Entering the room, I was immediately taken aback by how white it was.
Aside from a glass panel seemingly hovering in the middle of the air, everything was white.
I couldn't even tell the depth or height of the room.
"Hello?" I muttered quietly.
My voice appeared to echo which confirmed that the room was big.
Crackle-!
Crackle!
"Mr. Moreau, the computer will now begin your combat assessment test, please prepare yourself." came a robotic voice from nowhere.
I swiveled my head searching for the origin of the voice but it was no use.
My depth perception was messed up.
"The simulation will be done through the use of a Domain-type magic spell, in it you will feel pain and experience everything you normally would however after the simulation is over you will revert to normal." said the voice.
Suddenly a wave of green light washed over everything including me before disappearing.
Rubbing my eyes, I scanned my surroundings.
The only thing I could see clearly were two glowing eyes staring at me through one wall—no wait there are three…four! No five!! Five eyes?! What kind of monster has five eyes!?
"Oh, shit."
As I watched the monster emerge from the wall I began to panic.
It was a Griminor.
An E-class monster which on its own while strong was not something to panic about.
However, I was severely underprepared to fight it.
Assessing the situation as calmly as I could I began to form a plan in my head.
First off, if I fought it here then it would be over quickly so instead I needed to get as far away as possible before it got any closer.
If possible I wanted to avoid fighting monsters altogether since they didn't have any effect on my stats while in the simulation.
However, that seemed impossible as of right now, therefore I had to take up arms if I wanted to make it out of here without being torn apart by Valeria.
Noticing that my rapier had trembled when the Griminor emerged, I realized that I might need it.
So while getting my MSM ready to cast a spell, I decided to try and run away.
'Adios!' I exclaimed in my head as I began running faster than a world-class athlete, my adrenaline carrying me far away before the creepy monster could get any closer.
I ran and sprinted until my legs felt ready to break, but eventually fatigue caught up with me and I slowed down.
Looking ahead I noticed a shimmering wave, perhaps this was where the border to the exam lay.
halting my steps, I finally turned around to face the beast that was coming at me.
Five pitch-black ominous eyes glared holes through my head as a large bull-like creature with the legs of a spider charged towards me.
Gripping the handle of my rapier firmly in hand, I stood firm as it closed in on me, my breathing becoming ragged as I prepared myself mentally for battle.
It would be difficult to beat a monster of that size without some form of Martial Technique and simply relying on spells was usually a bad idea.
However, whether I liked it or not that was what I had to do.
Gathering whatever strength I could muster, I faced the monster with a solemn face.
"Come."
Instantly, the Griminor stopped charging and reared back its head as it let out an ear-piercing cry.
Before long another similar monster emerged from the opposite side of the room.
I winced visibly. There was too much happening all at once.
Both creatures moved towards me slowly, one after the next.
They both halted at roughly 10 meters away, opening their mouths wide and letting forth an eerie sound.
This was definitely not normal.
Their heads opened wider, revealing rows upon rows of sharp teeth.
Realizing I didn't have much time, and that something was definitely wrong, I began charging at the monsters.
I quickly cast the Spell I had prepared beforehand as I didn't know how much time I would have to cast.
[Meteoric Blade]
Meteoric Blade is an Oscillation-Type Magic Spell where the Particles in the blade move back and forth at an extremely high speed making the blade extremely sharp, however, the spell was only an E-Rank so against a higher level monster it would not be very effective.
It was similar to the higher-ranked spell [Photon Blade]
As the MSM cast the Spell, the rapier lit up with a light blue glow as the Mana Code was recognized and wrapped around the MSM turning the blade a light blue.
In response, each of the beasts roared loudly as they lunged forward toward me.
Faster than expected, I managed to dodge the first attack and swing my rapier directly into the second's stomach.
Unfortunately, it did little damage aside from making a small cut in its abdomen.
That was when the third monster came flying at me.
It hit me square in the face sending me tumbling across the floor.
Waking up moments later, I found myself lying flat on my back with my head spinning.
It seems I had woken up not a second too late, rolling out of the way quickly as the monster went to entrap me in its gaping maw.
Grabbing hold of my rapier with one hand, I swung my blade downward, slicing a gash in the beast's neck.
Blood spurted out everywhere as the monster reared back.
Staggering to my feet, I glanced around the area to find my other opponent already gone.
No sooner than I finished looking, however, it reappeared behind me with a roar.
Without hesitation, I spun around swinging my weapon hard enough to split its skull completely open.
However, it only formed a small dent in its skull.
Taking advantage of its momentary shock, I dodged to the left avoiding its razor-sharp limbs as best as I could.
Reacting instantly, the monster followed closely, catching up to me in mere seconds.
Turning around, I swung again, cutting deep into its torso causing blood to spray from its wound.
It continued following close behind me, growling angrily as we circled each other.
We had reached a stalemate; neither wanting to retreat nor advance further.
But the longer this went on the more likely it became that either of us would lose.
With my grade hanging in the balance, I had to come up with a solution.
And fast.
Hoping to end things before they devoured me whole, I took a step backward.
At the same instant, the Griminors mouth opened wide.
I tried desperately to move quicker but it was too late.
Its jaws clamped shut around my leg and dragged me backward, leaving behind a trail of crimson droplets along the ground.
Swiftly angling my rapier, I slashed as the blue glow of my blade cleanly sliced through its thick armor.
Then, just like that, it was over.
The monster let out a loud shriek as it dropped me onto the floor.
In the corner of my vision, I noticed the other Griminor charging toward me.
Surprisingly, it was still alive.
"For real?" I muttered as I felt my consciousness fading.
'No...'
'I can't fail the test here...'
'Get up...'
'Get the fuck up!!!'
With a shout, I raised the rapier still gripped tightly in my hands.
I knew exactly what I had to do.
Using every last ounce of energy I possessed, I launched myself at the monster with a speed that defied my current physical abilities.
I think I felt something tear my leg off.
My body impacted against its armored carapace with a resounding crash, shattering its defenses.
Throwing myself into its throat, I used the momentum to push myself deeper inside it.
Pushing harder and harder, I dug the point of my rapier into its flesh, tearing it open and spilling its insides all over me.
Quickly clambering out to establish where the other Griminor was, I fell over backward as it charged past me.
"Didn't I kill it?" I muttered as I watched it turn around towards me.
My mind blanked out momentarily from pain as my leg burned with agony.
However, I didn't have time to mourn the loss of my trusty companion as the Griminor quickly swiveled in my direction and began charging.
Panic overwhelmed me for a brief moment as my heart pounded rapidly in my chest.
But then I remembered.
Allowing instinct to guide me, I dove straight upwards, twisting midair to land atop its shoulders.
Luckily the monster wasn't very tall so I was able to get on it without too much trouble despite my current leg situation.
Grasping onto its horns with both hands, I pulled myself upward as hard as I could.
Suddenly realizing my mistake, I lost grip of my rapier and landed heavily on top of its head.
Pain shot through my entire body as my bones cracked and broke.
I screamed in agony as my skin ripped and tore, forcing itself outwards to reveal the bone beneath.
The Griminor bellowed in rage and attempted to throw me off its shoulders, but failed due to the fact that my weight was pushing them down.
Pulling myself together as best as I could, I pushed myself even higher onto its shoulders.
Holding on tight, I waited for the perfect opportunity.
Just as I thought, the Griminor gave a sudden jerk throwing me off its shoulders.
Landing painfully on the floor, I rolled away from danger.
As soon as I regained some control over my movements, I sprang up with renewed vigor.
When I saw the Griminor turn its attention toward me, I grabbed hold of its horn with both hands, pulling myself up and leaping onto its head.
Now straddling it, I aimed my rapier at its neck.
Slowly drawing it back, I sliced downwards in a single motion severing half of its head cleanly in two.
With the last remaining monster slain, I collapsed onto my knees panting heavily.
I sighed in relief as a wave of green light washed over everything reverting my body to normal.
Suddenly, in the corner of my vision, I noticed two black wisps flying toward me at a frightening speed.
I tried to evade however they were two fast and swiftly collided with me.
Prepared for the worst I expected something to happen however they just absorbed into my body.
Ding!
Suddenly I heard a loud ringing in my ears before a window popped up in front of me.
===
[Art Of Annihilation]
First Form: [Shadow Step]
Second Form: ???
9 Souls are Required to unlock the next form.
===
Staring at the screen in front of me, it took me several moments before it finally registered in my head that I had awakened the first form of my Technique.
A sense of elation was felt coursing through my body.
I slumped to the ground as relief began washing over me as I stared at the description of the skill.
[Shadow Step]
[The way to winning a battle is not only through the blade but also through one's ability to avoid it.]
Apparently, [Art Of Annihilation] is a Technique that is completely broken, yay!
I feel really freaking lucky right now.
Mhm…
Yup…
So this is what coping is huh…
WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT DESCRIPTION EVEN MEAN?
I swear this world really hat-
***
A world of darkness…
And then there was light.
As the dark world was lit up by this little speck of light, everything seemed to glow, the light pervading every inch.
Then the earth grew from the light, its smell pervading the air.
From the earth came life, and soon the world was surrounded by beauty.
The whispering of the winds as they caressed the tree leaves.
The beautiful flowers that trembled with the light breeze.
It was serene.
And then came man.
Two men stood upon this sacred ground.
Facing each other, they held their weapons as they prepared for battle.
One of the men charged the other, his blade held high as he prepared to strike downward.
The other waited, his posture perfect as the man slashed down upon him.
And then the blade traveled passed him as if he was never there, his feet having been wrapped in shadow as he evaded the fatal strike that threatened to claim his life.
And then there was nothing.
All that was left was destruction.
The serene image was gone, only ashes were left.
***
'What the hell was that?'
It was as if the way to use Shadow Step had been imprinted in my mind however I hadn't mastered it I only knew how it could be done.
It seemed I would have a lot of work to do once this exam was over.
Sighing lightly, I groaned slightly as I stood up looking for the way out.
However, the room was still as white as before.
Suddenly a voice rang out in the room.
"Prepare for commencement of Phase 2."
Shit!
I hurriedly got into a defensive position as I looked all around me, waiting for something to pop out.
Nothing happened though.
Instead, I saw a window appear in front of me.
"Congratulations, Mr. Moreau. You passed the exam. Please proceed to the main examination hall."
What?
Didn't Phase 2 just start?
I blinked rapidly, trying to understand what was going on.
Suddenly a door appeared on the other side of the room.
The door to the exam room burst open, causing me to jump.
"Halt!" yelled a guard who appeared to be wearing a helmet with a visor blocking his face.
I glanced at him in a very confused state.
The cogs of my mind were turning at a furious rate as I tried to understand what was going on.
This had never happened in the novel after all.
But even more confusing was that the window that popped up before mentioned nothing about my grading for the test. All it said was "You passed the exam".
Crap. This can't possibly end well...
***
As I walked briskly along the hallway I noticed that there was someone else walking alongside me.
They wore a cloak and hood covering most of their features leaving only his eyes visible.
We kept our distance from each other, neither speaking as we marched onward.
Suddenly a glint under their cloak caught my eye.
It was a dark black dagger with a peculiar insignia carved on it.
keeping my eyes forward, I tentatively reached for my rapier handle without them noticing.
3 steps,
I grabbed hold of the handle.
2 steps,
I prepared to draw it.
1 step,
Suddenly the eyes of the cloaked figure flashed to me with a hint of danger in them.
SHINGG-!!
I unsheathed my rapier and let it swing.
*EDIT IMPORTANT*
Fuck I think I posted 2 chaps in one day since I got messed up with the time zones so no chappy tomorrow 😡
*EDIT 2 VERY IMPORTANT*
Fuck i made another mistake so since i changed the time to now then im going to post at this time tomorrow so u guys just get lucky and get one extra chappy so i will post tomorrow 😡😡
*Edit 3*
Welp its been some time now and it seems this time was even worse than usual so im going to continue my usual posting of 23:00 UTC 😥😥