Chapter 74: Climbing Home

When I arrived in the next space, confusion hit me on multiple fronts.

I looked around… "Luna, the old man said 'everyone was waiting,' right?"

No answer. Hopefully, she doesn't wake up screaming again.

The first thing that stunned me, if I was the last to arrive, why were there so few left?

Callum was still here. Synthia too. But only three others. Six in total, including me.

"Maybe they chose not to continue?" I wondered aloud.

"Not my problem, I guess." No point dwelling on strangers, especially ones who, given the chance, probably wouldn't hesitate to kill me.

Especially her.

She stood a little apart from the others, the girl who had been the first to kill someone.

Someone from her own group.

"Peter!" Callum's voice snapped me back as he ran over.

"He told us you attempted the fourth level." He gestured toward an old man, except this guy, currently mid-set in some impressive calisthenics, had the peak physique of an elite athlete. It didn't match his previous or current form at all.

"Looks like you passed." Callum leaned in, whispering. "Did you get something amazing?"

I puffed out my chest, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to show off.

"Of course I did. And not only did I get a reward, I got to cho—"

A hand clamped over my mouth.

Callum smirked. "Peter… I was whispering for a reason." He sighed, shaking his head. "Well, too late now. What'd you get?"

I glanced around to be met with several pairs of eyes. That's uncomfortable.

My gaze drifted to the man still working out. Didn't the last guy say the challenge would start as soon as I arrived?

Of course, he read my thoughts and turned toward me. "Take your time talking. You kids deserve a break." He smiled, genuinely.

Another mood swing.

"You don't have to say if you don't want to," Callum added, sensing my hesitation.

This guy really isn't bad.

I shook my head. "I already said it loud enough." Another glance around. "Everyone wants to know what you get for being the only one to fully complete the trial right?"

*Pfft.*

A muffled laugh broke the moment I was trying to create.

Seriously?! Not even one time can I bask in victory?! Who—Oh. Psycho girl.

Fine. Whatever. I'll just demolish this trial too.

Callum rubbed his hair awkwardly. "So… what'd you get?"

"I got the cultivation technique to make the force system we had in the first trial."

He laughed a bit. "No really? You said you'd tell us."

"…No really."

Silence. Echoing silence. Then whispers. Maybe I should tell them I have enhanced hearing, because some of those words were cutting.

Thankfully, someone saved me.

*Clap.*

"Alright now. No need for judgment."

I almost felt the urge to cry. He was so much better like this.

"I'm sure we've all made terrible mistakes before."

Never mind.

The new officiator continued. "You've all noticed the changes, right?"

I looked around. The energy-charged world we had been in? Gone. Instead, we stood in a massive stone arena, nothing but flat, gray rock stretching in all directions for a few meters.

"Your final trial is to climb that."

Oh yeah.

And the giant staircase-mountain encircling us like some arena for titans.

The first step was a wide circle, enough for all of us. The second? A smaller wedge shape. The third? Even narrower.

I guess we'd be forced to meet up eventually.

"Any methods are permitted…" His red glow darkened. "Though I highly suggest you save combat for later."

The weight in the air vanished, his smile returning as quickly as it had gone. "Have fun. Only the top two left will be rewarded."

Then, he disintegrated, probably to work out in privacy.

"Sooo," I started, stepping toward the wall. "Wanna team up?"

It looked daunting, but up close, I spotted divots and cracks. Difficult holds, but usable.

Callum eyed me with mock suspicion. "I don't know… you planning to push me?"

I stroked my chin. "Hmm. How strong are you?"

"Dude."

"I'm joking. Let's start heading up before we get kicked off the ledge." The others had already started while we briefly bantered.

I found an outcrop in the rock and placed my see-through foot on it. "Heard anything about this trial?"

"Hup." Callum jumped instead of climbing. "Nope. But from what I've heard, it changes every time. Most people don't continue after the second trial."

"Makes sense." I took a deep breath, pushing up with my legs. "How'd you do in the third level? Losing your system must've been rough."

He climbed alongside me. "Just had to keep my distance. Easy for a mage."

I stopped, staring at him.

"You're not a mage."

He also stopped. "Yes I am."

A big mage.

I mean, sure, he wasn't the most built person in the world, but he definitely didn't scream magician.

We resumed climbing, quickening the pace.

"So, the Kingdom of Voxter..."

"Yeah?"

"Well… why does it seem like you all actually practice cultivation?"

Thea had told me that most people in the State of Stars had covered the basics, but I struggled to believe even that. Maybe it was just her sheltered perspective.

"Everyone is taught during training. Bloodless would struggle to keep up if they didn't have something."

"Yeah..." I decided to test my theory. "Bloodless don't have a system?"

We both paused, catching our breath.

Even after just a short climb, I was surprised at my own endurance. A fall from here would've been fatal not long ago. Now? I could probably use Silencing Current to survive, just like when I jumped from the cave.

"That's right." Callum exhaled deeply before continuing. "You've never heard the word before coming here?"

I shook my head.

"Maybe..." He hesitated, shaking his head instead of finishing the thought. "Either way, I thought Synthia was already rare enough for a Bloodless. But you... that speed you moved with. I imagine during the first trial, no one could have stood a chance against you."

Meaning they could now?

And Synthia? She must have been the other girl the old man mentioned. Maybe we could compare theories. I should ask her.

We kept climbing. The top was close, but the handholds were getting thinner. Small cracks barely sticking out. With each movement, tiny pebbles skittered down the several dozen-meter drop below.

"You think we're gonna have to fight up there?"

"Maybe. Depends on how the others act." Callum climbed a little higher, then added, "Synthia will probably keep to herself, but the princess..."

"Princess? You don't mean that crazy girl who killed her friend?"

The second I spoke, Callum slipped. His foot misplaced, his body jerking downward, barely catching himself in time.

"Are you alright?!"

"Are you?!"

His fingers gripped the rock so tightly they turned white, but he still managed to glare at me.

"Maybe it's a good thing you don't live in our kingdom. You can't go around calling royalty 'psycho!'"

It wasn't like she was anywhere near us, but I guess he had a point. Back in the State, calling any nobility a name, aside from Elric and maybe Drake, probably wouldn't end well.

"And that wasn't her friend."

I raised an eyebrow, reaching out a hand to steady him.

"Thanks." He took it, using the grip to find a better foothold. "It was her sister."

I nodded. It was horrible to think, but after living here for a while, plus the vibes I got from Elric and what his brother had told me, I knew that it made more sense to kill your family than your friends in this twisted world.

A little more climbing later, our hands reached the edge simultaneously and thankfully, no one was waiting to knock us off.

Before pulling myself up, I scanned the area cautiously. The four others had already made it up.

They stood there totally motionless. I mean, scarcely even breathing.

"Something's wrong."

"What?" Callum tensed.

"I—I don't know, but look, they aren't moving."

His expression darkened as he noticed. Then he steeled himself. "Yeah, but we don't have a choice. We either climb up or stick here and, well… hopefully just fail. No penalties other than that."

He was right. We couldn't just hang here. In reality, this was probably another test. "Same time?" I offered

He nodded.

"On three. One. Two… Three!"

I lifted myself over the edge and in that moment, a fist slammed into my side.

Hard.

My ribs rattled and my breath hitched while my sneakers skidded across the mat.

Wait… my what?

Sneakers?

I twisted, expecting to see rock rushing toward me.

Instead though, I saw the ropes of a boxing ring. And turning around, a built young man standing in front of me grinning like an idiot.

"C'mon, Peter! You gotta keep your guard up!"

I knew that voice. "Marcus?"

He swung again and my instincts took over.

I raised my arms in a clumsy guard.

My head ached. Thoughts started to haze over.

"Marcus, relax, man! I've never done this before!"

I barely got the words out before another punch crashed into my forearms, sending a fresh jolt through my arms.

I swear, my bones just vibrated.

"Relax? You're doing great, Peter! Just keep those hands up!"

Marcus bounced lightly on his feet, grinning like he was imitating his favorite pro.

Something's wrong.

I looked around.

This place… This wasn't the trial.

Trial?

I shook my head. No.

This was a club room from my school.