967 The Key to Victory
“This trial is not like the situation where we fight our heart demon, but our true self. Power boost will also make the opponent strong, and suppressing one’s strength is not a good idea because the rune will reveal one’s true potential.” Luna pointed to a primary rune in the center of the arena.
“Yes, it doesn’t matter what kind of situation we are in. We need to defeat the image of our best.” Elysia nodded in agreement because she already knew about it.
“I only felt suspicious before, but now I feel certain. This tower was not created by the Goddess of Blessings herself. I found various divinity remnants of different entities and not identical to her at all.” Luna looked up at the ceiling again.
“Indeed. This tower was built by the Goddess of Blessings with the help of her friends and comrades. Do you want to try to beat the projection of your best?” Elysia pointed her palm towards the arena.
“Fufu, that’s good. However, I want Yusagi to go first. I’m sure she can beat this challenge well.” Luna glanced at the bunny girl beside her.
“Wha, I… Alright, allow me to challenge my own clone.” Yusagi gasped, but she immediately made a decision because she didn’t want to disappoint her Empress.
*Bzzt*
Yusagi walked past the magic dome and stood in the center of the arena. A shadowy figure gathered on the other side of the arena and formed her exact copy.
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‘To defeat a magic vessel without a spirit and soul is quite easy. I must drain its power first and attack when it restores itself. My victory will be decided in that split second.’ Yusagi muttered in her mind, remembering what she had learned from Sylvia’s defeats.
Yusagi cast a little magic to signal the start of the battle, but she didn’t go into offensive mode. She just waited for her opponent to attack.
As the challenger didn’t use the first strike opportunity, the clone shot up like the wind and attacked.
*Swoosh*
Yusagi took a defensive stance and moved agilely like a rabbit running for her dear life. She kept her distance from her opponent without putting up any significant resistance.
She saved her strength and magic reserve for the final blow to determine her victory, and she couldn’t mess that up.
*Bam* *Bam* *Bang*
The clone continued to attack with wind and light magic. Still, Yusagi focused on dodging and parrying all attacks while waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
After five minutes of exchange, the clone paused as if observing the challenger’s movements. However, Yusagi knew that her opponent was suffering from a slight cooldown to recover to optimal condition.
“Now!” Yusagi gathered all her magic power into her hand and unleashed the most powerful light spear.
*Swoosh!* *Boom!*
The spear of light shot out at an impressive speed. It pierced through the clone instantly, creating a dazzling explosion of high destructive power exceeding that of a peak Spirit-level warrior.
When the light outburst dimmed, and the dust cleared, the clone was still standing in a position with a large hole in her chest. The clone looked at her hollow chest expressionlessly as she felt no pain, but she knew she had lost.
The clone then disintegrated into light particles and returned to runes.
[Congratulations! +750 Points]
“I, I succeeded?” Yusagi was momentarily stunned when she saw the notification screen pop out before her eyes.
“Yusagi, congratulations!” Luna waved her hand as she was pleased with Yusagi’s feat.
“What, what kind of sorcery is that?” Sylvia stared in disbelief.
Yusagi then teleported near the exit, watching from the other side of the magic dome.
“Fufu, you can also complete this challenge easily if you know the key of victory. Your opponent can always be in optimal condition, and there is still an obvious flaw. Please watch me and learn how I beat my clone.” Luna entered the magic dome confidently.
What she did next was similar to Yusagi. That method was her instruction, to begin with. She made the clone continue to attack, then retaliated when the clone was waiting for recovery cooldown.
Luna cleared the challenge in less than five minutes without breaking a sweat.
“Yay!” Luna made a V-hand sign and smiled happily. She was then teleported near the exit.
“Hum, that is the key to victory. What did you learn?” Elysia looked back, wanting to know what the girls had comprehended.
“We need to get the clone to attack relentlessly, and we need to hold out for a certain period of time. When it stops attacking, we have to take down the clone in one hit.” Vanessa raised her hand high excitedly.
“Yes, literally that is the key. You must survive a five-minute continuous attack, and defeat the clone while it is recuperating. The opportunity lasts less than three seconds, and you shouldn’t miss it. So, who’s going to try to beat the your clone next?” Elysia folded her arms and nodded like a sage.
The girls then try to challenge the trial in turn. Most of them managed to clear the challenge with the same method, but some failed because they failed to defeat the opponent in one hit. However, they immediately tried again once they recovered.
“Master, I feel something strange inside my body. It’s like something is awakening, and telling me that everything I say and do can affect the people around me.” Dori approached Elysia with a bit of agitation.
“That’s actually your newly acquired talent, Dori. It has awakened because of the trials in this tower, huh. You don’t need to worry because we won’t be affected. However, it’s different from other people. Be careful when speaking or acting to outsiders. It can really affect them.” Elysia checked Dori’s condition and found that this pink mermaid had awakened some hidden innate abilities.
“Did you already know beforehand, master? What kind of ability is it?” Dori still needed to understand her new skills and abilities.
“It’s related to charm. When you use that skill, you can influence other people’s subconscious to follow everything you say. That witch also has triggered another innate ability within you, Dori.” Elysia held Dori’s wrist, carrying out a more in-depth inspection using her magic energy.
“Another ability? Is it something dangerous?” Dori felt worried, considering that witch couldn’t possibly leave anything good behind.
“That is hypnosis and mind control. However, don’t be afraid or worried. We will guide you to the right path.” Elysia stroked Dori’s head gently.
“…” Dori was surprised because it was practically some dangerous ability.
She would ascend to Saint-level soon, and she might be able to influence an Emperor-level person with her abilities. That was probably why she was invited under Elysia’s banner. It was not only to protect her but also to guide her for good causes.
If her new abilities were left unattended, she might control many people without her knowing it and turn them into puppets. She could become a demon and sink into the path of no return.
“Your charm is a passive skill. As long as you use it for good, then it’s fine. You will not go astray. I won’t let you become another witch of depravity. You are Dori, my adorable pink mermaid, remember?” Elysia put her finger to Dori’s chin, affirming her words with a solemn expression.
“O-okay, this servant obey.” Dori nodded in a daze. She once again felt mesmerized as she looked into Elysia’s eyes. If she had charm skills, then why was she charmed by her master? There was no foreign influence but a great pure natural attraction.
“Good, now it’s your turn to complete this trial.” Elysia invited Dori to enter the arena.
“Ah, alright. You will be the final challenger, master.” Dori stepped through the magic dome and glanced back.
“Yes, I need to make sure everyone passes here well.” Elysia waved her hand.
Dori took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She had to use another strategy to survive her clone’s attacks for five minutes before launching a decisive move to defeat her opponent in one hit.
She had failed once before and couldn’t let her Goddess master down.
*Swoosh!* *Splash* *Bam*
Dozens of water waves towered like pillars, and hundreds of water whips shot out to attack Dori simultaneously. The clone started attacking, and Dori immediately moved through the air as if swimming against the waves and currents, dodging all the attacks.
After five minutes of large-scale attacks, the clone ceased her assault and was silent as if observing her opponent.
“This is my chance!” Dori created a small water trident and entwined her with all the magic power there. It then shot at her opponent like a super fast bullet. It exploded like a bomb upon contact, solidifying the surrounding water.
*Thud* *Shatter*
When Dori landed on the ground, she shattered the solidified water like broken glass.
“Huff, huff, I did it!” Dori jumped happily. She was immediately teleported near the exit gate.
Elysia was the last challenger, and she entered the arena casually.
The girls observed Elysia’s every move. However, what happened next shocked everyone.
*Bam*
Elysia merely slapped empty air, and the manifestation clone vanished the moment it took shape. The clone hasn’t even had a chance to blink.
The magical residue broke into particles and returned to the runes.
*Poof*
Elysia was teleported near the exit. She finished this trial in just three seconds.
The girls stared at Elysia in awe. Everything was happening before their eyes, but they weren’t sure what was happening.