Armin then tried to drink more of the mystical pond water, but after the first few sips, he felt no additional benefit.
’Well, I’m not really expecting that it’ll stack the effects...’ Vale muttered.
It was as if the water had recognized that it had already aided him once, and no more would be granted until he proved himself worthy again.
He exhaled deeply and rose from his kneeling position...
After wiping the drops of water on his lips, he finally felt ready to continue.
With another step, he confird that the spiritual pressure remained, but it had dulled to a manageable level. Just like the reports, the water had not made him stronger but simply stabilized his soul enough to endure the Spiritual Pressure.
With steady steps, he continued across the stairs leading to the third floor...
"Just a few more steps..."
His legs pushed forward through the invisible weight or spiritual pressure that threatened to crush his body.
It certainly tested his endurance, but thanks to the water, it didn’t feel as unbearable as the beginning. Whether it was due to the water or simply his soul adapting, he appreciated it.
After a more monts, he reached the stairs and climbed them without hesitation.
As he reached the next floor, he confird that it was unlike the previous chamber. The third floor opened up into a circular arena.
’A duel this ti, huh...’ Vale mused.
In the center of the arena, there was a lone figure. Its body was composed of spectral armor and what seed like a white fla.
’A Spirit Warrior this ti... It should be fine.’ He thought.
The mont Armin stepped into the arena, the warrior opened its eyes, or where it was supposed to be, and it shined with purple light...
Armin’s instincts kicked in.
He threw a volley of Shadow Bolts. They were dark energy that could put a hole in his target’s body...
However, the Spirit Warrior easily parried with its sword, but the spells weren’t ant to harm. It was a feint!
With a wave of his hand, Armin summoned three Zombies with ease... He had studied necromancy as well, after all.
However, as zombies got closer and were about to get cut down by the Spirit Warrior, Armin cast Corpse Explosion on the three of them!
This move sent a concussive burst that knocked the Spirit Warrior off balance.
Then Armin didn’t stop as he learned from Vale the importance of doing combination attacks to win.
He then followed up with Tornting Chains, binding the Spirit Warrior in place with dark and crying chains that coiled around its limbs!
With a final spell, Dark Blade, Armin cut through the Spirit Warrior’s energy core.
Thankfully, Armin was able to hit the right target.
After so ti, the figure convulsed and disintegrated into a thousand motes of light, leaving behind a single token...
As soon as Armin picked it up, the token actually dissolved like specks of light.
Just like that, he realized that his Spirit had gotten a lot stronger as well.
’I guess every floor from now on can help increase my Spiritual Strength.
Armin clenched his fist as he felt excited about this...
***
Armin continued on his way to the higher floor, and apparently, the Spiritual Pressure returned on the fourth floor—but this ti, it had gotten a lot stronger...
Armin recognized it imdiately: another Spiritual Pressure trial.
The architecture was different here. There were moss-covered stones, and even the faint sound of wind chis, though there was no wind.
In the center lay another pond of mystical water, but unlike the one below, this one had glowing lilies blooming across its surface.
Still cautious, Armin made another step.
Whom~
The pressure pushed down on him as he struggled to move his body...
However, he didn’t mind this at all.
His soul trembled, not from pain, but from the overwhelming sense of rembrance. Apparently, the Spirit Pressure this ti had also started browsing through his mories!
’This...’ Armin couldn’t understand what was going on.
It was as if the room forced him to relive monts—his past life, the orphanage, the bitter stares of the nobles, and of course, the thrill of his first Dark Arts spell.
But he did not stop!
Armin had no sha in his path. He accepted his mories and pressed on, step after step, until he knelt at the pond and cupped so of the water for himself to refresh.
This ti, he didn’t drink too much. He only took a few sips and simply washed his face, and in doing so, he already felt clarity. He already knew that consuming more water wouldn’t change the situation after all.
It didn’t take long for him to enter the fifth floor.
’I’m finally here...’ Armin muttered.
The fifth floor was darker, narrower, and it was filled with dense spirit mist. This was no arena—it was a battlefield.
Vale then stepped forward... But as he did so, a new Spirit Warrior revealed itself. But this one was different.
It had two curved blades, red spirit fire, and the mont its foot hit the ground, a Spiritual Pressure was added it suddenly felt suffocating.
Although he didn’t appraise it, he could already tell that this was a Greater Spirit Warrior...
’Alright... Battling should be easier.’
Just like that, the fight began, and Armin knew that he had to take this seriously."
Armin then unleashed his Dark Soldiers... They weren’t just simple illusions darting around to confuse the enemy.
He layered Darkness Manipulation to cloud the area, attempting to mask his movents.
However, the Spirit Warrior was faster this ti...
A blade grazed Armin’s side, burning his robe. He winced in pain, realizing brute spells weren’t enough.
"Tsk... You’re faster, huh?"
Armin then used the Spirit Vision. It allowed him to glimpse the flow of energy around the Spirit Warrior briefly.
This Spirit Warrior was not showing his full strength!
’Seriously... Are you underestimating ?’ Armin frowned as he realized that he must indeed show his strength.
’Very well...’
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