[T.L: punisher87]
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When two of them opened their eyes, the screens were dark, and the record windows were shining blue.
Valeria couldn't take her eyes off the record windows, as if she were gazing at stars.
[How do you feel about my master's world?]
"It was incredibly beautiful."
Valeria didn't hesitate for a moment in her response to the Golem's question.
There was transparent moisture in the corner of her eyes.
Jin hesitated for a moment and then reached out his right hand and put on Valeria's left hand.
Jin's firm calluses hand scratched Valeria's back of the hand as they intertwined, and she didn't avoid that touch.
'Were my teacher's hands always this small?'
The feeling was quite different from when they held hands in their past life. That was because Jin had become a bigger person than before. In their past life, Jin relied on Valeria mostly, but now it was the opposite.
The two of them lay there for a while, looking up at the ceiling.
Do not push life into a barren and desolate place.
Maliet's last testament was igniting a fire inside Valeria, a fire that she had never experienced before.
In other words, a heart that can love the world.
Even if she carries a harsh and bleak fate from birth, loses the people she walked with, and continues to chase after revenge that seems so distant and elusive.
Still, there was a growing feeling in Valeria's heart that sometimes she needed to fill her life with something shining, a feeling that she needed to reach out to someone, passed down to her from Maliet.
Jin was also deeply moved by Maliet's great life.
Like Maliet said, there was a need for more children in the world who wouldn't be dragged into fights.
"Valeria."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad to see that you're improving day by day."
That was a phrase Jin often heard from Valeria in their past life. Every time Jin escaped from a state of being a cripple, Valeria praised him.
[Oh, what's this? It is nice to see. Ooh-ooh-ooh.]
[Hahaha, isn't this not the time to act lovey-dovey?]
Appearing like third-rate villains, Zen and Teben joined them. Jin and Valeria stood up, naturally releasing their held hands.
[So, are we ready to undergo the test we've prepared with great care?]
While Jin and Valeria were observing Maliet's life, five hours had passed outside.
Zen and Teben had spent that time carefully preparing the test for the communication device.
The Golem sighed and lowered its head.
[Zen, Teben, if they fail the test, you won't give them the communication device. You created it, claiming it would be a legacy for your descendants, and now you're acting strange.]
[Hmph! We're just taking the test, just like Maliet left the traps!]
[Damn! We can't get this chance daily.]
Teben and Zen, with faces full of determination, blinked their eyes rapidly (even as ghosts).
Jin and Valeria had already achieved significant accomplishments and had been deeply moved in the succession temple. However, it was unacceptable to leave behind the main purpose, which was the long-distance communication device.
If the test demanded physical strength like the traps in the succession temple, there would be no reason to be nervous. However, it didn't seem like the two would require combat.
'What kind of test is it?'
'It seems to be related to magic or magical engineering.'
Even if it was a test solving related problems, they had confidence in their abilities. Jin and Valeria were individuals who could score perfect marks on the highest-level exams at the Vermont or Zipfel Academies.
During the moment when a slight tension and curiosity arose, Teben stepped forward.
[Hahaha! So, now you realize the situation. Are you scared because you think the test will be difficult?]
[In this world, there's nothing easy!]
"Ancestor and Dr. Zen, what test have you prepared for us?"
[That's the word!]
[Exactly!]
[Right, right!]
[Rock!]
[Paper!]
[Scissors!]
[Go!]
Jin and Valeria were momentarily stunned, they were speechless, as Zen and Teben took peculiar poses and alternately spoke.
"...Rock, paper, scissors?"
"So, all we have to do is win at rock-paper-scissors?"
[Hahaha! Yes, rock-paper-scissors! Even if you're strong, there's no way you can win against us.]
[Well! I've come up with a fair and perfect test, and it has enriched my research life.]
[I swear by Hister's name, if you can't beat us at rock-paper-scissors, there will be no communication device!]
They spent a whole five hours contemplating, and the content of the test turned out to be rock-paper-scissors...
Jin was once again at a loss for words, but Valeria sensed a slight hesitation in their demeanor.
Valeria believed that rock-paper-scissors was purely a matter of luck. You could easily lose if you were careless.
[By the way, we have been practicing rock-paper-scissors together for the past three hundred and fifty years.]
[Teben and I are practically the demons of rock-paper-scissors. No, we're definitely demons. Do you think amateurs like you can beat us?]
"Ancestor, you just said it was a fair test, didn't you?"
[Who will go first? The rules are simple. The first to win twenty rounds will be the winner! Each person has ten lives. If you lose ten times, you're out. On the other hand, you can continue to fight with your opponent until you lose ten times.]
[Decide who goes first. Teben Hister will go first. It's customary for the strongest to appear last, so I can only…]
[What are you talking about? Zen, clearly, I am stronger than you, so take the lead and raise our spirits…]
[Hmm, it seems we have a mosquito here. Who will go first?]
Jin and Valeria exchanged perplexed glances.
Valeria decided to go first. After all, Jin was the one who remained calm at the moment.
"I will go first, ancestor."
[Yes, it's more exciting to see a showdown between Hister vs Hister. Hehehe, let's begin! Rock, paper, scissors!]
Suddenly, Teben shouted rock-paper-scissors and extended his hand, and Valeria responded with a gesture. The result was Teben choosing paper and Valeria choosing rock.
"Ugh."
[Hahaha! This is the wisdom of your ancestors. Rock-paper-scissors is actually a psychological battle. I have mastered it while you are just a beginner... People mostly throw rock when they're flustered. That's why you lost! Rock-paper-scissors!]
"Oh."
[Scissors? I chose rock! It's another victory for me. Great, next, I will choose paper. If you throw scissors, you win. Hehehe, can you choose scissors? It's not difficult. Rock-paper-scissors! Oh no, you didn't choose scissors, you chose paper? How unfortunate.]
Valeria anticipated Teben choosing rock, so she chose paper, but Teben even predicted that and chose scissors.
"You clearly said you would choose paper..."
[The world of competition is cruel. You're paying the price for not trusting your ancestors! If you had followed my words and chosen scissors, we would have had a tie at least. Hehehe, that's why you're amateurs. Rock-paper-scissors!]
Surprisingly, Teben's claim that they had been practicing rock-paper-scissors for 350 years wasn't an exaggeration. Teben relentlessly shook and pressured Valeria psychologically, seemingly reading her moves.
I am wrong, the teacher has completely thrown me off.'
Valeria continued to play rock-paper-scissors, unusually flustered.
When the match was over, Teben and Valeria's scores were 9:1. Valeria looked at the scorecard written on the blackboard and couldn't believe it. She never expected such a merciless defeat in rock-paper-scissors.
[Well done, Teben. You even have the luxury of losing one round. Is it because she is your descendant and showing mercy?]
[Ahem. Zen, it seems you won't even have a chance to participate.]
[But don't let your guard down; that guy still hasn't lost his composure.]
[Since he is not my descendant, I will defeat him by tradition…]
Now, Jin had to deal with both of them alone.
"Jin, be careful. He's a true master. How... can this happen? It's just rock-paper-scissors."
Nodding his head, Jin stepped forward. A faint gust of wind passed between Jin and Teben.
[Runcandel novice, I'll play rock.]
"Please do."
[Oh? Acting tough, huh? Kekeke. Let's see how long your boldness can last. Rock-paper-scissors!]
Teben played rock, while Jin played paper.
"Oh? I have to use more complicated psychology to trick you, huh?]
"I'll play paper."
[Rather, you're trying to provoke me in reverse? You need some etiquette training! Rock-paper-scissors!]
This time, Jin played scissors, and Teven played paper.
[...Scissors? There's no reason to play scissors here.]
"Is that so? I just decided to change it up."
[You're quite skilled... Or maybe you're just lucky?]
"Rock-paper-scissors. It's rock. As you can see, I played paper."
[What? I lost again?]
Jin swiftly killed Teben's momentum in that manner.
Teben couldn't achieve a single victory out of the remaining nine lives.
Valeria looked at Jin and Teben alternately with wide eyes.
[This can't be! You manipulated something!]
[No, manipulation. The odds are slim, but it's possible.]
[Step back, Teben. He wasn't your opponent.]
As Zen stepped forward, Teben glared at him with resentment.
[Zen, don't act like you're stronger than me!]
[Hmph, arguing about manipulation and trying to pass off a victory as luck. Disappointing, Teben. Is that all you can do?]
[That damn bastard! Ah, don't hold me back!]
As the golem and Valeria restrained Teben, Zen smiled with a sly grin.
[It feels exhilarating to meet a worthy opponent after a long time... Jin Runcandel. If you can defeat Zen Lutberh, I'll give you the communication device.]
"If you're ready, let's begin."
There was a moment of tension between the two.
In reality, Zen was the only one feeling excited and nervous. Jin had the confidence to win every round, not just ten but a hundred or a thousand times.
'It's fortunate that it's rock-paper-scissors. If we had done something like flipping a coin, it would have been really dangerous.'
Rock-paper-scissors was a game that could never be fair against a martial artist with superhuman "insight." Jin, who could see and dodge even the hand movements of a swift sword infused with the aura of a 10-star level knight, could not afford to miss the moment when the hand shapes in rock-paper-scissors changed.
Just like Teben before, Zen also had no idea about this fact, even in his dreams.
[Rock-paper-scissors!]
"Rock. I won this time."
[Argh!]
"This time, I lost."
[Rock-paper-scissors! Two consecutive wins!]
Jin deliberately staged an intense match. It was better to draw a satisfying picture for Zen and then ultimately win rather than be suspicious for no reason.
[Paper!]
"Scissors!"
[Results, 10:8. Jin Runcandel wins.]
Jin and Valeria clapped their hands and smiled, while Zen briefly bowed his head and then accepted the result.
[I should have just gone with my initial instinct... It was a good match, Jin Runcandel.]
[You have a lot to learn, Zen... Haha, well played, Jin Runcandel. Bring the communication device, Zen. It's time for the winner to indulge.]
This time, Teben pretended to be the big man compared to Zen.
[Don't get too arrogant! It's clear that I'm superior to you in rock-paper-scissors!]
[Well, how's the result of your skilled rock-paper-scissors now? That's why I suggested flipping a coin.]
After a brief exchange of banter, the two brought the communication device together.
Although some harsh words were exchanged, it seemed that neither of them was truly emotionally affected.
[I'll finally be free from my duty. Thank you for winning. My descendant and Jin Runcandel.]
[Congratulations, to the new successors.]
The golem applauded and congratulated Jin and Valeria.
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