Is the change in soul reaping permanent now?

I thought it was a test of some sort.

Is the test done and anet chose to keep it that way?

it was never a test. dont know where you got that

They said they were going to look for a more "elegant" way.

The change that you no longer have near infinite energy and must do as other classes do (pace casting and bring e-management) is permanent. The mechanism they do it by may or may not be.