At that moment, a message from the Tower Administration appeared before the eyes of every newbie.
[New Message]
[Sender: Tower Administration]
[One of the Guardians of the Tutorial World will soon appear in Hallway #128. He will be conducting a trial, in which the Administration will measure the capabilities of the newest subjects of the tower. The Tutorial will continue from there.
Remember, things aren't always as they seem.]
[Receiver: Arthur Solace (Newbie)]
Following the message, the expressions of the newbies changed drastically.
Some were glad that the trials had finally begun, while others were terrified of the outcome, and whether they would be able to pass. Some had trained their entire lives for this moment, while others were entirely clueless.
The newbies were always an interesting batch, as they varied drastically in terms of experience, decisiveness, and sheer power, including speed, strength, and so on.
Suddenly, before the gazes of the newbies, a figure began manifesting. Light spilled from the tiny sphere, which then morphed into the shape of a human… no, a humanoid entity. It was definitely not a human.
It was a humanoid fox.
With orange fur coating his entire, human-like body, along with a long snout and black, beady eyes, the fox was a perfect hybrid. He wore medieval, purple-gold, chinese robes, and had a scabbard strapped to his waist.
It was quite an interesting choice of attire, considering the scabbard did not match the robes.
With a diplomatic smile, he bowed slightly. "Welcome to Heaven's Spire, newbies. I hope you enjoy your stay, and pursue your individual paths to the apex. It is truly an honor for me to serve you as you attempt the Tutorial."
The newbies were silent. Some of them knew of the Guardian's true nature.
"I am Dracolius, a minor executive of the Tower Administration and a Guardian overseeing the Tutorial," introduced Dracolius, the fox humanoid in chinese robes. His smile truly was polite, and many were fooled by it.
However, some, including Arthur Solace, knew the true nature of Dracolius, the fox Guardian.
In reality, the Guardian was a by-product of a large-scale experiment executed by one of the high-ranking clans. However, since it broke the laws of the tower, the Tower Administration was forced to confiscate it.
The process that the high-ranking clan was attempting was… mutation.
In layman's terms, Dracolius had a few questionable traits, and was the victim of hundreds of illnesses and sufferings. However, as a Guardian, he was forced to fulfill his job on a regular basis, paying no mind to such inconveniences.
He was pitiful.
But he was also dangerous.
"Tell us the first trial," the muscular man shouted, waving his hand frantically while trying to catch Dracolius's attention. As the fox humanoid slowly turned to face the muscular man, he smiled.
"Let's not be hasty," replied Dracolius. "Before the first trial even begins, we will be measuring your use of mana. I believe everyone should have unlocked access to mana before entering the tower, correct?"
Everyone nodded.
Everyone, except the muscular man. "We're not doing the mana test. I don't care. I'm not participating."
"We are doing the mana test," said Dracolius, flashing a smile towards the muscular man. "One has to pass the test of mana before one is permitted to attempt the first trial. It is mandatory, and cannot be refused."
"There has to be another way," the muscular man protested. "Otherwise, I'll beat you to make you understand."
The eyes of the newbies widened.
Not only had the muscular man entered the tower without having access to mana, but he also rendered Dracolius, one of the most dangerous (not strongest) Guardians, as his enemy. Not even a Ranker could match up to Dracolius.
However, that wasn't all. Everyone had witnessed the muscular man's display of strength, in which he brutally murdered the lanky man. He hadn't used any mana, yet managed to instil a certain fear in the hearts of those spectating.
How could one have so much power without mana?
'He's… interesting,' thought Arthur, stroking his chin while revealing a faint smile of amusement. Sheer physical strength could not produce such a phenomenon, which meant the muscular man was genetically blessed.
But how? By whom?
"You can try," said Dracolius, stepping forward. The muscular man gazed into the Guardian's eyes, and felt a rush of fear arise in his chest. His breath was practically sucked from his body, rendering him useless.
The muscular man collapsed on the ground, desperately scratching the ground in search of the mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
"WIll you undergo the test without qualms?"
The muscular man nodded frantically. His nails were becoming pale, and his face seemed to resemble that of a vampire. Pale.
Suddenly, the sensation faded, and the muscular man regained his ability to breathe. He huffed and puffed, kneeling on the ground helplessly. Humiliation was the last thing he gave two shits about at that moment.
He cared more about his life than the opinions of others.
"Yes," replied the muscular man, letting out a sigh. His vulnerability seemed harmless, but in the long run, many would attempt to take advantage of it. The muscular man couldn't hide behind his intimidation tactic, anymore.
"What is your name?"
"Randy," replied the muscular man.
"Well, Randy, go and sit over there."
Randy did as told.
Dracolius flicked his wrist, and the glass wall extended for several hundred meters. The hallway enlarged at the fox-human hybrid's will, and the laws of the world reshaped themselves to his liking.
"It is too cramped to conduct this test. That is why," said Dracolius, explaining his actions.
Then, several dark orbs manifested, levitating in the air. Each orb had the name of a newbie etched upon their surface, and they were spread out across the enlarged hallway.
"Welcome to the Mana Test," said Dracolius, clasping his hands at his rear. "Your objective is to destroy these orbs. Once you do so, you can enter that portal."
With a snap of his finger, a portal formed at the end of the hallway.
"Then begins the first trial."
