The instructor, along with the others, were currently seated on the floor.
They had each been seated on chairs when the earthquake started, and just as they were about to stand up and regain their balance, Atticus had performed an action that made them stagger; stopping the earthquake around him.
They had been far too shocked and unfocused that when Terran made the air heavy, their figures immediately fell on the sand.
However, just as they were about to quickly get up, the young boy pulled an Atticus once more.
As they saw Atticus control the molecules in the air and return it to normal, every bit of strength they had left in their bodies disappeared, and they simply sat down on the ground, their lost gazes fixed on the white-haired boy who was undoubtedly an absolute monster in human skin.
Another shock hit them as they each saw something they would have never expected happening.
Terran suddenly smiled, his shining white teeth in full display.
"Your ability to observe and comprehend is exceptional. The way you replicate what you see is truly impressive. Your potential knows no bounds," he said, his voice resonating with genuine admiration.
The instructor couldn't even blame or be shocked by their sanctum master's admiration. Everything Atticus had done today deserved it.
"It's all thanks to your help," Atticus responded humbly, but Terran immediately shook his head firmly.
"I did nothing but attack; it's all you."
Terran refused to accept any accolades, especially when he knew that he hadn't done anything. The boy had done every single thing himself. He had only displayed.
Atticus didn't know what to say next, so he simply smiled wryly and nodded.
Terran decided to stop wasting time and continued with the training. He had already taught Atticus the basics of everything he needed to know about controlling the earth element.
Sensing the earth molecules and forming a connection, the different structures of the different types of earth, breaking down the structure and creating another type of earth, creating a chain reaction, and manipulating the earth molecules in the air.
Terran had focused more on all of this, making sure Atticus's proficiency in them increased. He also showed Atticus the different types of earth and how to form them, including the metal that Amara had used during her display.
He could also form metal ores and different other minerals. All he had to do was memorize their structures in advance and replicate them. It was a good thing his memory was one of the things he had going for him.
After all of this, Atticus was plagued with a question, one he immediately asked Terran.
If they could insert and control the earth molecules in the air, then shouldn't they be able to form earth out of thin air?
Terran's answer had been simple, "Give it a try."
The man believed that you learn best when you put things into practice. Atticus listened and put it to the test.
His assumption had been completely wrong. When he tried to connect the earth molecules in the air together, they wouldn't join no matter how much he tried.
Atticus decided to experiment further.
Then he manipulated a ball of sand and broke down the molecules, splitting it into two parts.
The first part was dispersed in the air and the second remolded. Atticus immediately noticed something he had missed before.
He couldn't quite explain what it was, but after breaking down the earth molecules, he had noticed that they retained some sort of attractive force around themselves, and if they weren't joined together in time, they would lose that force and would not be able to join with other earth molecules again.
It had been a good discovery to Atticus. The fact that Atticus had discovered the answer so fast prompted another nod of approval from Terran.
Afterward, Terran helped Atticus increase his proficiency, and after exactly 9 hours, he decided that Atticus had learned enough and stopped their training.
Terran personally escorted Atticus outside while acknowledging his outstanding abilities. The instructor and others trailed behind them with lost gazes. What they had just witnessed had been insane.
Reaching the grand gates, Terran created a platform made of earth, and Atticus got on it.
Offering his thanks and goodbyes, Atticus left the earth sanctum and reached the icy gates of the ice sanctum.
Just like with the earth sanctum, no one had been waiting for him. However, a beautiful statue of a woman soon formed in front of him and was suddenly littered with cracks until it exploded into tiny fragments, revealing the figure of a beautiful woman.
Her temperament was akin to her element, ice cold. 'She's just like them,'
Atticus couldn't help but draw similarities between this woman and the only two people he knew had the ice element: Ember and Lyanna.
He hadn't met the latter personally, but he could tell at a glance that she wasn't to be messed with.
Ember might not have been cold to him, but she was to other people.
"You're here fast," she said.
Atticus was a bit surprised. The woman didn't look old at all, not a single wrinkle on her face. Her body also looked youthful, as though she was in her late thirties.
She was beautiful and looked like an ice goddess. What surprised Atticus the most was her voice.
Even if she used means to make herself look young, it was hard or even impossible to influence her voice. It sounded young, feminine, and at the same time icy.
"I was lucky enough to finish in time," Atticus responded after a few seconds, but he could feel the surrounding area becoming cold.
"Humbleness is a great trait, but in this case, it's nothing other than insulting. You're claiming that simply being 'lucky' is enough to breeze through the decades of painstaking effort we sanctum masters have put into mastering our elements.
"You did what you did because you're simply that talented. Own it."
Atticus felt a bit guilty. That wasn't what he intended. He had done the same for Terran, but the man had simply corrected him. It would seem as though his words offended her.
"It wasn't my intention. I'm sorry about that," Atticus bowed slightly.
The woman looked at him for a few seconds without saying anything, her eyes with long white lashes blinking once. Then she nodded and said,
"It's fine. My name is Isolde, and I am the master of the ice sanctum and your instructor for your stay here. Let's not waste any time. Follow me."
Atticus nodded and followed Isolde through the gates of the ice sanctum.