Chapter 83: Conquering the Intermediate trial (b)
"In the Race Against Time trial held at the summit of Zen mountain, I have passed 34 steps on my first challenge and my bones were crushed at the 35th step. I wonder what he will do to pass the hardest part of this trial!" Elder Zachary murmured as he felt a rush of excitement creeping up his old bones.
The thirty to the thirty-five-yard distance of the Race Against Time inheritance trial was nearly impossible to pass. It was a bar that tested the mental fortitude of an awakened as physical capabilities can increase through training or the use of the treasure, after all, but the same doesn't go for mental fortitude.
If a person passes this part of the trial then he could be considered to have prodigy-level mental fortitude. It means that he will perform ten times better under adverse conditions.
Currently, Whittaker was undergoing the thirty-yard test. Three mana bullets were about to hit the center of his forehead, the heart side of the chest, and his right leg, three locations, each more vital than the other in this trial.
Elder Zachary and Nina saw him rushing towards the bullets with the S-ranked sword in his hand. A single mana bullet was capable enough to kill Whittaker. Well, only if they hit his vital spot!
A wisdom glint had been flashing in Elder Zachary's emerald eyes as he calculated the outcome. "Hmm, is he planning to do what I did? Sacrifice a limb to remain alive and continue the trial?" He thought with a smile.
At a time, Whittaker could only dodge two mana bullets with his sword otherwise, he will be pushed back by the impact of dodging three mana bullets at the same time. Also, his wrist will probably break by the rough movements he would have to make to dodge the mana bullets shot at three different points.
Contrary to Elder Zachary's thoughts, Whittaker leaped forwards to evade the mana bullet shot at his right leg, the very moment, he waved his S-ranked Sword, creating a red and black streak of light.
Teng! Sparks were created as his sword collided with the mana bullets that were shot at his forehead and heart. Whittaker had brandished Blood Drinker in mid-air at the perfect second, effortlessly deflecting the bullets that were aimed at his vital point.
There were also mana bullets all around that swiftly moved past each side of his body. So swiftly that his ears could even hear the air being split. His pale ears flinched, turning scarlet as blood rushes to them.
Without sacrificing anything, Whittaker successfully passed the 30-yard mark, and he was leaping towards the 36-yard mark.
Just like Headmaster Yeon, Elder Zachary was also shocked. His mouth remained open-wide just like his eyes. Though this time the shock was because of Whittaker's actions. "Is he suicidal? The boy clearly has shown a high level of intelligence then why would he make such a foolish mistake?"
Nina says: ‹Maybe, he hasn't noticed the repel formation›
"That might be it. My expectations were too high!"
The bullets that swiftly went past Whittaker crashed on the wall of the Repel Magical formation. Fifteen mana bullets shot reflected with twice their initial speed, five heading towards the unguarded back of the snowy-haired boy, who was reaching the ground.
From Elder Zachary's estimate, the bullets will crash on Whittaker's back the moment his feet touch the ground. There was no way to move his body out of the way of the upcoming dangers as there were mana bullets on each side. Also, the mana shooters were charging up a new volley of mana bullets. The S-ranked sword could only be used to dodge one side of mana bullets, after all.
Elder Zachary and Nina became extremely nervous when they saw the scene and they couldn't help but hope that he will somehow pass. One didn't have a lot of time left: the other liked the young boy.
Facing the hail of bullets from the front and back, Whittaker's situation seemed grave with no chance of survival, but he was beaming a smile even at this moment.
Happily, he thought as his feet touched the ground,
'All's going according to my plan!'
Right after, Whittaker bent his knees and leaped forward like a bulldozer. He darted headfirst towards the nine mana bullets that shot towards him, leaving his lithe back unguarded.
Upon the wider surface area of his unguarded back, the mana bullets crashed into, propelling his body faster towards the barrage of upcoming mana bullets!
A burning sensation travels throughout his body and numbed his five senses, a distasteful metallic taste rushed up to his throat, but he gritted his teeth to bear the pain. At the same time, he felt a surge in energy as his body triggered Adrenaline.
Whittaker will die the moment the adrenaline rush dies down, but his eyes burned with high hopes. He had taken a gamble without knowing whether he will win or not.
The mana bullet crashing into his back increased his speed, and he swiftly passed the 47-yard mark. Suddenly, the Frost spellbook appears above his head and he shouts, "Frost bolt!"
Right after, he waved his sword like a battle maniac, simultaneously creating three slashes.
Teng! Teng! Teng!
Evading the nine mana bullets with three slashes, his body passed through the storm of bullets, but eighteen more bullets shot towards him to end his life once and for all.
Just as the bullets were about to crash into his body, Whittaker shouts, "Frost elemental shift!"
Blood gushed out of his mouth, dying his red lips in a redder hue, as the frost spellbook released an icy flicker, in the very next moments, eighteen mana bullets crashed into a Frost bolt that has switched places with Whittaker, who appeared one step behind the finishing line.
He was standing side by side with the mana shooters that barely notice him before he took the last step and completed the trial.
At that moment, an announcement was made,
‹Conditions to pass the intermediate-level inheritance trial: Completed
Progress: 100%›