There were 34 people standing in the middle of an empty, messy room. There were countless marks of elemental spells, sword marks, arrows, and cracked surfaces that filled the room. It was as if it had just gone through a disaster. Yet oddly enough, there was not a single speck of blood remaining nor was there even any bodies that littered the scene. It was a serene type of destruction.

It was unnervingly peaceful at the end.

Edward vaguely processed the strength of those who remained. His definition of strength was far off from what normal people would consider as powerful.

While others, like Rothell, would say that strength was how easily you can win a battle, Edward took a more… conceptual approach. He accurately assessed every person without missing any detail during the situation. No one could guess what went in his head.

“Well, let’s start your assessment, shall we?”

A blue light shimmered across the entire room. Thirty-three runes hovered in mid-air. A similarly flickering light began to shimmer from within the safe rooms. What happened directly in the middle of the room was relayed in the saferooms. It was reminiscent of starlight bestowing everyone the sight of its brilliance.

Sammuel and Gregor felt their room begin to shake. The thirty-three identical runes within this place glowed a very bright light before taking a clear and defined shape. It was transforming before their very eyes.

The very first one that lost its luster revealed itself to be a very accurate figurine. Sammuel quickly noticed that this was one of the captives. He was an unassuming person that didn’t have any innate strength at all. Out of the 15 captives, he was either 13th or 14th in Combat Power.

“I know that guy. He’s with us.” Gregor pointed out. “Ooh, another one of us. That’s one of the handlers. Then that guy… eh, I don’t recognize him.”

The runes had manifested into a material form of an idol. It was made out of a crystalline material that was slightly see-through. The details of which were exactly the same as those survivors. When the light was snuffed out was the moment the figurine was completed.

One by one the runes fell on the ground, creating a clanking noise each time they did so. Oddly enough, there wasn’t a hint of danger coming from those figurines. It eventually reached the last few remaining ones.

Out of the five remaining runes that have yet to take shape, the 5th rune manifested itself as Rothell. Sammuel did not know what kind of criteria Edward was using but from what he could tell, the last ones to manifest had greater strength.

For Rothell to be the 5th person based on Edward’s criteria, this batch truly did have some monsters.

The 4th person to manifest was one of the original students. He had introduced himself as Basker. Out of the survivors, he seemed to be the last person who should’ve survived. It was completely odd that he had gotten to this point. Rothell gave him a side-eye glance as a potential threat despite his looks.

The 3rd person was surprisingly, Lilia. She had kept to herself this entire time yet when this revelation appeared, people could only accept such an outcome. As much as those involved didn’t want to admit it, Lilia really was a monster, a monster that required someone like Rothell to contain. After all, her martial prowess was not something to be looked down upon.

The followers of the Great Human of Poverty were far and few in between yet it was evident why it was so. To be one meant to burden yourself with the woes of the damned. Many try to gain strength from such a cruel method. Whether or not their intentions were pure, the power they received was enough to show that it was worth it.

The following person felt like it had been planned all along. It was Tello. He seemed just as confused as everyone else about why this was his placement.

“T-There might be some kind of mistake…” His voice was filled with anxious fear. This was essentially pinning a target on his back.

“Mistake? It’s fair if you believe that. I am not someone who’s willing to tell a person is wrong. To be right in a wrong world has no merit.” Edward’s words truly did fit what the Great Human of Philosophy would say.

Tello took a step back. This was not the response that he wanted to hear. Still, it was the outcome of what Edward wanted.

“Who’s left?” Henry, who was placed 9th, asked. From what he could tell, there shouldn’t be anyone left.

A meek girl immediately tried to hide her body behind her handler. Henry noticed this odd movement. His suspicions were immediately verified.

The last person who Edward had deemed to be the strongest based on his metric was the very same girl who had been breaking down every time.

“The person who has received full marks in my entrance exam, is you, young lady. Would you care to come forward?” Edward’s voice was still as cold as earlier yet there was a hint of warmth within it. His words weren’t harsh at all on her ears.

She didn’t want to move forward yet her handler pushed her to do so. She nearly tripped over, making a fool out of herself when Edward personally came forward to hold her steady. “Worry not, the scariest part is over. All that’s left is for you to learn. Do you like learning?”

“Uh… yes…?” Her voice was barely audible.

“Then, as the first person to rightfully proceed to get a reward, would you care to tell me with your name?”

She looked at everyone around her. They all gave her weird looks. Some were filled with confusion as to why someone like her was given such an opportunity while others were envious of being given said reward. Yet the one that knocked her back to her senses was Rothell’s eyes, calmly analyzing what would happen.

“Rayah.”

Edward nodded and presented something that Sammuel found familiar. This was exactly the item that Martine had taken earlier from Edward’s desk. It was a Mark. He softly stamped it on her left hand, filling her with great power.

[Status: Student Mark Of The Great Philosopher (1/5) | Gain Combat Power: +1,000 | Rayah: 1,002]

“Ah?” Rayah felt her entire being be filled with immense power. Her clumsy actions accidentally made her cuffs tear apart. It seemed as if these cuffs truly weren't even that sturdy. It broke the moment that she received this power. A very peculiar case indeed.

[Status: Normal | Gain Combat Power: +943 | Rayah: 1,945]

As her mana was no longer locked, the rewards that she was bestowed with were finally free for everyone to see. She had become so much stronger in such a short amount of time. This was good and all but there was something that didn’t sit well with Sammuel.

She’s still only in the Awakened Realm but her mana capacity is leagues beyond what I am capable of. If I didn’t have this ability then I would’ve been left to assume that she was nothing but a normal person. She may not be up to Gregor’s level of genius, but she’s still terrifying.

Another odd point was this Mark.

Alyur’s Blessing of Moonlight didn’t strengthen someone that much, it was only +100. It was strong but it’s nothing compared to Edward’s… I’m assuming, Blessing. Is this because Edward is giving his power to someone of the same species or was Alyur holding back on me? Perhaps it’s another method I’m unfamiliar with. There’s still much for me to learn about this world. But seeing how that isn't not named as a Blessing, I doubt that it is one.

“How do you feel?”

Compared to Alyur’s odd transformation, Edward’s bestowment was much gentler. As the Great Human of Philosophy, he dealt with matters of the mind and concept. Although minimal, Rayah saw a bright world. The dark world was filled with scary monsters and the unknown slowly lit up.

Nothing literally changed, it’s just that her perspective did. Yet that did more than what one would think.

“It’s bright. So… bright.”

Edward lightly smiled. “That’s good. The world is a bright place. Don’t let what taints it trouble you too much.”

He says as he ignores what he has just done. There was only one word for these kinds of people.

“Hypocrite.” The only person who has a tongue that was sharp enough to say something like this was none other than Henry.

It didn’t even take another moment before Henry realized what he had just said. His nerves might be solid enough to talk back to Rothell with a sly grin on his face but it wasn’t strong enough to handle the threat of someone who could so easily cause many to die.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Edward slowly turned around.

The all-seeing gaze Edward had pierced through Henry’s facade. The immediate pressure Edward gave off without even using mana was palpable. Even some of the handlers felt this invisible force.

“It does seem so, doesn’t it?” A wry smile formed on his face. He did not laugh at Henry’s insult but at himself. “Tell me, what do you think I stand for?”

Even someone as arrogant as Henry didn’t have the will to say something amidst this instigation.

Seeing how frozen Henry was, Edward realized his mistake. “Worry not, I’m not the type of person to wantonly kill, despite how it seems. Besides, you are now considered as my student, I will only devote myself to teaching you.”

“... A lunatic.”

“Madness. You see me as a madman. That is a fair assessment based on what you have seen. I can’t fault you for thinking that way. I’ll be sure to act in a way to showcase my true nature. But that is for the future, for now, I want to ask you what you think about… this entire situation.”

“Cruel.”

“It is cruel, isn’t it? How could I so easily cause the deaths of hundreds of promising prodigies? Just what kind of monster am I to so ruthlessly trample upon the hopes of so many rising stars? It’s unfair.

Edward’s apathetic voice slowly began to resemble something else. His voice grew louder yet at the same time clearer. Like a proper teacher that enlightens the next generation on the right path.

“Life, and death. Hope and ruin. Before the world, everyone and everything is equal. One moment you might be at the lowest point of your life, at the very next moment, you’re soaring through the skies, achieving everything you have ever wanted and vice versa. The world is unjust.”

Edward raised his hand and patted Henry’s shoulder. It was light, almost as if there wasn’t anything there. “But people aren’t. We all want a chance, an opportunity, a… choice. But to be given a choice does not mean that you will succeed. You must push through, you must succeed through any means necessary. That’s what I’ve done here. Skipped through everything and arrived at the end.”

“By killing hundreds?” Rothell blatantly said.

“It’s not as if I didn’t give those who wanted to run away one last opportunity. I’ve hidden rooms that protect those who wish to run away. It’s their fate to find them.”

A clear example was Sammuel and Gregor, who were still within these saferooms.

Edward turned his body and faced Rothell, a warm smile appeared on his face. “Yes. It is a barbaric and senseless method, I completely agree. Doing this does not spark me joy. Only the fact that I have gotten ahold of the people who deserve my teachings do.”

With that, Edward backed off. What had seemed to be someone’s funeral had suddenly turned into a lesson. After everything, Edward had already assumed the role of everyone’s teacher.

The same shimmering light as before began to manifest itself before everyone.

“Besides, it’s not as if those who have died will remain dead. Those who died here will have their legacy be carried on by the survivors. This… is my first gift to you, my students.”

[Advent of the 33 Apostles]

Wisps of blue light condensed within the center of the room. Specters came out from the floors below them and began to enter this light. The power of which increased by the second. Oddly enough, this wasn’t as threatening as they had assumed it would be. The strength of those who died carried on to the survivors with one massive caveat.

[Permanently Gain Combat Power: +832 | …]

[Permanently Gain Combat Power: +425 | …]

[Permanently Gain Combat Power: +682 | …]

The cuffs that shackled all the captives were immediately shattered. Within the very next moment, everyone had broken free. Just like that, they once again connected back with mana.

This time, the strength they gained was permanent. It wasn't fleeting like the strength that Rayah received from Edward. It was a gift that bolstered everyone's strength. Well, everyone that was inside. Sammuel and Gregor weren't given the opportunity to receive this power due to them staying in a safe room. They were barred from such a wonderful event.

Instead of complaining about what could've been, Sammuel's mind focused on one other thing first.

Why are the cuffs breaking apart so easily? That can't be right. It's as if they aren't even...

Sammuel had been watching from afar this entire time. There was a slight tinge of regret upon seeing that they were receiving such strength for seemingly nothing. The trial wasn’t even difficult compared to what he had gone through. He was sure that even with [Ego: Base] he would be one of the remaining survivors.

One trend that he noticed was how these survivors gained strength based on their ranking from earlier. As expected, Rayah, gained the most out of everyone with an astounding 1,532 Combat Power.

It was a complete and utter joke. Everyone in front of him was growing so much stronger in such a short amount of period of time but there he was, stuck like a caged rabbit. For the first time, Sammuel regretted not acting out. He could’ve been there.

“That’s unfair.” Gregor pouted.

“For once we agree.”

“Yeah, it’s so unfair for them. They’re using up their lifespan to gain so little strength. Man, what’s that, seven… eight? Probably ten months gone in a blink of an eye.”

Sammuel thought he heard that right. “Losing… their lifespan? What are you talking about?”

To verify Gregor’s claims, he tried to peer once again on the statuses of those below. Unfortunately, telling someone’s lifespan was well beyond the scope of his ability. The only thing that it could tell was the current state of those he can see.

But there was something that stopped Sammuel from completely dismissing Gregor’s words. Lilia was actively going against receiving this power. She wouldn’t have been doing this for no reason.

Lilia might be restricted due to her own religion and dedication to the Great Human of Poverty but there was something telling him that this was not what this was about.

“This illusion. It’s pretty rough.” Gregor looked up to the ceiling of this room. “I wonder where the rest is going. Hopefully, it’s not too bad.”

Every time this guy says something like that, something wrong happens.

Crack.

And like clockwork, a crack began to appear above the ceiling. It had been barely noticeable as everyone was far far too focused on this strange ritual. Another thump caused this crack to increase even further.

At this point, Sammuel gazed upon the same sight that Gregor did. The crack had continued on to piece apart the ceiling until it was large enough for those below to notice it. Ash and dust fell down, awaiting the collapse to come.

One last thump came from the ceiling, causing the entire ceiling to break apart. It had revealed someone who had left since the beginning, Martine. Sammuel saw that he had already completed the five Marks, receiving the power of the full Mark.

“I’ve already completed everything.” Martine came down falling from the skies. “Sir Rothell, now!”

Rothell immediately acted upon receiving the signal. His entire body began to emit a red hue. His hand began to shapeshift into some kind of monster arm. It had spikes going against the grain of his newly grown scales.

[Demonic Metamorphosis | Gain Combat Power: +??? | Rothell: ???]

Rothell didn’t waste the singular opportunity he had been waiting for. He immediately dug his arm into Edward’s chest. Yet this wasn’t even enough as Martine came from the skies, carrying the Mark within his body. He took out his own blade and mercilessly sped down, aiming to cut off Edward’s head clean off.

As his blade swung down in full force, Edward finally reacted by manifesting the power of this room to defend himself.

“What is-” Edward was surprised as he was unable to wield his full power. It had completely come out of nowhere. Still, with the body of a Great Being, it still wouldn't be so easily-

Martine's blade faced the first resistance that Edward had set up. It was a hastily created barrier that aimed to stop Martine's blade. For some odd reason, instead of defending against Rothell, who already had his hand piercing through his chest, he decided to defend against Martine's attack. This was not how someone like him should've handled the situation.

Rothell didn't just hold Edward in his arms. His modified arm began to pulsate in a terrifying motion as his arm spouted out sharp scales that dug into Edward's body, weakening him even further. He was suppressing whatever mana Edward had using his own hand.

"Now!" Such a guttural roar showed the burden Rothell took in order to suppress Edward.

Martine’s blade had slashed through most of the protection that Edward had placed yet a tiny bit of resistance remained. He gritted his teeth before using his own power.

[Advent of the 33 Apostles: Serene Blade | Gain Combat Power: +3,253 | Martine: 9,999]

It continued off to increase in power and was just barely enough to get rid of Edward’s remaining defenses. After breaking through the barriers, Edward’s head was detached from his body. His last remaining expression filled with Sammuel with a terrifying realization.

Everyone else had responses of amazement, fear, and confusion.

“What?!”

“You… killed a Great Being?”

“How is that… even possible?!”

Many were completely and utterly baffled by what had just happened. Even if this was just an illusion, for Edward’s head to spew out blood on the floor was a gruesome sight. Though, there was one main factor that most of them completely ignored. Edward's spells and mana could only exert so much strength. It wasn't even to the level of an Ascendant Realm, much less the power of a Great Being. He only had the aura of a Great Being, not the strength of one.

“Blood?” Despite being so far away, Sammuel felt something utterly wrong here. Every single person that had died had turned into smoke, that was why this place had been so clean. Then comes the problem, why was Edward’s corpse riddled with blood?

“Everyone! Focus! All the captives, run away! All the handlers, prepare! This is the first seal. Prepare for anything that may come out! I’ll take be the main vanguard, everyone else, attack from a distance.” Rothell didn’t bother hiding their true motives at this point. "The first guardian will set the standard of what we will have to face from now on!"

The captives were still confused about what was happening.

“What are you standing around for? Run!”

Edward’s body which had just been decapitated grew the same misty smoke that had made those students from before. His body had smoke surge out and connect to his head. It then became flesh.

Edward’s previously scholarly body now had an obscenely long neck that was twice as long as his body. It twisted and turned in unnatural ways. The worst of all was the fact that eerie sounds kept coming out of his body. Bones began to crack and twist, flesh grew beyond what is normal, as Edward’s body morphed into one that had six limbs.

The two limbs grew out from his stomach, mimicking the legs of an insect. Edward’s body had turned into a monstrosity. Whatever creature was in front of them was at the very least not human.

[Condition: Edward Wrester’s Reanimated Corpse kills the invaders | Reward: +100 Ego Slot]

“This… you can’t be serious. There’s no way that’s real.” Sammuel didn’t understand this at all. Why was he being guided into intentionally betraying the group?

The unholy screech that came from Edward’s monstrous body sent chills down Sammuel’s spine. This was not something that should have come back to life.

Compared to Sammuel’s shock to the system’s mission for him, Gregor was shocked for another reason.

“That’s… foul..” The dedication from Gregor wasn’t something that Sammuel expected. It was one that came from complete and utter disgust. “I-I think there’s… there has to be something we can do!” Gregor began to search the room they were in.

Apart from the 33 original runes that had transformed into a sickening variant, there was nothing left inside.

“Prepare for battle! Under no circumstance can you die!” Rothell took the front as he heavily relied on his own durability. He did not know what would happen next. Taking the initiative, Rothell ran up to exchange the first few blows against this newly reincarnated monster.

The first clash caused one of the runes to turn bloody.