Who knew planning a birthday party would take longer than I thought? Not only have we gone through venues that would make it possible to host and have catering services with our current family budget and Kazuki's tastes, but we also want to make sure the guest list is only for our closest friends and family. Other than my friends, Zac and Damon along with Yuri himself, there's also Arin, Star's player, Annie, and possibly ol' Wally. There's a lot to organize, but it will be worth it in time for the party. With my input done, all that's left is for Mom (and Dad if he gets back from work) to take care of the more difficult stuff that I can't do alone.

Besides, I’ve already taken a longer break than I thought I had from all the party shopping and venue scouting. Thankfully, I’ve got about 10 minutes until [Sleep Mode] is over, so I have enough time to get back home and into my bedroom to prepare to get back to my [Hidden Quest] in the game. However, I wasn't alone when I entered my room as my Mom followed me in, mostly because she might be worried about Kazuki as well. Makes sense since I'm usually the one in charge when it comes to him playing [Isekai Online] as his [Guardian Player]. Of course, I did have some explaining to do since she knows about certain features, like how I'm not supposed to log out or use [Sleep Mode] without Kazuki until his birthday.

"According to his VeilCon, nothing abnormal so far," I say to Mom. "Don't worry, once he's done with his [Quest], we'll meet back in-game and log out together this time."

"I hope so. I still can't believe the game allows you to separate both of you even in the game. What were those game developers thinking?!"

All I can do is chuckle very awkwardly. That's what I've been thinking about lately. Did Dad even approve of this in the first place?

"Anyways, I should get back in before it gives me a penalty for being late or something. We'll try to get back before dinner."

Thankfully, Mom snaps out of her anger long enough to see me off into the game. "Just be careful, dear. I can't imagine what happens if he's there without you."

I chuckle again. This is after she encouraged me to be independent from Kaz. "I'm off then."

I quickly put on my VeilCon and lay down on my bed as soon as I can. To my relief, I only have about 4 minutes until [Sleep Mode] is over. But recent updates allow me to get back into the game without waiting for the timeout. Besides, I've already made up my mind and I'm now ready to face the trials once more.

[Confirming user... Confirming manual deactivation of [Sleep Mode]...

Please wait as we log you back into [Isekai Online].]

Get ready, General Veritates. Because I'm ready for Round 2.

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"Well, this is interesting."

Dux smiles as he notices another crystal showing footage from another room. This time, he sees a young man yawning as he gets up from the floor while stretching his arms.

[It seems like the half-[Insignis] hunter has woken up from his nap, but it didn't seem like he wasn't in low spirits compared to two hours ago,] the woman's voice echoes from another crystal.

"Maybe he found his motivation after some reflection on his dreams. Regardless, all we can do is observe and see if he can survive his second attempt."

The woman chuckles and says, [Are you still not confident about the half's progress in his test?]

"Sort of." Dux hums under his hood as he watches the footage. "However, if he finds the answer he was looking for, then there is a high chance he will pass the test with flying colors."

----------------------------------------

I take a deep breath once I'm up on my feet. Getting away from the game for a while definitely helped my motivation. Now if I can translate it into the game, I'm sure I won't choke again. I wish I can level up my [Swordsmanship] right now, but I have to remember Veritates's words. If I want to conquer myself, I have to strengthen my heart more than my sword first.

I know who my first opponent will be. I open the door to my left and step inside where the animated armor of the general awaits.

[We meet again, Wind,] General Veritates greets me. [It seems like your loss didn't seem to impede your determination to pass the [Test of Courage].]

"That's right!" I declare as I pull out my [Sapphire Sword] and point the blade at my opponent. "I have to admit. You've got me good in the first battle, but I'm not gonna make the same mistake with my overconfidence! I'm going to pass the trials and I'll make sure you won't be laughing very soon!"

As soon as I declare my rematch, I see the general get up from his throne and pick up his large claymore. [Hmph! Strong words for a mere half. But tell me this. Have you found the aspirations for your future? I won't hear any more excuses unless you wish for another painless death.]

Right. I need to answer that first before moving forward. "Yes, I have," I say confidently. "And I choose..."

[Uh huh...]

I take a deep breath for a while and smiled as I give out my answer.

"Nothing!"

The animated armor almost drops his claymore when he hears my answer. [...You're serious, right?]

Yeah, I get it. It's a stupid answer. But it's not just to throw the general off-guard.

"Yeah, I'm very serious. I have no goals for the future right now, but that doesn't mean I have to be hasty in finding one. Sure, taking care of Kazuki and going on adventures with him sounds like a half-ass excuse. But I can't spend my whole life thinking about what I could have done in the past or what I want to be in the future. I want to focus on the present first so I can find what I really want. It's not a perfect solution, but it's progress. And until I find my answer..."

I assume my position with both of my hands on my sword's grip and finish, "Living the way I want for my friends and myself is my true conviction in life!"

I was a bit embarrassed when I replayed those words in my head. But now that I’ve said them out loud, I'm not embarrassed anymore. In fact, I'm even more pumped to finish this [Quest] and win the rematch! The only thing left is to see how will General Veritates react to my speech. He seems way awfully quiet...

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[BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!]

I flinch when I hear this. That's...not what I expected to see from an undead general at all.

[Brilliant! It seems like that loss wasn't for nothing after all! I'm a little surprised at your answer, but it all makes sense from your viewpoint! Even with nothing, that doesn't mean you will never have any conviction to move forward.] Veritates declares with a loud boom in his voice. [Terrific! That's what I want to see a worthy warrior shining in the face of adversity and hardships! Now let's see if you can prove your words with action!]

[NOTICE]

[You are only allowed to use [Sword] weapons for this battle. Any other weapons and [Masteries] are restricted until the end of the battle.]

There it is. The notice signals the start of our rematch. This time, I'm not going to focus on stats or any game mechanics. This will be the test of my convictions and there is no way I'm letting this laughing general get the better of me again!

"Prepare yourself, General Veritates! En grade!" I shout before I start sprinting to the undead general with my sword in my hands. "[Flurry of Blades]!"

I quickly swing my sword at the general as many times as the skill can take. The number of strikes I can make from it depends on RNG between 4 to 8 times. This time, I manage to hit him 5 times before I continue with my normal attacks. Not a bad start for our rematch.

[As usual, you're rushing into things again. However, I can forgive you since I can feel the fire burning in your eyes.]

I have a bad feeling when he says that before he leaves his defensive position and raises his claymore with the blade pointed down to the ground. I quickly stop my barrage of attacks and back away as fast as possible.

[Now let's see if you keep your flames alight once you endure this! [Stab Quake]!]

Looks like my prediction is correct. I jump as high as I can before Veritates stabs the ground. It's like the skill name said, it creates a small quake the moment he initiates it. Again, I can't use [Super Jump] to avoid it completely, but I have other plans to take advantage of it anyway. Because the moment I jump, I find myself near the wall, and before I can fall back on the shaking ground, I use my momentum to run through it to charge back to the undead general.

"Nice try! [Cross Slash]!" I shout and jump out of the wall to strike the general with two more slashes.

Since his claymore is stuck in the ground, probably as a consequence of using that powerful skill, I have an opening to attack and more damage for him to deal with. But I can't attack him for too long since this opening is also short. All I do is a [Cross Slash] followed by a few normal attacks and finish it off with another [Flurry of Blades]. Then once I notice him about to pull his claymore out of the ground, I stop and jump back a few meters, during which thankfully the quake slows down by the time I land on my feet. By the looks of it, he doesn't seem to be exhausted, but I can see his armor is covered in scratches created by my attacks. I don't know if that means his [HP] has been chipped by some of the damage I gave from my attacks, but now that I think about it, is depleting his [HP] down to zero the only condition to win this duel?

[Nice, nice! You've learned a lot from our last bout, young Wind. But this is only the beginning of our duel! I want to see more fire in you! Show me how much your conviction burns brightly in your eyes and soul!]

Glad to see that he's impressed with my strength so far. But he's right. I'm not done with my attacks yet. Heck, I got a lot more surprises inspired by my brother and friends!

"Now you just want to let me go loose, gramps! You asked for it!" I rush straight to Veritates again and shouted, "[Flurry of Blades]!"

I raise my blade to prepare for another barrage of attacks again. But my smile drops when I see Veritate's grin. Something isn't right about it. However, it didn't take long for me to realize what once I recall the very skill that ended my first match against him.

[Then let's see if you can endure this once more.] General Veritates raises his claymore to use it as a shield. However, it's those words that make me realize what will happen next. [Counter Slash!]

Damn it! That old foggy tricked me! I can't stop my [Flurry of Blades] now I’ve activated it. Which means I can do nothing but watch his claymore glow blue as I tried to slash through it 8 times, a lucky roll that turned into my misfortune! It's my first duel all over again!

At least this is what the old me was thinking. This time, I'm already prepared to counter this counter! There is a chance it won't activate, but I rather risk it for the biscuit!

Just as the general raises his glowing claymore and swings it against me, I grin. "[Parry]."

With one word from a skill, I let it control my body as I find myself raising my sword and once it makes contact with Veritate's charged claymore, I use the blade to redirect it away from me. As soon as I regain control of my body, I can feel the recoil of his [Counter Slash] as I feel dust and wind blowing on my back as I hear the explosion. I feelmy heart has stop when I hear it, but to my relief, it works. Which leaves me with one more move up in my sleeve.

"[Cross Slash]!"

[Parry] has another effect. Along with deflecting a strong attack, it shortens the cooldown of my skills after use. So by the time I reposition myself, I raise my sword and swing it two times to create the said shape at the back of the general. After that, I back away as fast as I can before he can turn around to see me.

[Well... I didn't expect that move from you. Parrying a charged counter before countering back with your own. You really don't want to lose, aren't you, kid?]

I grin at his compliment. "Let's just say I'm a bit of a sore loser from that fight. Don't worry, that's not all I have in my sleeves. Why don't we end this fight right here, right now?"

I can hear the general laughing again. I have a bad feeling when he laughs at the wrong time during a fight.

[We indeed need to end it fast, but that doesn't mean I'm not bored of this fight at this time. Let's see if you can endure what I have left in my mana.]

I tighten my grip while glaring at my opponent as he starts to scream. I can see his eyes glowing from red to purple and the outlines of his armor start to glow in the same color. As expected, he's got another trump card in his sleeve, but it isn't enough to make me panic just yet. I am, however, starting to get goosebumps seeing him power up to his final form.

[I know this is just a test, but right now, I'm getting serious! Let's see if you can pierce through my [Mana Armor]!]

[Mana Armor], huh? Never heard of that spell or skill before, but I know from that name that I won't be able to break it through with attacks alone. But since there is [Mana] in its name, maybe this might be a good time to use it. Wallaby told me about it and maybe with the right skills, I might able to secure my victory for a price.

"I say 'bring it', old man!"

I sprint towards the general and start exchanging a flurry of attacks with him. True to his words, I can't seem to make a crack with normal attacks alone. I did try [Flurry of Blades] and [Cross Slash] next, but all it does is leave a small crack on his armor that suddenly disappears after a few seconds!

[Looks like your usual strategies aren't working with my [Mana Armor] now. What do you do now, young Wind? You showed me how bright your conviction was. But now, you need to use it to break through the opposition and hardships right in front of you. This is your last chance! Burn brighter and let it break your limits!]

Yeah, I really need to find the timing to defeat him and the only option left is to risk it all.

"Well, I can't exactly lose if you stand around and take my attacks," I said while grinning at him. "So come on, General! Try to break me once more!"

[Hahahaha!!! A risky fellow, huh? Well then, if you insist...] Veritates raises his sword one more time and says, [But I've warned you many times now and I'll show you not to ignore them!]

That's right! Follow my taunts. Cause this is the last time you're ever gonna overpower me!