Outside the chamber, Icarus and Zara watched through observation windows, the eliminated candidates gathered behind them.

Discussions spread through the watching crowd.

"Who do you think will be the last three standing?"

"Sicar Verratoux and the Sword Demon for certain... Their mental capabilities are legendary."

"What about that Damian kid? He’s been standing there like the pressure doesn’t even exist."

"Even if he’s talented, willpower isn’t about talent alone. It’s built through decades of experiences that break you down and force you to rebuild stronger."

Zara’s voice cut through the speculation.

"It seems Senior Sword Demon, the Hollow Sisters, the two Imperial heirs, Kaelen Hayes and Torin Barke are our best hopes of matching those young geniuses."

Icarus nodded slowly, his eyes tracking the remaining candidates.

"Indeed... They’re among the strongest A rank awakeners we could recruit."

His jaw clenched.

"I wish the Military Police would have sent their Chief Inquisitors instead, but most of them are occupied with demon portals and investigations. The Imperial families aren’t sending their older generation warriors either."

His voice carried frustration.

"We have no choice but to depend on who we could get."

Zara remained silent for several seconds before responding.

"It’s still better than nothing."

Her tone became quieter.

"Though I don’t know how many of them will survive when the real war starts. Even the strongest have no guarantees in battle."

Icarus’s expression hardened.

"The war hasn’t started yet. We can only do our best to train these candidates properly before that day comes."

He raised his hand.

"Increase the level to 10."

****

Inside the chamber, the pressure exploded.

BOOM

Everyone except Damian and the ones Helena had pointed out collapsed immediately, their mental defenses shattering like glass.

Even Regulus, the Hollow Sisters, Kaelen Hayes, Torin Barke and Helena all activated their mental defense skills desperately, Aura flaring around them.

Only Damian, Sicar and the Sword Demon hadn’t used any defensive skills yet.

Damian’s thoughts remained clear despite the pressure building against his consciousness.

’The rate of increase is accelerating now... Each level multiplies the previous one rather than adding to it.’

Blood dripped steadily from his nose, but his expression stayed calm.

The level increased again.

Level 11

CRACK

The stone floor beneath Damian’s feet fractured, spider-web cracks spreading outward from where he stood.

But he didn’t move and didn’t bend.

Regulus’s eyes went wide, blood streaming down his face as he gritted his teeth.

’He’s not using any defensive skills at all? How is that possible?’

The Hollow Sisters exchanged glances behind their masks, shock visible in their body language.

Torin’s scarred face showed strain, his massive frame trembling under the accumulated weight.

’This kid... wtf is going on? Isn’t he only 17 years old? How is his will so high?’

Level 12

BOOM

Even Sicar was forced to activate his mental defense skills now, pink Aura flaring as Will Strengthening and Mental Barrier engaged simultaneously.

His thoughts raced as blood poured from his nose and ears.

’Damian Valcor still hasn’t used anything! His Aura isn’t even circulating for defense!’

Only two people remained without active defenses.

Damian and the Sword Demon.

Thud

Helena was the first to drop among the remaining group, her knees hitting the ground as blood poured from her nose and ears.

As if her collapse had broken a dam, Regulus, Torin and the Hollow Sisters all fell within seconds of each other.

Thud Thud Thud

Blood covered their faces, their mental defenses completely overwhelmed.

They stumbled toward the exit, their eyes tracking back to Damian with complex emotions as their eyes seemed to convey a single thought: Just how?

Damian’s face was covered in blood now, crimson streaming from his nose, ears and eyes.

But he remained standing, hands still in his pockets, posture completely unbothered.

Only four people remained upright.

Damian, Sicar, Kaelen Hayes and the Sword Demon.

The Sword Demon’s voice emerged, quiet but carrying clearly.

"I’m too old now to compete with the younger generation over treasures I don’t need."

His lips curved into a smile.

"I won’t be shameless enough to steal rewards that should go to those building their futures."

He turned and walked toward the exit, his steps steady and unhurried despite the crushing mental assault.

Damian’s eyes tracked his departure, thoughts forming with absolute clarity.

’He’s broken past the natural limits of the Will stat... His willpower is even higher than mine.’

The realization settled with certainty.

’That old man... is a genuine monster.’

****

Outside the chamber, whispers exploded through the watching crowd.

"Only three left! Damian Valcor, Sicar Verratoux and Kaelen Hayes! Treasures belong to them."

"Who will be the last one standing?"

"Sicar makes sense, he’s an Imperial heir with mental specialization. But how is Damian keeping up?"

"Didn’t Sicar break past the will stat limits already? I heard rumors..."

"But he still needed to activate his skills at Level 12... Something doesn’t add up."

"Wait, look at Damian’s Aura flow! He still hasn’t used any defensive skills!"

The statement made everyone go quiet, eyes tracking to where Damian stood covered in blood but completely unbowed.

"How is that even possible?"

"Even Sicar needed his skills..."

The Sword Demon’s raspy voice cut through the whispers, carrying across the observation area.

"That kid’s Will stat is probably past 450... Higher than Sicar Verratoux."

"..."

Silence fell like a physical weight as nobody spoke or moved.

Even Icarus and Zara’s expressions became solemn, their eyes tracking back to Damian with new understanding.

450 Will at seventeen years old.

Among the candidates gathered here, recruited across the entire Federation, only Sword Demon seemed to have higher Will than Damian, and he was more than two centuries old.

Suddenly, a presence manifested beside Icarus.

A man appeared without warning, without sound, without any indication of movement or teleportation.

One moment the space was empty, the next he stood there like he’d always been present.

Icarus and Zara froze instantly, their bodies going rigid.

Recognition flashed across both their faces, mouths opening to speak.

The man raised one hand, and they fell silent immediately, words dying unspoken.

"Increase the level to 15."

’Level 15 will-’

Icarus’s body went rigid, but the man continued.

"I gave you an order, General."

Icarus’s hands clenched at his sides as he turned toward the control mechanism.

"...Yes, Marshal."