Chapter 131: Still a chief
As they pressed onward up the spiraling tower, its narrow halls slick with the ichor of their foes, Calien and Erik moved like practiced dancers.
The humanoid twin-tentacle octopuses—despite their grotesque strength and slippery grace—never stood a chance against the two students.
Every attack was measured, every counterstrike perfectly timed.
And Varros could do nothing but admire them, hands clasped behind his back as he followed at a deliberate pace.
His dark gaze tracked every movement, the way Calien pivoted at the perfect moment so the lashing tentacles would brush harmlessly past him before his knives flew in a gleaming silver arc.
Erik was just as efficient.
With every thrust of his arm, his blades buried into a target’s most vulnerable spots with a precision that would make even veteran warriors proud.
Chief Varros had witnessed the skill of many knights and adventurers in his long years commanding the Mana Knights of Black Vale.
Some of them had been talented beyond reason, born for battle as if the gods themselves had shaped them for it. And yet, as he studied these two, he felt something stirring inside him—a grudging admiration mixed with a strategist’s sharp curiosity.
He thought to himself, Look at them. They’re careful but aggressive in all the right places. No panic. No wasted energy. Even their breaths are measured.
As they advanced up the winding staircase, Calien raised one hand just long enough to catch a descending tentacle, twisting aside and driving a knife up through the monster’s slick chin.