After another two days of the previous regimen, Marcus decided to escalate things. The trio had proven they could handle the grueling obstacle courses, meditation challenges, and holographic gauntlets.

They'd lasted fifty waves against D-rank beasts, a feat Marcus hadn't expected so soon. They complemented each other by working as a team. But C-rank was a ballpark that took things to the next level.

It wasn't just about endurance or raw skill. It was about facing real threats, real opponents, who wouldn't hold back. Marcus wanted them to feel the weight of experience, to understand what it meant to stand against Adventurers who'd climbed up the Circle of Pillars, surpassing their limits.

So, he organized a series of duels against more seasoned guild members, saving the toughest challenge for last.

The training hall was quieter today, not too many Adventurers practicing their ability or performing simple sparring. Marcus stood at the center, his arms crossed. The trio stood before him, their faces mixed with exhaustion and determination, trying to just keep themselves upright, at least.

"Today's different," Marcus said calmly. "You're not fighting holograms or me. You're going to be facing some real Adventurers. People who've been in the field and seen things you haven't even dared to see. Elesch and Adam, you'll go first. Then Nova will finish us off. I got someone special for you."

Adam raised an eyebrow, his voice dry: "Special? That sounds like a death sentence."

Marcus smirked. "You'll live. Probably."

Elesch straightened, cleaving her rapier as she stretched with it, using it as a rope. "Who're we fighting?"

Marcus gestured to the side entrance. "Elesch, you're up against Kal, a C-rank with air manipulation. Adam, you've got Trenton, a C-rank with stone skin. Both are solid fighters, a step above you, but not untouchable. I want you to learn and improve from them."

Nova's eyes flicked to Marcus, seeing that the third person and final person for him hadn't arrived yet. So he asked: "And me?"

Marcus's smirk widened. "You get Zane, an S-rank, with a unique ability called: Echo Step. He has been around for a couple of years now."

Nova's jaw tightened, but he nodded. His Circle of Pillars itched faintly on his palm, a familiar prickle that had been growing sharper with each fight. He ignored it, focusing on Marcus's words. An S-rank, with more battle experience than probably teeth in his mouth.

Elesch stepped into the sparring circle first, holding the rapier loosely at her side. Kal was a wiry woman with short-cropped hair and a confident grin, entering from the opposite side.

Kal summoned air currents, her Circle of Pillars showing four pillars. Elesch knew by looking at the Circle of Pillars that she was the real deal, but it made her slightly nervous, though she composed herself instantly.

Marcus raised a hand to motion the match into existence and said, "Three minutes, no lethal strikes. Begin!"

Kal moved first, her feet barely touching the ground as air currents propelled her forward. She thrusted her palm, sending a gust of wind that hit Elesch like a truck. Elesch slid back, her boots screeching, but she twisted her rapier, channeling her void manipulation to create a small rift that she had been practicing with her duplicate.

"Nice trick," Kal said, already moving again.

She spun, releasing a barrage of air blades, sharp as knives. Elesch ducked, her void rifts redirecting two blades, but a third grazed her shoulder, drawing the first scent of blood. She winced but didn't falter, lunging forward with her rapier aimed at Kal's chest.

Kal sidestepped, the air swirling to boost her speed, and countered with a spinning kick. Elesch anticipated it, opening a void rift to disrupt Kal's balance. The kick flatered, and Elesch's rapier nicked Kal's arm, making Kal pause for a brief second.

Kal scoffed, then muttered, her grin fading slowly: "I see, you're a quick learner."

The duel continued, Elesch weaving void rifts, which began to take a toll on her body, to counter Kal's relentless air attacks. She was outmatched in raw power, but her precision and adaptability kept her in the fight. By the time Marcus called it, both were panting hard, sweating, dripping from every corner of their bodies.

Kal had landed more hits, but Elesch had held her own, earning a faint nod from her opponent. "You're not bad," Kal said, offering a handshake. "Keep at it, and you'll climb fast."

Elesch nodded, accepting the handshake, while wiping blood from her shoulder with her other hand, and said, "Thanks, I will."

---

Adam was next, cracking his knuckles as Trenton stepped into the circle. Trenton was built like a tank, his skin showcasing a rocky texture, his Circle of Pillars showing four pillars. Again, just like Elesch, Adam became slightly worried, though he removed all the negative and focused on just doing his best.

"Three minutes," Marcus said. "No lethal strikes. Go."

Trenton charged, his stone skin absorbing the impact as Adam's claws slashed across his chest. Sparks ignited slightly, but Trenton didn't flinch, swinging a fist that caught Adam in the shoulder.

Adam stumbled, pain shooting through his arm, but he rolled away, slashing at Trenton's legs. The claws scraped uselessly against the stone-like surface. Adam gritted his teeth, not being able to deal any sort of damage to Trenton.

"Gotta hit harder than that," Trenton said, his voice low and slightly disappointed.

Adam contorted his face with annoyance, diving into a frenzy of slashes, aiming for joints and gaps in Trenton's armor-like skin. Torren took the hits, countering with heavy punches that forced Adam to keep moving.

Then, finding the opportunity, Trenton smashed into Adam's ribs, making him gasp, but he used the momentum to spin, slashing his claws across Trenton's back. The slightest of cracks appeared in the stone skin, not deep but enough to make Trenton slightly grunt.

Adam's confidence grew, but Trenton adapted, stomping the ground to create a shockwave. Adam jumped to avoid it, but Torren was ready, grabbing Adam's arm and slamming him to the mat.

Adam coughed, winded, but scrambled up, slashing wildly. The duel ended with Adam panting, bruises forming, but he'd landed a few solid hits.

"I'm impressed that you managed to even crack slightly into my rocky armor," Trenton addressed Adam, pleased with what Adam was able to do with just a few months of battle experience. "I think you have a long, but beautifully planned road ahead of you, so stick to it."

"Thank you for your compliment and the fight!" Adam said excitedly.

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