"To earn the right to wield power, one must first survive the weight of history."
Beneath the Academy – The Guardian's Awakening
The chamber was vast, its towering stone pillars stretching into darkness. Glowing runes flickered faintly on the walls, their light casting eerie shadows across the ancient carvings of forgotten warriors.
Joshua exhaled slowly, taking in his surroundings. The air felt dense, heavy with a presence that had been undisturbed for centuries.
And then—
The Guardian stirred.
At the center of the chamber stood a knight clad in obsidian armor, his towering figure emanating a crushing pressure.
His helmet was featureless, an empty void where a face should have been. In his hands, he held a greatsword pulsing with blue energy, its very presence distorting the air around it.
A voice, deep and hollow, echoed through the chamber.
"You who step into forgotten ground… prove your worth."
BOOM!
The Guardian moved, faster than anything his size should have been capable of.
Joshua's instincts screamed—move!
The Clash of Auras – Strength Beyond Limits
The Guardian's greatsword came down in a flash, slicing toward Joshua with terrifying force.
Joshua raised his sword to meet it.
CLANG!
The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the chamber. The ground splintered beneath them.
Sung En, who had been standing behind him, instinctively stepped back, her eyes wide.
"He stopped it?"
That shouldn't have been possible.
Joshua was only a 3-star.
The Guardian was a 5-star entity, an ancient warrior with battle instincts honed over centuries.
Yet—Joshua held his ground.
The Guardian pressed down harder, his aura intensifying.
Joshua gritted his teeth, his muscles burning from the strain.
And then—he pushed back.
The Guardian's stance faltered, if only for a moment.
Sung En's breath caught.
"How? How is he matching a 5-star in raw strength?"
This was beyond normal. Beyond explanation.
Was it his instincts? His training? His sheer will?
No.
It was all of it.
And Joshua wasn't done yet.
The Battle – Power vs. Adaptability
Joshua darted forward, his sword flashing as he struck at the Guardian's exposed flank.
CLANG!
The attack barely left a mark, the knight's armor too durable for a simple strike.
Joshua clicked his tongue.
"I need to hit where it counts."
The Guardian twisted, bringing his massive blade around in a brutal sweep.
Joshua ducked, the greatsword missing him by mere inches.
Then—
A gust of wind surged beneath his feet.
Sung En.
She had boosted his movement speed, her wind energy sharpening his reflexes.
Joshua smirked.
"Perfect."
He used the momentum to launch himself forward, closing the gap in an instant.
The Guardian raised his sword to block—
And in that moment, Sung En struck.
A burst of fire erupted behind the knight, engulfing his back in intense heat.
The metal superheated, weakening the armor.
Joshua saw his chance.
He pivoted mid-air, angling his sword at the weakened spot—
And struck.
CRACK!
The Guardian staggered, his armor splitting slightly at the impact point.
For the first time, the ancient knight recognized his opponent as a true warrior.
"Impressive."
His Aura surged, preparing for a final exchange.
Joshua grinned. "Let's end this."
The Final Strike – Overcoming the Trial
The Guardian charged, his greatsword crackling with immense power.
Joshua didn't move.
Sung En's wind howled around him, her fire flaring at his side.
The moment the Guardian swung—
Joshua vanished.
Sung En gasped.
"Where—?"
Then she saw it.
Joshua had sidestepped at the last moment, slipping into the Guardian's blind spot faster than the eye could track.
A perfect assassin's movement.
His blade glowed with Aura.
And with one final strike—
He drove his sword into the Guardian's core.
A deep rumbling filled the chamber.
The Guardian froze.
Then—slowly—he knelt.
"You… have passed."
His body dissolved into light.
The chamber shook.
And then—
[DING!]
[QUEST COMPLETE: TRIAL OF THE FORGOTTEN KNIGHT]
Reward: Assassin's Shadow (Stealth Ability)
Bonus Reward: ??? (Processing…)
Joshua exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
Then—a door at the far end of the chamber creaked open.
Inside, resting on an ornate pedestal, was a legendary dagger.
The blade was sleek, elegant, and divided into two halves.
One side glowed with pure light, radiating warmth.
The other side was shrouded in dark energy, pulsing like a living shadow.
Joshua stepped forward.
The system flashed again.
[NEW WEAPON ACQUIRED: Twin Daggers of Equinox]
Forms:
• Light Dagger (Solar Fang): Grants enhanced agility, reaction speed, and precise strikes. Each attack builds radiant energy, which can be released in a blinding light explosion to disorient enemies.
• Shadow Dagger (Nocturne Claw): Enhances speed, stealth, and assassination techniques. Grants shadow-based movement techniques, allowing silent kills and evasive combat.
• Combined Form: Equinox Blade – A single sword that balances both light and darkness, amplifying both speed and destructive power.
Joshua's eyes gleamed.
"Now this… this is perfect."
He picked up the weapon, feeling the balance in his grip.
Behind him, Sung En watched, arms crossed, pretending not to be impressed.
Joshua twirled the dagger in his fingers.
"Like what you see, Princess?"
Sung En blushed slightly.
She turned away quickly, muttering, "…Annoying."
Joshua laughed.
"This partnership is going to be interesting."
End of Chapter