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Chapter 7: The Lord's Trial
Part1 Green core renew strength
The air in Robin's office felt heavy. Every second under the city lord's gaze pressed down on Jefel like an invisible mountain.
"Child," Robin finally spoke, his voice echoing like distant thunder, "your father believed in you. But belief alone cannot carry you. In Nurban… strength is everything. Even a city lord's word cannot protect the weak forever."
He rose from his chair, towering like a giant. His aura leaked into the room, a suffocating force that made the chandeliers flicker. Jefel's knees buckled, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Your trial begins now."
Robin snapped his fingers. The polished floor beneath them shifted, glowing lines spreading outward in intricate patterns. The office dissolved into light, and in the blink of an eye, Jefel stood in a vast stone chamber. The air was colder, sharper.
"What… is this place?" Jefel whispered.
"The Inner Sanctum," Robin's voice boomed from nowhere. "A space of my design. Here, illusions and reality blur… but the pain, the danger, the struggle—it will all be real. Survive, and you will earn your place."
Jefel's heart pounded.
From the shadows, a ripple tore open. A beast emerged—massive, fur bristling like steel wires, fangs glinting with cold light. Its crimson eyes locked onto Jefel.
Tink
[System]
«Opponent: Silverfang Direwolf»
«Quest: Kill the Silverfang Direwolf»
«Reward: ???»
—Power Stage: Medium Minor Rank (Violet)—
—Level: 0.6—
"Oh no…" Jefel's voice cracked. "A… a Silverfang Direwolf?! That's four levels above me—that's insane!"
The beast roared, the sound rattling the chamber walls.
"Face it," Robin's voice commanded. "If you run, you fail. If you die, then it means you were never worthy of your father's dream."
The wolf lunged.
Jefel rolled desperately, dust scraping his arms raw. His body trembled. The sheer killing intent pressing against him threatened to break his spirit.
I can't… I can't fight this thing…
But then, deep within, something stirred. That same aura that had flared when Lucy mocked him earlier—it surged again, hotter, fiercer. For a moment, he swore he heard the roar of a tiger deep inside his chest.
No… I will not die here. I will not fail my father. I will not fail myself.
His fists clenched. A faint glow wrapped around him.
The wolf lunged again, claws gleaming—
"RAAAHHHHH!" Jefel roared back, swinging his fist.
Shock rippled through him—his punch collided with the beast's claw. Instead of being torn apart, the wolf was pushed back, its red eyes flickering in surprise.
From the shadows, Robin's lips curved into a smile.
"So… the cub finally shows his fangs."
The Silverfang's expression sharpened, as though insulted. Its form blurred—then, in a blink, it struck.
BANG!
Pain flared. Jefel hissed as blood sprayed.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Another strike, then another, then another—claws like lightning. He staggered, blinded by the beast's speed.
Before he could breathe—
CRAAAK!
A heavy blow cracked against his ribs. He gasped, clutching his side, blood dripping. The wolf circled him like a predator playing with its prey, its eyes cruel.
Tink
[System]
«Damage received: 70% of health»
«Physique: +1 … +1 … +1 …»
Jefel crashed into the chamber wall, the stone splintering. His spine screamed in agony, and he coughed a mouthful of blood. But his eyes—his eyes never wavered.
There was a light in them. A shocking, unyielding light.
Robin's brows furrowed. For a moment, the boy's gaze reminded him of Roland—his dearest friend.
Tink
[System]
«Congratulations on your breakthrough»
—Power Stage: Body Strengthening & Core Refining (79%)—
—Power Level: 0.3----
—Core Color: Green—
The wolf froze for half a heartbeat, sensing the shift.
Then—a green aura erupted around Jefel. His blood boiled, his muscles hardened, his core refined itself mid-battle.
Robin exhaled softly. Good… break him down, and rebuild him stronger. Push him farther. His father and I… we need his strength.
The wolf smirked—or so it seemed. As though saying: Good. You survived this far. Now let's see if you can survive me.
Jefel glared back, fury burning in his veins. His aura rippled out, and the chamber shuddered.
He clenched his fist.
This time, he didn't dodge.
BANG!
His punch cracked the air itself as he met the beast head-on.
The second round had begun.
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🔥 End of Chapter 7 🔥