Looking at Netsu, Sora’s eyes were full of pride. The phoenix was growing fast, and his stats were becoming more impressive with each day. Sora spent the following days training Netsu, who instinctively learned skills that seemed aligned with his natural path as his level increased and growth reached certain milestones.
As Sora helped boost Netsu’s intelligence, the phoenix became more creative and eager to learn things, so Sora taught him extensively through the [Train] skill. At levels 50 and 100, Sora guided Netsu through two evolutions, pleased with the results each time.
Both Sora and Hiyoko grew fond of their new companion. Despite his rapidly increasing power, the phoenix remained warm and gentle. A quiet pride shone in his eyes, yet he showed no arrogance when with his friend and master. Netsu fondly remembered playing with the tiny bird beside him when he was just as small and she was far stronger than him. Now, even though his strength had surpassed hers, he still cared about her.
Through countless training sessions, despite understanding the extent of his talent, he became aware that without his master’s guidance, he wouldn’t have come this far.
Netsu took flight, releasing a powerful roar that echoed in the space. He wanted to test his strength but knew he couldn’t unleash his power in this strange space.
Sora chuckled, watching Netsu play with the fire element. The six days of training were nearly over, and he felt satisfied with the phoenix’s progress.
Glancing at Hiyoko, Sora noticed her watching Netsu with a hint of envy. She’d always been content with her abilities, but now, seeing the majestic phoenix, she wished she could grow a bit taller and stronger too. As the elder, she didn’t want to be overshadowed. The idea of Netsu looking down on her someday made her sulk, a twinge of insecurity surfacing.
I should train Hiyoko too... maybe even help her evolve. Honestly, looking that tiny when she’s such a high level is a bit embarrassing, Sora mused, sensing her emotions through their bond. He resolved to help her grow stronger.
Over the past week, Sora had refined the effects of the [Nurturing] skill, discovering its potential and room for improvement. Realizing it could aid Hiyoko as well, he was eager to perfect the skill.
[The third floor test is now over]
[Evaluation :
Growth : 14400/14400. Perfect grade.Education : 50/50. Perfect grade. Affection : 100% Perfect grade.Evolution : 2 flawless evolutions. Perfect grade.Training results : Not tested on this floor.Finale rating : 100/100]
[Your reward is : Netsu (Male Phoenix)]
’That’s an interesting floor reward,’ Sora thought, relieved. He’d grown attached to Netsu, and the idea of losing him had worried him more than he’d realized. ’Let’s see how high I ranked this time.’
[Floor 1: Rank 1/4320][Floor 2: Rank 122/3456][Floor 3: Rank 6/2592]
’Damn it, how did they get more than a perfect rating... This is ridiculous,’ Sora frowned, feeling a bit of frustration.
As his [Soul Palace] slowly mended, the pain began to subside, as the Soul Power around his heart was on the move. Taking a deep breath, he straightened and turned his attention to his newly assigned ’teammates’.
They appeared relaxed, each watching him with a distinct expression—some with pity, others with understanding, one with scorn, and the last with a hint of friendliness.
The one with the look of understanding was a small, muscular figure with thick hair and a beard. ’Is he a Dwarf? Or just a small human?’ Sora wondered. ’But I’m sure no one like him was among the 400 players in Nara...’
The Dwarves were one of the nine forces that had attacked the Human World. Sora knew they now lived on one of the newly appeared continents following the World Update. The Dwarf Kingdom’s continent was located in what used to be the Pacific Ocean, near South America.
The teammate with the pitying expression was a strange creature. Standing at two and a half meters tall, it was muscular and covered in scales. With a wide jaw, sharp teeth, slit yellow pupils, and claws instead of hands and feet, it radiated an intimidating aura.
Smoke escaped its mouth with each breath, adding to its unsettling appearance. However, its stare showed no hostility; instead, it held a strange, almost sympathetic look.
’A Dragonborn...’ Sora thought, surprised. ’They were the strongest enemies in the brief six months before the World Update. From what I’ve seen on updated maps, they live near South Africa... Why is she staring at me that way? Wait... why am I assuming it’s female? Is it because of the eyes?’
Sora’s gaze moved to his third teammate, who was glaring at him with a look full of disdain, as though Sora were insignificant.
The figure was tall, with dark, rough skin and long, twisted horns. Red eyes burned with scorn, while sharp teeth curved into a grin. His muscular body was accentuated by claws on his hands, and a tail swayed lazily behind him.
’A demon... They were the worst invaders in the distant past, the most brutal of all the invading forces,’ Sora thought, recalling the horrifying incidents he had heard of before shaking his head. ’It’s not time to remember those things.’
Turning to his last teammate, Sora let out a sigh. It was someone familiar—the reason he’d instinctively drawn his weapon. Unlike the others, this person looked at him with a smile that seemed almost friendly, even appearing amused.
The familiar figure was the first to speak. "A gaze full of passion and fighting spirit... You should give up on those thoughts. Your level! You’ve reached this level in just a month... And you’re a Tier 1 player in this trial. Truly monstrous."
Sora felt a conflict rise within him at the mention of his gaze but decided to change topics and asked instead. "How do you know my rank? I can’t see your tiers... Actually, forget that—how are you even here?"
"In the party panel—you’re listed as team captain, so I guessed and you just confirmed it," the figure replied, a teasing smile on his face. Sora nearly facepalmed, realizing he’d just fallen in the other party’s trick.
"You’ve probably discovered a few secrets by now—assuming you have an innate skill, of course," the figure continued, his expression shifting to something more neutral. "All factions are invited to these events, in case you didn’t know. Inside the Ascension Tower, there’s no such thing as faction wars—at least in theory. It’s only about candidates and their potential growth. "
Sora locked eyes with the person in front of him.