Lucius walks through the forest alone, reflecting on the series of events that are supposed to unfold in the second phase of the Admission Tournament. The dark forest looms around him, but his expression remains neutral, masking the subtle tension he feels. Internally, he goes over the plot, thinking back to everything he remembers from the novel. This was a crucial stage for the main characters—a test of their abilities, resilience, and teamwork.
He recalls the structure of the tournament: most groups would face tougher opponents, with weaker students getting eliminated quickly, either by stronger groups or by the more dangerous parts of the forest. The second phase was always meant to weed out the weaker contestants, and only a handful of promising students would emerge by the end.
Lucius mentally lists the students he knows should still be standing:
• Ash, the protagonist, destined to grow and learn through each battle.
• Seraphina, whose cold precision and mastery over mana would keep her at the top.
• Kallus, with his brute strength and tactical prowess.
• Gaius, who is calculating and adept at manipulating his surroundings.
• Elena, a noble with sharp instincts and a hidden potential for magic.
Each of these characters, along with a few other strong groups, was supposed to advance to the final stages of the tournament.
....
Lucius's thoughts narrow onto Ash, who was originally meant to encounter Elandrialith by the green lake surrounded by floating white flower lilies. This pivotal event would act as a turning point for Ash, a battle that would push him beyond his limits.
In the original storyline, Ash stumbles upon the green lake while separated from his teammates. That's where he first encounters Elandrialith, the dark elf guardian of the forest. She's mysterious, powerful, and deeply connected to the natural mana surrounding the lake. Lucius remembers that this encounter was meant to challenge Ash in a way he had never experienced before.
The battle between Ash and Elandrialith was long and grueling. Lucius recalls how it served as a learning experience for Ash, forcing him to adapt his unique Raven Style swordsmanship against a seasoned opponent. Elandrialith's mastery over mana and her innate connection to the forest granted her a nearly insurmountable advantage. Each clash of blades and mana left Ash bruised, bloodied, and gasping for breath, but with every strike, his skills and resolve strengthened.
The turning point in their battle came when Elandrialith, pushed to her limits, resorted to consuming one of the white flower lilies from the lake. The lily amplified her powers, replenishing her mana reserves, enhancing her strength and senses, and pushing her potential to nearly inhuman levels. This forced Ash to confront the very real possibility of death, as Elandrialith overwhelmed him with an onslaught he could barely keep up with.
In the novel, Seraphina's timely intervention saved Ash just when he was on the brink. Lucius remembers reading how Seraphina's arrows pierced through the forest air, creating a momentary distraction that allowed Ash to regroup. Together, they put up a brave stand, but Elandrialith's newfound power proved too much.
In a last-ditch effort, Ash devised a dangerous plan. Through sheer willpower and strategy, he managed to throw Elandrialith back into the lake. In that moment, he took a risk—he consumed one of the white flower lilies himself. The effect was immediate and profound; his body underwent a transformation, his potential unlocking in ways he hadn't imagined. His mana surged, his Raven Style swordsmanship evolved, and his strength and senses reached new heights.
Lucius recalls how the novel described this moment—the intense rush of power coursing through Ash's veins, the realization that his potential now dwarfed even Elandrialith's. What followed was a brutal, final clash, with Ash moving faster and striking harder than ever before. He cut Elandrialith down with merciless precision, reducing her to fragments of flesh and bone, her dark aura fading into nothingness as he emerged victorious.
...
Lucius feels a pang of unease as he thinks about how his own actions might have shifted the storyline. The way events have unfolded so far, it's clear that nothing is guaranteed to follow the original script. Ash's journey is supposed to progress along this carefully crafted path, but with Lucius's presence and the choices he's made, the path forward is anything but certain.
Transition to Other Characters' Current Predicaments
In the midst of his reflections, Lucius contemplates the conditions of the other main characters still in the tournament. He visualizes their situations, detailing how each of them should be positioned according to the plot:
• Seraphina, dealing with overwhelming beasts and protecting weaker students, honing her precise, calculated fighting style.
• Kallus, roaming the forest, his brute strength matched only by his confidence, taking out lesser opponents without breaking a sweat.
• Gaius, maneuvering his group's alliances to gain an advantage, exploiting every opportunity to outsmart others.
• Elena, navigating the forest with her keen instincts, trying to keep up despite her uncertainty, her potential still largely untapped.
As he goes through these mental notes, Lucius begins to feel the weight of responsibility. By altering the sequence of events, he's created ripples that may completely change the course of their lives. While some of these changes might be beneficial, others could lead to consequences he hasn't anticipated.
Lucius knows he's stepped into Ash's role by encountering Elandrialith, and he's fully aware of the challenge he's about to face. Unlike Ash, he doesn't possess an innate gift or a destined hero's power to help him through this. He's a mere human, albeit one armed with foreknowledge and a strategic mind.
As he steels himself, he inwardly curses the whims of fate—or perhaps the System itself—that seems determined to put him in the spotlight. The System messages mocking him with phrases like
"The World Is Cackling At You"
only add to his frustration. Despite this, Lucius knows he can't simply walk away from this encounter.
"If I make it through this," he thinks to himself, "I need to find a way to stay out of these events."
.....
Know already to Lucius, the forest is harboring a darker threat. The events of the second phase and the gathering of powerful figures like Ash, Seraphina, and others are only scratching the surface. Lucius's encounter with Elandrialith, Ash's battle, and the other main characters' struggles are distractions from the real danger lurking beneath the surface.
The dark, corrupted mana spreading through the forest is a part of the original storyline. Lucius realizes he has no choice but to rush the events of the storyline.
Lucius stands at the edge of the green lake, staring into its depths, his mind racing with thoughts of survival and strategy. He's fully aware that Elandrialith will be unlike any opponent he's faced before, a boss-level adversary who could easily end his life if he's not careful.
his grip on his handgun tightening. But as he prepares to confront Elandrialith, he can't shake the feeling that he's about to uncover something far more dangerous than he anticipated.
As the ominous mist thickens around the forest, Lucius braces himself for the confrontation that could very well change the course of his—and everyone's—fate.