After the second trial ended, there were only two hundred fifty-two people who passed to the third trial. Ordinary people thought that most of participants didn’t really have a chance against those who ignited their aura during the second trial.
Most of the participants were now discussing that the second trial was very hard for them and it didn’t actually test their combat prowess.
A lot of people failed the test at the start because they got scared by huge werewolves. Although they were rather weak, the werewolves seemed to be fierce and powerful. Some people with weak minds crumbled from the pressure of the pack of werewolves. This part tested their determination to win no matter what they met on their way to victory.
Even more people failed the trial because of little human kids, who didn’t seem to be dangerous, but would suddenly attack and injure or even kill them. This part was a test to see if they had a decisiveness of a real hero. Initially, this trial was meant for dark elves, so killing children of a different race wasn’t a crime but an act of a resolute heroism. And it also showed what the human race looked like in ancient dark elves’ eyes - filthy savages who befriended demons and beasts.
But the most mysterious part was the fact that no one, except Boe, met the squad of horned men. Did Boe’s trial change because of his transformation or was there another reason?
When Boe and company were already leaving the stadium, Dale caught up and stood in front of them, blocking the exit.
“Boe, you wield a power of demons. Humans, even dark wizards, are opposing demons from ancient times and they will definitely make troubles for you because of that. Why don’t you join me in my future adventures as a companion?” Dale’s approach dramatically changed after he saw Boe’s transformation. He now wanted Boe to be his equal, not a subordinate. Even his over-the-top arrogance lowered significantly. Even though he despised ordinary humans, Boe was definitely not an ordinary being. Boe could even be a disciple of a powerful hidden expert. And the most important reason for Dale was the fact that Boe was a real enigma. Dale wanted to unveil all Boe’s secrets, he now wanted to play with Boe until he would satisfy his curiosity.
“Adventures? Do you have something specific or is it just an invitation to waste my time with you?” Boe didn’t have anything planned back in The Shadow Kingdom after this competition, so he was interested in anything that could increase his power. If Dale really had something interesting on his mind and it could help Boe in any way, Boe might actually consider joining Dale in his adventures. He wouldn’t lose anything because of that and might even get some profits after all.
“Ha-ha, as expected, you aren’t just a simple stupid human. If you’ll agree to accompany me, I’ll definitely offer you an extraordinary adventure. I already have a few things on my to-do list and one of them is even connected to the ruins of an ancient wizard Enthriil’s fortress.” Dale’s mouth was curved in a very cunning smile. He knew that ancient ruins of a powerful wizard would interest even high ranked wizards, not to mention the rank 1 wizard.
“Enthriil’s fortress?” Boe’s outer appearance didn’t change as if he heard this name for the first time, but in reality he was already prepared to agree to Dale’s proposal. He owned Enthriil’s claws and they were a very high-class weapon, so Enthriil’s inheritance would surely be impressive. Even though Boe needed to confirm that Dale’s words were true, he didn’t really doubt them. Dale didn’t have a reason to lie, he needed Boe for some reason, so lying from the beginning would be impractical.
“It isn’t really a surprise that you haven’t heard anything about Enthriil since he is a wizard from the ancient times, and even records of my royal family contain only fragmented information on him. But I do know that he was at least a rank 7 wizard, who specialized in forging artifacts. So if we’ll be able to enter his fortress, we will certainly obtain great harvest.” Previously, Boe thought that claws he used were weapons of Enthriil, but now there was a chance that they were just one of weapons he forged. If that was the case, then there was a possibility that fortress stored other artifacts Enthriil forged. Boe’s battle teaching was of the highest possible level for this world, but The Strongest didn’t give any artifacts to Boe. If Enthriil was really an artifacts forger, Boe would definitely not miss an opportunity to visit Enthriil’s fortress.
“So, if I’m getting a chance to visit the fortress, then what do you want to obtain from me?” Boe’s gaze was as cold as ever and his tone was absolutely indifferent.
“I’ll have a new outstanding ally. In this dangerous and unpredictable world, having as many powerful friends as possible is a best way to survive. And by the way, if you’ll decide to become my friend, The Shadow Kingdom and The Dark Elf Kingdom will definitely forget about the matter of your strange aura. Even though I’m not a crown prince, I’m still the most talented child of my father.” A cunning smile was too obvious on Dale’s face, but Boe didn’t find it strange that Dale is scheming something. He was the dark wizard and Dale was the dark elf, they both knew that profit was more important than personal feelings.
“Let’s discuss this one more time once the competition will be finished.” Boe needed a time to weight profits and losses of associating himself with a prince of The Dark Elf Kingdom.
“Competition? Ha-ha. This competition was made public just to show you humans how powerful we are. In reality, it is already a known fact that I will be the one to take the first place. While my father will easily part with a spirit animal and a spirit nurturing pill, he was going to gift me a magic essence from the start, so this competition is merely a show to establish my fame.”
“You’re so certain in your victory? Then why don’t we have a bet?” At the moment when Dale was laughing with a proud expression on his face, Kamys jumped out from the crowd and started talking with mouth crooked in a mischievous smile.
“Bet? With you? What can you offer me?” Dale frowned for a second, but quickly regained his calm appearance.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Let’s bet that one of us, three brothers, will be ahead of you in this competition,” Kamys said while his left hand was already on Boe’s shoulder and right hand was lying on Richard’s shoulder, “and if we’ll lose, all three of us will become your subordinates for a year, but if you’ll lose then you’ll bring us with a few of our friends to that fortress and we won’t owe you anything in return.”
While Kamys was having fun and Dale was thinking, Boe was only looking at Richard with gaze full of curiosity. Both Boe and Richard were dragged in this mess by Kamys; while Boe’s calm reaction was to be expected, Richard was surprisingly indifferent to all this, as if he was sure he would win this.
“One of you three will be above me in the final placements?” Dale already knew everything about Kamys and his strength so he was not a problem for Dale. Boe was a complete mystery and his strength was unpredictable. And Richard was just a genius of a small family from a tiny city who didn’t even ignite his aura during the second trial so he was nothing in Dale’s eyes. And even if one of three would be able to surpass him in the third trial, Dale didn’t really care about the shadow essence. Dale only wanted to observe Boe’s power and maybe even try to befriend him to get close to the mysterious master behind him. If Dale really needed the shadow essence, he could definitely obtain it from his father directly in a single day.
“Are you in or are you too scared of three country bumpkins, your highness?” Kamys’ mocking question would be too obvious even for little children, which made Dale slightly angry.
“I accept the bet, but if I win I’ll make you clean my personal toilet for a year with your bare hands and you won’t be able to refuse since you’ll be my subordinate,” Dale said these words, turned around and left without giving Kamys a chance to reply.
“Kamys, why are you so sure that one of us will win this?”
“I’m strong, you’re even stronger than me and brother Richard is stronger than both of us combined.” Kamys’ face was shining from happiness as if he was a proud father who was bragging about his genius son.
“You’re stronger than me and Kamys combined?” Boe’s eye were now focused on Richard. His fighting spirit started waking up and he really wanted to test out this fellow.
“I never said anything like that,” Richard coldly answered, got out from Kamys’ hands and walked away.
“Brother Boe, when my father sent me to the school, he told me that the current number one genius of the Carter family is actually the strongest person under seventeen years of age. While you’re definitely stronger than me, the difference between us is rather small. But my father told me that even if five of me attacked Richard at the same time, there was no way to defeat him.”
“Your father thinks so highly of someone from the rank 3 school?”
“When I tried to get more information out of my father, he only told me that Carter family has a huge secret, which he can’t tell me yet.”
“Carter family’s huge secret? That seems interesting… And by the way, what are we going to do if the next trial isn’t about the combat prowess, but something else? While the first trial tested our strength, the second one tested our determination and decisiveness. The third one might actually test other characteristics of our personality.” A mocking smile was now on Boe’s face as he watched Kamys’ face suddenly turn agitated and dismayed.
“Whatever it will be, I’m not afraid when I have two brothers by my side!” Kamys was trying to sound convincing, but his voice was clearly trembling.
“The last trial begins in ten minutes. All participants, please enter the stage.” A voice was quiet and tranquil, but for some reason every person within the stadium heard it like it was whispered directly in their ears.
‘That’s the same technique my master and eldest sister are using to communicate with me. The person who spoke is definitely a very powerful being.’ When Boe heard the voice, he immediately jumped up onto the stage and started looking around in search of the voice’s owner.
“Good morning, little geniuses.” Ten minutes later, a thin white-haired old man appeared on the stage and spoke with a bright smile on his face. The old man had bright grey eyes and pointy ears, which indicated that he was from the royal family. His clothes were grey and tattered, the crown on his back was almost impossible to notice and there were no arrogance in his eyes.
“Greetings, esteemed Grand Elder,” All elves on the stage immediately knelt on the ground and shouted at the same time.
“Greetings, honorable elder,” Everyone else bowed and reacted a second later.
“He’s The Grand Elder of The Dark Elf Kingdom, he is only second to the King himself. He’s a rank 9 wizard and wields a lot of authority in the kingdom. Because of his good nature, even kings and emperors of other countries greatly respect him,” Seeing Boe’s puzzled face, Kamys whispered everything he knew about the old man.
“Today, you will all enter the same magic array at the same time, but each of you will experience your own unique illusion. This trial is called ‘The trial of the leader’ and will test your leadership and decision making.” As the old man finished saying what he wanted, he stomped his right leg onto the ground and a huge circle appeared on the stage. All participants were already inside of that circle and their bodies started shining brightly.
This time, Boe didn’t feel any dizziness or other feelings. He only blinked once and everything around him changed. He wasn’t on the stage anymore, he wasn’t even in The Dark Elf Kingdom.
Boe was standing on a huge white wall, surrounded by twenty military men. He looked forward and saw an enormous white city behind the wall with millions citizens staring in his direction. When he turned his head and looked to the other side of wall, his jaw dropped. There was countless amount of demons surrounding the city from all sides, ready to attack at any moment.
“You’re a commanding general of this city. Your duty is to protect citizens from demons. There are twelve million various demons in an enemy army, five million soldiers in your army and more than twenty million innocent civilians inside the city. A demon Lord of rank 10 commands enemy forces, and you’re a rank 10 wizard yourself, an attribute is up to you to choose. Find a way to resolve this issue with as few victims as possible. Good luck.” The old man’s voice resounded in Boe’s head, and then the whole world around Boe became so real that Boe felt that he was only now awaken from the dream of another life into his current real body.
“Little Boe, you petty worm, stop hiding from me and come out to fight!” The so-familiar shrill and sinister voice screamed from outside of the city. When Boe took a glance at the source of the voice, his body trembled, a shiver ran through his whole body and a cold sweat started pouring out from Boe’s back.
A two meters tall, red skinned demon with black hairs, five curved horns sticking out of his head and black spikes all over his body was standing in a middle of the demon army. His eyes were as dark red in color as a fresh blood, his aura was emitting tremendous pressure and Boe could feel a terrifying killing intent coming in his direction.