ALL NOVEL Chapter 313: Return to the Tower
Welcome back to the Tower of Prodigies, Dawnbringer!]
A little bit of excitement, nervousness, and helplessness surged in Cedric's body as the cheerful but mechanical voice of the system echoed in his mind.
"I'm back," he whispered as he stood in the empty reception area of the lobby.
If it weren't for the voice of the system greeting him upon his return, he would've thought that he was back at his penthouse at the Starlight Royal Academy due to the sheer familiarity of the things he could see here.
Sighing to himself, he glanced at the doors that led to the trials, but only for a short moment. Then he made his way to his room.
Upon getting there, a strange expression appeared on his face. He didn't know why he was expecting a change to happen somewhere around here after passing the first stage of the trials, so he felt a bit disappointed when he discovered nothing.
Shaking his head, he made his way to his hut. The place still looked the same as if he had just left a few hours ago.
Well, considering how weird time flows in here, that might very well be the case. He could even see traces of his own activities here, still fresh.
Sitting down on the chair, he closed his eyes and relaxed for a bit. Since he just returned, he had no plans on starting the trial right away.
His thoughts wandered for a bit...
After he opened up to his girlfriends, he still spent a whole week with them before returning here. Actually, he didn't tell them when he'd be returning. They just know that he'll return soon, but not exactly when.
Cedric's never been good at goodbyes. He didn't want any drama for this, so he didn't think it was necessary to inform them when exactly he'd be returning. Before coming here, he told them that he had something to do. They probably didn't think that this was what he meant.
Win or lose, only an hour will pass there anyway, so any further drama was unnecessary.
With a sigh, he opened his eyes. He absent-mindedly recalled the mechanics here at the tower.
He's at the 41st Lobby along with nine other challengers of the tower. The trials of the tower are divided into the trials of body, mind, and spirit.
Because Cedric registered his identity during his first time arriving here, the difficulty of the trial is set to dynamic difficulty, meaning that the trial will comprehensively study his progress and adjust the difficulty of the trials according to his performance. Of course, this difficulty offers the richest and most comprehensive rewards as well.
The Tower of Prodigies was something built by the Six Leading Races of the Divine Council, who took the Primeval Sacrlet Dust Realm as their territory. Of course, the Solar System, where Prime Earth was located, is included in his realm too.
This tower was made for the sake of attracting more forces to join the alliance. Any member of the Six Leading Races—the Wise Dragon Race, the Mystic Fae Race, the Primal Beast Race, the Ancient Titan Race, the Divine Celestial Race, and the Holy Spirit Race—isn't eligible to enter the tower because it isn't made for them.
The tower only sends out invitations to prodigies of the thousands of clans and races found within the Primeval Scarlet Dust Realm; there is no other method of entering. The ones that send out these invitations are most commonly the guardians of the tower. If there are others who could, then Cedric has no idea who they are.
Big Han, the ancient giant who happened to discover Cedric during his lucky chance, was the one who invited him here, and he hasn't seen him since. He probably doesn't even remember him anymore.
The last time he was here, the contents of his Trial of Mind were to resist the temptation of the Ancient Stone, and it's also this stone that has given him a lot of useful techniques, most of which Cedric hasn't displayed in his world yet because he just has no targets to practice with.
As for the Trial of the Body, it's like a more terrifying version of a Hell Dive. Everything, including the world itself, was his enemy. To pass the first stage, he quite literally had to survive the world self-destructing beneath him.
And last but certainly not least, was the trial of spirit. Here, he had to endure a frightening pressure that also affected his soul. This trial poses the greatest risk to him because of his shortcomings. However, through his diligence, he eliminated this weakness and passed the trial as well.
"System, show me your profile."
[As you wish, Dawnbringer.]
**
[Challenger Profile:]
Name: Dawnbringer
Age: 34
Race: Human
LE: 1-star Planetary Sage Lifeform
Potential: A+
Achievements: Trial of Mind (1st Stage): Cleared; Trial of Body (1st Stage): Cleared; Trial of Spirit (1st Stage): Cleared
Points: 7,000
**
"34 years old, sheesh!" Cedric mirthlessly laughed at himself.
Time passed by so fast that he's already this old. If it weren't for the system rudely displaying his actual age, he wouldn't have been reminded of it at all.
If his parents were still alive, they'd probably be feeling anxious by now since, typically, people of his age would've already started a family. They'd probably be asking him and his girlfriends for their grandchildren to pamper already.
Despite this, however, Cedric looked as if he were just turning 20 this year. He wouldn't really show any signs of physical aging unless he purposefully allowed his body to, or until he reaches the final 10% of his total longevity.
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As for having children, he has already discussed it with Chrissy and Erica. They decided that until the threat of the Space Pirates was gone and Prime Earth's solar system was stable, they wouldn't have kids. They'd get married first, but raising kids is a serious matter, even for them.
They don't want their children to grow up in a world still threatened by space pirates. Cedric had the strength and the foundation to end this all in his era, so they're in a rush.
None of them have to worry about being 'too old' to have kids, either. Yes, it's common knowledge that stronger people face more difficulties with having kids compared to the rest, but at their roots, they're humans. Their reproduction rate was far more impressive than that of other races.
Additionally, Cedric had to literally invent a spell that would eliminate his chances of accidentally impregnating either of his girlfriends because his 'youthful vitality' was too fucking strong, especially after returning from the trials.
If he really wanted both of them to be pregnant, all it would take was one load without him holding back. And his girls know this too, so really, there's nothing to be worried about.
So, no kind until the demons are gone and Prime Earth's solar system is cleansed of filth.
Moving on...
He has 7,000 trial points left. He previously had 17,500 points, but he spent a total of 10,500 to buy all sorts of things to make his people and his home stronger. Everything he bought was put to good use; how else would humanity develop that fast during the past decade if he didn't do anything?
The trial points he had left were enough for emergency use. He didn't need to spend points on food or water because they are given an endless supply here.
Hell, he even took advantage of his fellow challengers by exchanging resources with food recipes. He still feels guilty about it, but he'd certainly do it again if given the chance.
Dismissing his profile page with a mental command, Cedric shifted his gaze outside.
His personal dimension still feels as comforting as ever. Even after supplying all sorts of miraculous things to Prime Earth, its atmosphere still can't compete with what's current around him.
And because he's all alone here, he doesn't have to worry about draining too much energy. That will never happen here, and that means that he could cultivate and practice to his heart's desire.
Cedric stood up and stretched his body. He then changed into a fresh set of training clothes and stepped outside.
He began warming up his body. After that, he summoned the sword case. He took a single training sword out and held it firmly. He closed his eyes, briefly recalled the Sword Master Chapter of the Myriad Sword Catalogue, and then began shifting through its motions.
Cedric was refreshing himself through practice. No, this doesn't mean that his skills have gotten rusty or still need some polishing. He has, after all, already mastered this technique.
All this was just a practical review of the skill. His moves, stances, timing, and intent are all still perfect. This was just to re-acquaint himself with what's to come.
Cedric hasn't had a good fight since he returned to Prime Earth. The move he made during the war might sound miraculous to others, but for him, it's no different from raising his hand.
Now that he has returned to the tower, especially at the Dynamic Difficulty, he's bound to face challenges. Knowing this, it's not a bad idea to warm up his body and refresh his skills to prepare himself for what he's about to experience.