Chapter 465 The Seventh Floor
As the lights illuminated the seventh floor, Headmaster Jean let out a sigh of relief. Though he attempted to maintain an unaffected demeanor, a subtle smile gradually formed on his lips.
His bets on Vale were indeed right… From Vale's mysterious Malefic Branch Spells, his unique Physique, his Dark Spirit, and his unusual fondness for corpses, Jean knew that Vale was special.
"I wonder if he's really going to get the ring…" Jean muttered as he looked at the people who wanted the Dark Arts Academy to fail in this contest.
They were all frustrated right now since Vale had reached the seventh floor faster than the other two. If Vale could last even just a minute, Vale was basically guaranteed to win and would obtain the first-place reward.
This first-place reward might not be as great as the reward on the 10th floor of the Tower, but it was something they had prepared for the third princess. Even if Vale failed to clear the Tower, Jean would be happy to see them giving up the reward to Vale.
***
Inside the Tower, Vale could somehow tell that the audience outside was probably shocked at the result he had made. After all, when Ceres and Lexie reached the seventh floor, everyone was also praising them.
"Now, let's see what stopped those two from clearing this floor…" Vale spoke softly as he reached the seventh floor.
He soon encountered the entity that had prevented the other two students from progressing beyond this floor. To his surprise, it was a perfect replica of himself.
The doppelganger standing before him possessed a slightly paler complexion, but in every other aspect of appearance, they were identical.
However, there was a noticeable difference in terms of the weapons they were wielding. The one that the copy wielded was a saber, contrasting Vale's usual sword.
It appeared that the Tower could replicate his attributes but not his mystical items.
Vale wondered if the duplicate could also cast his spells, so he prepared to launch an attack to see if that was the case… However, the copy suddenly spoke with a confident tone.
"I am the superior version of you... the embodiment of your body and abilities in their fullest potential... This body is best for Saber Techniques and becomes a strong Warrior and not a Spellcaster. Allow me to demonstrate."
With those words, the copy initiated the attack, and the battle commenced.
The doppelganger didn't even wait for Vale to reply to his words.
Nevertheless, Vale decided to fight it with his sword techniques and a few support-type Spells as he was curious about what this doppelganger wanted to show…
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clash of blades echoed through the air as the doppelganger skillfully employed Saber Techniques that Vale had no idea about... However, he could tell that the Saber Technique was more sophisticated and beautiful than he thought.
"If this is all you got, then I'm not convinced!" Vale said as he skillfully defended himself, utilizing his Shadowblade Dance technique to evade and counter the onslaught.
In moments of urgency, when his sword couldn't keep pace with the rapid saber strikes, Vale resorted to his arsenal of spells.
He activated his Lightspeed, momentarily enhancing his agility to evade the copy's strikes.
Then, his Arcane Armor materialized around him, providing a protective barrier against the relentless attacks. Vale even employed his Darkness Manipulation Spell, creating shadows to disrupt the copy's rhythm and open opportunities for counterattacks.
Although it's not fair, the Spells are part of him since he was a Spellcaster and not a Warrior.
"I'll show you…"
The battle raged on, as the copy's saber seemed to be getting heavier and sharper... Even just the wind created by its slashes could tear the pillars and the floor!
"This is Saber Intent!" The copy shouted as if trying to teach Vale.
Vale had to use the lightning power of his Stormbringer to not be overwhelmed by this Saber Intent that could break his Darkness Manipulation and even his Arcane Armor…
He even tried casting his Spell Dispersion, but it had no effect. It means that the Saber Intent was indeed not a Spell but a power that only a "Warrior" could probably possess; he wasn't entirely sure.
The clash of their weapons reverberated throughout the chamber as they exchanged blows a dozen more times.
Despite their fierce competition, neither managed to gain the upper hand.
Vale even started using Spells like Ghost Hands and Corrupted Chains, but the doppelganger was somehow capable of emitting this Saber Intent throughout his whole body, making him slightly invulnerable to Spells.
Well, he could still see that the Corrupted Chains affected the copy, but it doesn't seem to have come from an Advanced Realm Corrupted Chains. It feels as if he was only hit by an Elementary Realm Dark Spell!
"Interesting… Show me more." Vale muttered as he suppressed himself from using his Celestial Arts to end the battle quickly.
'Before I extract you, I want to see the full potential of this Saber Intent…' Vale thought to himself.
As the battle continued, their skills appeared so evenly matched that the battle eventually reached a stalemate.
"Can you see it now? I'm not using Spells but only my Saber Intent to deal with you. Once you're defeated and out of this Tower. Stop your journey as a Spellcaster and start studying the Saber Art. It's not too late if you change your path… You're still young." The doppelganger said as if he really cared about Vale.
The doppelganger's words struck a chord within Vale, making him realize that this copy might actually be looking out for him, albeit in a peculiar way.
However, Vale shook his head, a confident smile forming on his lips.
"I haven't shown everything yet," Vale replied calmly, his eyes fixed on the doppelganger. "If that's all you've got, then I'll end this now."
As Vale decided to end this battle, he activated his Celestial Art, the Shadow Mutilation, and aimed it at the doppelganger without notice.
In a swift and unexpected move during their clash, Vale diverted the trajectory of his attack.
Instead of targeting the doppelganger directly, he aimed at the shadow beneath them, cutting through it with precision.
The doppelganger's right leg was severed, mirroring the exact injury inflicted upon its shadow.
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