After bidding the crowd of disappointed challengers farewell, we departed. Our destination: Floor 60 of the labyrinth, guarded by Adalmann.
"Ah, the packed lunch… it was exceptional," I said, acknowledging the meal Shuna had prepared.
"You are too kind, Master Atem. I am glad it meets your expectations," Shuna replied, bowing slightly, her smile radiant.
I nodded in approval. "Your skill never ceases to impress. This bento will sustain us on the way."
Shion, trailing slightly behind, raised her hand. "Master Atem, please let me prepare the next meal. I want to try for you."
I considered her for a moment. "Very well. You've grown capable enough. Tomorrow, you will work alongside Shuna. Under her guidance, there will be no mistakes."
Shuna chuckled softly. "Indeed, Shion. We'll start with simple preparations first, and then progress. It will be a learning experience."
The two of them exchanged a smile, one that spoke of camaraderie and mutual respect. Their synergy reminded me of the precision needed in this labyrinth—every element in its proper place.
As we approached Floor 60, the tension grew. This floor was no ordinary challenge. Adalmann awaited us.
"Excuse us, Adalmann," I announced.
"Oh! Master Atem himself!" Adalmann fell to his knees immediately, overly dramatic as always. "I am humbled by your presence and deeply regret my failure. I am ready to accept any judgment you see fit!"
I raised a hand, signaling him to remain calm. "Your failure was not yours alone. The task was far beyond what a single guardian, even one of your caliber, could manage. The Holy Knight Order was too much for any one man to handle. Your efforts are acknowledged."
Adalmann's voice trembled as he spoke. "Master Atem… I… I reverted to the tactics I once used as a wight king. I was unprepared… I faltered before even casting a single spell."
At present, Adalmann was indeed just a wight, his body lacking true power. His vast arcane knowledge remained, yet his ability to channel magic was limited. Summoned minions would grow stronger only after absorbing the latent magic within the labyrinth. Time was needed, and time was scarce. Our priority was clear: Adalmann needed to regain strength, quickly.
"More important than failure," I said, my voice calm but commanding, "is your awareness of your limitations. You now know the extent of your strength. And with that knowledge, I have a question for you."
"Please, ask," he replied, his voice tentative but eager.
"To what degree can you wield Holy Magic?"
'Holy Magic' was power drawn from faith itself. It did not rely on the manipulation of magicules in the air, nor was it limited by the caster's own reserves. Given sufficient preparation and knowledge, one could invoke spells of extraordinary scale with minimal expenditure. Yet only those bound by a pact with a God—those capable of manipulating spiritrons—could call upon it.
Adalmann, a devout follower of Luminism, had once wielded this power freely. But after losing faith, he had become incapable of channeling Holy Magic. Even so, he had chosen to place his faith in me as a sovereign of higher power.
"Yes," he admitted, voice tinged with humility, "I cannot utilize nearly any of my former magic. Even lesser spells elude me."
I studied him carefully. Holy Magic, like Spirit Magic, relied on a conduit of faith—a pact with a higher being. Without it, the channel closed, rendering the wielder powerless. Even Hinata, without borrowing divine favor, could not have called upon Holy Magic. This realization reinforced the fragile balance in this world.
"Then, Shuna," I continued, shifting my attention to her, "what of you? To what extent can you wield this power, and where does your faith reside?"
Shuna's expression remained calm, her voice steady. "I emulate it through my Unique Skill, Analyst. It functions as a facsimile, yet surprisingly well. And my faith… it lies in you, Master Atem. I believed in your strength, and thus, I believed I could emulate it too."
A small smile played on my lips. "So, during our previous battle, your claim that even monsters could use Holy Magic… was it a bluff?"
"Yes. I had confidence, but you… you proved it," she admitted, her eyes gleaming.
Adalmann, listening to this exchange, seemed stunned—his skeletal jaw almost figuratively hitting the floor. Faith was the essence of Holy Magic, and Shuna had grasped it intuitively. She needed only to refine her understanding.
"I will grant both of you the Ultimate Secret of Faith and Grace," I declared, my tone solemn, carrying authority that left no room for doubt. "Learn it well, but do not disclose it to anyone."
Adalmann's eyes flared with excitement. "The Ultimate Secret of Faith and Grace… I—Master Atem, you are truly a god among men!"
His fanaticism surged, yet I allowed it for now.
"Master Atem, is it truly appropriate for me to receive this knowledge?" Shuna asked, her voice gentle yet firm, still cradled in Shion's arms.
I nodded. "Understand it, apply it, and keep it secret. Its power must not fall into careless hands."
"Of course!" Shion chimed in, full of youthful spirit, adding her own layer of assurance.
With that, I began to convey the fundamentals of the power.
Adalmann, overwhelmed, could barely contain himself. "The power… the power surges within me!"
He extended his skeletal hand. A brilliant red energy ignited from his eye sockets, coalescing into a concentrated magical projectile. "HOLY CANNON!" he shouted, the invocation of Holy Magic radiating through the floor as raw energy surged outward.
Falling to his knees, Adalmann began to worship, eyes fixed on me.
"Master Atem… MY GOD, YOU ARE TRULY THE DIVINE—"
"That's… rather unsettling. Perhaps you should calm down," I said firmly, my voice carrying the weight of authority.
"A-alright… seems like it went well? I'll keep moving forward and learn more advanced magic. If I run into trouble, I'll consult Shuna!" Adalmann blurted nervously.
I gave a sharp nod. "Yes. You will rely on her guidance. She is capable and will correct any mistakes."
Adalmann's eyes narrowed slightly. "So… you're making her my consultant because you don't want to deal with me directly?"
I ignored the comment, standing tall, radiating my presence. "Focus on your studies. Do not question the path I've set for you."
"Yes, Master Atem. I will not fail you!" His spirit surged, and I decided to press further.
"Tell me, did using Holy Magic harm you? Given your current form as a wight, the strain must have been significant."
Adalmann's grin faltered. "It… did sting a little, but nothing I cannot endure."
I assessed him critically. Holy Magic could be wielded in two ways: manipulating spiritrons, independent of elemental affinity, or employing the holy element to obliterate magicules. His 'Holy Cannon' fell under the latter, potentially dangerous to undead.
"Very well. We shall adjust that." I stepped from Shion's hold, releasing a radiance of pure light into the air.
"OHOH!" Adalmann exclaimed, awe breaking through his usual composure.
"This is a refined spell," I explained, voice deep and commanding. "I've removed the holy element and amplified its power. I call it 'Holy Ray.'"
'Holy Ray' held no elemental affinity. Its execution required faith in me, yet its danger to the caster was nullified. Though designed for single-target precision, its potency surpassed even my 'Megiddo.' Rapid, blinding bursts of concentrated spiritrons could pierce the enemy while conserving casting time.
"Master Atem… this magic… it is incredible!" Adalmann's skeletal hands clenched, energy surging within him.
"Yes. If mastered, you will command greater beams of light, manipulating spiritrons with skill. This spell was developed with Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, and is ideal for your current state."
I gestured for him to calm himself. "Do not hesitate to seek guidance on your practice. Shuna will assist you, and I expect diligence."
Shuna nodded, ready to take on the task. "I will oversee his training, Master Atem."
"Very well. Begin your practice and master Holy Magic without harming yourself."
Adalmann's excitement was palpable, yet I had to move to the next issue. "Your offensive options remain limited. We will expand them in time, but first, a more immediate concern exists."
"And that is?"
"You were meant to be a rearguard, were you not?" I asked.
"Yes. My role was to support. As a wight king, I commanded legions of the undead, overwhelming enemies with sheer numbers."
I inclined my head. "It was a mistake to place you alone against an entire team. You require a vanguard."
Adalmann's expression twisted with frustration. "I am trained in combat, but as a skeleton, I am limited."
"That is irrelevant. You are not to face them alone. You have the right to summon allies. Didn't you have one… Albert?"
Adalmann's eyes lit up. "Ah, yes, Albert! He is now a skeletal swordsman. Once a Templar Knight, his skill once rivaled even Hakuro. Properly equipped, he could dominate the battlefield."
"Indeed. I trust he will meet the expectations set before him." I reached into my 'Stomach,' withdrawing various pieces of equipment and laying them out with deliberate precision.
"This sword and armor will serve him well. He fights without a shield, correct?" I inquired, scanning Adalmann for confirmation.
"Yes, Master Atem. With this, he will become a formidable force," Adalmann replied, pride swelling in his skeletal frame.
I nodded. "Prepare him properly. The labyrinth's trials are far from over, and we cannot afford weakness in our ranks."
The pieces were in place. Adalmann had guidance, faith, and the tools to become a vanguard. Albert would be strengthened. With Holy Magic refined and a proper combat pair, Floor 60's defense was shaping into something worthy of my name.
The labyrinth of Eterna was alive, and I, Atem, would command its flow. Every floor, every guardian, every challenge was under my scrutiny, my authority absolute.
And yet, the trials had only begun…