Time continued to pass at the academy.

Following Professor Hale's suggestion, Mike obtained a regeneration skill book and learned it. Around the same time, the Infinite SSS Gacha granted him Midas Touch once again as a weekly talent, allowing him to make it more powerful.

After two years at the academy, Mike was now Rank 2, Level 297.

His current permanent talent pool was:

Beast Overlord

Sword Saint

Midas Touch

This week's temporary talent was Overdrive—a powerful buff that increased all his stats by 500% for one hour, followed by one hour of total weakness.

Mike lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling of his dorm room.

"Third year already…" he muttered.

His expression was calm as he remembered the information about this dungeon.

Now it's about time, he thought. The first major event should happen soon.

According to the story timeline he knew, the Tarot Kingdom have already fallen.

And just as expected—

The Lich King had taken over the Tarot Kingdom.

News of it spread quickly across the continent. Entire cities wiped out. Armies turned into undead. Refugees flooding into nearby borders. The world was shaken.

But the academy remained calm.

Protective barriers were raised. Elite instructors were stationed everywhere. No undead could even come close.

"The academy will stay safe for now," Mike said quietly.

The Lich King had bigger targets.

He had to fight the other four kingdoms first.

North Spade. Jade Kingdom. Lion Kingdom. West Kingdom of Light.

And that was the problem.

"They won't unite," Mike sighed.

The four kingdoms were busy with their own politics, pride, and distrust. Instead of working together, they would fight separately.

And that hesitation… Mike thought, shaking his head. It will eventually spell their doom.

"Anyway, now the story has truly begun," Mike muttered. The first two years had only been preparation time granted by the story dungeon. From now on, the real battles would start.

"My current power is strong. I'll be able to win," he said quietly.But when he thought about his talents, he sighed.

"Two damn years, and I still never got a talent that increases my mana like Lily's," he grumbled.

In one month, he could obtain four different talents. In a year, that was forty-eight. In two years—ninety-six different talents.

Yet not a single high-tier mana-boosting talent.

He had received many talents over the years, but the truly powerful ones were the same ones he was using now.

Mike stood up from the bed and stretched.

Just then—

Knock. Knock.

The door opened without waiting for an answer.

Elina walked in first, followed by Seris, the Arcane Artificer.

Seris looked exactly as energetic as ever, her sharp eyes scanning Mike from head to toe.

"So this is where you've been hiding," Seris said with a grin. "Still alive, I see."

Elina sighed. "You can't just walk into someone's room like that."

Seris waved her off. "Relax. I've been here plenty of times already."

Over the years, Seris had visited often—sometimes to test new equipment, sometimes just out of curiosity. In the process, she had figured out many of Mike's habits and weaknesses.

Too many, in fact.

She crossed her arms, staring at him. "You've gotten stronger again."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "You came here just to say that?"

Seris smiled—sharp and stubborn.

"No," she said. "I came to challenge you."

Elina froze. "Seris—"

"Just a quick one," Seris added quickly. "Just a spar. I want to see how far you've gone."

Mike looked at her for a moment, then smirked slightly.

"…You really don't know when to back down, do you?"

Seris's grin widened. "Never."

Mike cracked his neck once. "Fine. Training field?"

Seris nodded instantly. "I'll crush you this time."

Elina sighed again."…Why do I feel like this is going to cause trouble?"

They headed toward the training field together.

By the time they arrived, several students were already practicing. When they noticed Mike and Seris walking in, a few of them stopped.

"Oh, it's happening again."

"Seris is challenging Mike."

"Didn't she lose last time too?"

Some shook their heads, others smiled. This wasn't new anymore—but it was always worth watching.

Seris walked to the center of the field and stretched her shoulders. Behind her, two large figures stepped forward.

Golem Knights.

Their bodies were made of layered enchanted metal, runes glowing faintly across their armor. Compared to the last time, these were clearly upgraded—thicker joints, smoother movement, stronger cores.

Elina stepped back to the side. "She really doesn't give up."

Seris snapped her fingers. "Latest models. Better mana efficiency, better reaction speed, and reinforced cores. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Mike glanced at the golems calmly. "You bring more toys every time."

Seris smirked. "And you keep breaking them. This helps me make them more powerful so fair trade."

An instructor nearby glanced over, saw who it was, and sighed. "Keep it controlled."

"Of course," Seris replied instantly.

Mike stepped forward and took a relaxed stance. No Sword Saint. No Overdrive. Just his body and mana control.

"Same rules as always?" Mike asked.

Seris nodded. "Until one of us can't continue."

The golem knights moved first.

They charged together—one high, one low—perfect coordination.

Mike shifted his footing and moved in.

He didn't dodge far. Just enough.

He struck the lower golem's knee joint with a precise kick. The metal bent inward, forcing it to stumble.

At the same time, he turned and blocked the second golem's sword with his forearm—mana hardened instantly around his arm.

Clang.

The impact echoed across the field.

A few students gasped.

"That's Manasteel…"

Seris's eyes lit up. "So you finally stabilized it."

Mike didn't answer. He stepped forward and punched the golem's chest.

Crack.

The armor didn't shatter, but the core flickered.

The golem staggered back.

Seris clicked her tongue. "Fine. Then I'll join too."

She raised her hand, magic circles forming instantly. Multiple support spells activated—reinforcement, acceleration, mana boost.

She rushed in herself.

Mike met her head-on.

Their fists clashed.

Thud.

Mana rippled through the air.

Seris slid back a step, boots digging into the ground. Mike stayed where he was.

She laughed. "You're ridiculous."

Mike smirked. "You knew that already."

Around them, students watched in silence.

Every time this happened, it was the same thought in their minds.

Two monsters.

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