The Unvanquished: Child of Nihility-Chapter 60: Teleportation Booth

As he re-entered the treatment room, he noticed that another person was now present.

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The person was sitting on the couch where Laura had previously been seated. She wore the same uniform as the 003 Threat Fighters who came to the trial dungeon as a rescue team – navy blue pants, a white top, and a knee-length navy-blue trench coat. But there was a striking difference between hers and theirs. Resting on her shoulders were four golden stars, instead of the three silver stars worn by the 003 Threat Fighters.

Her appearance wasn’t as stunning as Gina’s or the flawless Laura’s. She looked to be in her early twenties, with curling green hair tied into a bob, and a few strands falling to the sides of her round face–she was beautiful in her own right, with an unintentionally commanding aura.

As soon as she saw Morca coming out of the medical changing room, she stood and said, "Morca, right? Good that you’re awake. I’ll be your guide for the physique test. We’re heading to the Physique Trials Facility, where you’ll complete the test. However, since you’ve already delayed the general submission results by a day, your test is scheduled to last only 30 minutes. You’ll need to complete all four trials within that time."

She got straight to the point, skipping any formalities.

Morca nodded. "Alright, please lead the way." He didn’t mind her serious tone, and since she hadn’t introduced herself, he saw no reason to either. ’Well, that’s still fine by me,’ he thought.

Leo, on the other hand, was thinking something else entirely. ’Thirty minutes to complete four tests? Do they think he’s a monster or something? How long will it take just to get to the Physique Trials Tech Facility, not to mention the... never mind.’ He stopped thinking about it. He’d just wait and see how it all played out. Besides, he knew you couldn’t judge that guy with normal sense, as he had witnessed how Morca slew the monster.

With the young lady leading the way, Morca followed closely behind, and Leo trailed after them since they were heading in the same direction – toward the entrance gate facilities region.

As they stepped out from the medical facility, the sky above greeted them with a breathtaking view – swirls of soft blue, streaks of white clouds like brushstrokes, and a radiant golden hue melting across the horizon. It was around 9 to 11 am., a time to appreciate the beauty of nature. The sunlight shimmered like liquid fire, casting a heavenly glow over the academy buildings.

Around him, advanced structures stood proud and precise, built in harmonious symmetry. Their sleek exteriors glistened under the sun’s golden kiss, reflecting like blades of crystal and steel blessed by divine light. Each building thrummed with purpose, designed not just for beauty but for functionality – a perfect fusion of elegance and innovation.

Yet towering above them all, at the heart of the central zone, stood a singular colossus – a building so tall it seemed to pierce the heavens. Its obsidian spire sliced through the golden sky like a monument to ambition. It loomed like the academy’s beating heart, a symbol of dominance, recognition, and the trials still ahead. This was the

Title: Trial of Ranking – The Mythical Monument Tower.

When his eyes landed on the tower, Morca felt his heartbeat quicken, his blood boiling. ’What is that tower? How can it make my heart race like this? Even from afar, its aura... it’s not ordinary.’

Indeed, the tower stood at the very heart of the academy, while the medical facility was near the entrance gate – a significant distance apart – yet its presence was unmistakable, even from there.

The young lady seemed to notice his amazement and said, "That’s the Trial of Ranking – the Mythical Monument Tower. ’Our’ ranks are displayed there, based on the level of trial ’we’ clear within it." Her voice carried a subtle note of pride.

Morca couldn’t help but ask, "Clearing levels... what are the benefits of being ranked?"

"Well, I can’t say much," she replied, "but know this: if you can rank within the top two hundred in the Monument Tower, your status in the academy will rise. That means more resources for your future growth. Mind you, only second-year students currently occupy the top 200 rankings."

As she spoke, she led them down an alley and stopped in front of a tall, circular building with a transparent glass entrance. It resembled a high-tech booth more than a dwelling.

"According to your explanation, I need to challenge the Monument Tower and clear levels inside it – if I succeed, I’ll be ranked, correct?" Morca asked, anticipation lighting up his face.

The young lady nodded silently, not looking at him as she pulled out a silver metallic card and slid it through a screen beside the entrance – it looked like a security lock system.

"What do I have to do if I want to challenge the Monument Tower’s Trial of Ranking?" Morca asked, his curiosity spiking as his interest in the ranking system surged.

Hisssss... Shreeeee...

The booth – rather, the entrance – opened with a soft hiss. The young lady then responded to Morca’s earlier question, "You’ll know after passing through the Physique Test."

With that, she stepped into the booth, followed silently by Morca and the ever-quiet Leo.

’Why does everyone always say that exact line when explaining something, only to stop right at the important part?’ Morca thought. ’They always end up saying, ’You’ll find out more when... this or that.’’ Still, instead of feeling frustrated, he feel intrigued. Since everyone says there’s more to the academy than meets the eye... he hope he’s not disappointed.

Once again, the young lady slid her card across the surface of the screen. As soon as they were all inside, the entrance sealed with another hiss. Intricate blue lines began rapidly connecting across the transparent glass walls, forming patterns – runes that looked both ancient and technologically advanced.

Snap. Flash.

And just like that, as if nothing had happened, the entrance hissed open once more.

Stepping out, Morca wondered, ’Why does entering the...’ He stopped mid-thought as the sight before him greeted his eyes. They were now in an entirely different place – not the central region he had expected.

An open space stretched out before them, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people. To one side stood similar booths – five made of majestic gold-tinted transparent glass, others in silver or bronze. In front of the bronze ones, students in academy uniforms were seen exiting and entering, while others stood waiting in line.

Those who exiting wore varied expressions. Some brimmed with bright smiles, clearly pleased with the loot they had gained from missions – evident from the bruises and bloodstains on their bodies. Others wore grim expressions, battered and exhausted, some even missing limbs – likely those who failed their missions or came back empty-handed.

The ones entering, however, moved in groups of four to seven, tightly knit units radiating different auras. And though their appearances varied, they all shared one trait – they were high-spirited.

On the other side of the open space, a group of people stood waiting in front of other booths – perhaps for their turn to use them or waiting for acquaintances to arrive.

This time, Leo beat Morca to the question, exclaiming in surprise, "Wow! What is this place? Why haven’t I seen it before?" His eyes scanned the area, noting the similar booths spread across the space.

The young lady responded, "This is the Advanced Teleportation Booth Central of the EDA – (Eden Domineer Academy). It’s used for teleporting to any location within the academy," she explained, gesturing gracefully toward the students standing in queues. "Those over there are students heading out for missions or returning from them. You haven’t seen this place before because you didn’t have the permit card. Only unique-ranked students or second-year students and above own one. Until now, you’ve only been allowed to use basic transport."

As they moved toward one of the teleportation booths, a sudden voice rose from the crowd.

"Look who’s coming!"

All eyes turned toward the trio. Whispers began spreading like wildfire throughout the teleportation hub.

"Isn’t that Senior Xiao Meya, the leader of the Ablaze Vermilion Team?"

"Yes! I saw her during last year’s academy term battle competition – back when I was still a new recruit," a young girl said, eyes sparkling.

"Wow, my idol! The Ice Queen – ranked 7th in the Monument Tower’s individual rankings and 9th in last year’s term battle competition!"

"It’s really her! I love you, Senior Meya!" a chubby youth yelled, drawing even more attention.

"Tch, this fat fool again... Just because he’s ranked second in the second-year student rankings."

"I wish I could punch that face of his."

The whispers continued spreading, but the trio – or rather, Maya – kept moving steadily, unfazed. Her expression didn’t flinch. She had witnessed this scene more than ten times, and by now, she was used to it.

Despite being a third-year student, she was currently fulfilling a punishment for breaking a certain EDA rule: escorting a trial candidate through his Physique Test. At first, she felt some remorse about the task. But over time, she began to see it differently – and even felt intrigued.

’Escorting a trial candidate through the Physique Test,’ she thought to herself. After researching him, she found something unexpected.

A saint-rank expert who slew a 3-Star monster.

That couldn’t possibly be just any trial candidate.

On the other hand, Morca was thinking something else. ’So her name is Maya... and she must be a huge figure at the academy, as her presence alone could arouse such reaction from the students.’

Soon, they stopped in front of a teleportation booth entrance. She slid the permit card across the screen before stepping aside.