--
On the eighth floor of the Knight Tower, Luciel finally felt a mounting pressure as he faced a siege of ten eighth-level apprentice knights. The intensity was unlike anything he had encountered before. However, thanks to the chip's analytical capabilities, he had breezed through the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors using the most efficient and straightforward strategies.
Against previous opponents, every strike had been decisive—a one-hit kill. As a result, his stamina remained relatively intact.
> "Analyze the best strategy for clearing this level," he commanded.
> "Analysis in progress..."
Under the chip's precise calculations, the flaws in the attacks of the ten gray-armored knights were laid bare—exposed in extreme detail, magnified beyond measure.
Luciel stepped forward with measured grace. The knight's longsword in his grip carved through the air with elegance, forming a brilliant arc. With a single strike, he decapitated the nearest knight.
Ten became nine—the pressure slightly eased.
Without pause, Luciel spun. His sword blossomed into a whirlwind of steel, each movement perfectly honed. The Huazhe Cross Sword: Intermediate Swordsmanship erupted with power, its fury and finesse blending seamlessly under Luciel's masterful control.
He danced among the enemy ranks, each step deliberate, each slash poetic. His fluid movements resembled a waltz within a palace of steel and blood. The cold, magical lights mounted on the walls began to flicker and extinguish, one by one.
And as they dimmed, Luciel's foes dropped one by one.
When the dance came to a close, not a single gray-armored knight remained.
The eighth floor—cleared.
Luciel inhaled deeply, sweat dotting his brow. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, fixed on the magic lamp that marked the transition to the next level. He had used up more than half his strength. The next floor would pit him against ten ninth-level apprentice knights.
Now, the real challenge began.
---
The name Luciel Lanster flickered on the magic light curtain once more.
"The Ninth Floor!"
A roar of disbelief erupted from the observing crowd.
> "Impossible! What level is he really?!"
"He's only a third-year, right?!"
"Forget third-year—he's strong enough for sixth!"
"H-He's a monster!"
The spectators stared at the magic curtain as though it had betrayed them, their faces filled with shock and awe.
Bourne, wearing a grin thick with satisfaction, exhaled like a man basking in spring breeze. Even he hadn't expected Luciel's performance to be this overwhelming. With talent like this, even his noble father—the Marquis—would surely take notice.
Nearby, Ferranstu stood still, eyes locked on Luciel's name. His expression remained unreadable, but internally, he etched that name deep into memory.
> "I told you he was a freak," Flower muttered loudly. "When he beat me back then, he wasn't even serious. Monster…"
Oddly, the stronger Luciel became, the more relieved Flower felt. What once seemed like a humiliating defeat now became a badge of honor. Being crushed by an ordinary third-year was embarrassing—but being defeated by someone who could destroy knights above his rank? That was almost… respectable.
> Not everyone gets to face off against a monster, he thought.
Elsewhere, Lawrence was drowning in a much darker realization.
As soon as he had seen Luciel's progress, despair set in.
That effortless blow from their first duel—it hadn't been a fluke. It was Luciel's real strength. And the gap between them was so vast, Luciel hadn't even bothered to strike a second time.
> I said I'd challenge him again in fourth year… Lawrence's thoughts spiraled, his fists clenched so tightly his nails drew blood. But he'll never be in fourth year… He's beyond that already.
---
Back inside the tower, Luciel moved like a tempest.
> "Ninth!"
His sword impaled a knight to the stone wall. Without hesitation, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding an ambush.
> "Tenth!"
Using his palm to launch himself upward, he twisted mid-air and pierced the next knight's chest with surgical precision.
Panting heavily, Luciel dropped to one knee. The ninth floor—cleared. But his strength was nearing its limit. His uniform was filthy and torn, dust clinging to his frame.
The chip continued alerting him of incoming threats, but his body lagged behind. Even a flawless plan couldn't compensate for worn-out muscles. Several strikes had landed, painful reminders of the knights' strength.
Luciel rested, regaining what little energy he could.
Then, the floor beneath him rumbled.
> "What now…?"
From the center of the room, a marble platform rose slowly, revealing a faintly glowing object.
Luciel approached it cautiously. Resting atop the platform was a golden badge, intricately engraved with the image of a sword and shield.
> "Huh...?"
He tucked it into his coat.
Just as quickly, the platform sank back into the floor. A soft hum signaled the return of light—and standing beneath it was a tall knight clad in thick, black armor. The oppressive aura was unmistakable.
A real Knight.
But only one.
Luciel smiled faintly.
> "We'll meet again... next time."
Without hesitation, he retreated from the room.
---
The magic curtain flashed once more.
All eyes turned.
The silence was absolute.
Behind Luciel Lanster's name, the number "9" flickered—then changed.
Tenth Floor.
> "Hisssss—"
Gasps spread like wildfire. Even seasoned warriors like Berne and Ferranstu trembled.
Ferranstu's hand instinctively gripped his sword, tension radiating from his entire body.
> Monster.
The word echoed in every mind.
A third-year student, skipping the standard evaluation, entering the Knight Tower for the first time—
And he had cleared all ten floors.
Was he even human?
Some questioned reality. Others simply stared, minds blank with disbelief.
Then, the curtain dimmed—Luciel's results locked in place.
At last, the challenge had reached its end.
And yet…
> Tap. Tap.
The sound of footsteps echoed.
Every head turned.
At the entrance of the Knight Tower, a slender figure emerged, sword in hand. His steps were light, confident.
The sun shone down, brighter than before.
So bright, no one could quite see his face.
But they all knew who he was.