The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

The third stage spanned from Level 41 to Level 56. This stage involved Tier 6 monsters, so it was bound to be tough. Of course, by the time everyone passed through stage three, only 2,212 participants remained, though the academy was looking to select just 2,000.

These levels were grueling for many, as not only did the monster Tier rise from Tier 5 to Tier 6 but the environments they appeared in were also unique and challenging for most to handle. There were three distinct environments this time, each very difficult for most considering they were now battling Tier 6 monsters.

From Level 41 to Level 44, participants found themselves in a vast labyrinth of mirrors. Everyone immediately knew what needed to be done upon arrival. Typically, when a labyrinth appears in a trial, the objective is to navigate through it within a specific time frame.

Since most of the mirrors serve to distract, those with low perception often struggle. In most trials, that would be the extent of the challenge.

However, this time was different. Even Klaus nearly washed out when he first arrived. Initially, he, like everyone else, assumed it was a typical trial, but he quickly realized this one was unique.

Instead of simply walking through the mirrors to find the next exit and ignoring all the reflections, this time, as they moved through the labyrinth, creatures emerged from the mirrors to attack them.

These monsters were known as Mirror Phantoms, recognizable to many from a popular game made by the Lucil company. This familiarity caused several participants to give up before even taking a single step.

From the trial's beginning, the goal was to test various aspects a warrior should possess: reaction time, adaptability, reasoning, and many other skills they had already demonstrated. However, they soon realized the previous ones were merely lessons.

The Mirror Labyrinth was perhaps the true test of reflex and quick decision-making. Enhanced senses did not matter here, as Mirror Phantoms had no detectable presence until they lunged.

Klaus, initially unaware of what the trial entailed, was almost caught off guard. It took him a few minutes to understand how to proceed, but not everyone managed to overcome this obstacle.

Some participants were even eliminated at the graveyard before reaching the 41st level. After moving through Levels 41 to 44, the number of those who managed to make it through was 4,002, meaning 998 couldn't reach Level 45.

However, the nightmare didn't end there. After the labyrinth, they found themselves in yet another mind-bending setting that left many questioning what exactly the academy wanted from them—or, more importantly, whose twisted idea it was to design such a trial.

This next stage was an open field, bordered by towering cliffs on either side with no place to hide. Atop each cliff, what looked like a volcano on the verge of eruption loomed ominously. The ground was covered in fire residue, a major disadvantage for ice users.

After the Oracle system gave some information about the trial, two things became clear: first, they would be fighting Tier 6 Hellhounds—a fact that pleased Klaus, as his former self, Fruity, had once had a grudge against them.

Hellhounds are known as some of the most vicious monsters in the wild, infamous for their haunting nature. Their aggression made this a terrifying trial for many.

But if that wasn't daunting enough, the cliffs weren't just for show—the volcanoes would erupt two minutes before the time limit expired. This required participants to complete the trial before time ran out, or they would be consumed by lava.

This stage also claimed quite a few participants, with even Anna nearly washing out. Unlike Klaus, who was exceptional—even managing to use ice in a fire-dominated area—Anna wasn't as fortunate.

The fire in the area acted as a debuff for her and other ice-wielders. Although she wasn't exactly struggling, she was holding back to conserve energy, which almost backfired.

The Hellhounds were relentless, and if she hadn't quickly recognized the need to switch tactics, she might have failed at Level 45. However, she managed to push through to Level 50 before the scene changed once again.

From Level 51 to 56, they appeared on a vast battlefield littered with abandoned weapons and armor. Although the scene wasn't real, it felt genuine from the moment they arrived, with intense pressure settling over the battlefield.

If it had been real, they would have begun to see visions of the terrible battle that had scarred the battlefield. But rather than experiencing the battles of legends, they faced something worse—fighting those legends themselves.

Hundreds of knights rose once again for battle. Although it was a toned-down version of the real thing, many still felt the overwhelming pressure. At this point, everyone abandoned all caution and began a true massacre.

This stage was where everyone started using their trump cards. Anna summoned a massive 4-meter Ice Rhino onto the battlefield, which brought utter devastation, leaving a trail of ice that froze everything in its path.

Lily also became a force to be reckoned with as she tapped into the wind, moving across the battlefield like a storm. Whenever she slashed her sword, multiple arcs of wind shot out, each hitting with precision and dealing damage.

However, it became clear that only a few of these wind arcs were inflicting true damage. Even so, it was enough to handle most of the awakened knights.

Kilian unleashed his clones—a sight that made the instructors add his name to the list of genius for this year's union trial in the Northern Union.

Whenever he activated his clones, his movements became unpredictable, allowing him to inflict heavy damage on the knights, who were distracted by the multiple clones around them.

Daniel also earned his place on the list of geniuses. When his hammer struck the ground, it brought utter destruction, leaving the instructors wondering just what kind of technique he was using. And he wasn't the only one.

Hanna, who many had overlooked during the City Trial, accomplished something remarkable. Throughout the trial, she hadn't expended much Qi; in fact, she still had 94% of her Qi left by the time she arrived at level 51.

When she unleashed the lightning technique she and Klaus's mother had helped her develop, the battlefield was cleared in an instant. However, she didn't move on immediately.

Instead, Hanna rested for 20 minutes to recover before repeating the same tactic in the next stage, and the next, until she reached Level 56, where she had only ten minutes of rest time left.

She was also one of the last few to clear the third stage. However, her dominance left a mark on all who watched her. In fact, after she finished the third stage, her screen was enlarged to the size of Klaus's, revealing that alongside Klaus, there was another hidden dragon from the Northern Union.

Of course, she was nowhere near Klaus's level of dominance. From the start of the trial, the only time he used a different weapon was during his run at the Graveyard.

Aside from that, he relied solely on the Needles. In fact, he had developed significantly in the Labyrinth of Mirrors. While it was true he nearly died there, he learned from the experience, and throughout those levels, he focused on training his mind and mastering the Void Piercing Needle.

Unlike many who were unleashing powerful skills, Klaus was saving his for stages 4 and 5, where he would be battling Tier 7 monsters and possibly a Tier 8 monster.