"Nothing, but I think we finally arrived at our destination, " He said as they stopped before a tower-like structure that spiraled into the clouds like a dragon coiling around a mountain protecting its treasure.
"And that we have, Mr. Okumura," Niko stated as he stopped and turned around, "Now I know most of you must be wondering, why I brought you all here… well it is simple, I want an in-depth analysis of your capabilities and the Tower of Shadows is the best way to get such information. Also, while we are at it, surely you all would not mind participating in a little class competition?"
He smirked as he began wondering who among his students could break that snotty-nosed brat's record. Who was now a senior and a cocky one at that after succeeding in awakening his dormant draconic bloodline last Summer?
"What type of competition, Prof. Niko?!" Kyrie shouted with excitement as he could not wait to rush in and see how many floors he could clear.
"Just a simple speedrun but do be aware that not even some upperclassmen can guarantee they can clear the first benchmark in their first run. So don't even think for a second you have what it takes to clear the tower in one sitting."
"And why is that?" Jessica asked as she looked up from her phone.
"Because even though there are only 100 floors, each floor is twice the size of the previous one and slightly stronger than the one before it. However, it is only at every benchmark (every 25th floor) that you will notice a qualitative difference in strength. Even though each floor is augmented towards your current cultivation." Niko explained slowly.
"Hmm, so what's the highest floor someone has reached in one sitting then?" Rin asked curiously with a frown as he glanced at the tower peculiarly, 'Hmm, surely it won't be able to sense that I'm currently a Peak Stage True God, right?'
"Good question, but to my understanding, the highest floor someone has ever cleared in one sitting is the 75th floor. Yet, there is a possibility someone could have cleared the entire tower, considering it has been around since the creation of the school. Which was right after the Descent 1700 years, so who knows, Mr. Okumura."
"So, Prof. Niko what's the highest floor who've reached?" Maze asked curiously, so she could gauge just how difficult the Tower of Shadows might be.
"Haha, I was wondering when someone was going to ask me that, well, to be honest, I never climbed the Tower of Shadows before. But that might change today, so if one of you can reach floor twenty-five in under 25 minutes, I will take a go at it, do we have a deal?" he asked with a playful smile, before glancing at Serena, the manifestation of the Tower's spirit.
Who took on the physical appearance of a middle-aged woman and was wearing a lab coat with a blue T-shirt underneath it and a pair of black closed-toe heels. Along with a gray tablet in her hands which she was currently tapping away at as she adjusted the tower's settings and other configurations.
"So, when shall we begin Prof. Niko as the next available window to use the Tower is in a week?" Serena asked as she stared at Niko awaiting an answer.
"Why so long, I thought the senior and junior class weren't supposed to return until February 1st at the latest?" Niko asked.
"Because Mr. Douglass reserved the rest of the week to collect resources for his foraging and alchemy class. After, agreeing to give 25% of whatever he earns to the school free of charge." Serena stated.
"Oh, well that's a bit generous of him, but any who I guess we can begin now, if that isn't too much to ask, Serena?"
"It's not but what mode will you be assigning your class as rookie, veteran, and grandmaster are currently available?"
"Let's do, veteran as I can't make this too easy for them, plus, they're an honor class so they should at least be able to manage something of this caliber." Niko smiled mischievously before doing a backflip and creating some distance between himself and his assailant.
"Tsk, is such a reaction needed, Niko, when all I was going to do was tap your shoulder? Surely, I cannot be that terrifying for even the great Niko Rodriguez to immediately run away when he sees me?" The principal asked with a giggle.
"Sigh, so what pleasure do I owe the headmistress for coming to visit me on such short notice?" Niko politely asked while masking the fear, he held inside for attracting such a disaster, 'Damnit, truly just why did I agree to go through with this? If I knew every two days, I would suffer a heart attack from this mad woman.'
He complained internally as he just ignored her commentary and returned to his usual self.
"Is that any way to talk to a lady, especially towards the person who is taking care of you? No, wonder you are still single, but since I am not welcome here, I guess I will..."
"No, no I didn't mean it like that headmistress! I... I-I'm sure the students would love for you to stay around a bit longer and watch their performance as they try to speedrun the Tower of Shadows."
"Hmm, I guess I could stay a bit longer as my original intention was to take a peek at the potential of my new children. But are you sure it is okay to be giving them an assessment on the first day of school, Niko?" The principal Olivia Evergreen, the 30th principal of Forbidden Blood asked as she wore a matching simple gray sculpted suit blazer with straight pants, along with a black turtleneck underneath and black heels to match it with a pair of sunglasses. That went well to complement her moonlight skin tone.
Since most homeroom teachers just went over the basics of what to expect this semester before giving their students the rest of the day off.
"Well, time waits for no man so why not make the most of it? Plus, this is preparation for Project X, and an assessment of their capabilities before their first field trip. Considering, if all goes according to plan, they might have a shot at making it into the top one hundred of the National Dive, wouldn't you say so, Olivia?" Niko said lightly as he if it was easy to turn a bunch of Demigods and Lower Gods into Peak Gods in less than two months.
"What bold words, yet what makes you so confident they even have a shot? When Millennial's first-year class can barely make it into the top fifty and that is being generous," Olivia claimed as she took a glance at Niko's class only stopping to pay attention to a few worthy seedlings.
'Huh? Well, well maybe with his presence they might have a chance, however, time truly is not on their side. So just how will you train them, Niko especially those four...' Olivia wondered as, besides Rin, she also paid special attention to Ethan, Kyrie, Issac, and Maze who each radiated a unique type of aura only found in higher realms.
"Instinct, I'd say as I have faith that they will be able to achieve what I couldn't… Also, did you not choose me for this job, so please do have some faith in my capabilities to make miracles occur. As I promise, before the National Dive commences, they will be able to stand toe to toe with the elites of the Cerulean Empire, if not, my life is yours," Niko boldly claimed as his class was bound to shine brighter than the stars at the next National Dive, a gathering of the world's top talents to compete for the title of King & Queen.
But that is only a portion of what it could offer to Earth's top talents.
"Isn't your life already mine, Prof. Niko?" Olivia muttered as she tilted her head.
"Sadly… it already is," Niko nodded.
"Oh... well then don't let me hold you up any longer as I'm sure they'll be safe in your hands, Niko. So, goodbye my lovelies, and I hope by August, I will be in for a surprise!" The principal shouted before disappearing and returning to her office.
A few minutes later...
"Sigh... finally she's gone, so who's ready to make history?! As it seems the headmistress doesn't believe you all are worthy to become the champions of the upcoming National Dive." Niko shouted with a smile.
"I AM!!!" The entire class shouted with vigor as a flame seemed to burn in their eyes, just waiting to burst out and light the world on fire.