Majestic mountains loomed in place of the black void, their peaks piercing the sky. Towering trees stretched as far as the eye could see, transforming the landscape into an imposing forest. Strange birds and creatures roamed the area, adding an air of mystery to the surroundings.
Anon surveyed the scene, his gaze drawn to the colossal trees that dwarfed any he had encountered before. "Where are we?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"This, Anon, is where I fought the first battle of my life," the counselor replied, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Believe me, it was a close call. A mere mistake could have spelled certain death for me."
Anon's interest deepened. "What trial do i have to give here ?" he asked, his eagerness evident.
"Patience, my friend. I will reveal all in due time. Here, we have an eternity at our disposal. Only a fragment of your subconscious mind resides here, while time in the outside world nearly comes to a standstill for you. One second out there is equivalent to a hundred years within these bounds."
Anon's astonishment grew as he absorbed the magnitude of the temporal disparity. He regarded the counselor with a mix of admiration and surprise.
"Anon, your path has been far smoother than mine because you possess a greater strength of mind, I don't know how you had the right skills at the right time, but you played your cards right everytime.
No matter the situation you always overcome it with your mind and skills.
Your mastery of your powers has been impeccable, never faltering, proving your worth to the demon gods."
The weight of impending revelation settled on Anon's shoulders, causing a sense of foreboding to creep into his thoughts. "What do you mean?" he inquired cautiously.
"Here, your magical abilities shall be sealed, leaving you to rely solely on brute strength. You must navigate this trial through your own ingenuity, discovering the way forward without the crutch of magic. Good luck, Anon. I shall rejoin you once you have overcome this trial," the counselor conveyed before fading from sight.
What the hell? What am I supposed to do here? At least explain it to me..." Before Anon could utter another word, a spear tore through his chest, leaving a gaping hole and ending his life in an instant.
"Fuck... I'm dead," he muttered as darkness consumed his vision.
[Trial Restarting]
Suddenly, a resounding echo reverberated within his mind.
[System Plugged In]
[System Syncing with Trial]
[System Connection Established... 100%]
[Host Revived in 3... 2... 1]
"Haaaaa..." Anon rose from the ground, inhaling deeply as life surged back into his lungs.
"Hmm... it feels damn good to be alive again," Anon declared, his gaze fixating on his chest where the once-piercing wound had completely healed.
[Map Scan Complete]
[Trial Quest Identified]
Anon glanced at the screen before him and burst into boisterous laughter.
"Hahahhaha..."
"So, you wondered how I always had the right skill at the right time, huh? This is the reason. Who would've thought I had a golden spoon in my hands all along? The system," Anon pondered, chuckling to himself.
"Show me the quest," Anon commanded the system.
[Main Quest: Trial of the Counsellor]
[First Sub-Quest: Eliminate the Witch of the Forest, a master of black magic residing atop the highest peak of the mountains. However, each death will incur the [Debuff of Reduced Damage], gradually diminishing your offensive capabilities against the main boss.]
[Rewards: Unknown]
"What's this debuff, System?"
[Debuff of Reduced Damage]
[Every time you perish within the trial, your damage output against the main boss will decrease by 1%, with the potential to stack up to 99,999 times.]
"Whoa, that's valuable information. Why didn't the counselor disclose this to me? He truly desires to test my mettle. If it weren't for the system, I would've perished countless times, oblivious to my imminent demise," Anon contemplated, a sly smile adorning his face.
"System, can you tell me about my previous death?"
[Record of Previous Death]
[Occurred 3 minutes and 45 seconds ago due to a high-velocity spear throw.]
"I died only ten minutes after entering the trial. Meaning, if everything unfolds similarly, the same attack should take place in the next seven minutes," Anon speculated, his mind brimming with countless possibilities.
[One Action Recorded]
A notification materialized before him.
"What's this?"
[Killed by a tribal warrior]
[A tribal warrior, searching for food in the forest, spotted an unknown figure standing alone amidst the trees. Instead of a peaceful encounter, he decided to make the stranger his dinner, swiftly striking him down in a single blow of his spear.]
"Did the Counsellor face a similar attack? Did he dodge it or did he got injured here?" Anon pondered, questioning the circumstances.
[Map scanning completed.]
[Longest peak located.]
"Which one?" Anon inquired.
[The third peak from the left, following the direction of the sunrise.]
"Sunrise? I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to determine the direction of sunrise accurately in this area," Anon thought, his gaze fixed on the spot from which the spear had been thrown earlier.
[Pathfinder activated.]
A smile played on Anon's face as this notification appeared.
"System, I don't know what I would do without you," Anon remarked with an evil smile.
Suddenly, a realization struck Anon, prompting him to ask the system a question.
"Hey, System, can I use magic here?"
[A temporary seal has restrained your magical powers, but it can be shattered at your will.]
"Can the Counsellor see me?" Anon inquired of the system.
[The Counsellor's soul essence cannot be sensed within the trial grounds.]
"Unlock it."
[Magic bindings dissolved.]
[Spells resurrected, ready to be cast anew.]
[Skills reignited, eager to serve.]
[Magic Unlocked: 100%]
"Well, that's what I call cheating," Anon muttered, turning his back towards the direction from which the spear had initially struck him.
With his skills and magic unbound, Anon's five senses returned back to their extraordinary state.
*Creak*
Suddenly, a sound emanated from the bushes behind Anon.
"Food... Die, food," a barely audible whisper emerged, but Anon heard it crystal clear.
In an instant, a brilliant fusion of azure and golden radiance enveloped Anon's clenched fist, crackling with the primal power of lightning, shaping into a lethal javelin.
"Food...die." a spear hurtled toward Anon, propelled by unyielding velocity.
"Not this time, you motherfucking bastard." Anon's thunderous roar reverberated, his body pivoting swiftly as he unleashed the Thunder Javelin upon the nefarious assailant who had hurled the wooden spear.
Like a celestial bolt, the Thunder Javelin pierced the mundane weapon, slicing through it with merciless precision, striking the assailant with unstoppable force.
In a cataclysmic instant, the Thunder Javelin obliterated the upper half of the tribal warrior's body, resulting in instant death.
The spear's relentless momentum refused to wane even after toppling the tribal warrior, tearing through towering trees with a resounding crash. As the majestic giants surrendered to its force, they formed an extraordinary path, as though the very essence of nature conspired to pave the way exclusively for Anon.
*Whistleeeeeee*
A piercing whistle, resonating with thunderous intensity, pierced through the forest, stirring the once tranquil bushes into a frenzy of movement. The rustling foliage hinted at an approaching horde of highly skilled warriors, converging upon Anon with relentless determination.
"What in the hell is going on here ?" Anon questioned, his senses acutely attuned to the rapid footsteps echoing through the dense forest. Yet, despite his acute awareness, he found no visual trace of the assailants concealed amidst the labyrinthine greenery.
"These bastards possess mastery in camouflaging," Anon pondered with a mix of awe and frustration, diligently scanning the surrounding woods, hoping to catch the slightest glimpse of their presence amidst the verdant tapestry.
"Oi, I'm not—" Anon's words were abruptly cut short as a wooden arrow hurtled towards him with unparalleled velocity, propelled by deadly intent.
Yet, displaying a remarkable blend of agility and reflexes, Anon intercepted the deadly projectile, seizing it from the air mere moments before it could make contact with his face.
"Oh, how fucking close you were," Anon jeered, a self-assured smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
Undeterred by their earlier failure, two more arrows were launched with deadly precision, each seeking to find its mark.
Yet, like a wraith dancing amidst the chaos, Anon effortlessly evaded the lethal arrows, his movements fluid and precise, a testament to his unparalleled skill.
"Ah, a game of hide and seek, is it?" Anon's voice boomed through the forest, his steely gaze fixated on a particular tree, where an errant hand had emerged from the concealing foliage.
"Found you," Anon whispered, his leg muscles coiling like a tightly wound spring, primed for action. With explosive power, he catapulted himself into the air, a majestic leap that defied the laws of gravity.
Silently, Anon alighted upon the tree's branches, his presence shrouded in an enigmatic veil. From his elevated vantage point, he observed a figure cowering below, the revelation confirming that it was a young girl.
As the girl turned her head around to survey the area, her eyes widened in fear and uncertainty, Anon swiftly grabbed her mouth. A sinister smile danced upon his lips, his demeanor reminiscent of a malevolent psychopath.
"Hello, Luv." Anon hissed, his voice laced with a blend of dark amusement and chilling menace.
Anon's voice dripped with menace as his eyes bore into her.
The girl trembled in fear, her heart racing as she beheld Anon's maniacal expression. She wanted to scream, but his hand tightly sealed her lips.
"Look into my eyes, luv, and reveal your secrets..." Anon commanded.
His eyes glowed a vibrant shade of purple, and in turn, so did hers.
After hypnotizing her, Anon withdrew his hand from her mouth.
[Name: Lara]
[Race: Tribal Humans]
[Class: Tribal Archer]
[MP: 150]
[HP: 75]
[Description: Fears you, a stranger. Wants to kill you.]
"So, this is how you treat a stranger, huh...?" Anon pondered.
"Now, you will do whatever I command," Anon declared.
"Yes, master," the girl responded in a trance, her eyes devoid of emotion.
"Do you know where your subordinates are hiding?" Anon inquired.
"Yes, master," she replied monotonously.
"Good. And where is your closest ally concealed?" Anon pressed.
"Over there, by that tree," she gestured towards a nearby oak.
"Can you eliminate him for me, luv ?" Anon whispered slowly into her ear, his voice akin to the devil tempting one to commit evil.
"Yes, master," she replied.
"Then do it," Anon commanded.
"Yes." The girl wasted no time, swiftly nocking an arrow and aiming it at the tree where her ally hid.
"Kill," Anon whispered once more into her ear, his intent filled with malicious.
*Swish*
Chk
The arrow found its mark with deadly precision, striking the man hidden in the branches. He plummeted to the ground like a ripe fruit.
"Ughhh..."
Thud
As the arrow claimed its victim, the man crumpled, defeated and lifeless, from his lofty perch.
"Nicely done," Anon acknowledged, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Now, where's the next one ?" he inquired, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"There," she pointed out another one of her subordinates hiding in the bushes below, on the ground.
"Good. Now, eliminate him as well," Anon commanded with an evil intent in his voice.
"As you command, Master," she responded, her eyes devoid of emotion.
*Click* she loaded another arrow into her bow and released it without any delay.
*Swish*
*Thud"
Another one fell, lifeless, as his body hit the ground.
"Excellent. Now, shoot down every single one of them," Anon ordered as he felt her lips with his fingers.
*Thud* A series of dead bodies started falling down inside the forest.
*Chk*
"Ahhh...ughhh."
The dance of death commenced within the forest as the little girl mercilessly dispatched each of her subordinates.
After ten minutes, only lifeless bodies remained scattered amidst the trees, and only two individuals stood among those dead bodies, first anon and second the little archer girl.
"Well, well, it seems luck wasn't on their side. Can you tell me about the witch of the forest, luv ?" Anon asked.
"She lives on that peak." she replied, pointing toward one of the towering mountain's peak.
"Good. Now, let's pay her a visit and you are now useless."
*Crack*
Anon twisted the little girl's neck, ending her life in an instant.
*Clap-Clap*
Dusting his hands, Anon strode confidently toward the peak she had indicated, undeterred by his recent actions.
As the sun set and dark clouds veiled the moon, hinting at an impending storm, Anon realized he needed to find shelter for the night.
"I must find a suitable place to rest," he muttered, gazing at the sky and scanning the surroundings for a refuge.
After a brief search, he stumbled upon a cave. Anon wasted no time and entered, just as raindrops began to fall relentlessly from the sky.
"This rain shows no signs of stopping anytime soon," Anon observed before settling in for some sleep.
The next morning...
Observing the direction of the sunrise, Anon deduced that the little girl had provided him with accurate directions to the witch's cave.
Encountering numerous monsters on his ascent to the peak, some fled in fear upon sensing Anon's overwhelming aura of bloodlust, while others met their demise at his hands.
Two days later, he finally reached the summit, where a massive wooden door guarded the entrance to the cave.
"So, this is where the witch of the mountain lives, huh...?" Anon mused.
Advancing forward, he placed both hands on the door handle. His biceps bulged, veins popping, and a wicked smile stretched across his face.
"So, you wanted to witness my physical power, huh? Here it comes."
Boom
In an instant, the gate's hinges shattered, and the doors were sent hurtling off the mountain.
"Good morning, you motherfucking witch," Anon bellowed triumphantly as he stepped inside.
As soon as he entered the cave, a putrid stench of death assaulted his senses.
"Who dares disturb me at this hour?" a humanoid figure draped in a black robe emerged from the entrance. Her body was a sickly green, devoid of eyes, ears, nose, or mouth.
"It's me. Anyone got a problem with that?" Anon retorted.
"Are you new around here, human? Do you not know who I am?" the witch arrogantly inquired.
"How the hell are you even speaking, you don't even have a fucking mouth ?" Anon questioned.
"Human, do not overstep your bounds. I can snuff out your life in an instant!" the witch threatened.
"Oh, I'm trembling," Anon taunted.
"This is it, human. Prepare to die," the witch declared, unleashing a green energy ball from her right hand aimed at Anon.
"Get lost," Anon scoffed, effortlessly deflecting the energy ball with a flick of his hand.
"Y-You, who are you?" the witch stammered, her confidence faltering as Anon remained unfazed by her attack.
"I am your death. Now perish."
Anon conjured a javelin crackling with thunder in his hand and hurled it toward the witch.
"Human, do not underestimate me!"
Suddenly, the witch's body radiated a bright green glow, and a large stone that had been lying nearby shot up to intercept the thunder javelin. Though the stone shattered, it provided the witch enough time to evade the attack.
"Telekinesis?" Anon questioned, momentarily puzzled.
"Now, it's my turn," the witch hissed, employing telekinesis to wield a sharp piece of metal from behind Anon, intending to strike him from behind.
Chk
The metal pierced through Anon's chest, leaving a small hole.
"Hahahaha...now you see, human? I am a formidable witch," she cackled maniacally, assuming her victory was assured.
Little did she know, she had let her guard down.
A whisper was heard.
"Huh...?"
*Boom*
The javelin pierced through her, cleaving her body in two.
"H-How...?" she gasped, staring in astonishment as Anon's wound as it swiftly healed.
"The moment you think you're the 'Only One,' you end up dead," Anon stated with disappointment, observing the witch die pathetically.
"I may have a short temper, anger issues, and can be a psychopath at times, but I learned something in my previous life.
When someone believes they are 'above God' and the 'Only One,' they meet their demise sooner than expected. I had many teammates who shared that mindset and perished on the battlefield on their very first day."
[First Sub-Quest of the Trial Successfully Completed.]
A message appeared before Anon.
"Hah...quest completed at last," Anon said with a smile.
[Counselor's Soul Essence Detected Within the Trial Realm. Would You Like to Apply the Magic Seal Again?]
Yes.
[Magic Seal Successfully Applied Again.]
"Hello, Anon," a familiar, weighty voice echoed from the cave's entrance.
"Counsellor?" Anon questioned as the figure slowly came into view amidst the incoming light.
"So, you've cleared the trial's first part, huh?" the counselor began, moving closer to Anon, his face becoming clearer.
"Yes, I have."
"Well, you passing this trial was a mere formality. The moment you removed the magic seal, you proved that you are not a fair play. That massacre you orchestrated back there was impressive. Controlling the little girl's mind for your own purposes, making her slay her own subordinates, and ultimately ending her life after use... I thought you might have sex with her too or rape her but you didn't." the counselor spoke with an evil grin, locking eyes with Anon.
"Nah, there are two reasons for that. Firstly, she was just a child, and I don't harm children in that way—I simply end their lives if they're below twelve. Secondly, this was all just an illusion," Anon replied calmly.
"Hahaha...clever thinking. You even tried to sense my presence but failed, huh?" the counselor chuckled.
"Yeah, you somehow deceived my senses, but how?" Anon inquired, genuinely curious.
"Haha...kid, I've been through it. You may feel powerful, but when you truly harness that power, your mind might just shatter."
"Really?" Anon questioned.
"Yes, but for now, you've earned the title of 'Cerebraxis' and a gift from me. Here."
[Skill
"Oh, it's the same skill," Anon remarked.
"Yes, yes, but you still have to overcome two more trials to unlock the full potential of the Cerebraxis class. Now go, return to your body. It will be famished and lustful after this upgrade," the counselor said, vanishing into thin air, leaving behind the familiar black void.
Anon's consciousness began to fade once more.
Back at the academy...
"You! How did you bypass it?" Seti demanded, her eyes fixed on the crimson glowing test ball.
"I didn't, ma'am. I'm simply stating the truth," Anon retorted, a fierce smile playing on his lips.
"Don't lie to me. I'm no fool," Seti snapped in an angry tone.
"Ma'am, the test is complete. Anon has been proven innocent. I don't believe you can—"
"I told you, don't try to lecture me. I know what I can do and what I can't."
"Oh, really...?" A deep male voice resonated from behind Seti.
"Yes, and—" Seti began, turning to face the source of the voice, only to find herself locking eyes with an imposing figure—Mr. Kale.
"Well, what were you saying again?" Kale inquired.
"S-Sir Kale, I-I apologize. It's not what you think," Seti stammered, quickly falling to her knees and bowing before him.
"SHUT UP! WHY DOES EVERYONE IN THIS DAMN ACADEMY KEEP CHALLENGING THE RULES?" Kale bellowed at Seti, his voice echoing through the room.
"I-I—"
"Don't say anything. If this kid has been proven innocent, continue the test and meet me in my office after the final examination," Kale commanded before promptly leaving the testing area.
"Y-Yes, Sir," Seti replied, her gaze filled with a lethal mix of anger and resentment directed at Letti.
'This conniving witch knew Mr. Kale was here, yet she escalated the situation to make me appear like the villain. I won't forget this, Letti, and you too, you commoner piece of shit, Aron.'
"It's Anon," Anon corrected, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"What?"
"Never mind. Where is your next candidate?" Anon inquired.
"Next student!" Seti called out sharply.
"Gia, please let me date your brother," Yumi pleaded, clasping her hands together in front of Gia.
"I don't know," Gia responded.
"I'll show you my homework every day, and I'll even let you cheat on the theory exams this semester," Yumi attempted to strike a deal with Gia.
"I can't, not because I'm possessive of him, but because he's not the kind of guy who dates someone seriously. My brother is more like a collector," Gia explained.
"What do you mean by that?" Yumi asked, her curiosity piqued.
"He'll have mind-blowing sex with you, an experience like you've never had before, and then leave you alone for a few days. After a couple of days, he'll come back, fuck you, use you, and repeat the cycle," Gia elaborated.
"Wow, your brother sounds like a true bad boy. Another reason for me to desire him even more," Yumi remarked, her hand resting on her right breast as she looked at Gia with hopes of marrying Anon.
"You're foolish. Just ask him yourself."
"Are you kidding me? You're his sister. He'll listen to you more than some random girl," Yumi reasoned.
"Fine, I'll talk to him," Gia agreed, rubbing her temples and letting out a small smile.
"Next one!" Seti called out, as another noble student fell before Anon.
"Gia your brother is annihilating those noble kids." One of the girl on the back spoke.
"Yeah, he's like a relentless force, obliterating everything in his path," another girl added, her voice laced with admiration.
One by one, the noble students fell before Anon's might, their defeat fueling the mounting pressure in the noble section.
"A commoner surpassing us, the nobles?"
"If he claims the top spot in this exam, we'll be the laughingstock every damn year."
"How can a mere commoner possess such unfathomable strength?"
"Forget about cheating, he even passed the truth test of the damn test ball."
Anon's ears perked up, catching every word with a twisted smile playing upon his lips.
"The time has come to unleash the final phase of my plan," Anon thought, his gaze locking with Seti's fiery, bloodshot eyes, reflecting her intense anger.
"Last Student, Ren Denver step up on the stage."
Ren, the last hope from the noble section, was summoned by Seti's desperate call.
Stepping onto the stage, Ren eyed Anon, his intense gaze filled with determination. After a brief moment of observation, he closed the distance between them.
"I will crush you," Ren declared, his face a mask of unyielding determination, devoid of anger or tension.
Returning to his original position, Ren glanced back at Seti, who nodded in approval.
"Start!" Seti's voice boomed throughout the arena, commanding the battle to commence.
[Hands of Justice] [B-Rank] [Denver House Exclusive Spell]
[Harness the fiery fury of justice, bestowed upon you by the divine mark. Amplify physical strength by 500% and magical prowess by 250% for a fleeting 5 seconds.
Upon usage, the skill enters a 1-minute cooldown. Exceeding 6 uses in a day may trigger dangerous side effects. Side effects include excruciating leg pain, a debilitating 5-hour paralysis, ominous blue markings across the user's body, and in dire circumstances, even death.]
[Mana: 5000 per use]
[Cooldown: 1 minute]
'Link Stop.'
[But Master...]
'Cease immediately.'
[As you command, Master, but know that forfeiting this round would result in your defeat.]
'I have a plan. Don't teach me.'
[As you command, Master.]
Ken activated the spell, unleashing a blinding golden radiance that enveloped his entire being, manifesting as a divine aura encasing both his hands.
The weight he faced was no trifling matter, a colossal 8950 kilograms. Yet, Ken seized the burden effortlessly, defying its gravity with raw power.
'I possess the strength to claim victory here and now, but where's the thrill in that? I yearn for something more entertaining,' Anon mused to himself, his mind brimming with wicked intentions.
"Mr. Anon, are you going to lift it or do we wait until eternity?" Seti's voice dripped with impatience and seething anger.
"I quit," Anon declared with an unflinching, stoic visage.
Those words detonated within the test field, sending shockwaves of disbelief and chaos rippling through the spectators.
"What? He surrenders...?"
"Damn it, he was our last hope..."
"Shit! We can't blame him. None of us could have budged that weight."
"Anon, you've done admirably, brother."
"Yes, we salute your valiant effort."
The commoner section erupted with resounding cheers and applause, unaware that every aspect of Anon's apparent defeat had been meticulously planned.
"Heh-heh-heh... I knew all along that you were nothing but a feeble commoner, incapable of achieving anything noteworthy. Weak," Seti taunted, reveling in her perceived victory.
"Heh..."
Anon merely chuckled dismissively, his resolve unwavering as he pressed forward.
Now, the tension shifted from the royal section to the commoners' domain.
However, the commoners didn't succumb to the weight of the situation; instead, they rallied behind Anon, acknowledging and applauding his exceptional display of strength.
Returning to his place amidst the commoner section, Anon's eyes fell upon Letti, who stood there with her head bowed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You alright, princess?" Anon inquired, his voice carrying both concern and reassurance.
"Good job," Letti managed to say through her sobs.
"Thanks, but let me assure you, I could have effortlessly won this match." Anon replied.
"What?" Letti's surprise was evident in her trembling voice.
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Once, a hunter trapped a bird within his cage, keeping it confined for three torturous days. The bird felt the grip of despair, convinced that its demise was inevitable, no matter its struggles.
But then, something changed. On the third day, the hunter set the bird free. Overwhelmed with joy, the bird soared to the greatest heights it had ever known.
However, its euphoria was short-lived. As it basked in its newfound freedom, a sudden blow struck the back of its head. When it turned around, the bird saw the hunter grinning wickedly, pelting it with rocks.
In that instant, the bird experienced indescribable agony and suffering, surpassing anything felt by another creature.
Yet, for the hunter, it brought immeasurable delight, for he was the master of that cruel game.
In this game, I am the hunter, and those noble imbeciles laughing now are the blissfully ignorant birds destined to be hunted," Anon explained, his face contorted with the visage of a deranged psychopath, his smile dripping with menace.
Letti couldn't help but shudder after hearing these terrifying words from Anon's mouth, an icy chill ran down her spine.
"W-What do you intend to do?" she asked, her voice laced with fear and curiosity.
"Oh, my dear princess, you shall witness it all in the upcoming test." Anon joked.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as you have witnessed, the nobles have emerged victorious in this match, and all the glory goes to Ren Denver, the son of the House of Justice." Seti proclaimed, her joy uncontainable.
"Oi, commoner, you performed admirably," a voice resounded from the depths of the noble section.
"Hmmm...?" Anon swiftly turned around, fixing his gaze upon the speaker.
"Oh, Luna, isn't it?" Anon stated, pointing directly at her.
"Yes, you've defeated me twice in a row. Tell me, what kind of martial art bestows upon you such formidable strength even without the use of magic?" Luna inquired.
"The secret arts of a true martial artist shall never be unveiled to outsiders. Isn't that your house's motto?" Anon jeered at Luna.
"Y-You're right. I apologize for such a foolish question."
"No worries. You didn't employ magic either. I admire your martial spirit," Anon praised Luna.
"Thank you. My father always taught me to fight fair and square, for strength alone ensures victory."
"Wise teachings."
"In the final round, I shall defeat you," Luna declared with unwavering determination.
"Best of luck with that."
"In my house, luck holds no significance; we place our faith solely in hard work."
'Ha... What an earnest and straightforward girl. Perhaps I should add her to my collection?' Anon's mind whispered sinisterly.