The Queen approached King Aldric, concern clouding her features. "Why put Kane in the lower division? It seems… cruel."
Aldric's gaze didn't waver. "It's not cruelty. Over a thousand will compete, but only forty will advance. If he can't make it through that, he's not ready for more."
"And if he does make it?"
"Then he earns respect—real respect. The commoners will see a prince fighting alongside them. Nobles won't ever accept him, but the people might."
The Queen's eyes softened, though doubt lingered. "You're so strict with him. Sometimes it feels like you don't care."
Aldric sighed, his expression softening. "I'm strict because I care. You may think I don't love him, but I do. Everything I do… it's for his sake. After all, he is my son."
The Queen nodded, her worry easing.
"Let's go. It's time." King Aldric said,leading the way.
Kane stood , holding the golden potion. He didn't need it, but his father had given it to him. And that was reason enough. Without hesitation, he drank it down.
Warmth spread through his veins, subtle yet invigorating.
A system message appeared:
[System Message: Due to the potion, you can now access 21% of your power.]
Kane frowned. Only 1% more? But then he remembered—how, in his past life, that 1% had made all the difference. It was the edge that had pushed him into the top 40. Sometimes, even a small advantage could change everything.
The exam ground buzzed with anticipation. Examiners stood tall, their voices booming across the arena:
"This trial will test your greatest fear. Conquer it, and you will advance. The first forty to succeed will qualify."
Kane stood among hundreds of competitors. He knew what was coming—an illusion designed to unearth their worst nightmares. Last time, he had faced goblins. But this time, something deeper stirred in his gut.
Suddenly, the crowd fell silent as ten black-cloaked magicians emerged. Their presence sent a shiver through the participants. The magicians raised their hands, chanting in an ancient tongue. Dark energy spiraled outward, wrapping around each contestant. One by one, they vanished into their own nightmares.
Kane felt the magic seep into his skin, cold and relentless. His vision blurred. The ground beneath him dissolved.
When he opened his eyes, Alderon was burning..
Flames roared around him, consuming everything. The air was thick with smoke, the distant screams of the dying piercing through the chaos. It was as vivid as the day he lost everything.
A low, menacing voice echoed through the inferno. Footsteps followed—slow, deliberate. Kane turned, his heart pounding.
From the flames, a figure emerged. Able.
The empire's rising star. The man who stood beside the imperial prince, leading the charge that had destroyed Alderon. His silver armor gleamed, his eyes cold and merciless.
A system prompt materialized in front of Kane:
System Options
1. Power Boost
• Temporarily increases physical strength, speed, and endurance by 150%.
2. Invisibility
• Grants complete invisibility, masking sound and scent from nearby enemies.
3. Battle Ready
• Equips user with enhanced armor and a weapon tailored to their current power level.
4. Quick Heal
• Heals all physical injuries and restores stamina to full.
5. Inventory
• Opens an inventory for storing and accessing items.
6. Status View
• Displays current stats, power levels, and any active buffs or debuffs.
7. Skill List
• Shows available skills and their current levels.
Kane didn't hesitate. He selected Battle Ready.
[Battle Ready Activated. Duration: Infinite.]
Shadowy black armor materialized over his body, sleek and form-fitting, with crimson veins glowing along its surface. A sword appeared in his hand, its edge shimmering with dark energy.
"This is new," Kane muttered, feeling the surge of power. "Even in an illusion, I can access full system power.And with no side effects."
Kane was ready,waiting for able to make first move.
Able's eyes narrowed. Without warning, he attacked.
Their swords clashed, the sound echoing across the burning city. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, each strike more brutal than the last. Kane pushed himself harder, meeting Able blow for blow. But each swing of his sword felt heavier, the weight of the past pressing down on him.
Kane unleashed a devastating dark slash, aiming to tear through anything in its path. The energy crackled, surging forward—but Able dodged with ease, as if it were nothing.
Able countered with a single, powerful strike. The force sent Kane crashing to the ground. His armor, which had once withstood the blows of bauk,now unable to handle Abel's attack .
Pain radiated through Kane's body. He coughed, tasting blood.
"This isn't real," he told himself. "It's just an illusion."
But the pain felt real. The ache in his chest, the sting of failure—it all felt too real. And the memory of Able's victory in his past life resurfaced.
Am I going to lose again? Even here?
Kane forced himself to his feet, gripping his sword tighter. He looked around at the burning ruins of Alderon. The memory seared into his soul.
Not this time.
With a roar, he charged. Each step was fueled by desperation, each swing of his sword a defiance against fate. But Able was untouchable, countering every move effortlessly.
Then, with a final, brutal strike, Able drove his sword into Kane's chest.
The pain was blinding. Kane staggered, blood dripping from the wound. Able's sword pressed deeper, victory inevitable.
But Kane smiled through the agony. "Do you really think I'm going to lose that easily?"
Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward, impaling himself further onto Able's blade. The pain was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to the torment of his past life. With a final surge of strength, Kane swung his sword in a wide arc.
Able's eyes widened in shock as Kane's blade sliced through his neck. The headless figure crumbled to ash, dissolving into nothingness.
Breathing heavily, Kane fell to his knees. "I'm coming for you," he whispered to the fading ashes. "You and your prince."
The burning city faded. His body felt weightless, disintegrating along with the illusion.
Kane awoke on the cold stone of the arena floor, gasping for air. His chest ached where the sword had been, though there was no wound. The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium:
"Kane, 38th participant qualified!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. Kane lay there, staring at the sky, the noise a distant hum.
In his past life, he had placed 27th. Now, 38th.
He chuckled bitterly, "What a joke. 38th. Still a loser, huh?"