With the introduction of Ignition (爆灑結), their strategy for clearing Floor 5 began to gain momentum.There were a few unintended rocket punches here and there, but in the Tower of Trials, that was an acceptable risk. What mattered most was that they could now match Jay’s speed.
The rapid acceleration allowed a Late Counterattack (後發先制). While it wasn’t rooted in some deep martial arts principle⋯⋯ the rocket-like propulsion nearly guaranteed they could parry Jay’s first Battōjutsu strike.
Beyond that, the battle was all about tactics.
They needed to break down and analyze Jay’s patterns, adapt to his movements, and formulate a precise sequence to deal steady damage while continuously blocking his Battōjutsu.
And there was a master of tactics here. Luna Steri, the Queen of the Tower of Trials, equipped with overwhelming analytical skills, determination, and a top-tier mindset.
“One more time.”
“Affirmative!”
“I’m gonna die⋯⋯."
How tragic!
While Luna could grind through for ten hours straight, the weak pseudo-martial artist and wizard from the Red Magic Tower with her weren't cut from the same cloth.As time passed and more attempts were made, by the time fifteen real-world hours had passed...
“One more time.”
“Al-, aaaallllrightweshalldoitoncemore.”
"⋯⋯I’m gon-, di-⋯⋯."
Her comrades broke.
Luna crossed her arms and placed her hands on her hips with a look of irritation. But that did nothing to fix her broken teammates—they needed rest.
Or, they needed something else instead of rest.
Luna’s mind clicked into high gear, piecing together a new plan. Based on their progress, if they could just boost their stats a little more, they might be able to pull it off. It would be nice if they could just find some free artifacts lying around the ground.
What they needed was a power-up—something even broke students like them could afford, and Luna knew exactly where to find it.
“Doping.”
"⋯⋯What is that supposed to mean?”
“Let’s get juiced.”
It was the Academy Blackmarket.
===============================================================
The three of them walked side by side through the Academy's underground passages.
Luna took the lead in the center. Envers' heart raced with excitement at the prospect of adventure, while Selvier thought to herself how using explosive magic in such a confined space would surely kill them all.
The damp tunnel looked like you could probably squeeze water from them just by touching them. The few scattered lamps were the only source of light.
"⋯⋯I didn’t know a place like this existed.”
“Who would’ve built a tunnel like this?”
“Probably. Upperclassmen.”
It was probably constructed by upperclassmen from a long time ago.
The Academy held many secrets.
With so many eccentric geniuses and oddballs gathered here, accidents were inevitable. Especially since most who reached Metamorphosis ended up with some form of mental instability.
When you gather enough lunatics, something’s bound to go wrong.
One of the Academy’s many secrets was this shady underground bar. Originally, it had been used for moonshining during the Academy’s prohibition period.
Now, it was a shady place with low credibility known for selling all kinds of drugs at low prices.
“You said they sell drugs here. What kind of drugs do they sell?”
“Almost everything.”
Luna casually pointed around, listing off examples: night vision enhancers, mana amplifiers, cognitive speed boosters, strength enhancers, and aphrodisiacs.
Envers jumped.
"⋯⋯Do not point at my groin!”
“Like this?”
“Do not try to point, or even do anything with your palm at this side!”
“Pathetic.”
As Luna teased him, Envers snapped back, claiming his pride was on the line. Meanwhile, Selvier tilted her head and spoke.
“There’s an alchemy shop above ground. Do we really need to buy drugs from this sketchy place?”
“Quality here, better.”
“Uuhm⋯⋯."
That only made it seem more suspicious. Selling high-quality drugs in secret surely had some sinister and suspicious intent behind it.
And besides...
"⋯⋯It has a similar scent, you know.”
It smelled like home.
Selvier’s hometown, Swallowtail Village, wasn’t a good place. There was no friendship or relationship between neighbors, and many dark things happened under the guise of tradition—things that could only be described as evil.
Those who fell into the pitch-black lake there faced one of two fates: drowning or becoming a water ghost.
If it wasn’t for her childhood friend who had disappeared, Selvier herself would have ended up as another one of the ‘villagers.’ So...
That unsettling familiarity stirred a deep discomfort in her as she walked forward.
Perhaps sensing her mood, Luna spoke up as if to reassure her.
“You can stop, worrying. One who runs, high person.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯?"
“The Owner of the Tunnels, the 3rd Prince.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
Sledo Crown, the Empire’s 3rd Prince and a student at the Academy, was the owner of this place?
Luna likely meant to imply, ‘ Since someone of such high status runs this place, these suspiciously cheap drugs are probably just some rich guy’s playaround ’
Envers, too, seemed to relax, loosening his tense shoulders. Yet, even though Selvier offered a polite smile in response── she quietly resolved to report this to someone later.
The secret bar was run by a woman in a hood. Despite the hood, her figure and the sultry tone of her voice hinted at a seductive charm.
“Oh my, welcome. It’s been a quite some time since your last visit⋯⋯?"
“Dopants. Physical enhancement.”
“I thought the Academy’s evaluation period wasn’t until next month⋯⋯ are you planning to go on a mission? Or perhaps going to deal with someone under the cover of night?”
The woman subtly pried into their purpose, but Luna waved her hand dismissively. She was simply there for the product. The woman nodded, understanding, and continued.
"Something good just arrived recently⋯⋯."
She took out several vials from the shelf and laid them out on the table. Selvier let out a surprised ‘Oh.’ The quality was undoubtedly better than the Academy’s alchemy shop.
It was comparable to the renowned alchemy workshops in the Capital, where the price alone made it impossible to buy for normal people.
Noticing Selvier’s reaction, the woman smiled beneath her hood and handed over a small box. It was a drug container, barely large enough to fit a thumb.
“If you're looking for something even more potent, how about this one? It’s excellent. A well-known famous alchemist, now retired, crafts these in small batches as a hobby, and⋯⋯."
“Not interested. Give me this.”
"⋯⋯Sure. Thank you for your purchase.”
Luna cut through the woman's sales pitch, quickly purchasing the dopant she'd come for, and coolly exited the aisle as though she had no more business there.
Envers, who had an obsession with power, couldn't take his eyes off the medicine box, even as they walked away.
Selvier, on the other hand, felt a strange sense of unease, triggered by a faint scent from the 'special medicine' that reminded her of home. She shuddered as they left.
Three fish had escaped the hook.
But the bait was still out there, waiting to be taken.
===============================================================
Though it seemed like they had bought something they shouldn’t have from the drug dealer, Luna had actually picked up a legitimate dopant. It was a mix of various beneficial elixirs designed to enhance overall physical performance.
There was a chance of mild hallucinations, but that side effect could easily be remedied by a quick visit to a priest. It was a good drug with almost no risks.
But Envers soon became hooked on the drug.
"Is this⋯⋯ the power of the medicine? I cannot believe I have gone my whole life without it! It feels like I have wasted half of my life!"
“Self-control.”
“If I keep using this regularly, I could return to the mansion sooner than expected⋯⋯!!"
“She's telling you to control yourself.”
Envers' excitement was out of control. Luna and Selvier exchanged uneasy glances. If they left him like this⋯⋯ he’d probably rush right back to buy more of the ‘special medicine.’
Luna regretted it.
She had only intended to buy something affordable and useful for the party, so they could tackle the Tower of Trials without needing rest for 25 hours. Turning someone into an addict was not part of the plan.
She had assumed that any rational person would be cautious enough to use substances responsibly. But in hindsight, she realized Envers always did have a bit of a reckless side.
“What should we do?”
"⋯⋯Maybe we should clear Floor 5 while the drug is still in effect? We can take turns keeping an eye on him."
"⋯⋯Eung.”
Luna glanced at Envers with concern.
He was one of the few people who could somewhat keep up with her drive to push forward. If he spiraled out of control, she felt like it would be a shame. Most people couldn’t handle challenges that lasted 12 hours straight.
She hoped they could stay friendly together if possible.
"Tell Jay to come out! I am not afraid of anything!"
“Ughyu.”
For now, the priority was progressing through the tower. Hoping he’d regain some composure during the fight, Luna led the party into the Tower of Trials.
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
"『Ignition(爆灑結)』!"
Baang ──!!
Envers' right arm shot out, intercepting Jay’s Battōjutsu. From this single move, countless strategies branched out.
The clear conditions were:
1) Block the Battōjutsu.
2) Grab the sword.
So, the number one priority was always stopping the Battōjutsu.
In the early attempts, they had divided roles between a ‘Battōjutsu Blocker’ and a ‘Damage Dealer.’ Envers and Selvier focused on offense, while Luna took the role of intercepting Jay's Battōjutsu.
Of course, there were some mishaps—like friendly fire or the time Selvier’s fireball turned Envers into a Halloween decoration—but with enough repetition, they began to find their rhythm. And over time, their coordination improved.
Even so, they were always just a hair short of success. The main issue was adapting to Jay’s change in direction.
To properly block the Battōjutsu, they needed to position themselves directly in front of Jay. Blocking from behind or at an angle was far more difficult.
It was because Ignition(爆灑結) was a straight-forward technique.
If you tried to make a curve with its explosive acceleration, your arm would get shredded like paper. That’s why hitting it head-on was the most reliable option.
So, the difficulty spiked when Jay shifted his body. To maintain their position, Envers and Luna would need to take several full steps to stay in front.
Given the speed gap between Jay and the students, any unfavorable positioning made it nearly impossible to keep up.
So, the tactic they created was simple:
Battōjutsu Blockers/Damage Dealers: Envers, Luna
Ranged Firepower: Selvier
A synchronized attack.
The person in front would block the Battōjutsu however possible and endure. Meanwhile, the person in the back would limit Jay’s movement, apply pressure, and try to attack him simultaneously.
This synchronized attack, functioning like well-oiled gears, was their only way forward.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
When Jay’s elbow lifted, it signaled his next move—the Tiěshānkào. The sheer strength he generated from his thin body was enough to knock back anyone in his path.
If Envers got pushed back, he wouldn’t be able to block the Battōjutsu. That’s where Luna, who was positioned behind Jay, had to step in.
"『Ignition(爆灑結).』"
Tooong ──!!
A more controlled Ignition—compared to Envers’—accelerated Luna’s low kick, and hit Jay’s knee joint, destabilizing his lower body. With his balance collapsed, the Tiěshānkào lost all its power.
Puck!
Envers was pushed slightly backward as Jay tried to shake him off and use his Battōjutsu, but they were still within range of Ignition.
The advantage of this technique was its ability to fire even when the stance was broken.
As Envers was being pushed back, he extended his palm towards the hilt of Jay’s sword. Then, with enough force to break his joints, he unleashed his mana.
"『Ignition(爆灑結)』──!"
BOOM──!!
Envers' arm shot forward, dragging his body with it. His shoulder and elbow tore from the inside, and blood seeped out.
Chick~.
But the Battōjutsu had been blocked.
The rough, raw use of mana. Compared to Luna, who executed Ignition with precision and little damage, Envers' technique was crude. It was the best he could do with a damaged magic circuit. But it was enough.
Thanks to doping, he could fire it about seven more times──!
Jay turned his back, realizing he couldn’t draw his sword while facing Envers head-on.
That, however, was a critical mistake(惡手). Luna had been preparing for this.
"『Ignition(爆灑結): Consecutive(連).』"
It was like channeling the entire body’s strength into a single strike—except, Ignition added explosive propulsion to every joint’s rotation.
Boom. Boom. Boom⋯⋯!!
Starting from the tip of her foot, small detonations propelled her forward.
From her ankle, knee, pelvis, waist, and finally through her shoulder, the force surged, amplifying into a punch so fast her fist became almost invisible—a perfect uppercut.
CRUNCH ──!!
Jay’s jaw snapped shut, his head violently jerked back.
Groggy.
The staggering impact momentarily disoriented him. In that instant, Selvier completed the final words of the spell she had incanted in advance.
"Explode and die, 『Explosive Bullet』!!"
BOOOM──!!
Envers and Luna crouched down at the same time. Selvier’s Flame Arrow hit Jay’s head directly, exploding on impact, sending a wave of heat to the sky.
One cycle was over if it was done like this.
But through the smoke, Jay’s eyes still gleamed. He wasn’t dead yet—he still had plenty of health left. The battle wasn’t over.
"──Get away, from me!”
Jay of Battōjutsu gripped his katana tightly and bared his teeth at them. It was hard to tell whether he was about to draw it—or return it to its sheath.
Woong
But then the katana let out a loud cry.
Screech
The blade peeked from its sheath with a chilling sound.
Thuud-! Craack!
Before the katana could fully emerge, Luna used her Ignition to stomp the blade back into its scabbard. Jay lashed out, reaching for her ankle.
Envers sprang into action, wrapping his arms around Jay’s forearm from behind. But Jay’s raw strength far surpassed his, and he couldn't stop Jay’s hand that was still inching toward Luna.
So, Envers reversed his momentum.
“Kuaaaaa── 『Ignition(爆灑結)』!!"
Boom, BOOOM──!!
Still clutching Jay’s arm, Envers unleashed his Ignition in the opposite direction, the force neutralizing Jay’s strength.
It created a brief moment of stalemate(拮抗).
Luna stepped on the katana handle to spring into the air, and delivered a kick to Jay’s chin. Her strikes lacked power, so she kept targeting his vulnerable spots.
It was working. Over and over, endlessly⋯⋯.
Caught in the relentless machinery of their synchronized attack, Jay faced two possibilities: endure the endless cycle or be crushed by it.
The battle continued for twenty minutes.
By the end, when Envers and Luna couldn’t even use their limbs, Jay, bleeding profusely, finally collapsed to his knees.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯Thank, y-.”
His shattered jaw prevented him from finishing the words: ‘ Thank you for freeing me from the Demonic Sword .’
However, thanks to Crazy Wizard’s acting out of desperate need to guide the players, the sentiment was conveyed. Just barely⋯⋯!
Tower of Trials, Floor 5 Cleared.
===============================================================
Selvier said firmly as she stared at Floor 6.
“Seriously, no more. We need to call for help.”
"Uh, how about taking some of that special medicine?"
“Addict.”
"Do you really think doping will give you the edge over Bennett? Absolutely not. And even Bennett couldn’t clear the top floor. Snap out of it!"
Envers became depressed under the merciless rain of hard facts. Luna was about to offer a comforting pat, but then instead raised her middle finger as punishment for his addiction to drugs.
While Envers grumbled after being flipped off, Selvier met up with Niole.
After learning about hidden secrets within the Tower of Trials and that the theme revolved around fulfilling the regrets of the trapped souls, Niolle immediately reported it to Bennett and Tara.
The Saintess party gathered fully equipped in front of the Tower of Trials.
Their gear had been significantly upgraded.
As they extended their influence within the Church of the Goddess, each expansion saw them raiding the church’s storage and amassing wealth for their party.
Because Niolle was draped in various confiscated relics from the church, she now looked more like a menacing Dark Mage. She was even holding a large skull staff.
The visuals of her magic had evolved, influenced by the previous sessions she had experienced, and was now designed to ‘drain the morale of enemies.’ So, rumors had spread that the Saintess’s party now included a reformed Dark Mage—and that it was the one with the large chest.
Niolle had also gained the ability to speak clearly through her small summoned skeletons. Since the sound quality wasn’t that great, she still used the telepathy-artifact for conversation when it was just the three of them.
Bennet, now clad in artifacts meant for holy knights, now looked like a hero from every angle. His radiant, white armor paired perfectly with his glowing sword, Guardian's Dream(護願).
Tara’s outfit hadn’t changed. But, the various accessories she had added made her look⋯⋯ a bit more vulgar. She was well aware of it, too, feeling a certain amount of embarrassment.
But, in her rivalry with the seductive Niolle, some sacrifices had to be made to win.
“Are you the ones who discovered the hidden piece?”
“C, co-, correct⋯⋯.”
Envers shrank as Bennet spoke to him, like a firefly before the sun. Bennett addressed Envers’ party with a more lively face.
"Explain. Tell me everything that happened."
"We’re not your lackeys, Bennett."
"⋯⋯I’m sorry. It's just the way I talk. I never thought of you that way. But this is a matter of great importance to me. I’ll ask you politely. Could you provide an explanation?"
- You're really improving with your words, Bennett! And you’re looking fantastic today!
"Of course he is. He’s the Saintess’s Knight. As handsome as ever."
Cringe cringe
Selvier scowled. She almost said how ridiculous they were acting, but held back, knowing they were stronger than her. It was the frustration of being the weaker one.
I hope you all get taxed four times over. After Selvier prayed in her mind, she began talking about the Tower of Trials.
Bennett listened carefully before stating.
“This is probably not fake.”
"⋯⋯Are you confusing Illusion Magic with reality now too?”
“No, it's the other way around. You're the ones mistaking reality for Illusion Magic. That’s the Crazy Wizard's doing.
Bennet was convinced that Crazy Wizard, the Dimensional Wizard, had woven elements from other dimensions he'd visited into the tower. The tower’s inhabitants endlessly repeated the same lines, as if they were golems.
However, the beggar on Floor 8 had been influencing the Academy students and sharing knowledge from another world⋯⋯.
Just as Crazy Wizard had sent Bennett's party to save a world and stop the summoning of the Evil God at the Academy...
Bennett suspected that their world had reconnected again to another. This could be the beginning of an attempt to stop a new threat.
Bennett turned to look at shrunken Envers.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
⋯⋯Is he ok?
No, surely, there was something more. Envers had an incomprehensible thought process, beyond normal understanding. Just like when he concealed his true abilities and sided with Bennett, the former Dark Mage. Surely, there was something hidden within him now as well.
In that case, he was going to help.
"I’ll assist you until you leave the Academy."
Selvier tilted her head after hearing Bennett’s words.
"⋯⋯Uh, Niolle. Where are you guys going?”
- Oh, we were invited to the Eastern Front. By the First Princess⋯⋯.
A temporary party member had now joined the Tower of Trials’ climbing party.