Shocking

In the unforgiving landscape of the snowy land, Elizabeth pressed on, her determination the only thing keeping her moving forward. The biting cold seeped into her bones, freezing her limbs and numbing her senses. Each step through the deep snow was a struggle, the icy flakes swirling around her in a relentless storm.

All around her was a vast expanse of white, the horizon blending seamlessly with the snowy landscape. The snowflakes continued to fall, thick and heavy, obscuring her vision and making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.

With trembling hands, Elizabeth conjured a wind shield to protect herself from the biting cold. The magical barrier provided some respite from the relentless gusts of wind, but it was a temporary reprieve. She could feel her mana dwindling with each passing moment, the strain of maintaining the shield taking its toll.

In a desperate attempt to ward off the numbing cold, Elizabeth summoned a small ball of fire in her palm. The flickering flames danced and crackled, casting a warm glow that offered a brief respite from the icy chill. But even the fire seemed to struggle against the freezing temperatures, its warmth feeble against the relentless cold.

Despite the harsh conditions, Elizabeth refused to give up. She had come too far to turn back now. Each step forward was a battle against the elements, her feet sinking into the deep snow with each stride. Her breath came out in frosty puffs, her body shivering uncontrollably.

The relentless white landscape stretched on endlessly, a stark and unforgiving terrain that seemed to have no end. But Elizabeth pressed on, her determination unwavering. She had a goal in mind, a destination she needed to reach.

As she trudged through the snow, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could endure. The cold seemed to seep into her very soul, draining her energy and resolve. But she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on putting one foot in front of the other.

The hours passed in a blur of white, the snowfall relentless and unyielding. Elizabeth's world had narrowed to the icy ground beneath her feet and the swirling snowflakes that danced in the air. Her mind grew foggy with exhaustion, her body growing numb with cold.

But still she pressed on, driven by sheer determination and a stubborn refusal to give up. She had faced countless challenges on her journey, but this snowy wasteland was perhaps the most unforgiving of all.

*

As the members of Obsidian Order faced the trials and tribulations within the tower, the rest of Tavill Academy was abuzz with their remarkable progress. Four months had passed since they entered the tower, and the leader board had been turned on its head.

In an unprecedented turn of events, all seven members of Obsidian Order were leading the leader board. This was a first in the history of the academy, and it sent shockwaves through the entire student body. Even the leaders of the academy took notice, keeping a close eye on the remarkable progress of this determined group.

At the top of the leader board was Nathaniel Shadowcrest, with an astonishing mental resilience of 36 and an endurance level of 46. He was closely followed by Selene, whose resilience matched Nathaniel's at 36 and her endurance at 43. Damien surprised everyone with his impressive scores, boasting a mental resilience of 34 and an endurance of 40. The rest of Obsidian Order's members also held top positions on the leader board, showcasing their remarkable progress and determination.

The entire academy was captivated by the results, eagerly anticipating whether Obsidian Order would break the academy's record.

Club SeThan, always quick to seize an opportunity, placed bets on the record being broken, while others bet against them, citing their status as first years.

The tension was palpable as the academy awaited the outcome of Obsidian Order's journey through the tower. Would they achieve the impossible and set a new record for Tavill Academy? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain: the name Obsidian Order once unknown was now known by everyone in the tower.

*

Dragging my spiked mace along the ground, I found myself standing before a towering mountain. Its peak disappeared into the clouds, an ominous reminder of the daunting task ahead. I glanced up, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over me. The mountain seemed endless, stretching far beyond my line of sight.

I wanted to cry out in frustration. Tavill was run by insane psychopaths who approved of these challenges? I had already survived the scorching desert, the unforgiving ocean, and the deadly forest. Now this? Couldn't they have thrown in a picturesque meadow for a change? I hailed from a frozen wasteland, for crying out loud.

Memories of the ghostly touch of frostbite crept into my mind, a reminder of the sacrifices I had made to survive this long. I sighed heavily and adjusted my glasses, though they were more of an emotional crutch than a necessity. I hoped the merits waiting at the top of this mountain would be worth the grueling climb. Perhaps I could spend days relaxing at a spa in the residential area once this ordeal was over.

With a determined shake of my head, I stowed the mace into my space storage. It wouldn't be of much use in this climb. Instead, I summoned bolts of lightning, channeling my frustration into raw power. The lightning crackled and slammed into the mountain's base, carving rough edges into the previously smooth surface.

After a few minutes of this, the area looked more manageable. I searched for a foothold, finding a jagged edge that seemed sturdy enough. With a deep breath, I began my ascent, hand over hand, foot after foot. The stone was rough against my palms, but I welcomed the feeling of progress.

Suddenly, I lost my grip and tumbled back, landing hard on my ass. The stone beneath me was unforgivingly smooth, offering no purchase for my hands or feet. Frustration surged through me, but I refused to be deterred. With a growl of determination, I summoned more lightning bolts, this time targeting specific points to create better handholds and footholds.

Slowly, painstakingly, I found my rhythm. Each step was a battle against gravity, each handhold a victory. Sweat mingled with the dirt on my face as I climbed, muscles straining with effort. The mountain seemed to mock me with its endless ascent, but I pushed on.

Hours passed, the sun moving across the sky as I climbed higher and higher. The wind whipped around me, threatening to knock me off balance. But I clung to the mountain like a stubborn vine, refusing to let go. I was called a stubborn cockroach in the streets after all.