463

[6th Layer Spell]

This task wasn't particularly challenging.

Forseti had come across the logbooks of three heroes: Tirion Fordring, Shandris Feathermoon, and Magni Bronzebeard.

Since mastering the four-winged angel form, his strength had only grown, and it wouldn't be long before he could challenge these three heroes.

After reviewing the request, Forseti turned his attention to the spells on the sixth and seventh floors. The seventh floor contained only the Holy Shield spell, still too early for him to master, so there wasn't much to say about it.

The sixth floor offered four spells: Repentance, Reckoning, Holy Light, and Guardian of Ancient Kings.

Among these, Holy Light was distinct from Warcraft's version. In Azeroth, Holy Light was a basic healing spell, whereas here, it manifested as an advanced form of shaping magic, capable of crafting Holy Light into various objects.

Repentance had the effect of giving enemies a chance to forsake darkness and embrace the light, while Guardian of Ancient Kings was a spell akin to Wrath of Vengeance and Seraph, comprehensively boosting the caster's power and size.

Of all these spells, Reckoning intrigued Forseti the most.

Reckoning was unique in that it inflicted more damage on enemies based on the harm they had caused the Paladin.

This effect resembled that of World of Warcraft—a super spell capable of eliminating enemies swiftly, albeit with restrictions. For instance, Reckoning's damage could only affect enemies attacking Paladins; one couldn't accumulate damage from other sources and then direct it at an enemy, as that would be too miraculous.

Legends of such feats in Azeroth existed, such as a Paladin idly allowing a friend to slash him for an entire month, amassing thousands of instances of Reckoning damage, then single-handedly slaying the doomsday lord Kazzak in the Blasted Lands, an event that stunned the world.

Longing to emulate this legend, Forseti had always desired to master Reckoning. Now, he finally had the opportunity.

Although the current Reckoning differed from the legendary version, it remained a formidable killing spell. The Holy Tome had specifically stated, "the reckoning can reach the highest limit of the power of holy light," underscoring its potency.

Thus, after departing from the battleground, Forseti immediately entered the experience space to challenge the three heroes.

His primary target was Fordring. As the Paladin leader, Fordring was a mandatory challenge. Moreover, Forseti believed Fordring might be the easiest to confront.

After all, challenging Fordring didn't require victory; one needed only to endure for a minute.

Although Fordring within the experience space displayed incredible prowess—he could even lift a giant screw visually—lasting a minute against him should theoretically prove easier than defeating General Feathermoon or King Bronzebeard.

Several months later, within the experience space:

"Holy Light—"

Forseti once again heard Tirion Fordring's familiar cry echoing in his ears. Simultaneously, a massive surge of Holy Light erupted from the Ashbringer's blade, shooting skyward.

"Boom!" Forseti couldn't evade the blast and was promptly knocked from the skies, losing the strength to continue the fight.

Fordring calmly retrieved the Ashbringer and rested it on the ground, speaking as calmly as ever: "Young man, your strength isn't sufficient. Only when you withstand for one minute can you inherit my Ashbringer."

Forseti exhaled deeply, feeling somewhat regretful. After all, he had persisted for fifty-eight seconds in this bout but had failed to survive the final two seconds, falling to the aged Fordring.

Nonetheless, as his endurance time drew nearer to a minute, he neared overcoming the challenge.

Exiting the experience space, Forseti left his room. Beyond lay an alien battlefield, where soldiers continued to clear up the aftermath.

Yondu conversed with a few Ravagers Corps fighters. Spotting Forseti, he approached and said, "Kruger has been on Earth for quite some time now. Should we recall him, or at the very least, check up on him?"

Forseti hesitated momentarily,

Then recalling that Kruger indeed remained in the Holy Sanctuary, he nodded, "You're right."

"Heimdallr, transport us to Earth."

"Understood."

The Rainbow Bridge whisked Forseti and Yondu to Earth and onward to the Supreme Sanctuary.

To their surprise, upon arriving at the Supreme Sanctuary, they discovered Kruger practicing magic, golden-red magical light swirling between his hands, reminiscent of Sanctuary mages.

Forseti was astonished. "Kruger, have you become a mage?"

"Yes," Kruger affirmed, a hint of pride in his voice.

Yondu appeared incredulous. "But didn't Master Ancient One say only humans could become Supreme Sanctuary apprentices?"

"Well... I haven't formally apprenticed under Master Ancient One. I observed other mages and experimented a bit," Kruger explained. He then casually waved his hand, conjuring a magical emoji before them. "Behold, a magic emoji. It's my best trick for now, compensating for my lack of expressions."

Yondu blinked, unsure how to respond.

At that moment, Mage Ancient One strolled by, smiling. "Kruger shows remarkable talent in magic. Were he from Earth, he might one day become the Supreme Mage."

Kruger promptly proposed, "Then let me be your apprentice."

Ancient One shook his head. "You might have a chance to become a genuine Sanctuary Mage, but I can't be your mentor."

"Who would be? Is there a mage more powerful than you in this world?" Kruger asked, intrigued.

"Indeed, there are mages more powerful than me, but they have yet to emerge," Ancient One replied.

"Yet to emerge?" Kruger and Yondu exchanged bewildered glances.

Listening, Forseti understood that Ancient One referred to future mages like Doctor Strange, surpassing even Ancient One's own might.

Ancient One offered no further explanation. "Kruger, you should depart this place... Should a mage find you in the future, you may receive an exceptional invitation to join the Supreme Sanctuary."

After leaving the Supreme Sanctuary, Yondu and Kruger returned to the stars, while Forseti journeyed to Hearth Valley in Antarctica.

Over the years, Hearth Valley had recruited many new knights, particularly human paladins, numbering in the hundreds. Despite some joining Asgard in combating the Thanos Legion, Hearth Valley's popularity had soared compared to previous times.

"How's everything going?" Forseti casually inquired upon finding Ander in the Temple of Light. Ander now oversaw Hearth Valley's daily affairs.

"I've encountered a slight issue," Ander shook his head.

"What's troubling you?"

"Well... it's about the human Antarctic research station," Ander pondered aloud.

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