Chapter 45: Tier III Trial

"So, how close are you to reaching Tier 2?" Liam asked.

After their expedition into the Frozen Crypt, he was already prepared to advance to the next tier. However, Miriel was still at Tier 1, which presented a slight problem.

A contractor and their contracted monster could never have a tier difference greater than one. Otherwise, the soul contract could become unstable. If the gap in their power became too large, the contractor’s soul might not be able to withstand the pressure. In the worst-case scenario, it could even result in the contractor’s death.

Naturally, Liam had no intention of letting that happen.

Besides, Miriel was his ticket to freely exploring the human kingdoms.

With his Dream Race classified as a monster and possessing certain demonic characteristics, wandering around human territories without a proper identity was far from convenient. Demons were generally troublesome existences in the Dream Dimension, and most civilizations weren’t particularly welcoming toward them.

The only reason nobody had tried to capture or eliminate him so far was his status as Miriel’s contracted monster. Her identity provided him with a certain degree of protection.

"I’ve already reached Level 60, so I’m eligible to enter my Tier 2 Trial," Miriel replied.

Liam glanced at her.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"Well, I want to challenge the highest-ranked Nightmare Difficulty, but I also need to understand my current limits. Without your assistance, I’m not confident I can complete it."

She clenched her fist, determination evident in her eyes.

"Besides, I want to become stronger as quickly as possible. Challenging higher-ranked Nightmare Trials is one of the best ways to achieve that. If I manage to complete one, I might even get an opportunity to evolve my class, just like last time."

Liam nodded thoughtfully.

Unlike Dream Monsters, who possessed races and bloodline ranks, humans relied on classes to determine their combat specializations and growth paths.

Miriel currently possessed the Arcane Swordmaster class, a C-Rank class. However, completing sufficiently challenging trials could potentially allow her to evolve it into a much stronger class.

"Show me your current status."

Miriel nodded and immediately summoned her Status Screen.

Liam glanced over the information displayed before him.

Miriel — Status Screen

Race: Human

Tier :1

Level : 60

Class : Arcane Swordmaster (C-Rank)

Talent : Arcane Eyes (S-Rank)

Attributes

Strength : 144

Agility :116

Vitality : 129

Intelligence : 142

Free Attribute Points : 0

Mana : 1,110 / 1,110

Skills

Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv. 10 (MAX)

Greater Mana Control Lv. 10 (MAX)

Magic Blade Lv. 10 (MAX)

Triple Strike Lv. 10 (MAX)

Piercing Strike Lv. 10 (MAX)

Fireball Lv. 10 (MAX)

Mana Shield Lv. 10 (MAX)

Arcane Sword Storm Lv. 10 (MAX)

Meteor Strike Lv. 10 (MAX)

Void Split Lv. 10 (MAX)

Arcane Coating Lv. 10 (MAX)

Arcane Weaving (Passive) Lv. 10 (MAX)

Sword Saint Arts

First Style: Crescent Moon Lv. 10 (MAX)

Second Style: Full Moon Lv. 10 (MAX)

Liam carefully examined her status.

’Her attributes have improved quite a bit. Almost all her skills are already maxed out, and she has also acquired two additional Sword Saint techniques.’

His attention lingered on the final section.

He had personally helped her raise both Sword Saint Arts to their maximum levels using Reality Reversal. They were exceptionally powerful techniques, especially considering Miriel was still a Tier 1 human.

’Well, none of that matters too much when she has me. As her contracted monster, she can summon me whenever she needs assistance. Completing the trial shouldn’t be a problem.’

"All right, then. Let’s get started," Liam said.

Miriel nodded.

"Give me a moment to prepare."

She took out her equipment and began getting dressed.

Her armor was a beautiful combination of elegant clothing and protective plating. Silver and blue dominated its design, giving it an elegant yet somewhat imposing appearance. The upper portion was fitted closely to her body, while the lower half consisted of a skirt accompanied by long, steel-silver protective guards covering her legs.

She also equipped a beautiful white sword.

Liam looked over her equipment with some interest.

"I obtained this Blue Moon Fairy Armor Set along with the Blue Moon Fairy Sword. Both are Epic-Rank, Tier 2 equipment," Miriel explained.

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Did you find yourself a sponsor or something? Those two pieces of equipment must have cost a fortune."

"Well..." Miriel hesitated briefly before answering. "I accepted a High Elder as my master. Her name is Celestia Rivermoon."

"Rivermoon? Is she related to the royal family?"

"Yes. She’s the current king’s younger sister. She’s also a Tier 5 expert and one of the Guardians of Rivermoon Academy."

Liam nodded.

’I see. So she’s someone with considerable influence.’

"Did she give you anything else?"

"She promised to teach me more of the Sword Saint Arts once I reach the next tier. There are also some additional rewards."

Miriel couldn’t hide her excitement as she spoke.

Liam nodded approvingly.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s begin."

Miriel took a deep breath before activating her Tier 2 Trial.

[ Tier 2 Trial Started ]

[ Nightmare Difficulty Selected ]

[ Creating a special scenario... ]

[ Searching for an appropriate trial... ]

[ Found: The Unsolved Mystery of the Golden Pig Merchant Group ]

[ Difficulty: Nightmare ]

[ Scenario Description ]

During a journey from the city of Draznia, the Golden Pig Merchant Group was traveling through the Mistfall Forest when their entire caravan mysteriously disappeared.

All members of the merchant group were killed, including their Tier 3 Beginner-Rank Guard Captain.

Your objective is to ensure that the caravan safely reaches its destination: the Coastal Town of Drizzle.

[ Your character has been assigned! ]

As soon as the final notification appeared, Miriel and Liam disappeared from the academy.

When Miriel regained her senses, she found herself sitting on a horse.

Her surroundings had completely changed.

She was now wearing golden knight armor, with an appearance quite different from her original equipment. However, the armor was merely part of the scenario. Its appearance was cosmetic, while its actual defensive properties still came from her Blue Moon Fairy Armor Set.

Several other knights were riding nearby, while a large merchant caravan traveled along the road ahead of them.

Miriel glanced down at her golden armor before looking around.

’Has the trial already started?’

She couldn’t see Liam anywhere.

Just as she was about to search for him, a familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her.

"Yeah, it’s already started."

Miriel turned her head.

Liam was riding another horse alongside her.

He, too, had been transformed into a human and was wearing a set of golden knight armor similar to hers.

Unlike Miriel, however, he didn’t seem particularly surprised by the sudden change in their surroundings.

Instead, he was examining his transformed body with some interest.

’What a pity. It’s only temporary.’

He flexed his fingers a few times before looking toward the caravan.

"Human trials really are different."

Most of Liam’s previous trials had revolved around combat. Whether it was fighting powerful monsters, defeating dangerous opponents, or clearing dungeons, the objectives had generally been straightforward.

Miriel’s first trial had been a Battle Royale, while her current one involved escorting a merchant caravan through a dangerous forest.

’Her trials seem to focus more on completing specific scenarios than simply fighting enemies.’

Liam shifted his attention toward the surrounding forest.

The trees were tall and densely packed, their thick branches blocking much of the sunlight. The road stretched through the forest, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Everything appeared relatively peaceful at first glance.

However, Liam wasn’t particularly convinced.

After all, the trial description had explicitly mentioned that the original merchant caravan had been completely wiped out.

Even its Guard Captain, a Tier 3 Beginner-Rank expert, hadn’t survived.

’An entire merchant group, including a Tier 3 guard captain, was wiped out in this forest. I wonder what exactly happened here.’

Liam looked toward the caravan ahead, a faint smile appearing on his face.

’This should be interesting.’