Another white-haired knight nodded solemnly. "It's the same for most of us. I've been stuck as a Grade 5 knight for over thirty years now."
"Exactly," added a third. "We're all in the same boat. But let's stay hopeful. If we can break through the wall of enlightenment, maybe something good will come of it."
The burly warrior tried to lift the mood with a forced smile, but his words only deepened the collective silence.
Their shared goal—to ascend to the next stage—wasn't just a matter of ambition but a desperate instinct for survival and validation. For these warriors, progression was more than just a measure of power or prestige; it was a matter of life and death.
Advancing to Grade 3 was particularly crucial, as it widened the mana core near the heart, extending one's lifespan. Most of the warriors gathered in the hall were stuck at Grades 4 and 5, tantalizingly close to their goal but unable to grasp it.
