The climb continued.
The cheers and excitement that had echoed at the foot of the mountain were long gone.
Now...
Only the sounds of footsteps and heavy breathing remained.
---
Five Thousand Steps
The sun hung directly overhead.
Heat radiated from the ancient stone staircase.
Applicants who had confidently sprinted ahead earlier now sat along the sides, drenched in sweat.
Some massaged their aching legs.
Others stared blankly at the endless staircase above.
"I..."
"...I can't feel my feet anymore."
A young woman collapsed onto a nearby step.
Her companion helped her sit down.
"We've already climbed farther than most people ever could."
She smiled bitterly.
"I didn't come here just to quit."
---
Han Zhen
Han Zhen slowed to a walk.
His crimson robes clung to his body with sweat.
"Hah..."
"Hah..."
He looked behind him.
Only a handful of applicants remained anywhere close.
His lips curved upward.
"...Not bad."
Just then...
A familiar figure calmly walked past several exhausted applicants below.
Gray clothes.
Simple backpack.
Steady breathing.
Han Zhen frowned.
"...He's still walking like that?"
One of his fellow disciples noticed.
"Who?"
"The boy below."
The disciple glanced down.
"He looks ordinary."
Han Zhen didn't answer.
Instead...
He continued climbing.
But every so often...
His eyes drifted downward again.
---
Six Thousand Steps
Rowan's breathing became ragged.
His spear suddenly felt twice as heavy.
"...Kael..."
"...Can we..."
"...rest?"
Kael immediately stopped.
"Of course."
He sat beside Rowan without hesitation.
There wasn't the slightest impatience on his face.
Rowan blinked.
"...You're not going ahead?"
Kael tilted his head.
"...Why would I?"
"You'll lose time."
Kael looked around in confusion.
"...We're climbing a mountain."
"...Not chasing rabbits."
Rowan burst into laughter despite his exhaustion.
"...You're impossible."
Kael simply smiled.
When Rowan finished drinking water...
Kael stood.
"Ready?"
Rowan nodded.
"...Ready."
The two resumed climbing together.
---
Above the Clouds
Several instructors observed the staircase through crystal mirrors suspended in the air.
Each mirror displayed a different section of the climb.
A middle-aged instructor stroked his beard.
"Contestant 2480."
The elderly instructor nodded.
"Kael."
"He stopped."
"He did."
"...Why?"
"His companion wished to rest."
Silence.
The middle-aged instructor frowned.
"He sacrificed his own pace?"
"It appears so."
Another instructor snorted.
"Naive."
"If he wishes to survive in the martial world..."
"...he'll need to stop worrying about others."
The elderly instructor remained silent.
He simply continued watching.
---
Seven Thousand Steps
The crowd had become sparse.
Applicants now climbed alone or in very small groups.
The noisy conversations from earlier had disappeared.
Everyone was focused on a single thing.
One more step.
Then another.
---
Not far ahead...
Zhao Lian calmly adjusted her breathing.
Even she had begun perspiring.
She noticed someone approaching from behind.
She glanced over her shoulder.
It was the gray-clothed youth she had briefly seen during registration.
He wasn't gaining on her.
Nor falling behind.
He simply maintained his own pace.
She watched him for several moments.
"...Interesting."
Then continued climbing.
---
Eight Thousand Steps
The mountain winds became stronger.
Cool air replaced the afternoon heat.
Clouds drifted lazily between towering cliffs.
The summit finally became visible.
Far above...
Massive stone gates stood proudly beneath the sky.
Many applicants felt renewed determination.
"We're almost there!"
Someone shouted.
Several participants suddenly accelerated.
Kael looked upward.
"...There it is."
Rowan grinned weakly.
"I've never been happier to see stairs ending."
---
The Summit
At the enormous stone gates...
The Headmaster quietly watched the applicants below.
Beside him stood several elders.
One elder smiled.
"This year's quality isn't bad."
Another nodded.
"The first few hundred are particularly impressive."
The elderly registration instructor remained silent.
His eyes searched the staircase.
Eventually...
He found Kael.
Still climbing.
Still calm.
Still walking beside Rowan.
The Headmaster noticed his gaze.
"Someone caught your attention?"
The instructor answered honestly.
"...Perhaps."
"What is his name?"
"Kael."
The Headmaster thought briefly.
"I don't recognize that family."
"...Neither do I."
The instructor smiled faintly.
"He doesn't seem to either."
The surrounding elders chuckled.
---
Nine Thousand Five Hundred Steps
Rowan stumbled.
His knees buckled.
Before he could fall...
A hand lightly steadied his shoulder.
Kael.
"...Careful."
Rowan exhaled slowly.
"...Thanks."
Kael immediately let go.
He hadn't pulled Rowan upward.
Nor carried him.
He had merely prevented the fall.
Exactly enough.
Nothing more.
---
Several applicants witnessed the scene.
One snorted.
"Helping others now?"
"You'll regret wasting your strength."
Kael looked at the speaker.
"...Would I?"
The young man scoffed.
"Of course."
Kael thought seriously.
"I don't feel any more tired than before."
The applicant opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
He had no idea how to respond.
---
The Final Hundred Steps
The summit seemed within reach.
Some applicants sprinted.
Others dragged themselves upward.
Some crawled.
Some cried openly from exhaustion.
Every remaining participant poured everything into reaching the top.
Kael...
Continued walking.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Without hurry.
Without hesitation.
Just as he had since the very beginning.
Above...
The Headmaster smiled faintly.
"Watch carefully."
He quietly told the elders.
"The mountain reveals more than talent."
"It reveals temperament."
His gaze swept across the remaining applicants.
Some fought their own pride.
Some fought despair.
Some fought fear.
And one...
Simply climbed because the path continued upward.
The great stone gates stood open.
Beyond them...
Martial High awaited.
End of Chapter 19