Chapter 18 - "Trial of Shadows and Echoes"
Half an hour had passed since all the participants had gathered, intensifying the glow of the jewels on the tower. Eira and Mira stood side by side, holding hands as they observed the radiant environment around them.
“Shiiiiiing…” A shimmering resonance filled the space, glowing with a soft, ethereal brightness, as if the sound itself held a quiet, pulsing glow that danced through the air. Eira began to panic, gripping Mira’s hand tightly. Mira, with a sinister grin, stared at the innocent child, her thoughts dark and twisted. She murmured to herself, “Ahahaha, this is it—the scenario I’ve envisioned. Making her afraid will make her fall for my tricks. Kekeke! My first plan is beginning to succeed.” Eira, unaware of Mira’s scheming, had closed her eyes against the overwhelming glow, hoping it would subside.
“Hummm…” The sound started strong, warm, and vibrant, but began to fade like a flickering ember losing its glow.
Eira opened her eyes, amazed by the new environment. “Wow, wow! I didn’t expect this start to be so beautiful—not the gruesome sight I imagined, but an environment filled with trees, no walls, nothing! It’s like we’re in a different dimension,” she mumbled to herself.
Mira could hardly contain her impatience. She noticed something was off in the atmosphere and kept her guard up, speaking to the sword god’s spirit within her necklace. “Sword god sister, did you notice anything?”
“No, I don’t recognize this environment or trial. Back in my youth, my first floor was different—nothing like this peaceful place,” the sword god’s soul replied, causing Mira to feel a wave of nervousness. She was as clueless as Eira about what would happen next.
Minutes later, strange text made of mana appeared in the sky.
...........| ADJUSTING THE TRIAL, CALCULATING ALL THE PARTICIPANTS' TALENT AND FATE. "CHING" CALCULATION SUCCESSFUL. THE TRIAL WILL BEGIN, AND ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BEAR THE SLIGHTEST PRESENCE OF THE PRIMORDIAL SPIRITS. |.............
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“What the hell is going on?” Panic erupted among the crowd. “What is this? What? Fuck, fuck, fuck! This isn’t a trial anymore! How are we supposed to bear the presence of those legendary figures? Ahhh! Save us!” The murmurs turned into chaos. Eira was terrified but clutched Mira's hand tighter, seeking reassurance from her earlier display of strength. It calmed her a little.
Meanwhile, Mira wore a dazed, confused expression. How had the adjustment become so extreme? It was like a child wanting to swim in the ocean but drowning. Yet, when she saw Eira’s innocent face, her anxiety eased slightly, instilling a bit of confidence in her. She turned to her necklace for advice.
“Sword god sister, what should I do?” Mira asked desperately.
“Argh, I’m dumbfounded too! But just use your shared presence shield skill that I taught you. You can protect Eira with this,” the sword god advised. Though she couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong with the tower, she knew the danger of the primordial spirits well. In her prime, she had fought against their descendants and knew they were incredibly strong. Worry gnawed at her because the skill she was recommending to Mira was a draining one.
“Okay, sword god sister. I will do my best. I will use the shared presence shield skill,” Mira replied, her voice steadying.
Moments later, a phenomenon occurred: an earthquake rattled the ground, and a tremendous pressure descended upon them. The air thickened. A hum filled the silence—deep and ancient. The ground trembled, echoing like a heartbeat. A crack split the air, “CRACK!” The presence was crushing and vast, like a mountain pressing down. Silence followed, heavy and unbreakable.
“No! Fuck! I want to forfeit! Please, save me! Argh!” The participants were in a frenzy, on the verge of collapsing under the oppressive weight. As their bodies reacted violently, the tower responded with text in the sky.
................| CHING! ALL PARTICIPANTS THAT FAILED ON THIS TOWER WILL BE TELEPORTED BACK DUE TO AN UNFORTUNATE ERROR. THE TOWER DETECTED AN UNKNOWN TALENT TAKING THE TRIAL, AND THE TRIAL WILL ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. |.............
“What the hell? This isn’t fair,” Eira said to herself, feeling jealousy rise. She didn’t want to endure this anymore. Her gaze turned to Mira, who was intensely focused, employing some unknown power. Eira could sense Mira's mana draining rapidly, worry tightening in her chest. The gruesome experiences of previous participants haunted her thoughts; blood oozed from their eyes and crushed bodies flashed through her mind, making her shiver in fear.
“Umm, Mira, big sister, are you… are you alright?” Eira asked, her voice trembling.
Mira opened her eyes to meet Eira’s gaze before quickly closing them again to maintain her concentration. “Don’t worry, Eira. I will protect you. I promise to do that without letting a single bruise mar your body.” Her tone was calm, but deep down, she questioned her own strength. The pressure felt dangerously overwhelming. “Argh!” Blood gushed from her mouth, but she fought to stay focused, using her mana to dull her hearing and concentrate on the trial. Eira felt her heart race in terror as she witnessed blood pouring from Mira’s mouth and ears.
Meanwhile, in the academy's observation room, students and teachers were shocked and terrified. The principal, accompanied by a calm girl, exclaimed in panic, “What the hell is going on? Call the staff! Treat those who are wounded faster!” He hadn’t expected such a gruesome outcome. “Just how is this happening? Why would the pressure of the primordial spirits become the first-floor trial?” The girl beside him stared intently at Eira’s struggle, her expression emotionless yet strangely amused, as if watching a doll caught in a terrifying game.