Dimensional Descent

"Welcome to the challenge round. You have all made it to the top four and should be proud," Minerva said lightly. "According to tradition, this challenge round wouldn't normally end in a ranking. Often, it was an arena to settle unresolved differences between Craftsmen from the round of debates, and also a method of exchanging treasures.

"In order to accommodate a ranking, we will make some changes, the first of which is introducing a baseline of treasure.

"Right now, the four of you have earned your top ten placement. As a reminder, this means that you all have earned the Mind Splitting Rune of the top 1000, the Spirit Elevating Force Herb of the top 100, and the Creation Grade Ore and Eighth Order Standard Blueprint of the top 10.

"The lowest tier prize will represent one point, the second will represent three points, and the final two will represent five.

"Any treasures you all bring forward will be ranked on this same scale as well, however you will all start with a total of 28 points. Of course, you will not actually place these treasures on the line, they will be more like vouchers. However, any additional treasures you bring forward will be put on the line.

"As you know, the top three reward, the Ninth Order Standard Blueprint and the Ninth Order Workbench, personally forged by me, is exactly that... a reward reserved for the top three. However, there are four groups of you, so if you would like it, or the top one prize beyond it... it will be dependent on your efforts.

"Now, for the nitty gritty.

"One, even if you have more points than the person in question, you cannot force them to match your points. If you enter a challenge sequence with a higher ranked treasure and you don't want to stoop to the level of your opponent, you will be at your own risk.

"Two, likewise, you cannot force a person with a higher ranked treasure to come down to your level either."

heard these rules. He found it amusing because there

Owlans would have a treasure on the same level as the Segmented

opponent to bring out a

it considering

want to, and even if they did

or else they would be putting their bias on clear display. The fact Minerva had

Owlans could afford, especially since they were using this

that surpasses that of their opponent, and the challenge is willfully

eyes suddenly going

as

Were they serious?

two laughed silently with one

the point of treating Leonel like some sort of deity. She was

stupid to allow Leonel, who clearly had the greatest treasure here, the right to

from their perspective, it was the

he would be

Rule is that you all must complete at least three challenges before you can bow out. In addition, a

will have the right