When I returned to Fantasia, it was already late afternoon. Even though I felt a bit exhausted, I had no intention of calling it a day so early. Instead, I headed straight for the training center, planning to work on my magic skills while my mana reserves were still at near full capacity.
Now that my Basic Neutral Magic had become Intermediate Neutral Magic, I wanted to focus on Cryo Magic. I also wanted to increase the proficiency of Mana Sense and Mana Manipulation while I was at it. Those two skills formed the backbone of every magic skill; if I could push them close to their level limits now, upgrading them later would be significantly easier.
Once I consumed a vial of Elixir of Mana Concentrate, I went straight to the magic section and extended my hand, letting cold mana circulate through my channels. Frost gathered before my palm, crystallizing into sharp shards before dissolving again as I fine-tuned the flow. The key wasn’t raw output but on the control itself—how quickly I could shape, disperse, and reform mana without unnecessary loss.
I then closed my eyes and activated Mana Sense, spreading my awareness throughout the room. Every fluctuation of ambient mana, every tiny ripple caused by my own breathing, became clear. Slowly, I layered Mana Manipulation on top of that perception, nudging streams of mana around with deliberate precision.
Minutes turned into hours as I repeated the process. Ice formed and shattered, while mana condensed and unraveled, again and again. Sweat formed on my brow despite the cold, but I pushed through it. This was the kind of foundational work that paid dividends in the long run.
After repeating this for hours on end, the results spoke for themselves.
Basic Cryo Magic has leveled up.
Mana Sense has leveled up.
Mana Manipulation has leveled up.
Your Magic Power has increased by 4.
Your Mind has increased by 1.
“Phew. Not too shabby,” I mused, wiping the sweat from my forehead. At the same time, I opened my status screen to take a look.
Maximillian Anderson Lv. 60/60 (EXP 16,713)
HP: 100%
MP: 102/1,212
Rank: Gimmel [3]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Paradox Incarnate
Title: Violet-Scaled Dragon God (13)
Status: Slightly Injured
Strength: 498 + 29 + 60 | Dexterity: 531 + 24 + 50 | Stamina: 456 + 35 + 50
Mind: 361 + 5 + 40 | Magic Power: 439 + 20 | Luck: 425
Plausibility: 305
Free Attributes: 0
Signature Skill(s): [Absorb Plausibility], [Fabled Vessel], [Faith Conversion], [God!$# Creation], [Grant Plausibility], [Gravity Magic Lv.6], [Scenario Manipulation]
Skill(s): [Assassination Arts Lv.3], [Basic Alchemy Lv.10], [Basic Cryo Magic Lv.10], [Basic Dagger/Knife Mastery Lv.4], [Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.7], [Basic Shield Mastery Lv.9], [Beast Pocket Seal], [Berserk Lv.4], [Blood-Fueled Frenzy Lv.1], [Calm Mind], [Chantless Casting Lv.3], [Crushing Impact Lv.1], [Desperate Willpower Lv.9], [Divine Sermon Lv.3], [Echo Construct Lv.2], [Extraordinary Fortune], [Extraordinary Harmonized Constitution], [Fast Equip], [Fast Reading Lv.5], [Flaming Fist Lv.1], [Inspect Eye Lv.5], [Intermediate Neutral Magic Lv.1], [Intermediate Spearmanship Lv.6], [Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.8], [Inventory], [Lethal Thrust Lv.6], [Mana Manipulation Lv.9], [Mana Overclock Lv.1], [Mana Sense Lv.9], [Mental Tolerance Lv.5], [Miracle of Conviction Lv.1], [Negotiation Lv.7], [Night Vision], [Pain Tolerance Lv.6], [Phantom Blade Lv.5], [Phantom Slash Lv.6], [Poison-Paralysis Resistance Lv.4], [Predator’s Veil Lv.5], [Projectile Defense Lv.3], [Reflection Counter Lv.1], [Soullink Resonance Lv.1], [Sword Intent Lv.1], [Weapon Manifestation Lv.5], [Wind Rush Lv.6]
Spell(s): {Frozen Icicle}, {Graviton Pull}, {Gravity Field}, {Gravity Launch}, {Mana Arrow}, {Mana Bullet}, {Mana Shield}, {Mass Alteration}, {Spinning Mana Arrow}
Since I was about done with training, I returned to the inn to have dinner. Unsurprisingly, both Boris and Michelle were already in the dining hall, seated at the round table with a single unoccupied chair, as though they had been waiting for me the whole time.
“About time you showed up,” Boris said the moment he saw me, arms crossed over his chest. His already imposing figure seemed even more solid than before, and an unmistakable pressure was being radiated from him.
Michelle offered me a smile and gestured toward the empty seat. “Sit here, Maxim. We were just talking about you.”
I raised a brow but took the chair anyway. “Sounds like something good just happened to you two.”
“You noticed?” she asked, a hint of pride in her voice. “That’s right. We finished it with flying colors—both of us.”
Boris nodded once. “Class advancement. Done and dusted. We’re Daleth-rank divine warriors now.”
I paused, then let out a low whistle. “Congrats to you two.”
“The trial wasn’t easy,” Michelle added, “but compared to everything we’ve been through inside the scenarios, it wasn’t that hard.”
I had no doubt that they would be able to pass their class advancements. I had seen with my own eyes just how much they had improved since we first arrived in Fantasia, especially Michelle. Boris had already been a veteran fighter from the very beginning; in contrast, she had started out weak, hapless, and helpless. Now, she stood among the strongest divine warriors in Fantasia. The change was nothing short of insane.
Curious, I activated Inspect Eye on both of them.
Boris Ivanovich Volkov Lv. 2/80 (EXP 4,508/9,760)
HP: 100%
MP: 402/402
Rank: Daleth [4]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Adamant Vanguard
Strength: 824 | Dexterity: 538 | Stamina: 794
Mind: 465 | Magic Power: 242 | Luck: 222
Total Attribute Points: 3,085
Michelle Lv. 2/80 (EXP 5,733/9,760)
HP: 100%
MP: 1,393/1,393
Rank: Daleth [4]
Patron God: Istellia (Goddess of Imagination)
Class: Magic Lumberjack
Strength: 569 | Dexterity: 711 | Stamina: 526
Mind: 395 | Magic Power: 550 | Luck: 227
Total Attribute Points: 2,978
With my current level of Inspect Eye, I couldn’t see their skills, nor the bonus stats granted by their titles and equipment. Even so, the information I could see was more than enough to gauge their combat power. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that either of them could easily take down a couple of Grahams on their own.
“Wait… ‘Adamant Vanguard’?!” I exclaimed.
“Oh?” Boris grinned, clearly amused. “Did you use Inspect Eye on me?”
I nodded. They had long since known that I possessed this skill and didn’t mind me checking their status screens. Still, Adamant Vanguard was an upgraded and rarer version of Iron Bastion. Once Boris reached He rank, his class would evolve again into Titan Vanguard—a low-rank legendary class by most standards, and an exceptionally powerful one at that.
As for Michelle’s class, I wasn’t surprised to see that it remained unchanged. Some classes—like Paradox Incarnate—didn’t change upon advancement because they were already in their highest form. Others spanned multiple ranks before evolving. Magic Lumberjack fell into the latter category, and while it would likely transform once she reached He rank, it was already a remarkably potent class in its own right.
“Both Tuilë and Lucian have undergone their class advancements as well,” Michelle added. “Tuilë changed her class to ‘Magic Gear Master,’ while Lucian became an ‘Archmage.’”
Their classes were about what I’d expected. Tuilë’s was a rare class with broad utility, one that could shine in a variety of situations, just as she had always been, but better. Lucian’s, on the other hand, was relatively common. Most divine warriors who leaned toward magic ended up with that class if they didn’t specialize in a single element and were adept at using Neutral Magic. Even so, it wasn’t a bad class, and it was functional as it was.
“What about Erika? Did you see her?” I asked.
“As for her… we didn’t,” Michelle said, shaking her head.
“She might have done her class advancement the day prior,” Boris chimed in.
“I see…” I rubbed my chin. Considering what had happened in the tenth scenario, it made sense. She wanted power, and the fastest way to get it was to head straight for the Hall of Classes, then move up to District C. “Guess that only leaves me as the only one who is still stuck at Gimmel rank.”
Boris snorted. “You say that like you’re not already operating above your rank.”
Well, I couldn’t deny that. Even without relying on my signature skills, no ordinary, recently advanced Daleth-rank divine warriors could pose a real threat to me anymore. Still, the upcoming Battle of Divine Will would attract extraordinary individuals—ones who could defeat even Kaela without much effort.
Michelle’s expression turned thoughtful as she said, “With us advancing now, the tournament tomorrow is going to look very different. Daleth-rank divine warriors aren’t common in Fantasia, not even freshly advanced ones.”
“Exactly why I encouraged you two to complete your class advancements beforehand,” I replied.
“Don’t worry, lad.” Boris placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and flashed a reassuring grin. “Leave everything to me. I’ll win the tournament and become the commander.”
“Mhm.” I nodded. “I believe you’ll win easily.”
“Gahaha! Of course!”
We continued chatting over dinner, the conversation stretching late into the night as we discussed the tournament and the future.
***
The next morning, Fantasia was buzzing with anticipation.
By the time the sun climbed high enough to cast long shadows across the streets, divine warriors from every district were already converging on a single destination—the Grand Colosseum. Today’s tournament would determine the commander for the upcoming Battle of Divine Will, and no one wanted to miss it.
Naturally, I had told everyone I wouldn’t be participating, which was only half the truth. In a quiet alley far from prying eyes, I donned the Mask of a Thousand Races and altered my appearance. Mana rippled across my skin as my features reshaped themselves into those of an unfamiliar young man with a sharper jawline, a slightly smaller build, and eyes hidden behind a plain, expressionless mask.
I flexed my fingers, and a pair of daggers materialized in my hands—the Moonlight Dagger and the Voidstep Dagger. Since I intended to participate incognito, my usual sword and spear were out of the question. If Boris, Michelle, or the others saw me like this, there was no way they would connect the dots.
Good, everything’s in order.
The main reason I chose to participate incognito—aside from keeping my friends from recognizing me—was to quietly test Fantasia’s strongest divine warriors. I needed to be sure they were truly up to the task of the Battle of Divine Will. If they weren’t, then no amount of planning would matter. Also, I could forfeit the moment I was matched against any of my friends to increase their chances of reaching the final round. To top it all off, I could train my rarely used skills in the tournament, now that I used a pair of daggers.
Pulling my hood lower, I blended into the flow of divine warriors heading toward the arena. The closer I got, the louder the noise became—boisterous laughter, heated arguments, the clatter of armor, and the unmistakable pressure of powerful auras brushing against one another. There were easily over two thousand people gathered outside alone, quite literally the vast majority of Fantasia’s divine warriors.
The Grand Colosseum loomed ahead, its massive stone walls reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. Towering arches stood wide open, welcoming the tide of participants and spectators alike. Inside, tiers upon tiers of seats rose toward the sky, already filling rapidly. At the center lay the arena floor, vast and scarred—a testament to countless battles fought within.
I stepped through the gates without hesitation and registered for participation under the name “Black Phantom.” Subsequently, I was assigned to Group B and handed a ticket. From what I gathered, the first stage of the tournament was divided into four groups, from A to D. Each group would be thrown into a free-for-all, with only the top eight advancing. After that, the remaining thirty-two would face one another in a standard elimination bracket.
A booming voice suddenly echoed throughout the colosseum, amplified by magic. A middle-aged, rotund man clad in flashy gladiator garb and an oversized helmet stepped onto a raised platform with arms spread wide.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Fantasia!” he roared. “The tournament will soon begin! Contestants and spectators, please prepare yourselves!”