Last Hope, Last Strike: The Rebirth of Victory

Back at the stronghold, the participants were on the verge of collapse. Lamorak's relentless assault had left them battered and broken, but they refused to give up. As they drank the Blessing potions Mixarnt had given them earlier, their injuries began to heal instantly, while Julls, May, Valentia, Lina, Mara, and Tessa cast Rejuvenation so they can regain some of their loss strength.

Lamorak, watching this unfold, was shocked. "All the towers have been destroyed. All of you failed the exam, even if you regain your health and stamina," he declared, his voice filled with finality. But then his eyes widened as he noticed something—a single pillar still standing. It had been cloaked with invisibility magic, and the reason it hadn't taken any damage was because it was layered with 100x barrier magic.

"Heh, looks like the secret's out," Mitchel said as her backup plan was revealed. "Everyone, gather here! We're making our stand at the final tower!" she commanded. All 16 of them converged at a single point, some casting defensive magic while others prepared offensive spells. To slow Lamorak down, Mitchel conjured a gravity field in front of them.

"I see. I still have a minute, and that's more than enough to destroy it, even if all of you use protection magic, nothing you do will stop me!" Lamorak said, his tone filled with determination. He charged forward, activating Calamity Destroyer, a skill that would obliterate everything in its path.

But before the shockwave could reach the participants and the pillar, Mixarnt appeared in a flash of green mana and black lightning. His Enigma Enhancement was at 200%, his injuries healed completely, though bloodstains remained as a testament to the fierce battle. His body radiated power as he activated Mana Surge, boosting his strength to an unprecedented 300%. "Come to me, Enigma!"

"Radiant Wave!!" Mixarnt shouted, swinging his sword with all his might. A massive wave of radiant energy erupted from his blade, colliding with Lamorak's Calamity Destroyer. The two forces clashed in a blinding explosion of light and sound, but Mixarnt's Radiant Wave overwhelmed Calamity Destroyer, pushing it back and striking Lamorak with devastating force.

Lamorak staggered, his armor cracking under the sheer power of Mixarnt's attack, he wasn't expecting him to show up at the last moment and it caught him by surprise. But before he could recover, Razen and Rise joined the fray. Razen, her whole body blazing with red mana, charged at Lamorak with a skill she had been saving: Red Berserker Blitz. This was a more powerful version of her Red Blitz, and the impact sent Lamorak flying into the air, his body spinning out of control.

Rise, who had been waiting for this moment, was already in the air, running on invisible platforms created by his Sky Step. He spun rapidly, building momentum, copying Mixarnt, as he prepared to deliver the final blow. "Lunar Flash!" he shouted, thrusting his sword downward with blinding speed. The attack pierced through Lamorak in a straight line, leaving a trail of light and stunning the Dread Knight for three seconds and destroying his armor.

The force of the combined attacks sent Lamorak crashing to the ground, his armor shattered and his body battered. He lay there for a moment, his breathing heavy but his grin still intact. "You kids... really are something else," he said, his voice filled with both exhaustion and admiration. "I give up... now let me rest ahahaha!"

The participants inside the stronghold erupted into cheers as the magical screens displayed the results of the battle. The second phase of the final trial was over, and they had successfully defended the stronghold against Lamorak's relentless assault.

Mixarnt, Razen, and Rise who are running to attack Lamorak fall to the ground as they heard his words, grateful that the dread knight gave up before they faint from exhaustion, they landed near Lamorak, their bodies glowing with residual mana. Mixarnt's Enigma Enhancement faded, and he turned around, slumped in the ground exhausted but victorious. Razen and Rise, though equally tired, couldn't help but grin as they looked at each other.

"We did it," Razen said, her voice filled with relief and pride.

"Yeah, we did," Rise agreed, his tone light but his eyes serious.

Mixarnt, lying on the ground, chuckled weakly. "That was... insane," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lamorak, still lying on the ground, raised a hand in a gesture of surrender. "You've proven yourselves worthy," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his respect. "The Aether Knights will be in good hands with candidates like you."

As the participants celebrated their hard-fought victory, the magical screens in Aetherlight and across the kingdom displayed the results of the trial. The second phase was over, and the participants had passed with flying colors. The final trial was far from over, but with their teamwork, determination, and unyielding spirit, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Mixarnt, battered and bruised, didn't move, he kept laying on the ground, his muscles torn and stretched to their limit. Despite his condition, he managed a wide grin as he spotted the magical observer hovering above. With all his remaining strength, he shouted, "Alyssia!!! I won!!!!" His declaration echoed through the battlefield, reaching the colosseum where Alyssia watched on the wide screen, tears streaming down her face.

Razen, who is already standing, sighed with a smile and approached Mixarnt. She administered the last of her blessing potion to heal his injuries and restore his stamina. This potion, a gift from Mixarnt earlier, had been crucial for their survival. After Lamorak had charged to the stronghold, Razen and Rise had each taken a potion. Razen had even administered one to Mixarnt earlier by placing the potion in her mouth and kissing him, as he was too lifeless to drink on his own.

"Thanks, Razen! Hehe," Mixarnt said as he sat up, his muscles now healed.

"Sigh... Next time, worry about yourself. The only reason you got caught off guard was because you were worried about me and Rise after we got hit by a counter," Razen chided him casually.

"Hahaha... Sorry. But we won, right?" Mixarnt replied with a grin as Erenesto, Liva, Mitchel, and the others joined them.

"Hehe. We won, and that's what's important! Hahaha!" Rise chimed in, sitting beside Mixarnt and Razen.