“I guess we’ll be staying here for a while. Everyone needs to be in top shape for the final floor, after all,” I said, setting down my third bowl and brushing crumbs from my hands. A light breakfast by my standards, just three bowls of stew and five skewers of grilled meat.

“What’s the challenge for the third floor?” Artemeni asked warily, her voice tinged with dread. “I pray it’s not as complicated or as drawn-out as the others.”

“Well,” I began, leaning back with a wry smile, “the third floor is probably the most straightforward. It’s a boss rush. Ten bosses, varying in size and difficulty. The catch is that if one of us participates in a fight, they can’t fight again unless all of us have also participated in a boss fight.”

Thalia groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "A boss rush? Seriously? As if the first two floors weren’t draining enough."

Artemeni frowned, her brows knitting together. “And the restriction on participation makes it even worse. If we’re not careful, we could end up completely drained before the final boss.”

“Exactly,” I said, nodding as I finished off the last skewer. “This isn’t just about strength. It’s about pacing and using our skills wisely. We’ll need to assign roles carefully, picking the right person for each fight while keeping everyone fresh for the endgame.”

Aurora, her composure restored after a solid meal, leaned forward, her eyes sharp. “Do we know anything about these bosses? Their types, abilities, or weaknesses?”

I tapped my temple and shook my head.

I tapped my temple. "Not much. Unfortunately, not all groups are as skilled as us so there aren’t many who reach the third floor. So the information is limited.”

Gökbörü, ever the eager companion, barked softly and wagged his tail, his sapphire-like eyes gleaming with determination. I chuckled, ruffling his fur. "Looks like someone’s ready to fight but you will need to wait, buddy. We need everyone in top shape. So we will rest here for an entire day.”

Thalia sighed.

“The fact that you see resting a day equal to top shape… No. This is an accomplishment.”

I laughed at Thalia’s words.

…

Artemeni stretched, before standing up and grabbing her spear. The weapon gleamed faintly under the firelight, its intricate carvings catching the flickering glow. She turned to me, her expression determined.

“I’m going to train for a bit,” she announced, her voice cutting through the quiet crackle of the campfire. “Want to join me, Champion?”

I glanced at her, then at Thalia, who told me “No!” with her eyes.

With a wry grin, I asked, “Do you want me to get killed?”

Artemeni looked back at Thalia, who shot her the same look she shot me.

“Oh, I see.”

Artemeni twirled her spear with practiced ease, the weapon’s blade cutting through the air in a blur. Then, her movements slowed, and a faint shimmer began to emanate from the spear. A glowing aura, sharp and vibrant, surrounded the blade. It wasn’t just mana—it felt more… alive. It resonated with her movements, an extension of her will as much as her body.

I crossed my arms, watching closely. “That’s Blade Aura, isn’t it?”

She nodded, adjusting her stance. “It’s a fusion of mana and willpower. Unlike regular mana reinforcement, it’s more focused and more destructive. You’ve never used it, have you?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Never had to chance to properly study it. You know how it is for me. The only formal training I did was with you guys and it was focused on basics.”

I sighed.

“Queen wiped the floor with me using it so maybe it is good for me to learn about it.”

Artemeni smirked, the glow around her spear intensifying as she lunged forward, thrusting the weapon into an imaginary target. The ground trembled slightly where the tip struck, the sheer force of her attack leaving a faint scorch mark.

“You shouldn’t feel bad. Our Queen is said to be the strongest we had in 200 years.”

“She’s not just strong,” I replied, scratching the back of my neck as memories of our Queen’s ferocity flashed through my mind. “She’s overwhelming. She is what would happen if an apex predator had the mind of a tactician and trained like their body owed them money. Honestly, I can’t tell why Aliera chose me to be her champion while she existed.”

Artemeni’s spear twirled in her hands, the Blade Aura around it slicing faint lines in the air. “You’re too harsh on yourself, Champion. She had more time to train. Your mind may be mature but your body is still young. You have the potential to match Her Majesty.”

She took a deep breath.

“Then I should start you by showing you.”

She shifted into a low stance, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated. The shimmering aura around her spear grew brighter, humming faintly. In a burst of movement, she swept her weapon in a wide arc, releasing a crescent-shaped blade of energy that carved a shallow trench into the ground. The sheer precision of the attack sent a shiver down my spine.

“Blade Aura amplifies everything,” Artemeni explained, steadying her breathing. “The sharper your intent, the sharper the blade. It’s not just about mana control—it’s about focus. Willpower. If your resolve falters, so does the aura.”

I nodded slowly despite not fully grasping it. I already had the skill Iron Will at the highest rank when I came to this world so shouldn’t I have acquired it already? What was missing? My Mana Manipulation? No, I already acquired a high rank. Then what now? I have the will and I have to mana. Why I still haven’t achieved it?

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s not just about combining them,” she explained as if reading my mind. “It’s about harmony. Your willpower needs to guide your mana, shaping it into something that’s both precise and powerful. If the two aren’t perfectly aligned, the aura will either fizzle out or explode in your face.”

“Sounds simple,” I said dryly, earning a laugh from her.

“Simple in theory, not in practice,” she replied, spinning her spear once more. “Here, watch closely.”

She shifted into another stance, the spear’s tip pointed downward. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, and the aura around her weapon pulsed, growing sharper and more defined. It almost seemed to hum with energy, a razor-edged intent given form.

“The key is to channel your willpower into a singular purpose,” she said, her voice steady. “Focus on what you want the aura to do. Cut. Pierce. Defend. Your mana will follow your intent.”

With a sharp exhale, she slashed the spear horizontally. The aura extended outward, a wave of energy carving through the air and leaving a faint, glowing line on the ground. Gökbörü barked in approval, his tail wagging.

I stepped forward, tilting my head in curiosity. “Alright, but how do you start? You’re making it sound like it’s all instinct.”

Artemeni chuckled, lowering her spear. “For some people, it is. For others, it takes practice. You’ve already got the raw materials—your mana control is excellent, and your willpower is practically legendary. You just need to bridge the gap between them.”

I frowned, rubbing my chin. “Easier said than done. Any tips?”

“Start small,” she advised, planting her spear into the ground. “Instead of trying to cover your entire weapon in aura, focus on just the tip. Channel your mana there, and let your willpower shape it. Once you can do that consistently, you can expand the aura to cover the whole blade.”

I nodded, the gears in my head turning as I considered her advice. “Alright. Let’s give it a shot.”

Thalia’s voice drifted over from the campfire.

“Sit back, Champion! Or I will make you!”

Nevermind.

…

“Okay, let’s see our rewards.”

After resting for a day, I finally opened the treasure chest we acquired by clearing the second floor. Even before opening it, I noticed how large it was. Considering treasure chests were often bigger inside, we were about to receive many rewards.

1- Ebonforge Cauldron: It was a massive cauldron covered with runes. It had the option to help the brewing process of potions and elixir. It could also cook various beings to create food that increased one’s stats. Given to Aurora after I cooked some meat with it. It was delicious and increased my Strength by 3 for 2 minutes.

2- Rune of Mana Torrent: A rune similar to my Titanslayer one. It allowed her to channel a massive amount of mana into a single spell without the spell breaking down.

3- Eclipse Fang Halberd: A halberd made out of shadow drake bones and fangs. Given to Artemeni since her spear was very badly damaged.

4- Soulbrand of the War Master: A dynamic, glowing tattoo that Artemeni received on her shoulder. It gave stat boosts in battle and allowed her to increase her strength by 50 percent once a month at the cost of collapsing when the duration ended.

5- Mana Surge Ring: Given to Blanche. Increases her mana regeneration rate by 20% and adds a chance to double-cast frost spells.

6- Pathfinder Owl: A mechanic owl that could scan and project what it found. Given to Blanche.

7- Ward of Respite skill book. Of course, given to Thalia.

8- Blessed Amulet of Vitality: Given to Thalia. It granted a minor healing aura and increased the effectiveness of every healing done by the user.

And lastly, I got the lion’s share for myself.

“That's beautiful.”

I lifted the two-handed sword with one hand, feeling the weight and balance. The sword's weight was undeniable, but its two-handed design was a testament to its extraordinary length and carefully balanced distribution. The silvery blade extended well beyond my height, its surface shimmering with intricate blue patterns that danced in the light like constellations in motion. The hilt was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with an ornate crossguard that seamlessly blended blue and silver accents, perfectly complementing the blade's celestial elegance.

(Luminous Willblade)

(Power: 30)

(Durability: 1000\1000)

(Forged from fragments of a fallen Star, this blade amplifies the user’s willpower, channeling it into radiant, piercing strikes. Its surface glimmers like the night sky, streaked with constellations that seem to shift with the wielder’s emotions.)

(Heavenly Reinforcement: The sword amplifies the wielder’s energy, increasing the effectiveness of any mana, skill, or aura channeled into it by 35%.As the user’s will intensifies, the blade becomes an extension of their soul, shining brighter with every ounce of determination.)

(Armor Breaker: Attacks with the Luminous Willblade bypass 30% of the enemy’s Defense stat. Against heavily armored foes, the sword’s Power rating increases by 25%. No barrier can withstand the will of the Stars; no armor can shield against its destined strike.)

(Starlight Rend: The blade radiates an intense glow, dealing pure mana damage that reduces all of the enemy’s defensive capabilities. The strength of this effect scales with the mana used. High mana consumption. With a flash of celestial brilliance, the blade sunders all in its path, leaving even the sturdiest defenses crumbling like dust under the weight of starlight.)

“This looks more like a sacred sword than my own sacred sword.”

I said as I swung the weapon side to side, getting used to it. And maybe my words weren’t so wrong as the S in the Star was capital. Was this sword made out of a Star?

I sighed. That would be asked Aliera at a later date. For now…

“Let’s go, everyone. Time to conquer the last floor.”