In an instant, bright light blinded my eyes. I instinctively covered them with my hands while still curious to see what was going on. A spherical ball of light emerged and began morphing in front of me. After a few seconds the figure morphed into a human sized and shaped figure. That figure was mine, it was wearing the same clothes and had the same mannerism. It was surreal seeing myself up close. I didn't think I was this muscular, in my previous life I was more focused on academic strength and not physical strength. "I will now explain the rules of the trial." The figure said. Damn it even sounds just like me. What followed later was a long conversation which included me asking for clarification on various issues. The gist of the conversation was that I was going to fight the figure 'Fake Chrono' or FC as I referred to him or it? I was required to win more than half of our duels before proceeding to the next stage. This was different from what the master and Orton had said that I only needed to win one bout. The next information was that the fights were to the death but since we were in the god's realm, I would be resurrected and healed once I did. More information on the rewards and the second stage would be offered at the appropriate time. With all the questions answered, I decided to get directly to the action."This will certainly entertain master. Fighting a dragon at the top of his strength." FC said. The space began to warp and we were immediately transferred to another location. This area was a plain with very minimal vegetation. "You are free to take the first move." FC said. This guy was really underestimating me. Fine I will not hold back. I raised my right hand and began firing hundreds of light volleys at FC relentlessly for over a minute. The dust was now all over the battlefield reducing visibility. I used wind magic in conjunction with earth magic to clear the dust in an instant. The scene was almost unbelievable. None of the light volleys had struck FC. In fact, the closes impact point close to FC was over two meters away. What the hell happened?
[Master. That was gravity magic. He was able to alter the direction of the light volleys.]
That was possible? I only used gravity magic to fly around but I never thought it was applicable in combat. Furthermore, light magic was the fastest attack spell that I knew of but it was still ineffective? FC remained unbothered and did not move any part of his body. This was in essence challenging me to try and harm him. I unleashed a continuous and powerful fire attack but it was also redirected. Damn this gravity magic. I began launching the attack dark void (from the giant tortoises) but it was also redirected. I tried to ensnare him using earth magic but he simply floated away. I then went to lightning magic, water based magic, and wind magic attacks but hey were all ineffective. I had no idea that I had such a powerful defense technique. I was left with no choice but to unleash my trump card, the Angels Tear. I floated above the ground and began making preparations. FC was unmoved and just stared at me. Is he confident that he can block this attack? I coated a bolt of lightning with both wind and fire magic forming a vortex so violent that the sound shook the ground. In a few moments, I unleashed the attack and braced myself for the blow back. But something happened midway, the attack dispersed.
[Gravity magic was used and it compressed the whole attack into less than a 1 centimeter sphere. The sphere is currently floating next to him.]
What? I am too tired and my mana reserves are running dangerously low. According to my estimates, I have been launching attacks at him for the past three hours but nothing has landed. Suddenly I remembered the master words. 'You are going to be in a competition with the best version of yourself. It will not be easy.' He spoke those words during our meal when we were talking about this very subject. I have tried attacks both in human and dragon forms but nothing has worked. "Now it is my turn." FC said as he extended his index finger. I managed to use an innate dragon ability to zoom at him. A small and dark sphere was at the center of his figure.
[Don't worry master, we are bound by the soul. If you resurrect so will I.]
I tried to scatter all around while flying but it was all useless. FC managed to somehow make the attack linear and as narrow as my light beam. The first attack blew my left leg away from the knee downwards. "Argh" I writhed in pain. FC did not miss this opportunity and I saw the unavoidable attack approaching me. "No please no." I shouted. The next thing I remember is me waking up in a grass laden field.
[You are awake master. It is good to see you again.]
The first thing I did was look at my leg. Thank the gods it was there. I moved it a bit to make sure it was not a prosthetic or fake. "I see you are awake." FC said. What kind of battle had I just witnessed? I remember the story that the genius swords man was thrashed but I think I was more humiliated than him. I did not land a single hit and was taken out with a single attack. I say single because FC used a continuous narrow ray like attack to defeat me. Worst of all, he used only one type of magic. I was crushed and felt defeated. How the hell am I supposed to win against three of this opponents? "Hey, FC. I would like to go back and plan my next strategies." I said. Of course another duel now would lead in the same outcome. "Of course, do not forget that you can come here and train to your hearts content." FC said. "Yes I will be back soon." I said. A rift appeared and I walked through it. I found myself back at the temple. A large crowd had gathered there. What the hell is happening? I looked around in confusion as the screams and shouting increased in intensity. Suddenly, I felt a hand touch my shoulder. "This way. Kindy follow me." The head priestess said. Follow him? Why would I …you know what? Who cares? It was such a long day how worse could it get? I got down from the platform and was met with a crowd that was really enthusiastic to see me. I guess being the first in 400 years to receive the invite for the trial is a big deal. I followed the head priestess to a room far from the platform. On the way I began to think deeply about the duel that I had just encountered. I am already at loss 0-1 and somehow I need to win more than half the duels with that monster? He only used gravity magic and in ways that I thought were impossible. What happens when he begins using attack spells too? "Please, after you." The head priestess said. I entered the room and found a room full with people wearing tacky clothing. "His majesty the king will now see you." A voice shouted. The head priestess took a knee and so did the others present including the prince. What is it with these people? Tacky clothing, kneeling all the time, waging war against their neighbors all the time and other things I'm yet to discover. This time it was not out of ignorance, I decided deliberately not to kneel. They could go to hell for all I care.One of the soldiers seeing this drew his sword and pointed it against me. The king was unmoved and we looked at each other's eyes with indifference. Is this a test? No it can't be a test I provoked the king's people. But why does he not seem bothered? Does he want to test my strength? I placed a barrier all around me just in case anything else out of the ordinary happened. This was probably due to being traumatized. The soldier lunged at me with his sword but I remained indifferent. I did not move ad perhaps seeing this, the soldier tried to strike my head. Kching! A ringing sound was heard. The sword had just made contact with the barrier. This was a minor confidence boost, lord knows I needed one after my last ordeal. The soldiers face was confused for a moment but soon began throwing a large volume of slashes my way. Of course those slashes were too weak.