The Second Trial: The Crystal Sanctum

Amidst his anger, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. If he hadn't learned the mana shield spell from Lucius, the wolf attack might have left him twitching on the ground, defenseless against its prying maws. Yet, his spasming arms made him realise the protection proved too weak to negate spells of the same tier entirely.

With this new understanding, he adjusted his approach. 'Change of plan, I'll go all out, or I won't escape this place unscathed,' he thought, gritting his teeth and blaming himself for misunderstanding.

He assumed magical beasts would be physically stronger than their regular counterparts, like humans practising breathing techniques to reinforce their muscles. Not that they literally would use magic and throw lightning bolts out of nowhere. Fighting in melee against spell casters was unthinkable.

'I guess Lucius was right. A body cultivator would die a hundred times before closing the distance against a mage.' He mused the baron's words with a frown after experiencing how accurate they were.

After organising his thoughts, he walked towards the wolf's carcass with a smirk, a mad light flashing across his eyes as he assessed his work. The bullet completely pierced the wolf's skull, penetrated its brain and exited from the back, drilling a small hole in the ground.

He nodded, pleased by his modifications results, before crouching to retrieve his spoils. Curiously, he started with the fangs before noticing a notification floating in the corner of his view.

He focused on it, and soon, a message appeared before his eyes.

[Tier one Lightning Wolf slain. You have gained 20 experience points.]

'Huh? I thought I couldn't gain any experience in the tower. I mean, I didn't get any on the first floor.' He thought, his brow lifted in confusion. 'I must have missed something.'

Recalling the only instance he gained experience from Rachel, he pondered if they had something in common.

'Is it related to mana or magic? Did I not get experience on the first floor because I only killed normal beasts?' He theorised, finding the explanation plausible before refocusing on the wolf's body, unwilling to waste too much time.

Without hesitation, he butchered the wolf, its blood flowing everywhere and painting the ground red. Yet, the gruesome activity didn't seem to bother him. Then, he plunged his hand into its innards, fishing a round object out.

"Can't believe I already got a beast core," he muttered, his eyes glowing with interest and his mind racing with questions. Was their only purpose to unlock talents and be used in alchemy? Or did they hide other secrets? 'Magic is so interesting. I still have so many things to learn and discover!' He couldn't help but feel excited by these mystical questions. 

After confirming the core was the only difference between this specimen and a regular wolf, he resumed his search for prey. Half an hour later, a nearby cave caught his attention as if attracting him.

The bizarre sensation alarmed him, causing him to resist with a grimace. Yet, he ultimately gave in, feeling something good awaited inside.

Greed flashing through his eyes, he cautiously entered, feeling the temperature drop as he walked into the darkness. The damp air clung to his skin, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the cavernous space.

Fortunately, the illuminate spell resolved his visibility problems as a dim ball of light appeared after he cast the spell.

As he progressed through the narrow passage, the cave gradually widened, revealing a subterranean chamber adorned with crystalline formations. Stalactites hung like glistening icicles, refracting the soft glow of his spell into a dance of ethereal patterns. The ground beneath his feet transitioned from gravel to a smooth, uneven surface, worn by the passage of time. The ceiling opened into a majestic dome, allowing a beam of moonlight to filter through a natural skylight, adding a celestial touch to the underground sanctuary.

Enchanted by the place's beauty, he stepped towards the moonlit section of the cave, wondering if the thing calling him was there.

However, as his foot touched the ground, a group of fireflies surrounded him, creating a mesmerising display of light for a second. Then, under his widening eyes, they gradually converged in a single spot, forming a colossal humanoid figure, its frame made of pure light.

"What is that?!" Adam exclaimed in shock, his eyes bulging at the towering apparition.

Alas, the answer he received wasn't the one he expected.

The giant bent its head, peering at him and, without notice, conjured a luminous spear. With an elegant movement of his hand, it hurled it towards Adam.

Cold sweat covered his forehead as the giant spear swiftly approached, its speed appalling. Without thinking, he threw himself to the side in a panic. Sadly, he was too slow. The spear grazed his left arm, colliding with his mana shield.

Assaulted by such potent energy, his protection instantaneously exploded into a rain of mana as the spear continued on its path.

"ARGH," Adam screamed in pain as his tricep's skin color shifted to black. Yet, his pain rapidly subsided, replaced by anger and... something else.

"I can shoot things too, bastard. See if I don't pierce that enormous head of yours!" He spat, his face contorting into a wrathful grimace. Ignoring his burnt arm, he swiftly extended a finger and fired a mana bullet.

The projectile pierced the air, reaching the giant in a second. However, instead of penetrating the head, it only passed through, dealing no damage.

Without wasting a second, he dashed toward his enemy, his mind thoroughly focused on destroying him despite the ineffectiveness of his previous attack.

In response, the giant raised its hand and brought it down to swat the bug daring enough to invade its living space.

Adam's eyes narrowed in response as a smirk crept on his lips. Contrary to logic, he leapt forward, rolling on the ground before picking himself up and continuing his charge.

"My spell doesn't work? So what? I'll still obliterate you! Haha." His mad laughter echoed in the cave as he swung his dagger with full force.