Sensing the death of the "noble" dragon, Vale was stunned and was unable to immediately react.
'He'd rather die than become a slave, huh… I guess he's indeed a proud dragon.' Vale thought as he picked himself up to approach the corpse and do his final Extraction. He was already too tired, and his current Force was only about 5%.
That dragon was filled with vitality…
'No, that lake was doing so much for his recovery. I wonder if I can take it with me…' Vale thought.
Then, as he was about to extract the dragon, the ground suddenly moved, and the dragon's corpse started merging into the grassy plain.
It only took a few seconds for that to happen.
Vale was stunned once again.
Furthermore, the lake also started drying up, and another path leading somewhere appeared at the bottom of the lake!
Vale could only think that this path was the one being guarded by Aersus if his visitor passed his test. There was also a chance that this was the dragon's treasure trove!
However, Vale could not be sure… It could also be a trap, and it might even lead him outside since he didn't pass the test properly. After all, there is no silver treasure chest on the path! It probably means that it was not the entrance to the 10th floor.
Vale hesitated for a while as he wasn't exactly sure what to do in this situation.
But suddenly, he realized that there were changes in the sky!
It was about to get dark! He recalled the reminder of the Sentinel of Shadow.
This time, Vale turned around and immediately summoned the Moonlight Fairy.
"Lead me back to the statue!" Vale commanded. He might be overthinking, but it was better to be safe. He passed the test of the Sentinel of Shadow, and the path he opened for him must be safer than the one that had just popped out after killing a guardian.
"Alright… Follow me!" The Moonlight Fairy nodded as she knew that without her guidance, it would be difficult for her master to find the path.
It didn't take that long before Vale found his way back to the statue. The waterfalls were still split into two, and Vale could see the cave that should lead to the highest floor of the building…
This time, the statue no longer greeted him, and it seemed that the Sentinel had already fallen asleep.
"Thank you, Sentinel of Shadows." Vale bowed at the statue for keeping his word and not closing the path.
Then, he entered the cave and, indeed, he found a silver treasure chest that should be a reward for completing the challenge.
Outside the Ascension Tower, a hushed silence fell over the crowd.
All eyes turned towards the higher floors of the Tower, anticipation filling the air.
Suddenly, the light of the eighth floor dimmed, and then, to everyone's astonishment, the ninth floor lit up, signaling that Vale had successfully reached a height never before achieved.
Vale wasn't expelled and was still continuing the Ascension!
Gasps and murmurs filled the surroundings as the realization sank in. The observers of the competition had already become crowded.
Vale's successful ascent erupted into a mixture of awe, excitement, and disbelief.
"How is this possible?!"
"A fourth-year student is doing this?"
"Perhaps they sent a tenth-year student and introduced him as a fourth-year?"
"Fool! Only students below 20 can enter the Tower!"
"Then how is capable of surpassing the princess?! It doesn't make sense."
"What else can be the reason? Of course, we've witnessed a genius?"
This was a historic moment, a feat that no one had ever accomplished. The news spread like wildfire, and the significance of Vale's achievement reverberated throughout the gathering.
Some people even started sending this information through telegrams.
Amidst the crowd, Odessa, the Royal Mage, stood in awe, her eyes widening with surprise.
Even she, with her vast knowledge and magical prowess, couldn't help but be amazed by Vale's accomplishment.
She may not have had the chance to enter the Tower, but she met numerous people who had tried to clear this Tower, so she had a strong impression of it.
"So I'm witnessing an incredible event in the history of our kingdom… How awesome. I really want to get this kid in my Tower." Odessa muttered.
The Untainted Sentinels, Clare, and Teresa, exchanged knowing glances, their expressions filled with admiration.
They were already informed that Clovis or Vale would do something here that would do something in the Roaring Summit. However, they didn't expect that it was through this method!
Teresa couldn't help but mutter. "The Holy Seer was right... He really made a scene." She could only acknowledge the accuracy of the prophecy.
Clare nodded at this as she recalled how she had only reached the 7th floor like the third princess before.
At the audience stand, Headmaster Jean couldn't contain his excitement, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"The Dark Seer was right…" he muttered under his breath… It seemed that he would really get the treasure.
'I must support Heinz even more. If he can make ten or twenty more Vale Chambers, then our Dark Arts Faction will become the strongest in the next few years.'
Meanwhile, Clyde of the Illustrious Liquidator, who had reached the eighth floor himself, shifted his attention to the Ascension Tower, his curiosity piqued.
He couldn't believe that someone had surpassed the limits of what was thought possible for a human. Realizing the significance of the moment, he muttered to himself… "It seems that I have to meet this kid."
On the other hand, Vale's friends and classmates also erupted into jubilant celebration. Cheers and applause filled the halls as they rejoiced in their fellow academy student's incredible achievement. They knew that this would be a moment that would be remembered for years to come!
However, the surprise didn't end there as the tenth floor lit up after some time.