The Citadel of Whispers, now cleansed of the Imposter Lord's dark influence, quickly became Archelius's headquarters. The central nexus, bathed in the new, calm blue-white light, offered a surprisingly stable environment for rest and recovery.
Archelius, now Level 16 and equipped with Rank E+ gear, focused entirely on transforming his Level 2 subordinates into viable, self-sufficient Rank F fighters.
"This nexus energy is pure," Bethany reported, sitting cross-legged near the light source. "It's not volatile like the surface. It's... restorative."
Archelius nodded. "It allows for faster natural recovery. We utilize it. Theodore, you are on defensive conditioning. Raji, you work on speed and evasion. Lisa, you and Bethany will monitor the Citadel's perimeter using the residual energy flow."
The training was brutal but logical. Archelius leveraged his authority, forcing them to push their exhausted bodies and minds.
"Again! Theodore, your block is slow! You're relying on that Rank F arm guard, but Rank F breaks!" Archelius yelled, using a training dagger to press Theodore's weakness.
Theodore grimaced, pushing himself up. "I can't access Core Power! I'm just using my own strength!"
"Then fight using pure instinct! In this world, the System only rewards the decisive! You have to kill Level 5 threats if you want to survive when I'm gone!"
Raji, utilizing her natural quickness, was forced to use the Sprint Burst movement until she could maintain near-Rank F speeds without draining her minute energy reserves. Lisa and Bethany, leveraging Bethany's superior energy sight, began tracking the very faint, residual traces of Imposters and Sentinels remaining in the upper corridors—essential reconnaissance practice.
The Small Victory
Archelius continued to hunt the few remaining Level 15 Razor Crawlers and Level 20 Imposter 2 stragglers that hadn't fled the Citadel. His combat was now effortless, delivering one-shot kills with the War God's Edge to rapidly accumulate XP.
[Level Up: User Level 17!]
[Level Up: User Level 18!]
He reached Level 18 quickly, gaining two Skill Points, which he used to maximize his defense and offense to the ultimate Rank E++ potential.
[War God's Edge (Rank E+) Upgraded to Rank E++. Cost: 2 Skill Points.]
His sword was now capable of devastating sustained damage, preparing him for the higher-level threats that lay ahead.
He decided it was time for the students to taste their own victory.
"There is a Level 8 Razor Hound that got separated from its pack, hiding in the service tunnels," Archelius announced, pointing toward a dark passage on the Map Function. "This creature is yours. You will defeat it as a unit. No System power from me. You have your Rank F daggers, the training, and your coordination. Failure is not an option."
The students, though terrified, were organized.
They descended into the tunnel. The Razor Hound, scenting easy prey, lunged.
Raji, using her superior speed, darted to the side, distracting the Hound while Theodore, using his basic strength, managed to land a solid, unpowered kick to the creature's flank.
The Hound was stunned. Bethany, tracking its movement, yelled, "The left eye! It's slow!"
Lisa, seizing the chance, threw a small, sharp shard of rock—not a powerful attack, but precise—into the Hound's left eye. The creature howled, momentarily blinded.
Theodore charged, driving his Rank F dagger deep into the exposed throat, ending the fight. It was clumsy, terrifying, but efficient.
[Razor Hound (Level 8) Defeated. Subordinate XP Gained: 80.]
The students stood over the Hound, breathing hard, their faces streaked with sweat and excitement.
"We did it," Theodore whispered, a fierce, primal pride in his voice.
[Raji Level Up: User Level 3! Theodore Level Up: User Level 3! Lisa Level Up: User Level 3! Bethany Level Up: User Level 4!]
The immediate Level Up was the System's reward. The students, now Level 3 and 4, felt the subtle increase in their own core strength—their bodies adapting to the harsh reality of Aethelgard.
The Strategic Summit
Back in the nexus chamber, Archelius assembled the group for a strategic meeting.
"You are no longer Core Zeros," Archelius stated, looking at his students with approval. "You are now Level 3 and 4 Rank F combatants. You can defend yourselves against basic threats. But the threats ahead are Level 50 and higher."
He focused on the Map Function, displaying the vast, hostile plains.
"The defeat of the Imposter Lord has drawn the attention of the actual powers," Archelius continued. "The Citadel was under the influence of Lord Leka, God of the Demon Race. They use Imposters as scouts and infiltrators."
He pointed to a large, pulsating red signature far to the North. "That is the Demon Stronghold. They know a new, powerful variable—me—is here. They will escalate the conflict."
He then pointed to a smaller, fiercely burning yellow signature far to the East. "That is the territory of Lord Lija, God of the Beast Nation. They are more direct and will send hunters after powerful enemies. They may be faster."
"We can't fight gods," Theodore muttered, the exhaustion from the training suddenly hitting him.
"We don't have to yet," Archelius countered, his voice steady. "We need to find the materials to ascend beyond Rank E++. I am stuck until I reach Level 20. But the biggest leap comes with the next Rank: Rank D."
[Rank D Ascension Requirements:]
User Level: 20+ (Required)
Dominance Kill: Defeat a Level 50+ Entity (Achieved)
Core: Synthesize an Exotic Core (Required)
"We have the Divine Grade core from the Arcane Construct, but the System requires a synthesis with an 'Exotic Core' to unlock the next rank," Archelius explained. "That means we need to venture into the territories of the Lords."
"The Beast Nation," Bethany interjected, pointing to the yellow signature. "Their energy signature is chaotic and physical, not magical like the Demon Race. If we can penetrate their territory, we might find a unique core—an 'Exotic Core'—that fits the Rank D requirement."
"Exactly," Archelius confirmed. "The Demon Race will be sending Imposter assassins; they are too great a risk right now. The Beast Nation, however, offers brute force—a challenge my Rank E++ defense can handle."
He looked at his team, who were now trained, capable of self-defense, and strategically aware.
"The Citadel is now too safe. We move out at dawn. Our destination is the Aethelgard Plains, leading to the Beast Nation territory. We hunt for the Exotic Core."
The command was given. The four students, no longer fearful children, prepared for the next phase of the War God's campaign.