Tower of Endless: Death Granted Entry

Ed didn’t answer immediately. After a beat. ”Not only Samuel; at least one of the three of us would have died prematurely,” he said sternly. ”But I understand what you’re talking about; the way you operate and think of talent is what’s commonly known and accepted by the common man of the Tower, as well as the clans.”

”That’s how we were back in the day,” said Lucen. ”It was always about pioneering an era with raw talent.”

”Well, you did it once. Once is enough; make room for others to try as well,” Ed said lightly.

Lucen tightly shut his eyes. ”Yeah, did it once briefly before I was the only one alive,” he whispered.

He raised his foot, taking his first step away from the arena. Though Ed’s voice rang out before he could take a second step.

”Lucen, you should consider sending two of those good kids of yours with him to the next round,” he said casually.

Lucen looked back. ”Are you saying that kid’s life is worth two of the good kids I have?” His tone was vague.

”Of course not; he’s worth more than your entire army of brats, old and young,” Ed said dismissively.

”Then I won’t need to send anyone.” Lucen matched Ed’s tone.

”That’s also valid if you want them to grow into dead weights,” Ed chuckled. ”Look at you, old and struggling to keep up with the changes,” Ed added. ”The kids should at least make some good connections, or join some promising individuals every once in a while.”

Ed wasn’t done. ”Your way of treating these kids needs to change before it’s too late for them.”

”I’ll think about it,” Lucen said slowly, though his tone was unreadable.

”What about the trial, any news?” Ed asked again quickly, before Lucen left.

”The administrator has already set everything; the theme and details were also set,” Lucen answered.

”Hoo, why haven’t we seen anything yet?” Ed asked.

”I delayed the announcement,” Lucen said casually. ”There’s no rush.”

”What are you waiting for?” Ed asked straightforwardly.

”Let me just say I’m buying them time - that Knights’ Realm girl and that kid of yours - to build a decent group before things are set in stone,” Lucen explained.

”Oh, guess we owe you thanks then. Should I invite you later for tea?” Ed said jokingly, though there was a hint of genuine gratitude in his tone.

”There’s no need for that; speaking with you is too energy-consuming for my taste,” Lucen politely declined.

He added, ”It was entertaining to watch—too entertaining, even—that it makes speaking with you somewhat tolerable.”

”Attack first, decide later... The kid may have a barely resilient body to bear the strain, and a commendably resilient mind to force it to happen.”

”As for his Echo, maybe it was the only suitable form for him to have...”

”Anyhow, only time will tell if he’s a true talent or a dying star.”

”Still, he did manage to escape the clutches of Ashspawns on the first floor; that alone proves he’s worth something.”

With that said, Lucen took another step—

Skree~

Like a sword slicing through metal—

The fabric of space erupted in gold, swallowing him whole in that instant.

Below on the ring, Moon suddenly started looking around. ”That nasty gaze is gone,” he said casually.

Ed smiled deeply before nodding. ”Yeah, there’s also something good that you’ll train with soon enough.”

”Oh well, will you keep going or are we good for today?” Moon asked Ed. The whole thing started as training for him to fight and hold strong against powerful Echo users.

Yet, right now, he was training Ed how to fight without Echo instead.

The entire situation was weird, and Ed would space out from time to time and take too long before each exchange, so he thought it would be better to conclude for today.

”I mean, look at you, sweating and breathless.” Moon shrugged. ”It’s good to take care of your body and take it slow.”

”You brat!” Ed said, dashing at Moon all of a sudden.

The two of them fought for a long time without pause, without waiting between exchanges. Without saying a word, only the sound of clashing metal and the occasional desperate chuckle from Ed rang every once in a while.

Time ticked by. Samuel came to take a look again and stood still for a moment, watching. Without saying a word, he turned around and left again.

Ed’s infamously rumored senses failed to notice Samuel at that time.

He was completely lost in his attempts to defend against Moon. Trajectories changing by rotation, weight, clashing weapons, or sudden crouching.

Many times Moon used his own blade to slide Liquid Mountain, aiming for a different defenseless spot.

After another exchange, they stood apart.

Huff Huff~

Huff Huff~

Both panting heavily. ”You, huff, brat,” Ed whispered.

”Huff, for a cheater, huff huff, you’re not bad,” Moon said, still in a fighting stance.

”Wanna go for, huff, another round?” Ed asked.

”Do you, huff huff?” Moon asked back.

”I say we call it, huff, a day,” Ed said, wiping sweat off his forehead.

”Aight, let’s do, huff, this,” Moon agreed, sheathing Liquid Mountain before rotating the scabbard of Colten’s Sword to the front so he could sheathe it, considering his arms were too short for that.

He looked at Ed, disregarding his torn and somewhat moist clothes. On his waist, a blade identical to Liquid Mountain was still hanging.

Moon pointed, ”Why did you bring that, huff huff, if you’re not using it?”

Ed unsealed himself first—

”GUH!” he exclaimed, feeling life return to him again. The sweat evaporated off his body and clothes, and his breathing started to slowly stabilize again.

”I thought I would try it today for the first time, but considering how much I was cornered, I thought it was a bad idea.” Ed shook his head. ”Trying something new and uncertain was just not the right thing to do,” he added.

Moon nodded. ”You aren’t wrong, huff, but, huff, why were you panting?” he asked Ed, hinting at his constant cheating and comparing his stamina performance against his own.

Ed pursed his lips. ”You move too much, so your stamina feels lower than it is. And this seal works, you brat; it just doesn’t affect the innate passive traits as much as it affects the active output,” Ed explained. ”My stamina was somewhat higher than yours, but not infinite.”

Moon shrugged. ”Like hell I’m understanding any of this,” he said, his breathing stabilizing at last.

He looked at himself and Ed; they both were drenched in sweat. But his clothes were fine, unlike Ed’s. ”I guess it’s my win this time.” He pointed at himself. ”My dashing clothes are perfectly fine, unlike yours.”

”Like hell clothes count,” Ed retorted.

Their banter didn’t cease as they walked back to the Halls side by side.

The day was finally over; all that was left for Moon was to wash up and sleep soundly till the next morning.

Knock~

Knock~

But his sleep felt like a very short nap, and the door of his room was being knocked on.

”Little Moon, wake up,” Uon’s voice came from the other side. ”It’s time for you to spar with the other two!” he called.

”Ah shit, I almost forgot.”