“There is no need to worry, the situation has already been handled, soon the information on how the other elves were killed would be out. We did suffer from unfortunate losses, so, for now, the competition would be canceled”, announced the king.

The crowd became silent and left.

I was disappointed that I won’t get to fight anymore.

The king looked at us, “Now shall we start the next trail.”

“Wasn’t it canceled?”

“No, I just wanted the people to leave so I said that and this time I will be the one making the trial”

The elf king snapped his finger, and we got teleported to a new place. He used spatial Magic. Right now, the only one who was watching us was the king and a few elders. The elders were the same that had arrived with the king.

In front of me was a lake. I could sense various sea serpents and giant fishes living under there.

The king then said, “All you need to do is cross the lake, and you will pass, Now begin.”

Unlike in the trial where everyone rushed in, this time no one moved, their gazes were fixed on me.

Then I realized they must have thought I would switch place with the one who crossed the lake first.

Them being wary and cautious of me gave me a kind of amusement. I smiled and started walking.

Well, I could just teleport there but where’s the fun in doing the same thing twice.

I really wanted to freeze the entire lake and flex my strength, but that would be a bit too much.

I simply walked, the water my legs would touch would freeze, creating a straight path of ice for me. Then I simply walked on the ice.

The clothes I wore were made of dragon scales, so, of course, not a single creature dared confront me with my clothes, giving the smell of a dragon.

I simply walked.

One of the elders got confused and asked, “Why is he not getting attacked?”

The king, with a smile on his face, said, “He is getting more and more interesting.”

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I was safely able to get to the other side.

As everyone saw me simply cross the river, they thought it would be easy, one of the elves rushed in, and took a dive, but soon it was his blood that was seen in the top of the water.

The other elves gave up seeing the danger, but the princess was surprisingly able to make it to the other side. She was covered in wounds and barely got out of water. I did give out my hand to help her stand up.

She was ultimately out of breath and was taking deep breaths.

“Congratulations, on passing the trail, now let’s go to the palace for the final trial.”

In the palace? I wondered what kind of trail it would be?

On the way, the king asked, “What do you think about the view of the palace?”

“It is really nice; I enjoy looking at great architecture, and also, the paintings are exquisite.”

I replied, but the princess remained silent like she could not talk properly in front of her father.

“Here is your final trial.”

We were in a giant room it was nearly empty with only two chairs and a table. There was a chessboard on top of the table.

“Is this it the final trial is going to be a chess match between the princess and me?”, I asked

“Oh no, you are mistaken. It's going to be between you and me.”

“What?”

“As for the princess, she already lost when she came out of the lake injured, but you were unscratched, now my daughter, you may leave us.”, The elf king said with a solemn expression

She was looking down with moist eyes, she looked like she was barely holding herself. She left the room in agony.

The king sat on the chair and asked me, “Now, join me, you know how to play chess, right?”

“Of course, but wasn’t these trails about one’s strength, so why a chess match.”

“What the value in one’s strength if one does not have the brains to utilize it.”

“Oh, and if I win what would I get”

“Ahh, if you win, I will grant you anything you want.”

“Oh, are you really that confident that you will win? What if I won and asked for your throne or even your life?”

“Once you live long enough, you begin to realize how boring life truly is. At such a point, there are only a few things that truly make your heartbeat. Gambling just happens to be one of them. If I happen to lose, I will give you anything you want, be it my life or the crown, that is, if you win. There are only a few matches I have ever lost in my entire life, Afterall.”

The match had begun, the king also started to ask me some questions after the game started.

“So, what did you think of the incident from before.”, the king asked

“What’s the point in knowing what I think if the incident has already been resolved.”

“Has it been really? Do you believe everything I said was the truth?”

“Of course, not.”

“Why do you think that?”

“then, his name, tell me his name, the red-haired elf, you said your advisor researched about him, right? I will believe everything you said if you tell me his name.”

 “I could just tell you any name, how would you even confirm whether I lied or told the truth.”

“Then, I could just say we exchanged names before entering the cave.”