll leave you with Agnes at the front desk. She can get you sorted from there."
"Thanks again, sir. Like I said, I'll make you proud. See you again soon!"
Il Ji waved at the man as the breeze swung his labcoat around. Then, turning around, he returned to the elevator and made his way back to the elevator.
Making it back to the third subfloor, he went back to the elevator that connected all the subfloors but 12 and went to the Skills Research Subfloor.
Finding an associate that looked less pressured, he asked the question. "Hello, I'd like a copy of the Skill Fragmentation Listings for [Submind Creation], [Brain Partition], [Perfect Recall], [Memory Conditioning], [Mental Master], and [Telepathy]."
The researcher took a look at the big 'A' on his badge. "Sure, it will take me about fifteen minutes. I can also print them off and bring them to you…."
"That works. I'll be waiting in the break area."
After a quick handshake Il Ji parted to the vending machines.