"Say, teacher, isn't that woman G'am Tir?"

Saly, who had woken up some time ago, pointed at Losha, who sitting in a quiet corner of the Waiting Room and reading a book in peace.

"She is, why?"

The young student, scratched her head in confusion before pointing at a middle-aged man dozing off not far from the reincarnator.

"His name is also G'am Tir. Aren't they the same person?"

The Joker laughed and patted her shoulder though the force he used caused Saly to fall from the chair and look at him resentfully while pouting.

"My student has become so sharp… I wonder it's thanks to who. Hahahaha"

After laughing for a while, his gaze fell on the man, contemplating whether to answer his student's question or not. In the end, he decided to spill the truth, after all, there was no reason to hide it.

"One is real and the other is a fake… a clone. You have Fenrir's eyes so why don't you try distinguishing who's the genuine one?"

"But teacheeeer! You know I can't use them through a screen like this."

Her eyes became that of a puppy as she walked up next to him and leaned closer, trying to force it out of him. Seeing this, Wolfram flicked her forehead, yet again causing her to stumble backward.

"Alright, stop with that fake shit."

"No cursing."

Leiu, who was sitting next to them, glanced at his brother and warned him before shifting his attention back to the screen.

"Hmpf!" The Magician snorted, displeased but still refrained from using any vulgarities.

"G'am Tir was a genuine scientist who invented many miraculous things. His goal was immortality through science alone though he died before he managed to achieve that. However, he was still able to clone himself and store many fragments of his memories into them. That man you see there is one of the 'non-defective' clones and the last of his kind too but I doubt he'll last long."

"But, if he's going to die soon, why not enjoy life instead of entering the Red Tower?"-Saly

"Because there are duties and responsibilities to uphold. You can escape the hands of fate but can't fool Time. An artificial thing can live long but not forever."

*****

After going through all the items in the Luxury Shop, Arthur turned his focus to this waiting room, which resembled a very big office room of some filthy rich businessman. There were dozens of bookshelves, comfortables leather chairs and sofas, and tables filled with all sorts of delicacies.

He very much wanted to spend more time with Lucy but held himself back even after seeing Max and a pink-haired woman appear at the center of the room. The number limit is soon to be reached and all the contestants who're still on the 3rd floor will be disqualified.

Though, the distinguished individuals all managed to clear the given task and be teleported to the waiting room. There was the nonchalant 'X', whose appearance roused suspicions, the napping and terrifying Void Beast, the quiet Blacksmith, the feisty Maxine, and even the cross-legged Sword God.

Without exception, everyone present in the Waiting Room was a powerhouse and excelled in whatever they do. So, cliché battles that happen between arrogant young masters didn't exist here. Every one present kept their cool and minded their own business. Of course, they would size up anyone they find interesting but they did not openly provoke or cause a fight.

They wanted to reach the top floor so any battle occurring here is totally pointless… this made the atmosphere inside the Waiting Room rather peaceful and easy-going. Most took a corner and either meditated or rested while others tried to create temporary alliance.

Arthur wasn't approached by no one, and it was pretty obvious why. He was a parasite, something universally hated by all races, so no one in their right mind would go talk to him. In fact, many were glaring at him but, apart from those piercing stares, they remained passive.

****

"Is this really a dangerous place?"

A blue-haired girl with an emotionless face that strongly resembled her mother's, looked around, sensing or seeing no threat, contrary to what her guardian said.

A brown-haired man with a small beard nodded his head while correcting her:

"Of course it is! The only reason you're still alive right now is because the monsters are afraid of me."

Timos pushed away some large leaves that were on the way while dragging the stubborn girl by her hand. She wanted to cultivate in quietness but he insisted that she accompany him on his travels. He promised her that if she beats him, she can go wherever she wants but, alas, no matter how much she tried, she wasn't able to scratch him, much less defeat the Black Devil.

After traveling through dozens of Spatial Tunnels for the last week, they arrived at this star, where the vegetation is way too big to the point that a single leaf is twice the size of an average human.

"Your mother and father are so amazing so you can't be left behind. You inherited your mother's Yin power but you're much more talented in Water Magic which is why we came here… it's time for you to gain something unique. An ability that will facilitate the path ahead."

"And what's this ability you speak of?"

She cutely rolled her eyes, seemingly uninterested but her body betrayed her as, despite him letting go of her hand, her feet didn't stop walking and followed right after him.

"Fire is over-popularized due to its different yet strong variations. There's the Phoenix, dragon, Vermillion Bird, so on and so forth… however, water only has one kind ever since the beginning. This is why mastering is difficult, almost impossible. In fact, throughout my life, I only met one person who perfect Water Magic, he's a parasite with the deserved title of an Archmage."

He pointed at the dirt beneath his feet then said:

"This Star is the source of the first water ever created by Dmitra. Its healing properties are unmatched and its force is unequaled."

He raised one finger, smiled and added:

"One finger and an ocean will move. One fist, an a star will split."

The strategist was about to finish only for a rustling sound to be heard from not far away. He frowned and glanced at the source of the sound only to hear an even louder, explosive sound.

Several leaves and large trees were cut down and the ground slightly shook, actually surprising Timos. He raised his hand, causing the vegetation to move on their own and reveal the cause of this disturbance.

The area before them was supposed to be lush and filled with tall grass but, right now, there was only blood and a dying beast. A two-headed lion covered in flowers, its feet were cut and it was profusely bleeding from its head, clearly about to die soon.

Meters away from the beast was a young man, who was using a flashy sword to support himself. His clothes turned red from all the blood, his hands shaking and his breathing very heavy.

"It couldn't be just luck that brought us together for a second time, right? My ex-guest."

Timos ignored the curious blue-haired girl and walked to the young man, who, with great difficulty, turned around and stared back at him. His beard was now gone and his blond hair was gone but those fiery eyes were instantly recognizable. This was Vyncent, who was last seen when Riarravar was being destroyed.

"Looking at you now… you must've gone through a baptism. It is quite good for you as it strengthens one's mentality… but I must say, you're one tenacious fella. Really, I am not joking."

"Who's he?"

The girl ran to Timos' side and timidly asked, her cold demeanor no longer apparent.

"He, my dear, is something that should not exist but still exists. A bit like you but less favored by the natural laws hence his current state."