Umbra and Scry dropped to their knees as blood streamed from Kai’s orifices.

  “What is going on?!” Nerva shouted, panic etched across his face.

  “I’ve never seen this happen to anyone during the trial…” Liliya muttered, rushing forward to scan Kai’s trembling body as he collapsed to his knees.

  Umbra barely managed to rise, grunting and clutching her head. “What the hell!? Brother, what did you do? That’s insane, even for me!” she cursed, one of the rare times her anger flared at Kai.

  “Damn psychopath. This is what I get for signing a contract with a maniac,” Scry spat as Lisa’s spirits swarmed around him, helping him to his feet.

  Lisa screamed, throwing her arms around Kai and frantically wiping away the blood with trembling hands. “Brother, don’t die! Lisa’s here, she’ll help!” she cried.

  “Liliya, explain what’s happening. Please…” Nerva’s voice cracked, his face pale. He had overseen dozens of trials, at least fifty over the years, but never anything like this.

  “He somehow summoned his blade into the spirit world… and even drained his real mana,” Liliya said, disbelief in her tone as she scanned his body. “I don’t know how that’s possible, but the strain is enormous.”

  “I felt his rage,” Umbra added, worry creeping into her voice. “He was in a tough spot, but doing this even pulled some mana from the two of us.”

  “Yes,” Scry said, still stunned. “He siphoned his own mana, and ours, into the trial’s realm. Converted it into spirit energy, then used that to recreate mana inside that world. All without realizing it. I don’t know what spell he invoked, but the toll on his body and mind will be devastating.”

  “How is that even possible?” Liliya whispered, utterly lost.

  Scry only shrugged, his expression hollow.

  “I swear, I’ll have words with my crazy brother,” Umbra growled, fury and fear mixing in her tone. “Risking his life for a damn test… Fool!”

  Lisa clung to Kai, sobbing as she wiped away the endless stream of blood. Nerva stood frozen, listening, his thoughts a storm. Leave it to this bastard to do the impossible.

  “Could it be his connection to soul magic? The goddess? Or what he received in the trials the last time?” Liliya asked, but no one had an answer.

  ***

  Hours passed in the realm of trials before Kai stirred.

  ? His head throbbed as his eyes fluttered open, vision blurred and body unbearably heavy.

  He sat up slowly, realizing he was no longer in the arena but in a small chamber surrounded by shimmering mana screens.

  “Good morning, you crazy bastard!” The old spirit cursed, though his relieved smile betrayed his words.

  “What happened? I don’t remember much after those three unleashed their last attacks,” Kai said, confusion clouding his voice.

  “No wonder,” the spirit snorted. “You pulled off some insane magic to defeat all three simultaneously.” He shook his head, recounting the events.

  “I see…” Kai exhaled, rubbing his temples. “It was the first time I tried that technique. I just imitated what I’d seen before, not even sure I did it right.” His tone carried a weary honesty.

  “Now explain how you summoned your weapon from the outside world,” the spirit demanded, his voice turning sharp. “That’s supposed to be impossible. If I’m not satisfied, I might have to call it a violation of the rules.”

  Kai met his gaze calmly. “As soon as the fight began, I felt my connection to Noxblade. When things got critical, I wished for it, and it appeared. Probably because it was born from a Unique weapon fused with my Soul Sword.”

  The spirit’s eyes narrowed, then softened with understanding. “Hmm… If it absorbed your Soul Sword to evolve into Legendary rank, it likely took a fragment of your soul. That means you two are bound as one. Fine, it’s not a violation since it’s part of you. But you’re insane. Do you even realize how much mana you burned? Even your real body is strained.”

  “I wasn’t thinking,” Kai admitted with a faint smile. “I just wanted to win. I wanted to enjoy that fight with everything I had.”

  The spirit chuckled, shaking his head. “You crazy boy… You haven’t changed a bit. But that’s why I like you.” He patted Kai’s shoulder gently.

  “Now then,” he continued, “since you won, you’ll be ranked second. You can challenge the Strider for first place, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ve already proven plenty.”

  “Why not? If I beat four opponents, shouldn’t I handle one?” Kai asked, brows furrowed.

  The spirit’s expression hardened. “He’s stronger than anyone who’s ever faced these trials. Once, he fought five Golden-ranked challengers and finished in five minutes, using only one move each time.” His eyes gleamed with reverence.

  “That’s insane!” Kai grinned, excitement sparking in his voice. “I still want to try. I’ll be careful.”

  The spirit sighed deeply. “Fine, fine. Let’s go. The sooner you experience this, the sooner you’ll come to your senses.”

  With that, the two shimmered and vanished, reappearing in the arena.

  ***

  Kai’s body and mana had recovered to peak condition, or at least as much as the trial realm allowed.

  ? The old spirit stood off to the side, grinning like a child at a festival.

  “Aren’t you a little too eager to watch this?” Kai asked, eyeing the beaming spirit.

  “Shut up,” the spirit barked, though his smile never faded. “It’s been thousands of years since anyone challenged him. This is my reward for guiding you so well last time. Now go fight.”

  Kai shook his head and summoned Noxblade. The blade shimmered into existence, recognized by the realm’s rules and far less taxing to conjure this time.

  Across the arena, a portal rippled open. From it stepped a young man with long black hair, almond-shaped eyes as dark as midnight, and a neatly groomed beard. He wore a simple black martial outfit, a katana sheathed at his waist.

  Why does he look like someone from Earth? From Japan, maybe? What the hell is this? Kai stared at the man, baffled. No one he had met in this world looked remotely like him, except this stranger.

  The man smiled faintly as a deep blue aura shimmered around his body. He gripped his scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other, bending his knees into a stance that radiated lethal calm.

  Then his eyes changed, turning deep blue and draconic, eerily similar to Kai’s own.

  “Hey, Grandpa! What the hell is this? Why does he feel so intense? Not even the Grand Master I’ve met made me this nervous!” Kai shouted, dropping into what he hoped was a fighting stance. He held Noxblade in one hand while his other, scaled and glowing purple, flexed as an aura coated his claws.

  “Focus, boy,” the spirit chuckled. “You won’t see this often. Learn everything you can.”

  Kai gritted his teeth and unleashed his power.

  ? “Circle of Life – Draconic Visage.”

  ? “Thunder Tree: Overflow – Lightning Armor.”

  ? “Water Barrier, Haste, Strengthen – Legs.”

  ? “Moonlit Dance – Dance of the Pale God!”

  His body transformed, silver lightning armor crackling across his draconic frame as enchantments flared and barriers shimmered into place.

  The man didn’t interrupt. He simply waited, calm and patient, like a predator watching prey prepare for the inevitable.

  Kai moved, pale light trailing behind him. “Moonlit Dance – Triple Thread.” He whispered the words and slashed forward, sending three luminous threads slicing through the air.

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  The man smirked. His katana slid free in a single motion, blue aura flooding the blade as he exploded forward.

  Kai’s threads lashed out, but the man evaded them with effortless grace.

  Seeing his opponent closing in, Kai shot upward and unleashed his stored attacks.

  ? “Ignis! Lightning Spear!” and cast his new spell for the first time, “Aqua Guillotine!”

  A fiery breath roared down, followed by a massive spear of pure lightning, and behind them, razor-sharp water blades screamed toward the target.

  The Strider slashed twice mid-dash, sending ripples of blue aura that seemed to do nothing. Kai braced himself for impact, but nothing came.

  Then the man passed through the storm of attacks as if they were mist and appeared beside Kai, blade flashing toward his head.

  Kai roared, clawing with aura-coated talons while driving Noxblade toward the man’s chest.

  The man’s eyes locked with his, calm and smiling, just as darkness swallowed Kai’s vision.

  His head hit the ground.

  The fight was over in minutes. The Strider vanished with a faint smirk as Kai’s body reformed beside the spirit.

  ***

  Kai stared in shock. I just died? If this were real life… I’d be dead.

  “Now do you see?” The spirit’s voice was gentle, almost amused. “One-on-one, he’s unbeatable. Maybe, if you had a few more years, you could match him. But that’s a big maybe.”

  “But how? What was that aura ripple? I don’t understand,” Kai said, still dazed.

  “I suppose I can tell you now,” the spirit said, eyes gleaming. “That was water aura combined with the Aspect of Stillness, touching upon the secrets of Time.”

  Kai exhaled sharply. “Another one who awakened an Aspect so young… I feel like I’m crawling.” He thought he was advancing fast, but monsters like this made him feel small.

  “Nonsense,” the spirit said firmly. “Alura had the full support of the Eldari race as their next queen. The Strider? Raised from infancy by a fallen god. You? You’ve been training for what, seven, eight months? In my eyes, you’re the bigger monster.”

  Kai managed a faint smile.

  “Now come,” the spirit said, clapping his shoulder. “Cheer up. Let’s see what reward you’ve earned. You’re number two now. Do you want to leave your name this time?”

  Kai shook his head as they shimmered away into the rewards chamber.

  ***

  They appeared in a familiar place, a vast hall lined with endless rows of bookshelves.

  ? Six shimmering cases floated nearby, each holding the same ancient rewards Kai had seen before.

  “Now, let’s sit. Tell me everything,” the old spirit said with a cheerful smile as two chairs and a table appeared from thin air, complete with a steaming pot of tea.

  “Drink, it’s good for your soul.” He poured the tea into a small cup.

  Kai sipped the sour brew and began recounting everything that had happened since their last meeting. He trusted the old man completely, holding nothing back.

  The spirit listened intently, sometimes laughing, sometimes frowning, and at times his expression tightened as if his heart clenched.

  “My friend,” he said at last, voice warm, “you’ve been through a lot. No wonder you’ve grown so much in such a short time. Now, tell me, what would you like as your reward? Though,” he added with a grin, “I have a few ideas myself.”

  “Can I get two like last time?” Kai smirked.

  “Not this time,” the spirit chuckled. “You can choose one, but it can be of the highest level.”

  “I’d like a manual for sword arts then,” Kai said without hesitation. “Something advanced, while I search for a master.”

  “Hmm… not a bad choice,” the spirit mused. “But how about this, I’ll show you three Mythical skills for the Knight and Magus ranks. Then you can decide whether you want one of those or the sword arts manual. I think you’ll find something useful.” His eyes gleamed with excitement.

  “Fine. Let’s see them,” Kai replied eagerly.

  ***

  In the row before the previous six treasures, three new cases shimmered into existence.

  ? The first held a deep crimson rune, pulsing like a living heart, its surface writhing as if alive.

  ? “This,” the old spirit said, voice low, “is the Bloodforged Sigil. When mastered, it lets you absorb an enemy’s vitality and convert it into mana. Best paired with a weapon.”

  He gestured to the second case, where a smoky veil flickered between real and unreal, like a mirage. “Ethereal Veil. With this skill, you can move your body between the real and spirit realms shortly. Making you unkillable for short periods of time. It’s great for both Knights and Magi.”

  Finally, his hand hovered over the last case, a core split into two halves, one blazing red, the other icy blue. “This is what I had in mind for you: Core of Duality. It creates a second core that stores both aura and mana, allowing you to convert one into the other as needed. I think this would fit you nicely.”

  The old spirit smiled proudly as he stood before his treasures.

  Kai frowned. “They’re incredible… but none of them call to me.”

  The spirit’s brows shot up. “You’re insane. These are rarities beyond measure! Even the greatest challengers chose from these.”

  Kai grinned. “All the more reason to pick something different.”

  The spirit groaned, then reached into his robe and pulled out a small crimson case. Inside lay a silver gem, faintly glowing, its surface etched with runes that pulsed like veins.

  Kai froze. His breath hitched. “Old man… are you out of your mind? Why do you have this?”

  The spirit blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “This looks like a proto divine spark,” Kai shouted. “Gods are born from these. Once they form bodies, they evolve it into a true spark.”

  “You are insane! Why the hell would I have a divine spark? If I did, I would use it on myself to create a new body. You bastard!” Old spirit argued.

  “Then what is it and why does it look like a divine spark?” Kai shouted back.

  “It’s a Soul Root. It stores soul energy. Once it absorbs enough, it sprouts a second core, an ethereal one, connecting you to the spirit realm, allowing you to contract and raise spirits more easily.” He leaned closer. “But the reason I pulled this out is first because of your spirit in your right arm. It had grown to a lesser spirit level but still shows no sign of awakening. The other is that you can sync this with your Uroboros skill that I gave you last time and store the souls that you plan to use for circle formation within to avoid the side effects of the skill. Even though I am not sure how usable this will be for you, hearing your stories, I think it might help. You might even think of a way to view memories without losing your mind every time, but you would need to figure out how.”

  Kai stared at the gem, awe and hunger burning in his eyes. “Holy shit, old man. Why didn’t you show this to me last time? This could solve all my problems… If it works, that is.”

  “Because your body would’ve shattered,” the spirit said bluntly. “Your soul wasn’t even yours then.”

  Kai exhaled slowly. “Damn it… I’ll never learn proper swordsmanship at this rate.” He extended his hand. “I’ll take the Soul Root.”

  The spirit placed the gem in his palm. “Summon your soul and have it consume the gem. After it's absorbed enough of your soul energy and has merged with you, it should create a second core within your soul spirit, which you can use as discussed.”

  Kai nodded, and the air trembled. Shadows coiled as a massive three-headed dragon erupted behind him, wings unfurling like storm clouds. Its roar shook the shelves, sending scrolls tumbling.

  The spirit staggered back, eyes wide. “By the gods… That’s the little snake from before? What have I helped create?”

  Kai smirked. “Meet Hydragon.”

  The dragon’s middle head snapped forward, swallowing the silver gem whole. Mana shimmered across its scales as it vanished into Kai’s inner world under the Thunder Tree.

  The spirit swallowed hard. “Boy… that’s the soul of a true dragon. Keep it under control, or it will consume you.”

  Kai’s gaze hardened. “We are one. It acts freely, but our thoughts are bound. It is me, and I am it.”

  The spirit nodded slowly, though unease lingered in his eyes. Why does this feel familiar? Where have I seen this before?

  “It seems this is it then. There will be no more trials, so this is the last time we meet. It is a sad day, my boy. I will miss seeing your crazy secrets.” Spirit checked.

  “Is there really no way to visit you again?” Kai asked, unwilling to never see the spirit again.

  “You might see me if you compete in the tournament, since I will be leading everyone into the Tournament plane through the same portals used for the Trials, but I doubt we shall have time to chat. Other than that, maybe if you reach Seraph or Archon realms, you could be strong enough to enter spirit realms and exit at will. That could let you visit me if I allow it, but that is a long way from now.” Spirit explained.

  Kai nodded, “I swear if I ever become strong enough, I will visit you again!”

  “I’ll wait for that day, my friend. Goodbye for now, then.” He waved his hand as Kai’s mind returned to his body in the real world.?

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