Lynch's steps continued forward, and the decaying test ushered in its final chapter.

The Domain Prototype, like an invisible barrier, isolated the core erosion of the decaying staircase, yet it could not completely shield the final and most bizarre test before reaching the end.

As Lynch stepped onto an ordinary-looking root staircase, the scene before him suddenly transformed!

The eternal darkness and decaying aura receded like a tide.

The gnarled root staircase beneath his feet was instantly covered by tender green grass, with countless strange little flowers emerging from the gaps, blooming in shades of red and purple, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

Soft light, from an unknown source, illuminated this vibrant space. Melodious bird songs chirped elegantly, and some peculiar fairies, flickering with a faint glow, looking like petals or tiny elves, flitted around him with their transparent wings, sprinkling tiny specks of light dust.

Soon, a thin mist spread, from which emerged several women of peerless beauty. Some were as pure as water, some enchanting and charming, while others were noble and cold. Each wore a smile that could captivate all beings, their eyes brimming with allure as they extended their delicate hands, voices like honey:

"Stay here... there is no decay, only eternal spring..."

"Share this beauty with me, away from that unnecessary climb..."

"Strength? Knowledge? They will eventually decay... it's better to seize the joy of this moment..."

Lynch's gray eyes were calm and unruffled, the Domain Prototype shimmered with faint light, silently dispelling the intangible seductive force trying to entwine him. His steps did not falter, nor did he spare a glance at those stunning women, proceeding straight up.

"How ungrateful!" The women's smiles froze and twisted, emitting venomous shrieks.

Like a tidal wave, the spiritual field mixed with intense decay rushed toward Lynch, even stirring ripples in the air.

Where these ripples passed, space withered, faded, and decayed.

Faced with this formidable assault, Lynch remained unfazed, his vast spiritual power immediately spreading outwards, and clocks adorned with time power began to appear all around. This spiritual power clashed fiercely with the decaying spiritual force.

There were no violent collisions, no horrific energy waves; everything was so quiet that, in an instant, all the spiritual powers returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.

"Ah!!!"

A shrill scream erupted.

The beauties before him faded like old paintings, their tender skin quickly turning gray and withered, revealing ghastly white bones, their splendid dresses turning into tattered shrouds! The fairies flying around emitted piercing screeches, their bodies exploding, turning into foul-smelling liquid.

The grass wilted, flowers withered and decayed, releasing an even stronger stench than before on the decaying staircase! With a shrill sound of disintegration, the spring day illusion crumbled, reverting to the cold, wriggling roots of the staircase. Only Lynch's steady upward steps remained the sole unchanged trajectory in this disenchanted scene.

Steps continued forward.

And soon, Lynch faced a new test.

"Hmm?"

Lynch's gaze settled forward.

As he reached the next step, the surrounding space suddenly began to fill with fog.

A very thick fog.

So dense that it became impenetrable, preventing any discernment of the scene within the mist.

However, the fog came swiftly and dissipated just as quickly.

And when the fog cleared, the scenery around had changed once again.

This time, Lynch was no longer on the long, lonely staircase but had arrived at... a place both vaguely familiar and clearly recognizable to him.

It was a corridor.

A corridor he had traversed countless times during his youth.

The corridor of the Shadow Tower's apprentice area!

Sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting bright patches of light on the smooth stone floor. The air was tinged with the scent of parchment, herbs, and youthful sweat.

"Hey! Lynch! What are you daydreaming about? We are going to be late for the Black Magic defense class!" A familiar, booming voice called out. Fatty Subaru patted his shoulder, with a mischievous smile and sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Yeah, the old scholar is testing 'Shadow Bind' today. Borrow my notes to study?" Carl waved the thick notebook in his hand, his eyes gleaming smartly.

The silent Adam walked past, giving him a slight nod.

Lynch was momentarily dumbfounded.

Despite knowing it was an illusion, the familiar faces and voices in front of him still touched a nerve deep in his mind.

He glanced down at himself.

His body seemed to have returned to his youth, clad in a simple apprentice's gray robe. A long-lost sense of ease belonging to his youthful days attempted to envelop his mind like a warm tide.

Deeply inhaling a breath, he could almost smell the scent of youth.

"Hurry, Lynch." At this moment, a voice akin to a flowing spring rang out, tinged with slight reproach and concern: "Stop dawdling, or you'll get punished!"

Lynch's body tensed.

He turned his head with some difficulty, and then his eyes slightly narrowed.

In his view appeared a girl of unparalleled beauty.

She wore a pure white cloak, lined with silver, softly fluttering, the sunlight penetrating it, creating a halo of holy light.

Her exquisite face appeared in the light, her nose elegant and straight, her cherry lips holding a gentle, warm smile. The sunlight outlined her with a soft golden edge, resembling an angel on earth, transcendent and pure in brilliance.

Lynch was momentarily stunned, like a statue.

"Hmm?"

The girl seemed to sense something amiss, leaning closer, gently pressing a hand to Lynch's forehead, with concern she asked: "What's wrong? Are you sick? Doesn't seem like it..."

"Alright, let's not waste any more time, we should hurry."

She said, naturally extending her hand to link with Lynch's arm, pulling him forward.

"Tap!"

"Tap!"

"Tap!"

The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor.

They chatted idly about all sorts of topics, academy gossip, casual whispers.

Sunlight seeped through the gaps in the corridor, casting dappled shadows on the ground, while a gentle breeze swayed the nettles.

Warm and cozy.

This scene, truly made one wish to remain here forever.

However...

With a light "tap."

Lynch stopped in his tracks once more.

"Hmm?"

The girl turned, her big eyes filled with puzzlement as she looked at him: "What's wrong, Lynch?"

Lynch shook his head: "This is it, Avery."

Avery froze.

Avery's smile stiffened, her eyes instantly welling up with tears, her voice trembling with disbelief and heartbreak: "Lynch… you… you don't want me anymore?"

Lynch gazed at the face etched deep in his memory, so flawlessly perfect and exquisitely beautiful.

But alas...

False, always false.

He shook his head, speaking to Avery before him.

Simultaneously speaking to himself:

"We will meet again, Avery."

"But not now."

As his words fell, the entire sunlit academy scene quivered and shattered as if a stone had been thrown into a reflection! Subaru's smile, Carl's notes, Adam's nod, Avery's tearful countenance, along with the bright sunlight and warm corridor, all transformed into countless scattered colorful shards, ultimately returning to a drifting piece of withered yellow leaf.

Gently falling.

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