The Copy Mage

Standing on their feet, Milo and Damian's legs were quaking under the pressure and even with the support of all of their energy into their legs, the pressure was unbearable. They were both clearly in immense pain, but their expressions hadn't changed in the slightest with their target still staying the same.

Making it not only onto the ninth step, but even the tenth step, if that was even possible.

They both didn't give in and Damian thought about everything he wanted to achieve, while Milo did the same as they both stepped onto the 9th step. Then bringing their other foot over, they actually managed to get onto the ninth step successfully, which was incredible.

However, standing on the ninth step felt like an impossible feat, and although they weren't flung off like Matilda, Julia and Cole were, they were still struggling greatly.

Minutes passed, and they had matched and even beaten Darren's record of making it onto the ninth step and lasting a short while on it before being launched off the staircase, but it seemed as though they were still going to keep going.

In order to successfully complete the step, they needed to stand, show that they can handle the pressure and be seen as worthy by the staircase that would test one's spirit and willpower.

It was said that the ninth step was almost impossible to be successfully completed, and one only needed to get onto the third step in order to successfully pass the second round, but for Damian and his friends, they would always aim for the top.

More minutes passed, and Damian had sat down, starting to benefit from the pressure and trying to defeat it, so that he can complete the ninth step, but it seemed as though Milo couldn't do the same.

Although he had surpassed Darren's record he had reached his limit and was suddenly flung off the staircase, and was on the verge of losing consciousness.

However, before he did, he called out to Damian, "Keep going. I know that you can reach the top"

Damian was so deep in focus, that he entered an ethereal state where he felt as though he was outside of his body and couldn't feel or sense anything that was going on around him.

However, Milo's words got through to him and gave him the additional nudge that he needed to begin to accomplish the never done before, and complete the ninth step.

An hour passed with Damian still not moving on the ninth step, and it was already an incredible feat for him to be able to stay on the step that long, and finally, the staircase accepted that he had overcome the ninth step.

-

In the central branch of Akegria Academy, a charming young lady wearing a blue dress that matched her ice blue eyes rushed into a large bedroom that was hidden in the centre of the academy.

It was Miss Valdez, the teacher that had excused Damian and his friends from needing to attend her lessons, and also the one that allowed him to call her big sis. She was the youngest to ever become a teacher at Akegria Academy, and also very friendly, but cared greatly about her role as a teacher, which was why she might come across as strict.

However, what most people didn't know was that she was actually the daughter of the principal of the academy, and other than the great elders of the academy, no one else knew about that fact. She also didn't reveal or flaunt her identity, wanting to gain her position and power with her own abilities, while although she didn't enjoy combat and focused on research, was very capable.

At that time she was taking a leave of absence and went to visit her father, whose condition was worsening and the truth behind the principal not showing himself for so long, was because of his illness.

Only a select few had access to or even knew that he was hidden within his quarters that were underneath the central branch of Akegria Academy, and his daughter was one of them. She had been spending time in the central academy, which she had moved to in order to stay close to her father at all times, and this time rushed into his room with urgent news.

"Father, father. There is big news," she called out as she waltzed into his room.

He was laying in bed and the principal that was once known for his strength, charisma and wisdom was shrivelled and lying in a bed, barely able to move.

"What is it?" he uttered as he struggled to get up in his bed.

She quickly helped him up and handed him some water, before revealing the big news that she was excited to tell him.

"Someone has managed to complete the ninth step and the great elders, along with myself have all been alerted of it," she divulged, causing his to spit out the water he was drinking.

"What! You mean someone was actually able to do that?!" he exclaimed, shocked that someone had even managed to display willpower, resilience and drive that surpassed that of Darren.

"Yes father, and guess who the person was that did it,"

"Who?" he asked, unsure who would be able to accomplish such a feat. No young talents came to mind, and he also didn't know much about what was going in the Outer Academy, since he was barely able to manage the Inner Academy from his bed.

"It was the one I spoke to you about. The young one with the Pyro Soul Spirit and was very intelligent," she said.

"You mean that white-haired brat was really that capable!"

He recalled his daughter speaking to him about Damian and describing him as someone that seemed to be extraordinary, along with his friends. However, her father didn't trust her judgement and had become annoyed after hearing that she had allowed him to call him big sis.

But it seemed as though he had been mistaken and it was his daughter that had the good foresight and instincts to spot him before he displayed his talents.