5th Floor Ascension Tower Exam
The 5th Floor Ascension Tower Exam pitted examinees against B- to B+ grade monsters.
The exam featured various terrains, with one randomly selected for each test. This time, it was the coastal zone.
Examinees had to demonstrate how many water-attribute monsters swarming from the shoreline they could handle. Of course, these weren't real monsters—they were artificial golem constructs powered by water-attribute golem cores crafted by the Magic Tower's Golem Faction.
"The 57th examinee is Jo Yeon-su from the Jupiter Faction."
"Ah, finally her turn. She's incredible too—one of the top genius mages touted as Magic Tower prodigies. Especially with 'lightning attribute' magic; no one in her class can match her."
"Then she'll show perfect counterforce against water-attribute monsters. And hilariously, today's stage is the coastal zone. Makes you think she's fated to win this exam."
"She's a top favorite for victory. Can't wait to see her score!"
Jo Yeon-su. The one pegged as the Jupiter Faction's future. Even more of a genius than her brother Jo Yeonho, with sky-high expectations.
The commentators weren't just hyping her up for fun. Right after their praise, Jo Yeon-su's exam began.
The goal was to test individual monster-slaying prowess. It started with 2 monsters, then 4, then 8. Numbers doubled each round.
The record stood at 6 rounds—64 monsters. No one had cleared round 7's 128 simultaneous foes.
"Jo Yeon-su could do it."
"Yeah, she's the pillar of Jupiter's future. Betting on round 7."
"Looks like she'll take the win."
"Maybe, but Kim Jehyun might top it."
"Hmm... His main attribute is fire, so this coastal stage is tough. His talent's insane, but clashing attributes are fatal."
Despite Kim Jehyun's streak of shattering records and dominating every prior exam, many felt luck had deserted him this time. Fire clashing with a water-themed coast? Jo Yeon-su seemed the sure winner.
And she delivered spectacularly.
"Clears round 6 effortlessly! 64 at once is no sweat!"
"Wow... She's owning it, proving she's today's star!"
"Round 7 starts mid-sentence—128 at once, now mixing in B+ grades. Back-to-back fights tax stamina and mana heavily... Can she push through? First round 7 clear in ages—exciting!"
All held their breath watching Jo Yeon-su. She unleashed everything, lightning crashing like a tidal wave on the horde.
A nail-biter battle unfolded. And finally...
She triumphed over all 128.
Whoaaa!
Yes! Jo Yeon-su!
She did it! Another name in the 5th Floor Hall of Fame!
Cheers and gasps erupted as she cleared round 7. Not starting at 128, but building up through relentless fights—ending with them all at once? Brutal.
Precise stamina and mana management per round. Sustained focus. And round 7 mixed B+ beyond 5th Circle B-grade. No wonder Hall of Fame status.
Jo Yeon-su's show today was legendary. Crowd went wild.
"Insane. That thrilling fight after so long."
"Epic spectacle. Next, round 8—256... Breaking news: Jo Yeon-su's mana depleted; she's stopping."
"Fair enough. Only three in Tower history cleared 8. Round 7's heroic. Great job, Jo Yeon-su! Applause."
"Yeah, she's basically the winner... Oh, next examinee's a bombshell. The hot one lately."
"No way... That guy?"
"Yep! 58th examinee: Mage Kim Jehyun! Words fail. Barely hit 4th Circle, now 5th already! Insane growth—even Tower Master didn't match. Rumors say second wall in five years."
"Unreal. 5th Circle before 20. Magic Tower's future for sure. But today? Tough."
"True. He's fire-main, so skeptics say high score's hard."
Commentators praised Jehyun's potential and growth but saw this exam as his disadvantage. Most agreed.
"He went viral in 1st floor with mass Lightning Bolts, though."
"Valid, but that was 1st Circle... He's stuck to fire since. Proficiency gap on others likely."
"Fair point."
Ultimately, attribute mastery. Like eating left-handed after right all life—fire specialist Jehyun handling others well?
They watched curiously as he took the stage.
The community buzzed at Jehyun's entrance. Unreal growth to 5th Circle already. Cheating rumors. Pessimists vs. "Trust KingJehyun." Instant firestorm on Jehyun bait.
Under heavy eyes, Jehyun stretched atop the stage. Despite doubts, he was relaxed.
Perfect matchup.
Facing water monsters? Ideal for his thunder spirit.
Jehyun's lips curved.
Tower Master's record: 9 rounds, 512 monsters.
Failed 10's 1,024, but 9 unbroken—proof of his freakish talent.
Special mission needs 10 rounds...
Jehyun dazzled before, but solo hordes? Rare. 10 rounds: total 2,046 kills. Even him might lack mana short-term.
Without Dragon Blood, maybe.
He checked the title from Dragon Blood.
Mana up 50. Base stats pushed mana past 100—three digits. Mana overflow sensation coursed through him.
As Jehyun gathered mana prepping, blue light exploded from his body.
"...!"
"Th-that's...!"
Onlookers gasped. The mana surging from him visibly shone brilliant blue.
One meaning: He'd received the Blessing of Blue Mana.
"Impossible!"
"How? Kim Jehyun had the golden mana blessing, right? Anyone with two colors before?"
"First I've seen..."
Commentators speechless pre-exam. Unimaginable.
Community chaos too.
Exactly. Sparks flew from Jehyun's hands, currents crackling.
Start light with lightning spells.
Round 1: Two B-grade 'Nami' golems surfaced.
Jehyun, on the sandy shore, double-cast Chain Lightning from both hands at them.
Pzzt-zzt-zzt.
3rd Circle spell, but Jehyun's packed more punch. No Dragon Horn needed. Raidoo's boost plus 4th Circle legendary gear amp one-shot them.
"Krrrng."
Golems twisted and collapsed. Shock rippled—few downed one per spell, let alone 3rd Circle.
"Even a 3rd Circle!"
"Insane... Mana blessings that OP?"
All figured he'd top Jo Yeon-su's 7 easy. He exceeded.
Krummmble.
Blasted to round 6 nonstop, unleashing endless Lightning Waves and Lightning Spears, sweeping 128 Nami, King Crabs, Mer-Maidens.
"This... utterly... insane!"
"Look—goosebumps. Where's Kim Jehyun's limit?!"
"Clears 6 without fatigue! Believable? Maybe 8... even Tower Master's 9—512!"
Commentators foamed excitedly. Jehyun hit round 8.
Then—
Ooooooh.
Crowd gasped across the venue.
"No, that's...!"
Before the tidal monster wave: a massive thunderbird.
And its awe-inspiring might!