The morning sun had climbed above the eastern cliffs, bathing the Forgotten Isle in a soft golden glow.
Mist drifted lazily over the training grounds, and the distant roar of the sea blended with the rustle of ancient trees.
In the central courtyard, Rudra stood with the wooden spear in his hands.
His palms were bandaged.
Fresh blisters lined his fingers.
Yet despite the pain, his stance was firm.
Lord Vajra Sen stood before him, arms folded behind his back.
"The spear path is not only about power," the Iron Warlord said.
"It is about control."
Rudra nodded seriously.
"Yes, Master."
The old warlord's eyes fell upon the black pendant.
"Last night, the third floor awakened."
Rudra instinctively touched the pendant around his neck.
A faint warmth pulsed beneath his fingertips.
Vajra Sen continued, "Enter it."
The moment the words left his lips, the pendant flashed.
Golden light burst outward.
The world around Rudra dissolved.
The courtyard.
The sea breeze.
The voices of the masters.
Everything vanished.
He landed on solid stone.
Rudra quickly looked around.
He was back inside the Sovereign Tower.
The endless darkness stretched beyond the tower walls, while ancient golden runes floated in the void.
Behind him, the gates of the second floor stood closed.
Ahead, a wide staircase of light spiralled upward.
The third-floor gate glowed with a deep bronze radiance.
At its base stood Guardian One.
The armoured spirit bowed slightly.
"Welcome back, Master."
Rudra nodded.
The spirit raised its spear and pointed toward the gate.
"Third Floor Trial: Speed and Precision."
The massive doors slowly opened.
A gust of cold air swept across Rudra's face.
He stepped inside.
6
The chamber was unlike the previous floors.
Instead of an arena, it was a vast circular hall.
Floating stone platforms hovered in the air at different heights.
Ancient runes glowed along the walls.
At the far end stood a crystal pillar with ten glowing orbs circling it.
Guardian One's voice echoed.
"Destroy all ten target orbs within one hundred breaths."
Rudra blinked.
One hundred breaths?
The glowing orbs suddenly began moving.
They spun around the crystal pillar at incredible speed.
Some moved high.
Some low.
Some changed direction without warning.
Rudra tightened his grip on the spear.
This was not about endurance.
This was about timing.
He took a deep breath.
Then leapt onto the first floating platform.
His small feet almost slipped.
But he stabilised himself.
The first orb flashed past.
Rudra thrust.
Miss.
The orb continued spinning.
The second orb came from the left.
He turned too slowly.
Miss.
His heart started pounding.
Guardian One's voice remained emotionless.
"Ninety breaths remaining."
Rudra clenched his jaw.
No.
He could not fail.
He closed his eyes for a brief second.
He remembered Vajra Sen's words.
Control.
Breath.
Precision.
He exhaled slowly.
Then opened his eyes.
This time, he did not chase the targets.
He watched their rhythm.
Their speed.
Their path.
The first orb came around again.
Rudra waited.
Waited.
Then—
THRUST!
The wooden spear struck true.
The orb shattered into golden fragments.
First target destroyed.
A smile appeared on his face.
The second orb came low.
He stepped sideways and struck.
Second target destroyed.
The third moved above him.
Rudra jumped to the next floating platform.
His body was still small and unstable, but his reactions had improved.
Strike.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
The platforms shook slightly beneath his feet.
His breathing grew heavier.
Guardian One announced,
"Forty breaths remaining."
Five more.
Rudra's eyes sharpened.
His focus narrowed.
The world around him seemed to slow.
He could hear every movement.
Every shift of air.
Every hum of spiritual energy.
The sixth orb came from behind.
He spun.
Strike.
Seventh.
Eighth.
Only two left.
Then suddenly—
The final two targets split into multiple afterimages.
Rudra froze.
Illusions.
Which one was real?
His heart raced.
If he guessed wrong, he would fail.
Then he remembered Lady Nivara's words from the courtyard.
The eyes deceive. The breath never lies.
Rudra closed his eyes.
He listened.
One sound.
One movement.
One true flow of air.
His eyes snapped open.
He thrust forward.
The ninth orb shattered.
The last orb shot upward toward the ceiling.
Without hesitation, Rudra leapt from the highest platform.
His small body flew through the air.
He drove the spear upward with all his strength.
CRACK!
The final orb exploded.
The chamber erupted in golden light.
Guardian One's voice thundered.
"Third Floor Trial Cleared."
"Reward Granted: Swift Step Movement Technique."
A stream of light entered Rudra's mind.
Footwork.
Balance.
Agility.
Movement arts.
A complete stepping technique.
Rudra landed on the ground and dropped to one knee, panting heavily.
But his face shone with excitement.
Another victory.
Another inheritance.
Deep within the tower, the fourth floor lit up faintly.
Far above, the sealed tenth floor remained silent—
where the first guardian still slumbered.
Waiting.