Neraxis fiddled with the sword, making sure it was the correct weight, before stepping onto the platform.
Kael was already in a combat stance—one that allowed him to dash toward Neraxis in mere moments.
However, he had no intention of letting that happen.
"Ready?"
"Of course."
The two agreed and immediately put some distance between themselves.
I can't really use my new skill against him, Neraxis thought, watching Kael start moving toward him, his steps concise and seemingly weightless.
But I can use my main skill.
Once Kael got within range, Neraxis immediately cast both of his main skill's effects. The two orbs appeared, meaning he had succeeded.
All he needed to do was simply attack, slow him down, and finally finish him off.
But his initial plan was quickly interrupted as Kael's green tattoos lit up, and a gust of wind zipped past his head.
"Oops, I missed," Kael chuckled sarcastically before moving closer again.
Neraxis was not going to take this lying down, so with whatever limited swordsmanship knowledge he had, he swung downward.
The wooden sword flew through the air at a speed he hadn't even expected himself. However, before it reached Kael, it recoiled back.
A thin green layer surrounded Kael—the main cause of why his attack bounced back.
But he was not discouraged; a faint smile even appeared on Neraxis's face.
Even if the attack hadn't directly connected with Kael's body, it still added a stack. At five, he would be slowed to the maximum.
As for whether Neraxis would detonate the mark, he was unsure.
"That's it? The same strike that cut through the monsters like butter?" Kael's voice rang out, tinged with a bit of anger as he continued, "Are you holding back?"
"I am not exactly using the sword now, am I?" Neraxis shot back and closed the distance, slashing the sword sideways straight at Kael.
However, the unexpected happened—just as Neraxis's sword was about to connect with his torso, Kael stretched out his hand and caught it, looking down at him in confusion.
"No... I mean, are you holding back in general? You don't seem strong."
No shit, I can't... maybe I can... Neraxis thought before getting an idea—one that he was sure would not lead to serious consequences.
According to the description, and especially the note at the end—his new skill, Stellar Dominion, had severely reduced effects.
If that was anything to go by, then it was safe.
[It's fine, just use it. He'll probably only feel a small tickle from the reduced effects.] Evangeline remarked.
Neraxis let go of his wooden sword and stepped back, earning a chuckle from Kael.
"You know you can't run, right?"
"Of course," Neraxis replied, closing his eyes for a moment before quickly opening them.
Immediately, the whole training room was bathed in bluish-purple light, with stars seemingly dancing across it.
Before Kael could react, that light converged into a single point before striking down directly on him.
The green shields were at play, trying their best to stop the attack. However, it proved futile as the tattoos slowly dimmed.
His previous confident and disappointed look soon turned into one of struggle; sweat was practically falling down like rainfall.
But he couldn't stop the attack, nor revert it, as it eventually traveled down his arm, covering his entire body.
Neraxis watched as the bluish-purple light soon turned into flames, and after a few moments, disappeared.
However, the flames remained as if they were attached to Kael's body.
"...Hey, are you alright?" Neraxis called out, watching as Kael's body was twitching while standing upright.
Is he...?
[No, he's fine. He's just in shock.]
From that? Really? he whistled in amazement. Kael was pretty durable.
But the fight seemed over. It did not last long, and if it had, Neraxis would have lost without a doubt.
It made him realize how reliant he was on skills and Evangeline; he had to step up his game.
After a few seconds, the fire dissipated, yet Kael stood unmoving, only letting out rough breaths.
Neraxis decided to walk up to him. He was pretty vulnerable, so if need be, a sword would be enough to knock him out.
"Kael?" he called out once again, and this time received a glance—one that was a mix between frustration and admiration.
"Now that was what I was talking about." Kael let out a chuckle before plopping down onto the ground, his skin still sizzling.
Neraxis looked around with a conflicted expression before spotting a red healing potion on one of the nearby shelves and bringing it over to him.
"Drink up," he said, sitting him upright and forcing the potion down his throat.
Immediately, the burns began healing at a rapid rate, and in just a few moments, all of Kael's injuries were completely gone.
"Thanks, but damn, I didn't expect that. What even was that skill?"
Neraxis merely shrugged before standing up. "It's a secret."
Just as Kael's brow furrowed and he was about to ask more questions, the bell rang, making them momentarily freeze in place before quickly running toward the classroom.
Thankfully, the classroom was right next to them. However, as they were in the hallway, they saw a stern-looking man approaching from the distance, his gaze locking with theirs.
But before the man could seemingly yell at them, the two entered the already filled classroom and sat down with blank expressions.
"We weren't that late, right?" Kael said out loud, seemingly trying to convince himself.
"..." Neraxis merely stared blankly at the board, not wanting to let out even a single sound.
However, Kael did not stop talking. "It would be a real shame, right? Right?"
"Fuck... just imagine we get expelled because we were late by a couple of secon—"
His words were halted by the door swinging open, and the stern man walked in, donning a white version of their academy's uniform.
But what caught them most off guard was the fact that he was staring directly at them.
"You two were late," his deep voice rang out.
"But so were y—" Kael began speaking, but Neraxis quickly covered his mouth and apologized.
"We are sorry. Our spar took a bit longer than intended."
However, the man did not seem amused as he spoke. "I can see that. His uniform looks like it was set on fire. Good job, you two. See me after class."
Neraxis sighed before simply nodding.
Seemingly satisfied with his response, the man walked up to the podium and introduced himself. "My name's Magnus Rivenhall, and I will be your Special Class instructor starting from today. May we get along."
Despite it sounding like a kind introduction, it barely held any emotion—as if a robot had said it.
Setting his concern aside, Neraxis continued listening.
"I have prepared some notes for you all. I want you to memorize each and every word on them by tomorrow. As for the lectures today, I will be teaching you more about the Dreamspire trials." Magnus paused for a moment, taking out the notes from his bag and placing them on the lectern by the side.
After sorting everything out, he continued. "After all, your goal for this year is to reach the 10th floor. If you fail to do so, you will be expelled."
As soon as his words fell, shocked gasps resounded across the classroom. However, Neraxis simply tilted his head in confusion.
Are the tower's trials really that hard?