The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

All around—whether in the observation hall where the instructors were watching from, the test room where those who had washed out were also watching, or the various resting areas where others looked on—everyone was silent. An eerie hush fell over them as they witnessed Klaus's dominance and utter cruelty.

"Isn't he being a bit excessive?" one of the instructors remarked.

"They had it coming," Cephas replied, surprising everyone with his lack of sympathy for what Klaus was dishing out to Ella and her team.

"Oh? And why do you say that?" Instructor Simon asked.

"Isn't it obvious? These rich, entitled kids thought they could use their authority and wealth to suppress a 'nobody' who suddenly took the world by storm. In my opinion, Klaus isn't even doing enough," Cephas answered.

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"You think he's going to toughen them up?" Instructor Simon continued.

"Isn't it obvious"

"I don't know if any of you have noticed, but Klaus is holding back. The look in his eyes and the one he's showing are completely different. Honestly, someone who nearly died in an assassination attempt shouldn't be provoked. These rich kids picked the wrong target this time, and it's going to leave a mark on them."

They all sighed, realizing Klaus was doing this to send a message. Rivalries are supposed to foster growth among youngsters.

But to assume that, just because you're wealthy and hold authority, everyone else should bow to you—that's just foolish and selfish. The three legacies had chosen a path that demanded everyone bow to them, but Klaus was the wrong target this time.

He gazed at the three legacies, who wanted nothing more than to log out of the Oracle. However, with the Demond killing circle overriding their commands, they were stuck with him.

"Here's what I'm going to do to you three: over the next eight minutes, I'll inflict the most agonizing pain imaginable before sending you all on your way. And believe me, if after today you three don't change your ways, don't blame me when I cut your journey short—for good.

Your titles and family mean nothing to me. If I want you dead, believe me, I'll make it happen. So let this be a lesson."

Klaus executed a series of movement techniques as he closed in on Ethan, who was the only one capable of engaging him in close combat. Klaus intended to take him out first, before going after Max and Ella supporting him from behind.

"Lightning Burst!" Ethan channeled lightning into his spear and thrust it forward, sending a ball of lightning toward Klaus.

Klaus slashed forward, unleashing a wild arc of ice to meet the attack. Although his Qi was restricted by 70%, he could still use Moon Slash. In fact, he could use all of his skills, but he simply didn't want to go that far.

The Moon Slash alone was enough to handle them.

The lightning ball split in half, exploding as bolts streaked across the battlefield. Klaus stepped back, evading a water rope launched by Ella to trap him. Just as he landed, an arrow streaked past his ear, making him glance toward Max.

A small smile appeared on his face as he moved again, clashing with Ethan. In just a few exchanges, Klaus smirked, and with a quick parry, struck Ethan's knees.

This forced Ethan to lower his body, which was exactly what Klaus had anticipated. With a swift swing, his knee collided with Ethan's face, sending him flying, blood streaming from his nose, his ears ringing with pain that even his mind was struggling to process.

"Bastard!"

Ella roared, casting a series of spells that began draining her energy. Klaus merely smiled at her anger and frustration, slicing through her attacks as he closed in on Ethan, who was struggling to get back up.

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Before Ethan could rise to his feet, a kick landed on his ribs, breaking several of them. His scream, filled with pain and anger, echoed as Klaus delivered a few more kicks before dodging Max's arrow.

"Life into water, water into life; Aqua Lion, summon!" Ella cast a spell, instantly paling as a 3-meter-tall lion made of water appeared and charged at Klaus.

Without even looking at it, Klaus kicked Ethan's fallen spear, guiding it with his mind to strike the lion's head. The attacks collided, creating a brief stalemate before the spear pierced through, destroying the lion.

Ella was stunned, but before she could gather her strength for another spell, pain shot through her body coming from her left shoulder. She hesitated to look, but due to the pain she was in, however, when she finally looked, her eyes rolled back in horror.

"No, you're not," Klaus muttered, landing a kick to her face, and snapping her back to reality.

Outside, everyone gasped as Klaus kicked Ella's face. They had assumed he'd go easier on her, but Klaus seemed unfazed by gender, granting everyone the same ruthless treatment.

Two arrows were aimed at Klaus, but he parried them and then unleashed the Void Piercing Needle. Before Max realized what happened, his legs gave out—the needle had severed them at the knees, leaving countless punctures in its wake.

His scream of agony filled the Demon Killing Circle. Yet, as if that wasn't punishment enough, the Needle moved ahead, and within a minute, all three legacies lay on the ground, screaming, immobilized, their hands and feet rendered useless.

Klaus sighed looking rather bored. 'Maybe I should have played with them for a few more minutes' He thought.

"Before I send you idiots on your way, there are some things you should know," Klaus said standing over the immobilized Legacies.

"First of all, I am better than you; I will always be better than you, so get used to it. Second, the next time you think about using your titles and family name to intimidate or suppress anyone, remember today and ask yourself, 'Would it be worth it?'"

"You three might think that just because you're wealthier, you can intimidate others. Honestly, I don't entirely blame you three. You probably had a poor upbringing. It tends to mess people up when their parents are useless."

He paused, looking at them with an icy stare. "I'll only say it one last time: there won't be a next time."

With a flick, a small flame appeared in his hand.

"Do well to remember the pain," he muttered coldly, then threw the flame, setting the three ablaze.

The flames quickly engulfed the three legacies, their screams piercing the silent battlefield as they struggled in vain against the searing heat.

Klaus watched with an unyielding expression, his gaze cold and unwavering, as if he were a judge overseeing an execution.

The other spectators currently Klaus on the battlefield, to the instructors then the young warriors watching, and those who had washed out of the trials, stared in shock, some in awe, others in horror.

No one dared to speak, as if the weight of Klaus's presence and his merciless actions had cast a spell of silence over everyone watching.

Shortly after, the three legacies were burned to a crisp.

After the battlefield was cleared, Klaus turned to those remaining—Anna, Lily, and Omari. They seemed to have dealt with their targets and stood in fear as they gazed at him.

Although Anna and Lily tried to suppress their feelings, Klaus could see in their eyes and expressions that they were scared of him.

'Maybe I've gone too far. But it was necessary...' he thought with a sigh.

"I'll be going, then." In the end, he didn't want to say anything more to them.

With Ella out of the picture, his qi and strength had been restored. So with a thought, the Ice lotus appeared, and the absolute domain activated; soon, the water started to freeze.

He cast a sidelong glance at Anna and Lily before stepping onto the frozen water. Soon, he crossed many kilometers, moving closer to the Sage Eye.

Just when he was a few meters from it, a powerful presence stirred beneath the water.