The moment Xavier ascended to the ninth floor, the temperature plummeted, a stark contrast to the searing heat he carried with him. Frost clung to the walls and floor, and his breath formed clouds in the icy air. At the center of the cavernous chamber, two enormous Timberwolves, each towering over eight feet, emerged from the shadows. Their piercing blue eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and a low growl rumbled from their throats, echoing through the space.
Xavier's flames flared instinctively, but the wolves responded by exhaling chilling mists that clashed with his fiery aura. The room became a battlefield of extremes, fire and ice battling for dominance.
The Timberwolves moved with unnatural speed for their size, their ice-coated fur shimmering as they darted around Xavier, circling him like predators closing in on their prey. One lunged with a swipe of its massive paw, forcing Xavier to roll to the side. The other wolf capitalized on the moment, unleashing a torrent of sharp icicles from its mouth, forcing him to ignite his aura to shield himself.
Despite his Draconian Inferno Bloodline granting him enhanced speed and durability, the wolves' teamwork was relentless. One would attack while the other harassed him with icy projectiles, wearing down his stamina. Their cold aura seeped into the air, dulling the intensity of his flames and slowing his movements.
The battle dragged on, and Xavier found himself panting, his flames dimming. A brutal swipe from one wolf grazed his side, sending him skidding across the icy floor. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the frost beneath him. The wolves growled in unison, sensing his weakness, and began closing in for the kill.
But Xavier refused to give up. He planted his feet firmly, the fiery determination in his eyes igniting a second wind within him. He recalled Elior's teachings about speed and precision and decided it was time to shift the tides.
Channeling his enhanced speed, Xavier dashed toward one of the wolves, flames trailing behind him like a comet. As the wolf lunged, he feinted to the side, narrowly avoiding its jaws, and delivered a scorching kick to its flank. The wolf howled in pain, its fur singed, but the other one was already upon him.
The second wolf pounced, its claws glinting with frost, but Xavier ducked and leapt into the air, using his flames to propel himself higher. Hovering for a brief moment, he unleashed a Soulfire Wave, a concentrated burst of soul energy infused with fire. The attack struck the wolves directly, causing them to stagger as their icy auras flickered under the spiritual assault.
Seeing his chance, Xavier focused his remaining energy into a final move. He dashed between the wolves at blinding speed, slashing at their legs with his flames to destabilize them. As they stumbled, he summoned all his strength for a finishing blow—a fiery explosion that engulfed the room.
When the flames cleared, the Timberwolves lay defeated, their massive forms dissipating into shimmering fragments of ice.
Exhausted but victorious, Xavier dropped to one knee, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The icy chamber began to shift, and in the center of the room, a pedestal rose from the ground, holding an extraordinary weapon.
It was a Infernal Earth-Grade Spear, its blade glowing with an inner fire that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. The shaft was engraved with intricate patterns resembling flames and dragons, and just holding it made Xavier feel an overwhelming surge of power.
"This…this is something else," Xavier murmured, a rare smile crossing his face as he gripped the spear tightly. He felt a connection to the weapon, as though it were made for him.
Outside the tower, a crowd had gathered, their eyes fixed on the ninth floor. The flames that danced on the tower's surface were unlike anything anyone had seen before—wild and untamed, but also mesmerizing.
Jessica and the others stood at the forefront, worry etched across their faces. Eddie, still nursing his injuries, muttered, "He's been on the ninth floor for too long. What if—"
"He's fine," Jessica interrupted, though her voice betrayed her concern. "He's Xavier. He'll make it."
At that moment, Alexander Reyes stood in the crowd, smirking. "Flames or not, the ninth floor is impossible for someone like him. He'll burn out eventually." His words dripped with malice, though the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes betrayed his bravado.
As the flames on the ninth floor finally began to wane, the crowd held their breath, waiting for a sign of Xavier's fate.
The moment Xavier set foot on the tenth floor, a wave of suffocating energy pressed against him, forcing him to activate his full aura just to remain standing. The air was thick with spiritual pressure, far greater than anything he had encountered in the tower. The walls glimmered with ancient symbols, and the floor beneath him radiated a faint crimson glow, as though it were alive and watching him.
Before advancing, Xavier gripped his Infernal Earth-Grade Spear, its warm hum providing a semblance of reassurance. Turning to his system, he asked in a low voice, "What are my odds of surviving this floor?"
The system's response was as cold and detached as ever: "Uncertain. The probability of success depends on adaptability, resilience, and sheer will. Warning: success is not guaranteed."
Xavier clenched his jaw, his heart racing. The unknown was as daunting as the floor itself. But retreat wasn't an option. "Then I'll just have to make my own odds."
When the tenth flame on the tower ignited, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd outside. The crimson flame was unlike any of the others, larger, brighter, and far more intense. It pulsed erratically, as if mirroring the chaos Xavier faced within.
Jessica's breath caught as she saw the flame ignite. Her heart warred between pride and dread. "He…he's really doing it," she whispered.
Eddie, leaning on Mara for support, shook his head in disbelief. "No one's ever lit the tenth flame. Not even the most powerful elders back in their day."
Mara added, "This…this is insane. What could possibly be waiting for him up there?"
Even the gathered elders exchanged uneasy glances. One of the older ones, Elder Feng, muttered, "The tenth floor's secrets were never meant for mortal disciples. If that boy survives, the Academy itself will change forever."
But in the midst of awe, one figure scowled. Alexander Reyes, standing in the crowd with his arms crossed, felt his rage boil over. "Impossible. That flame doesn't mean he's alive—it could be a last gasp before he dies in there," he muttered bitterly. Yet, even he couldn't deny the pit of unease growing in his stomach.
As Xavier moved deeper into the chamber, the glowing floor shifted, revealing a massive circular arena. At its center stood an enormous throne of jagged obsidian, and seated upon it was a towering humanoid figure clad in dark, spiked armor. Its eyes burned with a malevolent red glow, and a massive two-handed sword rested across its lap.
The figure rose as Xavier approached, its booming voice echoing through the chamber. "Welcome, challenger. You have proven yourself worthy to reach this sanctum. But to claim the final reward, you must face me— The Infernal Guardian** —in combat."
The Guardian moved with terrifying speed for its size, closing the gap between itself and Xavier in the blink of an eye. Its first strike was a vertical slash that split the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves through the chamber. Xavier barely dodged, using his enhanced speed to leap to the side, his spear igniting with flames as he retaliated.
The two clashed in a storm of fire and steel, the arena trembling under the force of their battle. Xavier's spear struck like a viper, but the Guardian's defense was near impenetrable, its massive sword deflecting each blow with ease.
The fight dragged on, and Xavier found himself pushed to his limits once again. The Guardian's strength was unrelenting, and its attacks grew faster and more precise with each passing moment. Blood dripped from Xavier's wounds, and his breathing grew labored. But deep within, a fire burned brighter than ever.
The Infernal Guardian towered over Xavier, its crimson eyes blazing brighter as the fight dragged on. Every swing of its massive blade left cracks in the arena floor, the air itself trembling under the sheer force of its strikes. Xavier had been dodging and parrying for what felt like hours, his body aching and covered in fresh wounds. His spear was beginning to feel heavier in his grip, and his breathing came in ragged gasps.
"Is this all you've got, mortal?" the Guardian's voice rumbled, its tone laced with mocking disdain. "You are nothing more than a fleeting ember. Soon to be snuffed out."
Xavier gritted his teeth, blood dripping from a cut above his brow. He spun his spear, trying to steady himself. He had landed a few solid hits earlier, but they barely left a scratch on the Guardian's dark, impenetrable armor. His flame-infused strikes weren't enough. The Guardian's sheer size and power outmatched him in every way.
"I can't keep this up," he muttered to himself, dodging another crushing blow that sent shockwaves rippling across the floor.
The system chimed in his mind, cold and calculating as always: "You cannot defeat this opponent with brute force alone. Use your environment. Adapt, or you will fall."
Xavier's eyes darted around the arena. The glowing crimson runes lining the floor caught his attention. They pulsed in sync with the Guardian's movements, reacting to its every step and swing. "The floor… it's tied to him somehow," Xavier realized, his mind racing.
The Guardian's next attack came in the form of a horizontal slash, its blade carving through the air with a deafening roar. Xavier ducked under it, but instead of retaliating, he jumped back, creating more distance.
He needed time to think. The runes were a key, but he had no idea how to use them to his advantage. As he dodged and weaved through the Guardian's relentless onslaught, an idea began to form.
"The runes react to his movements… what if I can force them to work against him?"
Xavier's grip on his spear tightened as he formulated his plan. He would have to bait the Guardian into overextending, force it to pour its strength into an attack that would backfire.
But it was a gamble—one mistake, and he'd be finished.
The Guardian seemed to sense Xavier's hesitation and pressed the attack. Each swing of its blade came faster, heavier, and more precise. Xavier barely managed to stay ahead, his speed his only saving grace.
Sweat poured down his face as he leapt to avoid a downward strike that shattered the ground beneath him. The arena trembled, dust and debris flying everywhere. "I can't take another hit like that," Xavier thought, his body screaming in protest.
He dashed to the far edge of the arena, narrowly avoiding a sweeping strike that left a trail of destruction in its wake. With a burst of spiritual energy, he launched himself toward the center, forcing the Guardian to turn and follow.
"Come on," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Just a little more…"
The massive sword came crashing down, the force of the attack aimed directly at Xavier. At the last possible second, Xavier darted to the side with a burst of speed, leaving a trail of flames in his wake.
The blade slammed into the ground, and the impact was catastrophic. The runes beneath the Guardian exploded in a blinding flash of crimson light, the energy it had poured into the attack backfiring spectacularly.
The ground beneath the Guardian cracked and gave way, trapping its massive form in a sinkhole of molten energy. The creature roared in fury, struggling to free itself as the runes continued to drain its power.
Xavier didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, his spear blazing brighter than ever before. "This ends now!" he shouted, driving the weapon into the Guardian's exposed chest.
The spear pierced through its armor, the flames surging into the creature's core. The Guardian let out a final, deafening roar as its body was consumed by fire, collapsing into ash and sparks.
Xavier collapsed to one knee, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The arena was silent now, the oppressive energy that had filled the chamber gone.
In the center of the room, a pedestal rose from the ground, bearing the Orb of Ascension. Its radiant glow bathed the room in golden light, a stark contrast to the battle's earlier chaos.
Xavier approached the pedestal cautiously, his body still aching from the fight. The system's voice echoed in his mind: "Congratulations. You have overcome the Infernal Guardian. The Orb of Ascension is yours. Use it wisely."
He reached out, his hand trembling as he touched the orb. The moment he did, a surge of energy coursed through him, unlike anything he had felt before. His wounds began to heal, his strength returning tenfold.
Outside the Tower
The crowd outside erupted in cheers as the flame on the tenth floor flared one final time before dimming. The doors to the tower creaked open, and all eyes turned to see Xavier stepping out, his spear in hand, his aura blazing with newfound power.
Jessica ran to him, tears streaming down her face as she embraced him. "You did it," she whispered, her voice trembling with relief.
Xavier smiled faintly, his exhaustion evident. "Yeah… I did."
The Guardian raised its sword, pointing it at Xavier. "Only by besting me will you prove your right to ascend. Prepare yourself!"
Xavier tightened his grip on his spear, his body still aching from the previous floors. The Guardian's overwhelming presence sent chills down his spine, but he forced himself to focus. "If this is the final test, then so be it."