CHAPTER 221: ARRIVING AT THE 50TH FLOOR AGAIN

Orion’s ascent through the Tower of Myths had transformed into an exhilarating symphony of combat, spellcraft, and instinctual precision.

From the thirtieth floor onward, he began actively employing his Dragon Instinct, heightening every reflex and sharpening his senses to near perfection.

The arena shifted constantly, adapting its environment and opponents to challenge his adaptability and versatility.

On the thirty-fifth floor, Orion stood within a mist-shrouded cavern, its chill seeping into his bones as he faced a dual-element mage wielding Ice and Wind.

The Echo conjured freezing cyclones that roared with deafening fury, yet Orion countered swiftly.

Flames erupted from his mouth, the fierce heat from his "Drakefire Breath" dispersing the icy storm in a blazing wave. His mind remained calm, thoughts crystal clear amidst battle.

’Ice is troublesome,’ Orion mused inwardly, sidestepping sharp icicles that shattered like glass around him.

He swiftly cast "Velocity Strike," lightning coalescing around his blade as he surged forward, striking decisively. The Echo’s strong body vanished in sparks, prompting a satisfied nod.

Floor after floor, his opponents became increasingly fierce. On the forty-second floor, Orion confronted a robust Earth mage protected by multiple stone barriers.

Orion’s calm voice whispered "Emerald Blade," wood mana sharpening the edges of his sword into a vibrant green sheen that sliced effortlessly through the stone defenses.

Each victory bolstered his confidence.

"Lumi, I think I’m finally grasping what Grandpa meant by combat efficiency," Orion spoke softly, wiping sweat from his brow after a particularly arduous fight against a swift, dual-wielding swordsman Echo.

[Indeed, Master! Your combat instincts have improved dramatically, it’s almost unfair to these poor Echoes!]

He chuckled inwardly, ’What do you mean poor Echoes? They are still giving me tough fights.’

[But none can stand in front of you! (＾▽＾)／]

Each successive floor brought forth a new challenge, and Orion seamlessly intertwined all three of his elements into cohesive strategies.

His sword was slowly becoming the core of his fighting style as he integrated the use of spells with his swordsmanship.

Finally, standing victoriously on the forty-ninth floor, Orion took a deep breath, the chamber around him fading into tranquil silence.

The walls were etched intricately with countless ancient runes softly glowing, as if acknowledging his strength.

"Next floor is the fiftieth. Let’s see how strong that guy became," Orion whispered confidently.

[Ready when you are, Master!]

The familiar sensation of teleportation enveloped him once more.

Orion blinked as his vision adjusted to the new floor, quickly observing his surroundings. The fiftieth floor stretched into a wide, open coliseum illuminated by floating azure orbs suspended in midair.

Directly across the coliseum, standing motionless yet exuding a formidable presence, was the Echo Orion remembered all too vividly.

Tall and heavily muscled, this opponent wore dark, durable armor etched with runic patterns, and his face remained partially obscured by a shadowy helm.

Yet Orion instantly recognized the Echo—this was the very warrior who had previously brought him to the brink of death, whose unmatched physical might had crushed Orion’s early confidence.

A wave of adrenaline surged through Orion’s veins, his heart beating fiercely within his chest.

His previous encounter with this Echo had become his source of motivation to become stronger in the shortest time to take revenge.

"Finally," Orion murmured, his voice firm yet quiet.

He exhaled softly, instantly triggering his Dragon Instinct. His senses flared to a level beyond human comprehension.

The faintest shift in air currents, the subtlest movements of his opponent’s muscles, the precise rhythm of breathing—all became vivid details he now perceived clearly.

Orion firmly grasped the hilt of his obsidian longsword, immediately manipulating its weight through precise mana control.

The weapon grew heavier, each incremental increase testing his muscular control. Satisfied, Orion stabilized the blade, his grip unyielding, determination etched into his calm features.

The Echo moved, breaking its stillness with shocking speed. Despite knowing the Echo’s physical prowess, Orion still found himself momentarily surprised by the sheer ferocity of the charge.

The Echo crossed the distance in mere moments, his longsword slicing through the air with tremendous force.

Clang!

Their swords collided with explosive impact, sending shockwaves reverberating across the arena.

Orion grit his teeth, bracing against the overwhelming strength of his adversary.

The Echo’s muscles bulged with raw power, his eyes glowing faintly, devoid of human weakness.

Even with his Dragon Instinct fully active, Orion could clearly perceive the difference between them. Physically, the Echo still held a significant edge.

Despite this gap, Orion’s refined swordsmanship allowed him to smoothly redirect the enormous pressure of the Echo’s strikes.

He pivoted calmly, parrying incoming blows and countering immediately. His movements were precise, each action born of rigorous training under Edgar and Lucan.

Sparks burst forth as their blades clashed repeatedly, filling the coliseum with the metallic symphony of intense combat.

"Not this time," Orion growled, eyes fierce yet calm.

The Echo pushed forward relentlessly, forcing Orion into a defensive posture. Each clash between their swords sent vibrations through his bones, muscles straining under the amplified pressure.

Yet his composure held firm, his mind swiftly analyzing every subtle movement.

The stalemate stretched longer than Orion anticipated. Minutes passed, each feeling longer than the last.

His breathing remained steady, Dragon Instinct guiding him to dodge by mere centimeters, using the least amount of energy possible.

Every strike the Echo delivered felt like a battering ram, yet Orion’s meticulous control allowed him to hold firm.

Suddenly, the Echo stepped back slightly, a brief pause signaling an impending shift in tactics.

Orion tensed instantly, sensing a change. Before he could fully comprehend it, a dense, vibrant brown aura emanated from the Echo’s sword, coating its surface entirely.

Orion’s eyes widened with realization—this was an Earth Elemental Sword Aura.

The Echo swung again, and Orion instinctively met the attack head-on.

Boom!

The force behind the blow magnified dramatically, nearly shattering Orion’s stance.

His knees buckled slightly beneath the weight of the strike, feet sliding back several feet along the smooth stone. Breathing heavily, Orion quickly steadied himself, eyes narrowing intensely.

"Earth Sword Aura," he whispered, recognizing the profound strength within the Echo’s technique.

His own sword skills, although greatly improved, lacked this depth of elemental fusion. Determination filled him anew, his heartbeat steady yet loud in his ears.

Orion drew a slow, deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily to concentrate deeply.

[You can do it, Master! You’ve trained so hard for this exact moment! (๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡]

Lumi’s gentle encouragement resonated clearly within his mind, bolstering his confidence.

Orion opened his eyes, their depths blazing with renewed resolve. Instead of retreating, he charged directly toward the Echo, meeting the monstrous sword strikes head-on.

He carefully felt out the resonance between mana, weapon, and body, each clash feeding his comprehension of sword aura.

Gradually, an understanding blossomed within him. Fire, his first and strongest affinity, was inherently aggressive, explosive, and unyielding.

He visualized fire enveloping his blade, igniting with each determined strike, manifesting internally as conviction and externally as devastating strength.

He swung again, meeting another of the Echo’s Earth-empowered strikes. As their swords clashed, a faint crimson aura flickered momentarily around Orion’s blade.

The Echo faltered, only briefly, but enough for Orion to notice.

His heart soared with excitement. "Almost there," he murmured breathlessly. His mana surged, pulsating rhythmically through his veins and along his sword.