Status Inventory Name: Laila Rank: 2nd Points: 2200 Strength: 61 (43) Agility: 87 (62) Durability: 46 (32) Mana: 71 (51) Masteries Marksmanship Lvl 5 Swordsmanship Lvl 6 Mana Weapon Construction Lvl 7 Heat Resistance Lvl 4 Night Vision Lvl 5 Poison Resistance Lvl 3 Aura Blade Lvl 3 Frost Resistance Lvl 4 Dragon Tamer Lvl 1
I had just finished completing the nineteenth floor of the Tower of Strength. The suits of armor from the previous floors were easy to handle. All I did was speed-blitz them and rendered them unable to continue further by destroying their weapons. Though they knew how to use [Aura Blade] as I could, I was still stronger by leaps and bounds. With that done, it was about time to look further into the [Dragon Tamer] mastery. By tapping on the masteries, a person is given a detailed explanation of the mastery.
I hovered a finger over [Dragon Tamer] and lightly pressed the skill. Instantly, I was greeted with that orchid color screen from before and it showed a whole new list.
[Dragon Tamer: A mastery only those who have been imprinted by a dragon can receive. You have access to your dragon's Status screen and can monitor their growth. Every skill the dragon possesses is automatically shared with the master. The dragon will receive more skills as they mature and grow. It is a master’s responsibility to nurture the dragon so that they live a healthy life. Feeding them mana periodically will help their growth.]
Master: Laila Dragon: Solgac Skills Gluttony Lvl 1 Dragon Breath Lvl 1
All of this is included in the [Dragon Tamer] mastery? That sure is amazing. What’s more amazing is that I can use the same skills Solgac possesses, and more whenever she unlocks them later down the road. Right now I can use [Gluttony] and [Dragon Breath]. Let’s see what the description says for each of the-
[Please proceed to the next floor. You have ten seconds until you're automatically disqualified.]
Damn it! I keep getting interrupted by this message whenever I’m about to do something important! You only get a small window of a break after each fight, which is already annoying enough. From now on, after every fight, I’ll check each skill as fast as I can- if I don’t forget to, that is.
Well, I should head to the next floor. This time I’ll be facing the second pupil of the Tower of Strength, otherwise known as the Demonic Dojo. After I beat the second pupil, I’ll interrogate them and try to get as much information as I can out of them. That’s a promise!
With my hand on the solid but smooth doorknob, the door opened with a slight creak. I hurriedly entered the next room, already spotting my next opponent waiting for me on the far end. Instead of a young man like the fifth pupil, a girl who was in her teenage years like the fourth pupil, or even a big rough man that seemed to be pushing his forties, this time it was a middle-aged woman. This one had some wrinkles on her high cheekbones, silky smooth onyx hair with a few gray streaks that reached her broad shoulders, and a sharp gaze that could bore a hole through the toughest of metals. She was giving off the vibes of an office lady ready to clock out of her stressful job.
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“Those three idiots were beaten by a girl with little meat on her bones? Disgraceful,” the lady said with a venomous tone. “I won't lie, little girl. I’ll give you praise for making it this far. You must have some… 'adequate' skills to have beaten those sorry excuses that call themselves pupils of the Demonic Dojo. Our master will be very displeased once they hear of this.”
…Wow. It’s only been a few seconds and I already find this woman very unlikeable. That’s like a new record or something.
Solgac agreed with me too as she was actively hissing in my ear like steam in a pot of boiling water.
“I should introduce myself. I am the second pupil of the esteemed Demonic Dojo. I was handpicked by the master when I was twenty-nine years old and have been their pupil for fifteen years. You could say I’m the oldest of the five,” she proudly announced as she moved a lock of hair behind her small ears. “Well? What about you, challenger? What is your name and where do you come from? You look like one of those humans, so I reckon you’re from the Human Continent.”
Human continent? The big guy said he comes from the Demonic Continent, and I’m guessing so are all the other pupils, since they have red skin. That would mean humans and these guys are from entirely different areas. Are they segregated or are they able to immigrate to other continents? Before I ask my questions, I should answer this woman first. She’s been tapping her foot furiously with a scowl etched on her face.
“I’m Laila, and yes, I’m from the Human Continent. If you don’t mind me asking, are there any other continents aside from the Demonic and Human Continents?”
“Ah? What rubbish are you spouting? Is fundamental education on the Human Continent lacking? How would you not know of the Athios Continent and the Monster Continent?”
Aside from her rude attitude, she still gave me a straightforward answer. So far, there are four continents: Demonic, Human, Athios, and Monster. She just verbally confirmed that the athios existed in the past. The history of the past must have been altered. There have been no mentions in historical texts about the athios, those of the Demonic Continent, and the seven Pillars too. This is entirely new information that has been uncovered. Then again, this could all be easily fabricated, but that seems more unlikely the more I learn.
“Are you going to fight with that pet dragon on your shoulder? While it's still in its infant stage, I don’t mind crushing you both into a fine paste,” she scoffed. That provocation only annoyed Solgac further as the hissing sounds from before grew louder. I had to give Solgac many head pats just to soothe her.
“Don’t fall for the bait. That’s what she wants. You don’t want to give her the satisfaction of succeeding, do you?” After some coercion, Solgac finally quieted down, though she was still glaring daggers at the woman. The second pupil paid no heed to the dragon as her attention was solely on me.
“That’s enough of the chit-chat. Are you ready to begin, little girl?”
“Sure am granny. I’ll go easy on you since I don’t want you hurting your back beyond repair.”
My teasing worked very well as the woman was visibly shaking with anger. She had her hands wrapped around two sheathes strapped to her hips that I haven’t noticed before.
“You talk big for someone weaker than I am,” she muttered through clenched teeth. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you since you’re young. They call me Wind Dancer back at the Demonic Continent. Do you know why?”
“No, and I don’t care to know either. If I remember correctly, you were getting tired of the chit-chat. What changed now?” I smiled.
Without another word, the second pupil pulled out two curved silver daggers from the leather sheaths. From the distance, I could see the veins on her hands swelling. This woman is most definitely furious. I followed her lead and held out my rapier, pointing the black weapon right at my new opponent. At the sight of the rapier, a look of disbelief washed over her face.
“That obsidian-like color… Is that Damastril? How is it possible that you have a weapon of that caliber?”
So, she recognizes the metal too. For a metal so rare, these people sure are knowledgeable. Actually, I might be able to use that to my advantage. Speaking of advantages, I received no new conditions for this floor. Why is that?
“Haven’t you heard? Hephaestus crafted this weapon for me. He’s pretty fond of a mortal like me.”
The woman took a step back, eyeing the rapier with shock. She was glancing at the rapier and I back and forth, her expressions switching from envy to disbelief, curiosity, and contempt. After a few painful seconds of silence, she opened her mouth once more.
“Though you have an amazing weapon in your hands, I have yet to see if your skills match up with the metal. You probably only got this far because of the Damastril,” the second pupil quickly noted.
All I’m hearing right now are excuses that only serve to ease your nervousness. I can see right through you…
“If you think so, then how about I display my skills right in front of you? If you don’t mind, that is…”
Solgac cackled wildly at my boasting.
“Fine by me! I’m a trained martial artist! I won’t be defeated by someone still wet behind the ears!”
The confidence that was fleeting just a moment ago came back in full force. Taking a step forward, the woman leaped into the air, pouncing directly at my location.
You thought you could provoke me into fighting like an idiot? I’ll have you know I’m not easy to persuade! I might be a beginner when it comes to martial arts, but what I do have with me is an actual brain in my head, good intuition, and sharp reflexes. As long as I think quickly on my feet and fight smart, I’ll make up for the gap between martial arts.