Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Holy Ascension Stairway
Seeing Vahn’s confusion, Seraphina gently explained,
"Vahn, this is the Holy Ascension Stairway. It’s history and importance is great. It was established three thousand years ago, when the founding Patriarch achieved immortality. Since then, every disciple, every elder, and every Saintess of this Holy Land has passed its trials and become what they are today.
It has exactly ten thousand steps. But do not be afraid of the number. You only need to cross fifty steps to become an Outer Court disciple. And I have faith that you will be able to achieve it."
"I see..." Vahn murmured, resting his hand on his chin. "Only fifty steps to become an Outer Court disciple? Then what comes after that?" he asked curiously.
Seraphina’s voice remained calm and patient as she continued,
"150 steps grants the title of Inner Court disciple. Reaching 500 makes one a Core disciple. Beyond that, many take the Stairway as a sacred trial, a way to temper their will and resolve. But no one has ever reached the final step since the Founding Patriarch himself."
"So... I only need to cross fifty steps. It should not be that hard, right?" Vahn thought to himself, half uncertain.
He turned to face Seraphina, his eyes burning with resolve.
"Alright. I understand everything you said Master. Now it is time to prove myself."
After saying those words, he stepped forward to climb.
"Master?" Seraphina repeated. The word felt alien coming from his mouth.
But she understood why he addressed her as Master. It was no doubt to maintain the illusion of being her servant. Yet, to her ears, the title still sounded strange and wrong.
Meanwhile, the crowd that had been keeping their respectful distance from the Saintess began to stir with activity.
"Did you hear that? He called her Master! That boy must be her new servant."
"Sigh... he’s so lucky. I wish I were in his place," a young man with a noble appearance said with envy on his face.
"Fool, do you even have the ability to cross thirty steps? Stop daydreaming," another sneered.
"Hmph... I have traveled mountains and seas. I won’t give up so easily. Just watch. I will climb higher than him and claim the position of an Outer Court disciple!" the noble-looking youth declared with fierce determination.
Following the youth, more and more young aspirants joined the trial. Each one burned with resolve and determination, as if they too wanted to prove something to Seraphina, that they were the best of the best.
Seraphina said nothing.
She simply stood silently, her gaze fixed on Vahn as he prepared to take his first step.
With some nervousness, Vahn finally moved.
The moment his foot touched the first step, an invisible force pressed down on him from nowhere. It was faint, but it felt alive, as if testing the very existence of his being.
With each step, the pressure grew heavier. For any mortal who hadn’t broke the Veil, this would have been a death.
This wasn’t like the oppressive aura of the elders earlier, this force was different. It bore down on him at a much deeper level. It intended to crush not only his body but also his soul.
He had never truly believed in the existence of souls. But now, with each crushing wave of pressure effecting him on the inside, he had no choice but to accept it.
Glancing back, he saw that many other young men and women had begun climbing after him.
At first, he ignored them, keeping his focus solely on the path ahead. But then, without warning, one of them, none other than the noble youth from before, shouldered past him roughly, nearly knocking him off balance.
Vahn stumbled, but managed to collect himself. His eyes burned with restrained fury as he fixed the guy’s back in his memory. He engraved the man’s face deep into his mind.
But for now, he swallowed his anger. The trial came first.
7th step, 9th step, 13th step...
At the 25th step, Vahn’s struggle began. The pressure pressing down on him doubled as if he were carrying another person on his shoulder.
Still, with gritted teeth he slowly lifted his right leg and forced it onto the next step.
By the 30th step, his entire body shook. His face was drenched in sweat, and lines of strain carved across his forehead.
From there, each step felt like hauling a mountain on his back. Many participants behind him slowed to a crawl, some collapsing entirely. Yet five young men and women had already passed him, including the arrogant youth who had knocked him aside earlier.
Vahn clenched his teeth. He couldn’t accept this.
"Is my talent truly so much lower than theirs? No... I will not allow it!"
With that vow seared into his heart, he began circulating his Spirit Energy. Power surged through his veins, wrapping around his legs and muscles, reinforcing them bit by bit.
The crushing force eased. A faint smile cracked across his face, and step by step, he pushed onward.
Like this, he crossed another ten steps, reaching the 40th. By now the pressure had tripled, grinding against his bones and soul alike.
Only three aspirants remained ahead. The red-haired noble boy was among them, gasping for breath on the 43rd step, his knees trembling violently.
He cast a glance back, and froze.
Behind him, that so-called servant stood tall, his expression calmer than his own.
"How dare a servant compete with me?" The noble’s pride burned, replaced by venom. "Let me teach you a lesson you’ll never forget."
A sinister plan formed in his mind.
As Vahn pushed himself up the 42nd step, the red-haired youth suddenly pretended to stumble. With a sly motion, he drove his elbow hard into Vahn’s chest.
Bam!
Caught off guard, Vahn’s body lost balance. He rolled downward like a struck beast, tumbling step after step.
Gasps filled the air.
"Oh no! The Saintess’ servant is falling! He was so close!"
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, clouded with worry.
But at the last moment, Vahn forced his body to stabilize. He landed hard at the 25th step, coughing blood that stained his lips. His chest throbbed with pain, and his joints screamed in protest.
Slowly, he rose to his feet. He wiped the blood with the back of his hand, his gaze locking coldly on the sneering noble above.
"Bastard..."
Fire of rage ignited within him, blazing hotter than before. But it was not only rage that burned. Something else stirred deep inside him, something no one else could perceive yet.