The vast interior of the magic tower was sparsely populated, with only a dozen or so young figures present. Standing off to the side was an elderly man, his eyes half-lidded in drowsy disinterest as he observed the youths.
When Kael and his companions arrived, the old man remained slumped in his lethargic posture, even letting out a yawn. "Oh? More youngsters, eh? Here for the headquarters' trial too? Youth truly brims with energy."
"Headquarters' trial?" Kael frowned slightly but maintained a respectful tone. "Elder, isn't this the Eternal Tower?"
"It is indeed the Eternal Tower. Seems you're all newcomers, unfamiliar with the rules." The old man, pleased by Kael's courtesy, explained: "This is the Sacred Council's tradition. Every newcomer to the headquarters may participate in the trial on the first floor of the Eternal Tower. Succeed, and you'll be rewarded. Fail, and there's no penalty."
"Oh? A trial?" Kael's interest was immediately piqued. "How does it work?"
The elder lazily jutted his chin forward. "See those three fist-sized stones floating mid-air? The trial is simple: stand behind that white line at a sufficient distance and strike them—using either magic or combat aura."
Kael focused his gaze. True enough, the Eternal Tower's interior arched like a bow, from which hung three stone-like objects, each no larger than a clenched fist. "Stones" wasn't entirely accurate—they were more akin to gemstones, radiating peculiar auras.
Yet even with Kael's keen perception, he couldn't identify their nature.
Through the elder's languid explanation, the trio learned these were three unique stones personally crafted by the Star Legend Orlando, named:
• Goldstone : A metallic luster gem resembling polished gold-jade.
• Miststone : A wisp of nearly imperceptible fog, like ethereal white smoke. Only upon intense scrutiny could its form be vaguely discerned.
• Veilstone : Almost entirely invisible. Even Kael could barely trace its outline; others might not even confirm its existence.
The trial's rules were straightforward: Whether mage or warrior, participants had to strike at least one of the three stones using spells or combat aura from behind the designated line.
Each stone, when struck, granted a different reward.
Striking the Goldstone rewards one with a hundred Elemental Gems—an exceptionally generous prize.
Striking the Miststone grants a vial of Sacred Water Elixir, one of the finest remedies for bodily restoration and transformation. Though its effects pale compared to Kael's Millennium Ice Soul, it remains a rare treasure.
Striking the Veilstone earns five days of unrestricted access to the Eternal Tower's floors above the third tier, along with the privilege of an audience with a Sacred Councilor.
"The rewards are indeed lavish," Ethan murmured, his eyes gleaming with interest, though his expression soon turned solemn. "But the difficulty is just as obvious. We must strike those stones from behind the white line—a hundred meters away for the Goldstone alone, not to mention the Miststone and Veilstone. And that strange barrier in the air... Only the purest combat aura or magic can penetrate it."
Kael nodded. As Ethan said, the Sacred Council's trial was a true test of refinement and control over one's energy. The challenge was undeniable.
The dozen or so youths nearby were clearly struggling with the same realization.
"Kael! Ethan! Lady Amelia!" A voice tinged with surprise interrupted their conversation. Kael turned to see a familiar face—Dylan.
"Dylan, you're here too?" Ethan grinned. Dylan, equally pleased to meet acquaintances, explained cheerfully, "Yes, I received the Sacred Council's invitation after you did and arrived just in time for this trial."
"Planning to give it a shot?" Ethan clapped Dylan's shoulder and pointed at the suspended stones.
"Absolutely." Dylan smiled, but his eyes burned with determination.
Under the crowd's gaze, Dylan stepped up to the white line, raising his staff. All eyes locked onto him.
"This kid thinks he can strike the stones? Hah, I doubt it..."
Many spectators smirked, eager to witness his failure. After all, every youth here was a genius in their own right—prideful and competitive.
Dylan let out a light hum and raised his staff. "Earth Thorns!"
Brilliant magical radiance erupted, surging forth like a torrent before striking fiercely toward the Goldstone.
The distance between the white line and the Goldstone spanned at least several hundred meters. As the magical brilliance traversed the space, it encountered an immense pressure—an oppressive force that compressed Dylan's magic to its limits. By the time it reached the Goldstone, only a faint wisp of power remained.
Ding.
A crisp, crystalline chime echoed through the tower.
"He actually struck it?!"
The crowd's eyes lit up in astonishment. They all understood the difficulty—this unique spatial domain was a legacy of the Star Legend Orlando, designed to drastically weaken all magic and combat aura. For Dylan to succeed spoke volumes about the purity of his mana.
"Impressive. A fine young talent," the lethargic elder remarked, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes.
"Indeed. This batch has a few promising sprouts," a familiar voice chimed in. Zorath the Silentapproached, seemingly well-acquainted with the elder.
"Zorath the Silent, gracing us with your presence for these youngsters? Someone here must have caught your eye," the elder chuckled, his lips curling into a grin.
"Heh, just curious to see how far that kid can go," Zorath replied cryptically.
"Which kid?" the elder asked, puzzled.
"You'll see soon enough," Zorath teased, deliberately keeping him in suspense.
Meanwhile, Ethan stepped forward with a faint smile. With a casual flick of his wrist, a surge of combat aura erupted—powerful and unimpeded, as if the spatial domain barely hindered him. The energy blasted forth, striking the Goldstone with a chime even clearer than Dylan's.
There was no question: Ethan's strength surpassed Dylan's, making the feat seem effortless.
"Another one! And he struck the Goldstone even more powerfully than the last!"
The crowd buzzed with astonishment. They all understood the trial's difficulty—many had attempted it themselves, only to fail at even touching the Goldstone.
"Ethan has indeed grown stronger..." Dylan sighed, feeling a tinge of pressure. Ethan's progress was undeniable.
"Amelia, would you like to try?" Kael asked, knowing full well the Goldstone posed no challenge to her. Her current strength was on par with Ethan's—if he could do it, so could she.
"You go first," Amelia replied with a soft smile, her eyes glimmering with quiet anticipation.
"Very well."
Kael remained rooted in place, not bothering to approach the white line. With a casual flick of his wrist, his staff rose, and a brilliant surge of light erupted—shattering through the spatial resistance and slamming violently into the Goldstone. A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers, many wearing expressions of sheer disbelief.
Boom!
The impact of Kael's magic against the Goldstone produced a metallic reverberation—clear, resonant, and thunderously loud.
"Holy—! Is this for real?!"
"Where did this guy come from?!"
Every eye locked onto Kael, their gazes alight with shock.
This guy is insane! He didn't even move to the white line—just struck the Goldstone from that distance, so effortlessly! And that chime... it dwarfed everyone else's!
The lethargic elder's drowsy demeanor vanished in an instant. His sharpened gaze fixed on Kael.
"This boy..."