[46TH FLOOR]

[You're not turning back, even after his threat and Louisa's death?]

I removed my blindfold and discarded the torn top of my tracksuit, replacing it with a white shirt. "That's even more reason to continue, Jarvis."

[I don't think this is a good idea.]

I furrowed my brow at Jarvis' unexpected input. He usually remained silent and avoided offering his opinion.

Recalling something, I spoke up, "Have you still not reestablished your connection with that person from Tokyo?"

[No, and that's what I find strange.]

"What I find strange is you and your master's objectives, Jarvis," I retorted. "I still have no idea what you guys want from me."

I couldn't bring myself to believe that he sent me here solely to help find Ephera. I didn't know if she had also been reincarnated and regained her memories from our previous life, like I had in this world. If that were the case, I might have already encountered her if she were nearby—meaning I hadn't met her yet.

[Things are more complicated than they appear, Edward.]

"I'm well aware of that, Jarvis," I sighed, stepping into the expanse of green forest ahead. "Strange occurrences unfolded in my previous life. I don't recall everything clearly, but I have this peculiar feeling that..." I trailed off, unable to articulate my thoughts.

[Danger lurks all around you—both in this life and your previous one.]

"In my previous life, I came close to more than once, so I understand what you're talking about. In this world, it seems others want to kill me because of my mother and wretched father," I stated.

[It's odd. You should have participated in the Second Game, yet you seem oblivious to most things.]

"What are you—" I began to question, but my senses screamed a warning, prompting me to leap away.historical

-BOOOOM!

An explosion of fire erupted where I had stood, consuming the once-green grass. The flames spread, devouring the surrounding trees.

I drew my staff and surveyed my surroundings.

"Falkrona Bloodline First Wing," I muttered, closing my eyes and focusing.

Ten?

No.

There were more than ten individuals encircling me.

I spun around, witnessing a jet of water hurtling toward me. Gripping my staff tightly, I swung it, severing the jet and drenching my clothes.

Then, a buzzing sound filled the air as a cyclone began to form, wreaking havoc in its path.

"Septem Treina, Smash that!" I propelled myself into the air, swinging my staff downward with force, dispersing the cyclone.

Upon landing, a powerful gust of wind struck me from behind. "Arghh!" I cried out, feeling the pain from the torn flesh on my back resurface. My body was sent hurtling, crashing into a burning tree.

Those cowards!

I stood up, glaring angrily at my surroundings. "Come out, you cowards!" I snapped, and boulders of earth materialized above me in response.

"Shit!" I swiftly extended my staff, obliterating the trees, and leaped onto it. "Shrink back!" I commanded, and the white staff shrank, propelling me at great speed away from that perilous location. I ventured deeper into the forest until reaching the end of the staff. Upon landing, I quickly climbed a tree and concealed myself behind its trunk.

They were my classmates—no doubt about it. The familiar faces twisted with a dark resolve, standing together as if united by some sinister purpose. I couldn't comprehend why they would join forces against me, especially considering our recent examination. There were more than ten of them, suggesting that certain groups had formed alliances.

But dwelling on their motives was a luxury I couldn't afford at that moment. I leaped agilely from one tree branch to another, narrowly evading a spike of earth that erupted from the trunk. The ground trembled with the force of their combined assault, and my heart raced in response.

"How long do you plan to keep running, Edward?" a voice called out, freezing me in place.

I peeked out cautiously, recognizing the source of the voice. Loid stood on another tree, his tangerine eyes fixed on me, a smug smile etched across his annoying face. Surrounding him were at least thirty other students, awaiting his orders.

He had managed to gather them under his command.

Loid's voice cut through the air with a chilling certainty. "You can't escape us, Edward. I must admit, I didn't expect to find you first."

My gaze followed his, and my heart sank at the sight below. Several people were bound and unable to move, under the watchful eyes of their captors. Among them were Carla and Thomas, their glares directed at Loid, who reveled in their defiance.

"It's a shame. I had hoped to eliminate Aurora before you, Alfred, and John," Loid remarked with a shake of his head. "But no matter. You'll be the first, and I'll make sure to capture Alfred and Layla, thanks to you."

"Give up, Edward," David Seaven interjected, arms crossed defiantly. "You can't take on all of us, and you know it."

I met David's gaze, determination shining in my eyes. "Is this really the time to fight, David? Something's happening inside the dungeon, and the examination will be canceled soon," I urged, unable to mention Louisa's tragic fate within these walls. I needed to stop them, to make them understand that the exam was over, even if they refused to believe it.

Laughter erupted from Loid, mocking and harsh. "You should have come up with better excuses, Edward! But you know what? If you kneel before me now, I won't hurt you."

A snort escaped me, my defiance unyielding. I jumped down to the ground, my feet landing firmly. "You think you can defeat me, Loid?"

As I landed, a group of twenty of them dispersed, encircling me with an ominous intent. Loid's smile faltered at my audacious words, replaced by a flicker of anger.

"You've always been an annoyance, Edward," Loid spat, his eyes narrowing with a newfound intensity. "I've despised you for that. This time, I'll make sure you regret underestimating me all these years."

A wicked grin spread across my face as I twirled my staff confidently. "Perfect timing, Loid. I haven't forgotten what you did when I faced Ronald. Remember our childhood days?" I taunted, relishing in the discomfort that flickered across his expression.

Silence hung in the air as memories of our past battles resurfaced. "Back then, you were no match for me. Miranda would always come to your rescue," I jeered, my voice laced with disdain. "But this time, she won't be here to save your sorry ass, Loid."

Loid's face contorted with rage, and at his command, they all surged forward, launching their attacks towards me.

[Do you have time for such childishness?]

'Don't worry. I'll put an end to this bastard swiftly.'

The air crackled with anticipation as I uttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Anathemas Fire," I muttered, and a swirling purple flame erupted from my body, casting an eerie glow in the darkness. "Come!" I swung my staff towards the three assailants charging at me, unleashing a powerful wave of energy.

"Block him!"

"Yes!"

In response to Loid's command, several walls of water burst forth from the ground, attempting to extinguish the flames engulfing me. The water spluttered and sizzled upon contact, but the flames persisted, refusing to be quelled by mere water.

"Attack him from behind!" Loid's voice pierced through the chaos, prompting six others to strike at me from different angles.

"Falkrona Bloodline, Second Wing," I whispered, tapping into the powers of my lineage. In an instant, my speed heightened, and I gracefully sidestepped the incoming attacks. However, in that split second, a hulking figure materialized behind me, his fist enhanced with earth elemental magic.

My amber eyes narrowed, assessing the imminent threat. With a swift and fluid movement, I ducked, evading the first punch. Seizing the opportunity, I seized his arm, effortlessly lifting him into the air before forcefully slamming him onto the ground.

"Arghhh!"

Using his body as a stepping stone, I propelled myself into the air, narrowly avoiding an arrow of wind that whizzed past my cheek. Without hesitation, I surged forward, closing the distance with the group utilizing water elemental magic. "Rings of Vysindra, Burning Wings!"

The impact of my attack reverberated through the battlefield, shattering their layers of water protection and sending them sprawling in different directions.

My senses tingled, alerting me to an impending danger. I instinctively tilted my head, narrowly evading an arrow that grazed my cheek. Irritation flickered across my features as I retrieved my staff, now moving with lightning speed. With a flick of my wrist, I hurled the staff towards the airborne adversaries.

"Aggh!" The girl and her companions collided with the trees, their bodies crashing against the sturdy trunks.

-Splash!

Before I could recover from my exertion, a powerful surge of water erupted beneath me, sending me hurtling through the air. The impact was bone-crushing, causing waves of pain to ripple through my body.

Rolling across the ground, I gritted my teeth, fighting against the agony. As I mustered the strength to lift my gaze, I locked eyes with David, his mana seeping out uncontrollably.

"Ah!" A deafening yell pierced through the chaos, diverting my attention. Looking upward, I witnessed Tyler hurtling towards me, his massive greatsword poised to strike.

"Come back!" I called my staff back to me, holding it protectively with both hands, readying myself for the impending collision.

-BAM!

The force of Tyler's descent sent shockwaves through the ground, causing it to crack and tremble, threatening to split open beneath me. I could feel my wounds on my back opening again.

Tyler smiled broadly at me from above. "Sorry dude, I'm going to-"

-BAM!

Before Tyler could finish his words, a sudden impact landed squarely on his cheek, distorting his face and launching him through the air. The source of the blow became clear as Eric stepped forward, extending his hand towards me with a smile. "Had fun?"

I scoffed at his question but quickly reached out and firmly grasped his hand, allowing him to help me up from the shattered ground. Soon I spotted Alfred, Layla, and the rest of our group rallying together.

"It's time to put an end to these clowns," I declared, my gaze flickering to Loid, who was seething with anger and directing his furious glare at me.