Evo sat by the window, quietly gazing outside, before deciding to review his gains. With a faint motion, he called out—
— Status!
[ New Notification ] > [ Mission completed successfully! ] > [ Distributing your rewards ]
He felt power coursing through his body in silence, a subtle yet undeniable growth. Beneath the table, his fists clenched, and a quiet smile formed on his lips. Strength… it felt good.
Time to check the rest.
[ Rewards ]
[ +30% to the Title: Blessed by Time ]
[ The remaining bonus will be completed upon awakening the Time Element ]
[ Time Element awakened ] — completing the title's evolution...
Title: Blessed by Time — Stage 1
Effects: Grants a more natural control over the Time Element. Reduces fatigue after using time-related abilities. Decreases mana consumption by 10% when casting Time spells.
You've reached Level 35.
Your stats have increased.
[ End of Report ]
— Fiuuu... — he whistled softly. — "This title's effect will cut down a lot of the exhaustion from [Future Attack Prediction]. That thing drains me dry."
The level-up was just a bonus. The real goal was reaching Level 70 — enough to evolve his Existence to Apprentice.
With Freya allowing him to take dungeon and extermination missions, the time he'd planned for that goal would shorten considerably.
I have to remember about the meeting later today.
Evo leaned back, lost in thought about his soon-to-be subordinates and the path ahead.
His reflections were cut short as the Swordsmanship Instructor entered the room, followed by the rest of the students.
— "Everyone, take your seats so I can make this quick."
They obeyed, filling the room with a brief silence.
— "Hello, everyone. I see many promising talents here." — His eyes scanned the group before continuing. — "For those who don't know me, I'm Kalistro, instructor of Swordsmanship and Weapons. I'll make sure you all reach your peak while you're here. Do your best."
He crossed his arms, smiling faintly.
— "Since it's the first day, I want to see how you all fight — get a sense of your individual strength. Follow me."
The class followed him to the training hall, a wide arena surrounded by stands.
In the corners were racks filled with weapons: swords, bows, clubs, spears, daggers, whips, and more.
Near the wall stood rows of wooden replicas, waiting to be used.
— Clap! — He brought his hands together, catching everyone's attention. — "Grab the wooden version of the weapon you're most comfortable with. You'll be sparring against me."
Everyone nodded. Blanche picked up a slender sword; Lívia took a rapier and tested its balance; Alfred grabbed a massive greatsword.
Evo waited, scanning the available weapons until one caught his eye — a shape reminiscent of his own blade.
I need to get used to something lighter. The Execution is thinner than a standard sword, and though it's the same size, it's noticeably lighter. I'll have to adapt to that. And speaking of it… I should check the Authority's effect later.
With that in mind, he chose a one-handed sword similar to his own and waited for his turn.
The training began, and as expected, those three stood out once again.
Still missing three people... Wonder where they are? — he thought, though he didn't care much. None of them mattered. His only focus was himself.
When his turn came, he faced the instructor in guard stance. Their swords clashed, the sound of wood echoing through the hall.
— "Ohhh, not bad. You've got solid basics, kid — the one who likes teasing elders, huh? Noeli trained you well."
— "Thanks. I've been training with the sword since I was five. My mother's... rather strict about it."
Kalistro's sword moved swiftly, striking down like lightning. Evo blocked — and the wooden blade in his hands cracked apart.
— "Har har har!" — Kalistro laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. — "You've changed swords recently, haven't you?"
Evo blinked, slightly surprised, then nodded.
— "Impressive. You're right — I switched a few days ago. The new one's a few grams lighter, but it makes all the difference. I'm still getting used to it."
— "Give it some time, and your refinement will return naturally." — Kalistro nodded, then dismissed the group.
— "Good work, everyone. You're dismissed. See you next class."
The students began to leave. Evo hurried back to his room, eager to rest before the evening meeting.
Hours later, the air had grown colder as dusk approached.
Deep in the forest bordering the academy, a figure in a black hooded cloak moved swiftly between the trees.
Evo landed softly on a branch, pulling a pocket watch from his coat.
— "Good. I'll arrive half an hour early. I need to familiarize myself with everything — the routes, the surroundings, the logistics. Every meter has to be mapped in my head."
Since leaving his room, he'd been memorizing each step of the path Freya had described.
After several minutes, he found it — an old entrance framed by two worn columns tangled with vines.
At the base of a small, hidden mountain lay a narrow, shadowed opening.
— "There it is." — he murmured, slipping a mask from his ring and placing it over his face.
Golden eyes gleamed through the openings as he descended toward the entrance.
He checked the surroundings once more before stepping inside.
A wide spiral staircase stretched downward, torches flickering along the stone walls.
He descended for what felt like forever until a metal gate appeared at the bottom.
— "Damn... why does this staircase have to be so long?" — he groaned. — "Going back up's gonna be hell."
He pushed forward, muttering, — "Let's see what those two have been up to."
The gate groaned as he forced it open, the sound of grinding metal echoing through the chamber.
Beyond it lay a vast hall supported by columns built into the walls — a structure too elegant to be natural.
A soft blue light illuminated the area, giving it the air of a boss room.
Crossing the chamber, he reached another door of heavy iron and opened it.
Inside... was not what he expected.
The place was spotless — organized, almost regal.
A round room with seven chairs upholstered in crimson and gold, positioned in a circular formation.
Each seat rested on an elevated platform with a short railing, surrounding a lower central space.
— "They really went all out..." — he muttered, admiring the ancient architecture.
His gaze then found his chair — larger, centered, and higher than the rest.
He approached and sat down, resting his elbow on the armrest, cheek on his hand — relaxed, yet commanding.
From his ring, he pulled a stack of papers — the information Freya and Ravina had given him — and began reading as he waited.
After a while, the faint creak of metal broke the silence.
He looked up.
A hooded figure had entered, dressed like him — masked, silent, standing at the lower platform, staring up.
For a moment, neither spoke.
From her perspective, the sight was striking — a man sitting above, posture calm yet filled with authority.
His golden eyes glowed brighter than any gem, piercing through the dim blue light.
The depth in them felt endless — like staring into the abyss itself.
Pride radiated from him, suffocating, undeniable.
The image froze her in place — until the voice of the man above broke the silence.
— "Identify yourself." — His tone was cold and sharp, cutting through the air like steel.
The figure nodded slightly and climbed the steps toward him.
When she reached the top, she bowed.
— "I greet the Supreme Judge. I am Luneth — The Voice, your assistant from this day forth."
Her tone was calm but mature, echoing faintly through the chamber.
Strands of dark wine-colored hair slipped from beneath her hood, catching the faint light as she straightened.
Through the mask, her eyes — light brown and serene — reflected a quiet, steady glow.
And with that voice, the room felt as though something greater had just begun.