Chapter 453 — Dwarves

[Mind Tower - First Floor]

The Mind Tower was a massive structure that dominated the northern section of the training center, built from dark stone that seemed special.

The moment Damian and Helena stepped through the entrance, dozens of eyes turned toward them.

The first floor was massive, easily capable of holding hundreds of people.

General Icarus stood at the front beside Zara, both of them facing the gathered candidates.

Among the crowd, three figures stood slightly apart from the others.

Regulus Blackwood, arms crossed over his chest, his frame towering over everyone nearby.

Sicar Verratoux, standing with perfect posture and watchful gaze.

And the Sword Demon whose hand rested casually on his blade’s hilt, his expression completely blank.

Whispers spread through the crowd the moment they noticed Damian.

"He’s here already? Weren’t his injuries severe?"

"Leg and arm seemed to have been attached."

"Did General Icarus order him to come here this soon? That seems excessive even for–"

General Icarus’s voice cut through the murmurs like a blade.

"Candidate Damian Valcor, you sustained severe injuries and should not have come here so soon after completing the survival test. I would not have held it against you if you began training tomorrow instead."

Damian stepped forward, his hands moving to the bandages wrapped around his right arm.

"There’s no point in waiting."

His fingers gripped the edge of the white fabric as he pulled.

And the bandage unwound in a continuous strip, falling away from regenerated flesh.

Without pausing, he bent down and began unwrapping his left leg.

The final bandage hit the floor.

Both limbs stood perfectly restored, bearing no evidence of being severed and crushed.

Damian straightened, meeting Icarus’s gaze directly.

"I’m already healed."

"..."

Nobody spoke for some time.

’What’s going on?’

The candidates stared at Damian’s completely restored limbs, their expressions ranging from shock to disbelief.

Zara’s gaze snapped to Helena, her voice sharp.

"Candidate Helena Crane, did you use your skills to accelerate his healing? That method can lead to complications in bone density and nerve function. You should know better than to rush regeneration for injuries like this."

Helena shook her head rapidly, her hands coming up in a defensive gesture.

"I didn’t do anything! He used his own self-healing skill! This regeneration speed has nothing to do with my treatment."

More whispers erupted across the room.

"His own skill?"

"Even if he has a skill, how is he healed so fast?"

"Did you see his arm? There’s not even scar tissue."

Icarus and Zara exchanged a look, some silent communication passing between them.

Finally, Icarus nodded once.

"Very well. Move to stand with the rest of the candidates."

His attention returned to the gathered candidates as Damian and Helena moved to stand among the others.

Icarus’s gaze tracked back to Damian specifically.

"Since you’ve already fought giants during your survival test and in your first portal, tell everyone here about their weaknesses."

Damian’s response came immediately.

"Giants are slower than humans at equivalent ranks. Their mental defenses are also naturally weaker, making them vulnerable to mental attacks."

"Correct."

Icarus’s expression remained neutral.

"Then answer this: if giants possess such obvious weaknesses, why are they ranked among the top five races in the universe? Why can’t we simply destroy their minds and end the threat they pose?"

Damian’s mind pulled up information the old beggar had shared.

"A long time ago, giants were just a middle-ranked race with obvious vulnerabilities. They couldn’t stand against the top-tier races of the universe."

His voice carried across the silent room.

"But one day, the Dwarves arrived on the giant homeworld. Their own planets were being invaded by demons who sought to enslave their entire species."

He paused, making sure everyone was following.

"The Dwarven King made a pact with the fourteen tribes of the giants. The giants would provide military protection and safe territory. In exchange, the Dwarves would help eliminate one of the giants’ critical weaknesses."

Damian’s crimson eyes tracked across the listening candidates.

"Dwarves are one of the weakest races in the universe. They possess no natural power system, and can’t channel Aura in their bodies for combat or ranking up."

His tone shifted.

"But they’re masters of Aura technology. Especially weapon creation and defensive systems."

"The Dwarves created specialized armor that weakens mental attacks, neutralizing the giants’ primary vulnerability. They also developed Aura-powered guns and weapons of mass destruction to support giant forces in battle."

He let that information sink in.

"It was thanks to this partnership that giants rose from a middle-tier race to one of the five strongest in the universe."

"..."

Silence fell across the Mind Tower’s first floor.

Then whispers started spreading through the candidates.

"Has anyone read about this Dwarven King and his pact with giants?"

"I thought Dwarves and giants always lived together. Isn’t that common knowledge?"

"No, the history texts just say they have a symbiotic relationship. Nothing about demons or forced migration."

"Where did he learn this information?"

Damian’s mind registered the whispers.

’So... the information about the Dwarves’ past isn’t widely known to humans. Doesn’t matter, if someone asks, I can blame it on Gia.’

The old beggar’s knowledge had been deeper than standard Federation education.

’But I still need to be more careful about what I reveal in the future...’

Icarus’s gaze remained on Damian, his expression thoughtful.

’Did the Headmaster provide this information to his disciple?’

He filed the question away for later consideration.

"Your explanation is accurate and more detailed than what most military personnel understand about giant-dwarf relations."

Icarus gestured toward the building around them.

"This knowledge directly relates to why the Mind Tower was created for your training. Mental strength is crucial for fighting giants effectively."

His eyes swept across all the candidates.

"Those who specialize in mental attacks are desperately needed in our war against the giant race... Awakeners who can bypass their technological defenses and strike at their natural weaknesses."

By the end of his statement, almost everyone’s gaze had shifted to Sicar Verratoux.

The pink-haired young man stood straighter under the attention, his expression remaining calm.

Damian’s thoughts clicked pieces together as he saw the man.

’Pink hair and eyes... Someone from the Verratoux Imperial Family.’

His mind pulled up the conversation with Salazar before he left for the military: "The military specifically requested more members from the Blackwood and Verratoux families."

’So that’s why those two families were singled out.’

His mind connected the dots.

’The Verratoux family specializes in mental attacks... They’re the primary force used against giants, striking at their psychological vulnerabilities.’

His eyes tracked to Regulus, who was standing beside Sicar.

’He seems to be from the Blackwood family... And they excel at close combat and physical dominance. Their imperial skill is also very suitable to fight against the giants.’

The military’s recruitment strategy made perfect sense now.

Icarus raised one hand, gesturing toward a door at the back of the first floor.

"All of you will enter the chamber beyond this door. Inside, your minds will be subjected to mental attacks of increasing intensity."

His voice carried absolute authority.

"You will attempt to resist these attacks for as long as possible. The three candidates who last the longest will receive treasures to increase willpower stat."

He paused, letting the incentive sink in.

"This is your first real training exercise. Show me what your minds are capable of withstanding."

The candidates shifted, some with excitement, others with visible apprehension.

Damian’s eyes tracked to the door Icarus had indicated, his mind already preparing.

’Mental attacks... Perfect opportunity to test how my Will stat holds up under direct assault.’

The Mind Tower waited, promising pain and growth in equal measure.