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[Skill: Weakness Detection(B)]
Proficiency: 0%
Cooldown: 1-Hour
-Allows the user to detect weaknesses of a target.
-Damage done to the Target's weakness is increased by 50%.
____________________________________________________
As I was reading the system notification she turned around and looked at me, her green eyes meeting mine as if noticing me staring at her.
"Hello?" she greeted me with a respectful smile, and my heart skipped a beat. My heart raced with each passing second as her curious gaze settled on me.
"Hello, Miss Lavigne" Calming myself I greeted her with a smile of my own.
"Oh, you know my name?" Slightly surprised she asked.
"Yes, you've been quite popular lately as a strong contender for the entrance exam, I'm Noah Hart."
"Oh...I see"
And the conversation died just like that.
Getting any closer seemed impossible for now.
For now, though, making a decent first impression, was enough.
"Everyone, pay attention."
Despite speaking softly, the voice was crystal clear.
I turned my attention forward and saw a muscular man smiling broadly.
"Now, we will start the entrance exam to select the 35th batch of new students for Cradle."
Simultaneously, there was a buzz around me.
It was a sign that the Tower of Trials was being activated.
"What, what's this!"
"It's finally starting, the entrance exam for Cradle!"
!
An intangible wave swept through the area.
Then, a blue window with black characters appeared on my retina.
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[Tower of Trials activated.]
[The entrance exam will now begin. Once the exam starts, withdrawal is not possible, so choose carefully.]
[Would you like to start the exam?]
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Who would refuse at this point?
I chuckled and nodded.
"Of course."
As soon as I responded, a bright light emanated from below.
I felt a sense of floating, and my body moved somewhere.
***************************************
The Tower of Trials was quite tricky.
The monsters that appeared here were all tailored to the level of the users, yet they were difficult to deal with.
For those who have mastered fire elements, it would send water-type monsters or those with strong resistance to fire.
For warriors who used weapons like swords, it sent monsters armored in protective gear.
In other words, most students taking the exam might end up severely injured or would at least risk their lives in battle. Well, since it was not real harm, the issue wasn't too serious.
Anyway, for this reason, the exam typically couldn't be finished in a short period.
'Except for me.'
I looked forward.
A formidable figure about 7 feet tall, his body was enveloped in intricate plate armor that fused seamlessly with his physiology. The armor had an ornate design that features engravings, rivets.It had a purple colored core covered with metal platinglocated in the chest area of the armor pulsing with black colored energy. His helmet covered most of his face, revealing only his gleaming red eyes through a reinforced visor.He was holding a great sword as big as me in his hands.
I activated [View(-)] on it.
-------------------------------------
[Kryptoknight]
Rank: Lowest
Risk: Medium
-------------------------------------
Looking at the screen my lips curled upwards.
'A kryptoknight huh, this is doable even without [Weakness Detection(B)], just looking at it once is enough to find its weakness. Only an idiot wouldn't see that glowing orb on its chest.'
"Fuuh.."
I exhaled lightly as I channeled Energy of Luminous Flame inside my body and sword.
The Kryptoknight's visor glows faintly as he scans the area, finding me begins to approach me.
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[System Notification]
-The opponent is holding a sword.
-Talent conditions have been met.
-[Child of Swords(S)] has been activated.
-Stats of the opponent will be reduced.
____________________________________________________
'Using a sword against an armored opponent would be pointless for me right now.'
As it approached,I leaped at it from the side holding my sword in my left hand instead of my right, launching a flurry of strikes, aiming for his sides where the joints of his armor are slightly exposed. My punches land with force against the metallic surface, but the armor absorbs the impact with a resonating clang.
The Kryptoknight counters instantly, swinging a massive sword toward me. I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Quickly regaining my footing, I looked at it but was greeted with an unusual sight instead.
In the areas where I had punched it, golden flames had formed likely trying to purify the monster but its black-colored energy was clashing with mine resulting in it getting weaker.
It was once again moving towards me but compared to before it was much slower. Smiling I transfered my blade to my right hand engulfing it in a brilliant silver and golden flame.
I ran towards it at full speed dodging its attacks which had gotten much slower. The small distance between us was closed in an instant, It attempted to do a horizontal slash but I kicked off the ground launching myself into the air.
I dived from above, my blade poised for the strike. The Kryptoknight sensed my movement, turning quickly to intercept. It raised its armored forearm defensively, but I twisted mid-air, aiming for the side of its chest.
Just as I descended, I slashed at the metallic panels, and with a precise cut, the panels broke instantly. The energy core glowing brightly was exposed for a fleeting moment.
In a desperate retaliation, the Kryptoknight slammed a fist down where I stood. I barely dodged again, utilizing the momentum to roll away into an offensive stance. But the core was laid bare now.
Seeing the opportunity, I charged forward again, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I activated [Weakness Detection(B)], and I could see a red glow exactly where the core was. With a powerful thrust, I aimed my sword directly at the core
As the burning sword made contact with the core, a blinding flash of energy erupted from the impact. The Kryptoknight stumbled, its armor flickering and rumbling ominously, revealing the damage. Its once-formidable presence begins to falter.
Breathing heavily, I watched as the Kryptoknight collapsed to one knee, weakened but not entirely defeated.
Without wasting a single second I moved, channeling all my energy into the sword, I performed a simple horizontal slash with my sword whose fire was even stronger.
The dust settled around us, with me standing and the Kryptoknight slowly dispersing into dust.
I looked forward.
A blue portal was there.
This was proof that I had cleared the Tower of Trials.
Putting my sword into my inventory, I casually put my hand in my pocket and entered the portal.
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[System Notice]
-[Swordsmanship(F+)] proficiency has slightly increased.
-[Weakness Detection(B)] proficiency has slightly increased.
-[Candidate 0273, Noah Hart, identified. Exam duration 00:03:42. Breaking the historical record. Additional rewards.]
-[Highest-Level growth blessing is being granted]
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The same mechanical sound as when I first entered rang out.
However, I almost laughed at the mention of additional rewards.
Whoosh!
A burst of light appeared before my eyes, and soon it dropped a dark-colored wooden box in front of me.
The reason why the Cradle was the top hero training institution. It was because when you clear a trial in the Tower of Trials, you would get a reward corresponding to your performance.
'I set a record-breaking time, so could it be that?'
Anticipation swelled within me.
I tucked the box under my arm.
"…Wait, didn't the exam just start?"
"What kind of speed is that… Good heavens, he cleared it in less than 5 minutes?"
Murmurs arose from everywhere.
Sounds of simultaneous astonishment filled the air. Some were making phone calls, and others were busy gathering information about me.
"Bring me all the student information, now!"
"Guild leader! You need to see this. A student has cleared the Tower of Trials in a record-breaking four minutes…!"
There was a commotion.
I walked toward the center stage of the auditorium, where a man watched me with amusement.
He was the one who had activated the Tower of Trials and announced the start of the exam.
"Interesting. Have you fully awakened your talent already?"
His gaze was filled with curiosity.
But his favor didn't interest me, and I replied with a lack of concern.
"Does this mean I've passed?"
"Yes, you've passed."
"Then, may I leave now?"
"Of course."
"Ah, can I stay in the dormitory here?"
"You're worried about the scouts and reporters, I presume. Don't worry. Just head out and enter the most prominent building you see."
The man gestured toward one end of the room. I nodded politely and made my way in the direction he had pointed.
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[System Notice]
[Main Quest] Chapter 1: Entrance Exam has been completed.
◈Rewards:
1,000 Points,[Multi-Dimensional Paid Store] has been granted.
◈Rating: SSS
Additional rewards:
[Blessing of Growth(S)],[+1 to a Random Stat], and 2000 points have been granted.
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-[Talent Voucher(B)] is now usable.
-[Random Skill-Rankup] is now usable.
-[+1 to Luck]
____________________________________________________
"....."
I was left speechless.