Todd glared at Finn, his voice rising in a furious shout.
"Don't get so full of yourself, Finn Doria! So what if you defeated me? You dare call me trash? You expect me to kneel before you?! Why should I—a member of a Noble Clan—lower myself to someone like you, born from a pathetic, powerless clan?! You are not worthy for me to kneel!"
Even as he struggled to stand straight, his voice rang out loud and clear.
Everyone around them fixed their eyes on Todd, their gazes thick with contempt. They despised this sort of Adventurer. He was the one who proposed the wager in the first place, yet he didn't have the backbone to honor their agreement. Worse, he didn't even have the dignity to accept defeat. To them, Todd was nothing but a walking disgrace.
Even Ashe and the Elders turned cold, indifferent eyes upon him.
Feeling the weight of every stare boring into him, Todd's face flushed red with shame. Only then did he realize how humiliating his own words had been. But even so, he couldn't bring himself to correct them. That would only deepen the embarrassment.
"So, does that mean you refuse to keep your promise?" Finn said coolly. "Hmph. I don't care either way."
From the fiftieth step, Lore's expression twisted with disgust as he watched Todd's pathetic display. He lifted his gaze and fixed Todd with a sharp glare.
"Ashe. Elders. Sect Master Noah," Lore said formally, inclining his head in apology, "please forgive Todd's foolishness."
He then turned his fierce gaze back to Todd and shouted, his voice echoing across the steps, "Todd! You lost the wager with Finn Doria. Accept the punishment you deserve! Are you determined to shame our clan even more?!"
Todd's face went pale. He hadn't expected Lore to be this angry. Desperate, he tried to defend himself.
"But…Cousin…kneeling to someone like him…that's an unbearable humiliation…"
"Silence!" Lore snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. "Don't you dare call me 'cousin' right now! Can you not see that the way you're acting is already the greatest disgrace of all? You are only making it worse!"
'Pathetic trash,' Lore cursed inwardly. 'How did I end up related to this spineless idiot? He can't even stand up to a mere 9th Level Gold Rank?'
"But…" Todd croaked.
"No more excuses!" Lore cut him off again. "Accept your defeat. Apologize to Finn Doria! If our clan's superiors hears of this, you will not escape severe punishment."
Hearing those words, Todd's head drooped. His whole body trembled with fear. If there was anything in this world Todd truly feared, it was the Lightning Wind Family's higher-ups. Their discipline was notorious—unforgiving and absolute.
Though every fiber of his pride resisted, Todd finally dropped to his knees before Finn Doria. He raised his face, his eyes filled with loathing.
"…I understand my failure. I apologize to you, Finn Doria."
In his heart, hatred festered like poison. He blamed Finn alone for putting him in this wretched position.
"A trivial matter," Finn replied with a faint smile and a nod.
Everyone fell silent, stunned by the boy's indifferent words.
"Hmph. Every single thing he says is infuriating," Ashe muttered under her breath.
Even the Elders of Cloud Soaring Sect found themselves shaking their heads. They simply couldn't understand this strange young man.
Todd clenched his fists and shot to his feet. Without another word, he stalked back toward the other gathered Adventurers, hiding himself among the crowd—his humiliation seared into his bones.
His hatred for Finn burned hotter than ever.
Once the scene finally ended, the trial resumed. Finn advanced quickly, overtaking the fourteenth place contender. But after reaching the thirty-second step, that Adventurer's strength gave out. Tears welled in the young man's eyes as he stepped down—so close to qualifying, yet still not enough.
All the while, Finn calmly climbed one more step, reaching the thirty-third.
No one could understand him.
It was clear to everyone watching that he was still perfectly composed, not even winded. So why did he stop climbing any higher?
"Finn Doria," Ashe called out, her voice ringing across the staircase, "it's obvious that's not your limit. Why aren't you going any farther?"
Lore, standing not far away, scowled. No matter what he did to get Ashe's attention, she ignored him. Yet this boy—who had appeared out of nowhere—could hold her interest so easily. Disgust and jealousy churned in Lore's chest.
Finn forced a polite smile and replied in a soft voice,
"You must be joking, Miss Ashe. I can't even move my legs anymore. The force pressing down on me is simply too much. I only reached this step by sheer luck."
Many of the Adventurers nearby nearly tripped over themselves in disbelief.
'Do you think we're toddlers, Finn Doria? they thought. Everyone can see you aren't even struggling!'
But of course, Finn had a reason for this.
He didn't want to draw any more attention—or trouble—to himself. Kiden had warned him countless times to be cautious inside Cloud Soaring Sect. He still didn't know who might be friend or foe in this place.
"Hmph. Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe that?" Ashe snapped. "Anyone can see you're lying."
'Why is this woman always staring at me? Finn complained inwardly. 'Am I really that handsome?'
But of course, he said none of that out loud. Instead, he forced another smile.
"There's no point in climbing higher. I'm already guaranteed a place in the second phase. That's enough for me."
From where they watched above, Noah and the Elders could only shake their heads.
"This selection exists precisely to show each contender's full potential," Ashe insisted, her voice unyielding. "It isn't enough to simply be satisfied with qualifying. Now—will you climb and show us what you're capable of?"
She couldn't stand it.
Even if she was already convinced this boy was extraordinary, she needed to see the extent of it.
Since childhood, she'd believed she was one of the most gifted among her generation—few could compare. But watching Finn's effortless climb…she felt as though she could not see through him at all.
"I apologize, Miss Ashe," Finn said, smiling politely. "But this step is enough for me."
After all, his only goal here was to secure the Cloud Soaring Sect's protection for his clan. He wasn't ready to reveal his true power.
'Not yet.'
But when the time came to show his real strength, that would be the day his vengeance against the Nine Ice Family and the Black Tiger Family began.
Seeing he wouldn't budge, Ashe stamped her foot in frustration.
With nothing left to say, she fell silent.
Since no more movement was happening on the steps, Elder Marcus finally spoke.
"The rankings are decided!" he announced.
Ashe had claimed first place. Lore was second. Leo took the seventh position. And Finn secured the very last slot.
As the fourteen successful core members stepped down, those who'd failed could only watch with a mix of envy and admiration—especially for Finn.
He had been in the Core Division less than half a year, yet he'd already surpassed so many who had trained there for years.
Still, none could deny it. They simply weren't as talented as this boy.
"Finn, I'm glad we both made it," Leo said, smiling brightly as he approached.
Finn nodded, smiling back. "Congratulations on your success."
Before they could say more, Noah's voice rose above them.
"Congratulations to all fourteen of you for passing the first phase," he declared. "And now…the real and most important part begins—the combat trials!"
Ten of the contenders cheered quietly, hope burning in their eyes.
Only Ashe, Lore, Ezekias—and Finn—remained calm.
After all, they were confident this contest would not decide their futures.
Especially Finn.
He was no mere 9th Level Gold Rank.
Hidden beneath his robe, the Concealing Ring continued to mask his true strength.
"Listen carefully," Noah said. "I will now explain the rules of the second round. If you win two matches, you will secure one of the seven slots. A match can be won by forcing your opponent out of the arena, making them surrender, or rendering them unable to continue. Use of Recovery Pills or any Forbidden Pills is strictly prohibited. Armaments are allowed. Killing your opponent is absolutely forbidden."
His eyes sharpened.
"If you break this last rule…you will pay not only with your own life, but your clan will be liable as well."
None of the fourteen looked concerned.
It was only a selection tournament, not a true life-or-death battle.
Hearing the words "Forbidden Pill," Finn's mind flickered.
According to Kurt Bautista's memories, a Forbidden Pill was a concoction that could temporarily boost a cultivator's rank. But once the effect faded, it would cripple their body.
Such a pill had no place in any fair competition.
"Come here and draw your numbers," Noah commanded. "Whoever draws matching numbers will be paired in battle."
One by one, the contenders stepped forward, silent tension crackling between them.
Some prayed they wouldn't draw a match against Ashe, Lore—or Ezekias.
One by one, they pulled their slips.
"Show me your numbers."
They all raised them.
When they saw who had drawn Finn's number, everyone's expressions changed.
The boy who grinned triumphantly was Roy Lilytel, another Lightning Wind Family member—though he had no ties to Todd or Lore.
He had ranked twelfth in the trial.
'So what if you're talented?' Roy thought, a smirk twisting his lips. 'You're still just a 9th Level Gold Rank. And I'm at the 2nd Level Scarlet Gold Rank. There's no way you'll beat me.'
All around them, whispers broke out.
"Isn't that Roy Lilytel? Even if he's only 2nd Level Scarlet Gold Rank, everyone knows he's among the fastest in the core division."
"Looks like Finn Doria doesn't stand a chance."
"Even if he's talented, he's still just a Gold Rank."
Attention gathered on Finn once more—the only Gold Rank among them.
"Listen," Noah called out, "there are two arenas. We'll hold two battles at a time. And we begin immediately!"
"First arena—Ashe Vermillion versus Ezekias Sieve!"
"Second arena—Roy Lilytel versus Finn Doria!"