The Runic Alchemist

Finally, it was time for Sam and the others to prove their might. The sixth team had unusual numbers—not the standard ten, but twelve members. Among them were Sam, Einar, Evrin, Grace, and others whom Damian didn't fully recognize. He did know, however, that some were from the nobility of Eldoris and Dawnstar, while others were commoners from various kingdoms.

Four of them had top-tier results, and as expected, their team was given the most formidable monster of all to face: a towering, menacing minotaur. The reaction from the audience left no doubt about the creature's power and danger. It wasn't a natural monster but an imitation of one crafted to mimic a dungeon boss. Stay tuned for updates on empire

From the expressions of the prince on one his one side and Lucian on the other, it was clear they were comparing it to their own test opponent, the turtle. The minotaur, smaller but undeniably more agile and battle-ready, wielded a massive axe-like weapon, the kanabo.

"That is..." Adrian mumbled, seated beside Lucian.

"A dungeon's high-level monster," Lucian finished her face, betraying no emotions.

"Makes ours look like an easy target," the prince muttered, a tinge of envy lacing his tone.

True to its name, the minotaur was pure fury. It charged headlong at the twelve contenders before they could even arrange their formation. Evrin and Grace scrambled to chant while dodging. Grace lost control of her spell, but Evrin managed to summon a massive spear of darkness that hurtled toward the monster's chest. The minotaur merely swatted it aside with its kanabo though.

But that brief distraction was all the two frontliners needed. As the kanabo obscured the minotaur's vision, two streaks of red and purple dashed forward with swords raised high. At the last moment, the monster reacted, raising its kanabo horizontally to block both strikes. The monster could not help but get pushed back by the sheer force of the two second rankers.

The audience erupted in cheers at the display of dominance, but the celebration was short-lived. The minotaur retaliated with a powerful kick, sending the two fighters flying dozens of meters back. Meanwhile, the rest of the team had assumed a pre-planned formation, with Evrin and Grace readying another spell.

As if sensing the mana being summoned, the minotaur broke into a frenzied sprint toward the backline of mages. It's almost mocking sneer made Damian wonder if the Highsword examiner was taking a bit too much pleasure in this spectacle.

Evrin's spell launched just in time. Over fifty thick green vines erupted from the ground, coiling around the beast in an attempt to hold it. The minotaur strained against them, its massive, muscular frame tearing through the restraints in seconds. Undeterred, Grace conjured a massive defensive wall, pouring mana into its thickness, but the creature smashed through it as if it were paper.

Fireballs, water blades, and air blades rained down from the mages, but nothing seemed to faze the hulking calamity.Just as the huge canaboe was going to slam into Evrin who was the closest, Suddenly, a streak of purple cut through the battlefield. A deafening crash followed as Sam's aura-clad sword intercepted the kanabo. The impact forced the minotaur to a halt, its feet digging into the dirt.

The crowd fell stunned silent, with the struggle among the two monsters lasting though, erupting into deafening cheers. It was so loud that Damian felt the wood beneath him shaking a little with vibration.

'Damn, that kid.'

"How in the..." someone whispered behind Damian.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Don't you know? He and that red-haired girl are second-rankers," another voice answered.

"Second-rankers are... amazing," Fiona murmured, her eyes glinting as they admired Sam's valiant figure.

'Fans? Of that useless assistant? What has the world come to? Though... that was cool.'

"That's the difference, huh," the prince whispered, barely audible, but Damian caught it.

Sam couldn't hold out for long. Damian saw faint bolts of purple arcing from Sam's sword, which the young fighter absorbed before they became too noticeable. People did get the idea that his aura was unique though, and it certainly was - it felt real, his unique aura buzzed with an electric intensity that Damian, even with his meager aura sense, could feel clearly.

The minotaur ultimately overpowered Sam, hurling him back across the battlefield. His boots skidded against the dirt as he struggled to regain his balance.

For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. The minotaur stood still, glaring at its prey. The challengers, clearly outmatched but undeterred, readied themselves. Then, as if time jolted back into motion, the battlefield erupted into chaos once more.

The minotaur bellowed, its guttural roar reverberating across the arena. It charged again, its bloodlust fixed on Sam, but Evrin's voice cut through the clamor.

"Regroup and surround it! Don't let it focus on one target!"

The challengers sprang into motion, moving with practiced urgency. One of the Eldoris noble kids darted to the side, her bow drawn and an arrow glowing with faint blue light. She loosened the shot, and it streaked through the air, striking the minotaur's shoulder. The impact wasn't enough to wound, but it turned the beast's attention just long enough for another volley of attacks to rain down.

A torrent of spells erupted from the mages. Fireballs, water blades, and flesh cutting wind descended on the minotaur in unrelenting waves. Each strike barely slowed the creature's advance, though none did more than irritate it. Damian raised his eyebrows as he sensed the drain on everyone's mana reserve. This strategy couldn't hold for long.

"Oi, Princess," Einar called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Think you can hold it for five seconds? I'll take it from there."

Evrin didn't look back but nodded sharply. With a forceful chant, she slammed her staff into the ground, summoning a fresh burst of vines. This time, they were thicker and more numorous, their magical reinforcement making them far stronger than before. The minotaur roared as the vines coiled around its limbs, tightening with a ferocity that made it stumble.

"Now!" Evrin shouted.

Einar and Sam surged forward, their swords glowing red and purple as they channeled their aura into the blade. Unlike Sam's showy purple crackles, Einar's aura was subtle—a sharp, focused red energy that felt more like precision than raw strength. She leaped into the air, aiming for the minotaur's exposed neck. Sam's blade sank into the creature's hide, damaging the creature deeply, but not deep enough. The minotaur howled in pain, swinging its canaboe wildly. Though a sudden stream of scorching fire from Grace targeted its legs, making it howl in pain, restraining its movement.