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After that, we continued advancing through the Demon Dungeon.

Before long, we reached the Bridge of the Holy Sea on the 6th floor.

The bridge stretched all the way to the 7th floor and was so massive that you could build an entire city atop it.

This floor also had the highest frequency of mental-type attacks, apostles, and demon beasts.

Maybe that’s why everyone stayed tightly grouped, cutting down apostles and beasts together.

My eyes still often lingered on Midra, but I no longer pried.

He himself had said it was forbidden for him to speak of certain things.

Knowing that, pressing further wouldn’t yield any answers.

Since I confirmed he meant no harm, I decided to focus on conquering the Demon Dungeon for now.

“Instructor Vikamon! A named Apostle has appeared ahead!”

While I was dealing with a demon beast, Dorara shouted to me.

Such a diligent guy, seriously.

“Isabel, Aisha, Ban.”

Calling the four Martial Arts students, I threw myself forward.

Through the dense fog, the Apostle appeared — a massive mammoth-like creature with six legs.

The 6th floor’s named Apostle.

Iron Leg.

Just like its name, its legs were made of iron.

Anyone stomped by those legs would be crushed on the spot.

It stomped at me, the one leading the charge.

I didn’t dodge.

Boom!

The heavy weight pressed down on my entire body.

Iron Leg had crushed countless opponents under its weight.

But for the first time, it was bewildered.

Underfoot, I was holding up its leg with both arms.

My body was currently reinforced with all kinds of divine blessings.

On top of that, the foundation was my Steel Body mystery, further empowered by Ancient Dragon magic.

Fwoooosh!

Amidst the Ancient Dragon's magic, another flame ignited.

A grey flame.

The Flame of Ash inherited from Vulcan.

That flame surged through my body, forging my flesh even further.

With that, my vitality surged and my muscles swelled with power.

“You stepped on a person…”

I gritted my teeth.

“You need to pay for that.”

The Flame of Ash erupted from my entire body and spread to Iron Leg.

The sudden rise in temperature made the beast scream as it lifted its front leg.

That moment, its white belly was exposed.

While its outer body was covered in thick hide, the belly was much softer.

Normally, it was impossible to reach due to the creature’s six massive legs.

But with the belly exposed, that changed.

Isabel and Ban shot past me in a flash.

Isabel spread her goddess wings, and Ban’s aura surged.

Slash!

Their swords tore into Iron Leg’s belly in an instant.

The thin hide was sliced open, blood and bits of organs spilling out.

Thud!

Then Aisha leaped into the air with a running start.

With an incredible jump, she soared upward and swung her greatsword like a storm.

BOOOOM!

With a heavy roar, Iron Leg was knocked backward, still in its raised stance.

Empowered by the Saint’s blessing, Aisha’s strength far surpassed human limits.

Magic and spirit attacks rained down from the sky.

Iron Leg’s belly and body were shattered, and it perished on the spot.

Even a named Apostle from the 6th floor stood no chance against us.

“Great work!”

As I was catching my breath, Dorara ran over and handed me a towel.

His eyes sparkled fiercely as he looked at me.

What the hell is up with this guy?

I’d suspected something since we started descending the Demon Dungeon…

But he was getting more and more obvious about trying to get on my good side.

‘I don’t think he’s realized I’m using Ancient Dragon magic…’

I hadn’t outwardly revealed my use of Ancient Dragon magic yet.

Thanks to our overwhelming strength, we’d been progressing smoothly without me needing to transform into the Celestial Dragon.

Ancient Dragon magic became famous again when Hannon used it.

If I were to use it openly, everyone would start guessing at my true identity.

So I had been restraining myself.

Even my lightning catcher was hidden under enchanted bandages.

There’s no way he knows I’m Hannon.

So what’s with his behavior lately?

“Thanks.”

“Haha, it’s nothing!”

As I wiped myself with the towel Dorara gave me, he quickly scurried away.

While I was still puzzled by him, Hania approached.

“Want me to tell you why Dorara’s acting like that?”

So she knew the reason.

“I’d really appreciate it. It’s starting to get annoying.”

“You know how your sister, Xenia, uses Stellar Magic?”

Out of nowhere, she brought up Xenia.

“There are a bunch of magic families trying to arrange a marriage with her. Same with Corazon.”

Damn it.

That was enough to make me frown even though my anger had subsided.

I finally realized Dorara’s true motive.

That guy was trying to curry favor with me in advance, as Xenia’s brother, for the sake of a potential magical family alliance.

Suddenly, I was in a bad mood.

I might just kick him off the Bridge of the Holy Sea.

Surely, no one would blame me for that right now.

They’d all understand.

“Dorara aside, the Corazon family’s pretty decent. Dorara’s magic skills are quite solid too.”

“But his personality is trash.”

“That’s definitely a major flaw.”

Even Hania couldn’t defend Dorara’s character.

“But if someone likes you as much as he does, that’s a problem too.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Women should be a little twisted.”

“Ex-girlfriend jealousy, huh? Scary.”

“Enjoy the moment. It all leads to disillusionment eventually.”

Hania’s disillusioned expression was honestly kind of terrifying.

“Does he not know I got expelled from the Niflheim family?”

“Even if he does, he’s still trying. Since Lady Iris pardoned you, there’s a chance of reinstatement.”

So no kindness comes without reason, huh?

“By the way, there’s a strange rumor going around about Xenia’s marriage talks.”

“Rumor?”

“Apparently, she said she wouldn’t even consider marriage unless the guy is stronger than the strongest mage at Zerion Academy.”

I blinked in disbelief.

“A mage stronger than Sharin exists in this world?”

But why Sharin, of all people?

“A marriage proposal is about a partner, so shouldn’t we talk about someone of the opposite sex?”

“What, that crazy Dorara, planning a marriage proposal with him?”

Hania smiled gently.

“Assistant Instructor Vikamon, dragon magic is still magic, isn’t it?”

Oh.

“Who told you to meet your sister in a fake form?”

Hania had sharp ears for inner royal news.

She already knew I had reunited with Xenia during my disappearance.

And the mage Xenia pointed to—was me.

“I know because I’m in the middle of this, but Dorara misunderstood and reacted that way.”

It was Dorara jumping to conclusions.

“One thing’s for sure.”

I offered comfort to Xenia.

“Xenia’s not getting married.”

There’s no one among our peers who can beat me—except maybe Sharin.

I’ve absorbed countless fortuitous encounters until now.

At this point, I’ve become one of the top-ranked among my generation.

“You never know.”

Hania shrugged, leaving behind an ominous remark.

“If you don’t want unnecessary misunderstandings, you should reveal your identity to your sister soon.”

It was a heartfelt piece of advice.

Hania left those words and walked back toward the team.

With Iris gone, she was the leader of Team 2.

And as expected, she skillfully directed her team.

“Those Apostles are no big deal!”

From afar, Seron could be seen swinging her axe confidently.

She clearly had more stamina than before.

Probably thanks to her training with Aisha.

‘I just hope she doesn’t get himself wrecked being overconfident.’

Seron was a constant source of worry.

* * *

We continued pushing forward, defeating the Apostles and monsters on the 6th floor.

The severe cold tried to block our path, but Dorara and Seron handled it well.

As for me and Eve, since we both had fire attributes, the cold barely affected us.

Thanks to that, a few girls quietly gathered near me when it was time to sleep.

I don’t need to name them—you probably already know who.

Before long, we could see the end of the Holy Bridge.

Soon, the 7th floor.

Though the environment might change, the gatekeeper of the 7th floor never does.

The 7th floor’s guardian has a regenerative trait—even if it’s destroyed, it recovers with time.

Which means we’ll have to bring it down again.

“…We’re almost on the 7th floor.”

Foara, the Spirit Lord Contractor, murmured with a tense face.

Then Beaquirin, the High Spirit Contractor, nudged him in the side.

“What’s a Spirit Lord Contractor getting scared for? Don’t embarrass your spirits—stand tall!”

“R-Right…”

“Well, if you’re too scared, stick with me.”

She said it and pulled his arm close.

Ugh, that couple is an eyesore.

“Want me to hold your hand?”

Sharin whispered, suddenly appearing.

If I took her hand here, Seron and Isabel would follow.

The three of them have been holding back their feelings in front of those who don’t know my true identity.

If they suddenly started expressing affection toward Vikamon instead of Hannon, it would be suspicious.

Because of that, they’d all been quiet since entering the Demon Dungeon.

But it seemed their patience was reaching its limit.

Lately, I’ve been catching their eyes more and more often.

Their gazes had an oddly wistful feel to them.

If I regained their love, would I finally understand what those eyes meant?

“It’s the entrance to the 7th floor.”

And finally, we reached the path leading down to the 7th floor.

“It’s 5:35 PM.”

Dorara promptly informed us of the time.

We had more time left than expected.

Our speed was faster than planned.

We could afford to push further today.

“Let’s head to the 7th floor.”

The faster we clear the Dungeon, the better.

There was no reason to waste time.

At my command, the others quickly moved out.

When we opened the door to the 7th floor, we were greeted by a staircase with only platforms.

One by one, we stepped down.

From the 7th floor onward, the schedule would only get tougher.

Everyone here had made it to the 7th floor before, during the rescue mission for Isabel and me.

So a tense atmosphere lingered.

But that tension was soon completely overturned.

I stopped in my tracks on one of the stair platforms.

A heavy silence fell between us.

“…This can’t be.”

Isabel’s face froze over.

Not just hers—everyone else’s expression turned to stone.

One of the platforms on the stairway was completely shattered.

As if someone with immense weight had used it as a springboard.

“Damn it.”

A curse slipped from my lips.

At the same time, my eyes turned upward.

An Apostle had leapt up to the surface.

We hadn’t encountered any Apostles on our way here.

The Tower's pathways converge starting from the 5th floor.

Meaning, floors 1 through 4 are separate routes.

In other words…

The Apostle had already leapt to the surface, but not through our path.

It had used a different Academy’s route.

“All units, return to the surface at full speed!”

The students from the other Academies are in danger.