[18 October]
The morning dawned slowly announcing the beginning of the tournament that was going to be filled with bloodshed.
Countless individuals will rise basking in glory while countless would be thrown out or crumble under pressure.
Some will rise, and some will fall.
Those who managed to showcase their talent, will not only earn appreciation but will also pave the way for their bright future. The nobles watching the contest would mark the students performing well and will offer them jobs after they graduate.
For commoners and fallen aristocrats, who dreamed of gaining honour and wealth, this was a perfect opportunity.
With hopeful eyes filled with excitement, students gathered onto the ground under numerous gazes.
The stadium seats were drafted over by the metallic tent to form a box-like pattern for nobles. Servants carrying various kinds of refreshments walked to and fro keeping up with the nobles' wishes.
For nobles, today was like a national holiday where they would just sit back and enjoy the show.
However, for some whose children were participating, things were a bit tense.
Unlike other times, Vice-Principal Josh's expression was especially solemn and stern, befitting his status that startled everyone.
Lucas stared at the sea of students standing around with excited faces.
Everyone has grown in recent times.
Rose, Charles, Humphrey, Monica, Ezekiel,Stephanie, Tiffany and others who had received blessings had reached mid-4-Star while others who were at the peak of 3-Star managed to step over the wall.
Roan after so much hard work had managed to reach 2-Star. Seeing his arduous journey Lucas felt pained as his condition would be quite similar in the absence of a bloodline upgrade potion.
As per Parth, he had reached mid-3-Star because of which, his courage to spout bullshit had now reached another level.
"Hey, is this old man high? I have never seen him so serious." Parth's voice echoed in the crowds drawing everyone's attention.
Frederick, Lucas, Charles and Roan, who stood nearby, stepped back as fast as possible, shifting their eyes indicating that they don't know this guy.
Looking around, Parth noticed everyone's uneasy expression and tried to prove his point.
"Come on man, just look at this guy's serious expression. How can that ugly rotten expression of his change so much?"
"It seems he had been beaten by his wife or his lover." Parth mocked with a crooked smile.
At that time, Josh's magnified voice echoed.
"Thank you for taking some time and participating as the audience to look at the future generations who are going to be the pillars of society."
Josh's words were followed by loud applause.
Josh paused for a moment and continued.
"The tournament will occur in the same format as earlier. However, this time things are a bit different. In the third stage, 3rd year seniors will act as supervisors in case there is any trouble popping out of somehere. And in the case of 3rd-year matches, Instructors will supervise them."
"Now, as you know the Tournament will be held in the Tower present the labyrinth that is underneath the Horizon, all of you are advised to practise extra caution. This place is truly mysterious beyond a person's common sense."
Hearing Josh's words, the lively atmosphere quietened down and a hush silence prevailed that satisfied Josh.
"As per the stages of the Tournament. It is divided into three rounds. 4000 individuals entering the place will go through the maze. The first 1000 individuals who were able to get out of the maze will be transferred to the second stage. The second stage is a place that will issue a suitable scenario for you to overcome. As long as you manage to finish the scenario , you will reach the upper floor where you can take a rest. After this, everyone that survives in the second stage will engage in a battle Royal in the last round and the last one Standing is the winner. Points would be awarded by the Tower for your performance in each stage which will determine the rank of those who had fallen."
A commotion broke out among students as they asked about the Second stage
Josh raised his head to clear the doubts.
"The scenario issued will be based on what you are capable of. I have heard people getting tasks to get over their mental trauma or even kill the 1-Star beast. However.."
Josh's voice became stern."Remember one thing, the percentage of people getting through the second stage is less than 3%. There has been a time when less than 50 students entered the last round so don't be complacent and arrogant." Josh caressed his long beard and advised the students.
"I wish you success in your endeavor and may you emerge victorious. Now, please follow the teacher. Don't walk around or you will be done for."
Josh then adjusted his specks and spoke with a grin."And yeah, for those who think I am high and got beaten, I will show you true beating after the tournament."
"Damn!"
"Shit!"
"This guy will disappear."
Parth who was in the sea of those who were mocking Josh was suddenly drenched in sweat.
Everyone stared at him in pity.
"Don't worry Parth, we will build a good grave."
"I will burn incense for you every day."
"I will pray for your soul so you can die peacefully.
"Shut up!" Parth screamed and started chasing after them.
........
Entering a portal, all of the students walked out only to see a layer of mist cover the vast land before them.
The most bifurcated forming a pathway leading to a humongous structure.
"It's no joke."
A tired voice came out from Helena's mouth.
Not only she, everyone who saw the scene stared in disbelief at the miraculous scene.
Since Labyrinth was under the Horizon, they thought all they would see was a place like an ancient ruin, but contrary to their expectation, they felt as if they were in a mini world.
And now in front of them, stood a tower that soared to the top of the clouds and had no end in sight.
A tower boasting a magnificence that was not enough to describe in few words.
This is the place where the tournament will be held.
"Everyone seems to be brimming with energy." Humphrey muttered, staring at people gathered around the place.
"The conditions seem to be quite different. Out of 4000 only a countable few can reach the last stage." Monica muttered with an inexplicable feeling and then stared at Safrina who had been keeping silent from the moment she returned.
She was formerly ranked 8 and had a great prospect but that kidnapping incident had left a huge shadow in her heart.
Now, no one knows whether she has improved or not.
"Cheer up Safrina, you will do well."
"Umm!" Safrina just gave a brief nod.
"Hey, pals, has there ever been a situation where no one entered the last round?"
A sharp hoarse voice echoed in the vicinity drawing everyone's attention.
Humphrey's lips twitched seeing the guy.
'Sure enough, this guy's thoughts are always wild.'
"Can't you stop embarrassing us, Parth?" Charles clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Just bear with him for the moment." Roan pleaded on their behalf and then added."After all, he will be getting his ass kicked in the tournament."
Everyone clicked their tongue hearing Roan's first sentence but his next words choked them.
'This guy is becoming quite brutal nowadays.' Lucas muttered inwardly and then looked at the Tower.
The three stages would take place on three floors of the tower. The Tower was a gift bestowed to humankind by Gods to train people and get stronger to stop Demon King's advent.
"Look, who is there with Ezekiel?"
"Now that you spoke, Safrina is also here."
"Hey, isn't that David Art who came after a long recovery."
The discussion drew everyone's attention.
Lucas frowned seeing David following Ezekiel.
Safrina, who was with Humphrey and Monica, broke out and walked towards Ezekiel.
Seeing their gazes, Lucas felt a bad premonition.
Ezekiel walked towards Lucas with a haughty smile.
"Are you afraid?"
Lucas didn't answer and just observed the two behind Ezekiel.
Safrina and David's eyes were colourless as if there was no soul in their body.
"Hey, answer me. Wait! You can't even reach the third round so what is the use of asking you?"
"You talk too much." Lucas' eyes became sharp.
It was at that time, the huge stone gate that firmly blocked the entrance of the Tower began to slide afterwards.
"Arghhh!"
"What the hell?"
"What's this?"
A strong suction force similar to a black hole emerged pulling everyone into it. Soon everyone's body glowed and encased with a light, they shot towards the entrance and disappeared from everyone's view.
....
As soon as you enter the tower, darkness obscures your view.
The sudden influx of darkness was frightening for some as they found themselves helpless.
After getting dumped, Lucas stared at the huge walls that were revealed through the lifting darkness.
'Has the attack outside been started?'
Contrary to others who were worried about the Tournament, Lucas was quite worried about the situation outside as only God knows what will happen.
Will it follow the original plot?
If it deviates, how much of the change will affect this event?
He didn't know the answer.
Fortunately, the changes of the future hadn't affected the scene inside the tower.
Thinking about the scenes described in the novel, a crescent arc was drawn over Lucas's lips.
[You have entered the Tower Of Miracle]
A robotic woman's voice echoed in Lucas's ears.
[You are the 789th contender]
It was the ordeal helper. An existence that acts as a medium to issue commands and helps people to focus on overcoming the ordeal required to go up to the next floor.
It is similar to AI that oversees the tower and it also displays the important events happening in the Tower.
In fact, the moment you perform well you are going to be exposed and even if you stay hidden, the second stage will know your prowess as it would scan you to assign the Trial. Fortunately, the second stage would be known only by the Ordeal helper.
[There are trials on each floor to overcome, and each time you overcome those trials, you will be rewarded with different points according to your performance and contribution.]
It was done to ensure a winner in case none managed to overcome the ordeal and reach the third floor.
[The first ordeal on the first floor is the maze of mystery. Try to break through as fast as possible to get a high score and reach the next floor.]
".....''
After hearing the simplistic explanation, Lucas stared at the huge maze in front of him.
The ordeal wasn't difficult as it was the first trial.
Just deal with monsters in between and get through the maze, that's it.
Yeah, if you die, you will be thrown out.
"Frederick will find a shortcut and break through the maze first. Rose, Helena and Parth are going to follow him and then their party will get the highest score."
Lucas knew about it but he had no intention of taking that route.
"There is a much faster and simpler way than that."
With those words, Lucas reached out his hand and grabbed the blood-red sword which suddenly quivered for some reason.
"You seem to be excited." Lucas grinned, seeing the stick-like appearance that makes one underestimate it.
Holding it tightly, Lucas twisted his wrist slightly.
[Mana Devour]
SCREECH!
At that moment, the darkness surrounding the place started to fade and be replaced by a crimson glow. The energy around the place started to get sucked in and began to swirl on the sword.
The blade trembled due to repeated compressions and amplifications.
Feeling the trembling reach its peak, Lucas pulled the blood sword and sliced the empty air.
At the same time, a dark reddish line overlaps the place.
In fact, there was no such thing as a faster path than the Frederick shortcut in this maze.
However…
"If you don't have it, just create it."
Lucas' eyes curved with a dangerous glint.
The Tower that seemed to have sensed his ominous intention screamed in his ears.
[Please refrain from inappropriate behaviors!]
[Please refrain from inappropriate behaviors!]
A series of mechanical voices struck his ears.
However, it was too late.
The moment Lucas' sword touched the wall, a reddish protruding light touched the wall and a single slash emerged from his tip, ripping apart the wall in front of him.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com