"Whoosh!" my speed was like that of a spectre, as I dashed towards the opening, leaving after images behind.
But my fade had already been ruined, because three other people.... no scratch that, four other people, had already entered before me. The surprising one being the redhead that was still standing on her airship a moment ago.
Rose turned back to look at me for the briefest of moments, before turning back. But the surprise that flickered in her eyes when she perhaps saw how fast I had moved, didn't escape my eyes.
Others that were also stronger than I was also soon zoomed past me. But something didn't add up, the tide wasn't as much as I was expecting.
I expected there to be a stampede, youths tumbling onto the ground from not seeing what was in front of them, but this, I turned back towards the opening in the barrier for the slightest of moments.
It was then that I saw it. What could be called an amalgamation of chaos.
Around fifty youths that were trying to pass through at the same time, got stuck. Partly because they were too much to pass at the same time, and partly because eerie hands from the earth were reaching up to clasp some of their legs.
"No wonder!" I muttered in realization. Some bastard had trapped them.
But I didn't dwell in it. I turned back, and picked up pace. The entrance exam wasn't a 'mere' race like the aspirants were thinking. Instead, it was a trial designed to filter the promising from the incompetent.
"BOOOOM!" the deafening clap of a shockwave blasted past me.
"So it's already started." I muttered to myself as I saw far in the distance, towering humanoids about five meters in height engaging in combat with the aspirants.
"Better up my game." my eyes sharpened. Now most would think I would suddenly get a boost or an increase in speed, but wrong they are. I instead darted to the side, deeper into the thick forest we were.
"Who is that idiot?" I heard someone saying as I vanished out of earshot.
And no, I was not taking the faster and less dangerous route that I knew from the novel. I was just going to be in the thicker vegetation, so I wouldn't have to confront those automatons early on.
"Huh? are you retarded? We've gone past the secret way you fool." Bubbles complained.
I gave him a skeptical glance.
"Are you sure you have all my memories?
""Huh? What does that have to do with this? Bubbles asked confused.
I sighed.
"It's just that, you know, for someone who has my memories, you're kinda stupid."
"What did you just call this emperor, you little shit?!" He made a faux claw at my face.
I shrugged.
"What else do you want me to call you?" I asked flipping over a tree branch that over extended downwards. "Humor me, how would you explain the fact that someone who's never been on this island got to know a secret way that leads to the institute?"
Bubbles paused, staring into the air.
"I uh... kinda forgot about that." he muttered.
I also hadn't changed my mind for long. Even when the barrier opened, I was still planning on going through the secret way. But then I though about it, how was I supposed to explain how I knew about that despite never having stepped here before?
Sure I could lie that it was because of my ability, but my ability would sooner or late be public knowledge, so that door was closed.
And let's not forget, the proctor and other instructors were definitely overseeing the exam, so I didn't want to risk it.
'And besides," I smiled. 'I'm feeling a bit competitive.'
I wasn't as weak as when I first came into this world. In fact one could say that the me from over a month ago, and the me now were heaven and earth apart.
I didn't know if I was exaggerating, but I felt like I could definitely beat a hundred of the past me, that too, at the same time. After all, I don't see how an invisible reflection could help the past me beat ten pieces of the current me.
Not only that, the gap between me and my generation had been bridged by the golden chalice. Hell, I was in the top fifty percent in the over a thousand aspirants here today.
The majority ranks were kappa+, and Eta-, while the more talented youths like Fabian, Rose, Delilah, and the bitch were at Eta. Though on the bitch's side, it was more of resources, than talent.
Even the protagonist was 'only' two minor ranks above me at this point. Though calling it only was an understatement.
That said, how was I going to improve if I didn't face the danger or problem like the others were doing?
My eyes narrowed.
"Bubbles get ready, we're going out to the battlefield." I muttered.
"Aye aye captain." he mock saluted.
I scowled.
"Stop that shit, you're giving me cringe overload." I said leaping off a tree's side, and making a sharp turn, in the direction of the automatons.
No way I was doing that to fight them of course, but to get to the other stage of the exam, you must past through them.
That was because, behind the space they were occupying was narrow canyon leading to a cliff. And the only thing leading to the other side was a thin rock bridge stretched over the cliff.
The moment I burst into the more open forest, I had to instantly jump backwards.
"BOOOOM!"
A massive fist the size of my torso hit the spot I had been moments ago. The impact cracking the earth upon contact.
"Damn." A comical bead of sweat appeared on my forehead. While I had become durable enough to not turn into minced meat, if that attack had struck me, I'd still be out for commission.
I took a glance at the surroundings, abilities were being activated, techniques were flying, and most of all, there was chaos.
"Whoosh!" I employed mirage steps, and tried to blitz my way pass the automatons, the emphasis on try.
One of the automatons stomped it's foot directly in my way. The automatons were faster than their body mass suggested. And what frustrated me more was that they were made virtually indestructible for youths with our level of power.
"It seems I won't be able to get away as fast as I'd like, not without using my ability at least." I muttered as a replica of me appeared beside me.
With a nod, both of us burst into a full sprint in the directions of two different openings we saw, unfortunately, the automaton in the area chose to block my true body, thereby giving my reflection a chance to escape into the canyon.
Fortunately for me, with a mental tug, I now occupied the space my reflection was a moment ago.
"What the hell are you waiting for?! Bubbles complained as a few youths that had managed to cross into the canyon ran past us.
"Keep those legs moving. We better not end up below the top...." I turned him out, and began another sprint.
I soon ran the entire length of the canyon, and reached the bridge.
"Aiiiiish, I really was not looking forward to this part of the exam." I muttered as my eyes came in contact with what laid beyond the rock bridge.
Lol and behold, it was fog. Not gonna lie, I had a little phobia for fog at this point.
"Welp, you're on your own." Bubbles promptly disappeared.
I scowled.
'Come back here you little shit.'
'Sorry, I'm not in the mood to play mind games at the moment, besides, this way you can count on me if things go sideways.' He offered.
"Now that I think about it, it's kind of a smart idea." I muttered contemplatively. But then it hit me.
I frowned.
"Wait a minute, when did you get this smart? You're just using this as an excuse to escape."
'And that makes you the stupid one for buying it." His mocking voice retorted.
I wasn't apprehensive of the fog just because it was a fog. But instead, because it also had a certain property just like that of the Ashen Deadland's.
Only, this fog didn't confuse one's sense of direction, but instead plants a seed or even seeds of doubt in one's mind.
It's called the fog of doubt. Once an individual enters the fog, it begins to induce the sense of doubt in you. You question everything, be it the slightest mistake, a wrong step, your goals, or even your entire purpose.
I was sure as hell not right in the mind. And with the amount of baggage I was carrying, stepping into that fog was definitely not ideal for me.
"Bubbles," I called. "Since you've chosen your job, make sure to do it well. You'll be my anchor."
"Aye aye captain."
I wasn't going to overestimate myself or underestimate the fog, because.... even the protagonist and the main cast would stay here for a while.
"Let's just hope this ends well." I sighed as I ran the length of the rock bridge.
**********
ALRIGHT EVERYONE, DONT FORGET TO DROP SOME POWER STONES, AND DONT BE TOO LAZY TO WRITE A REVIEW.
HERE'S A PUZZLE I'M ASKING AGAIN; IS DAMON AN EDITOR WHO GOT TRANSMIGRATED INTO A NOVEL?
OR IS HE A PRINCE WHO GOT THE MEMORIES OF AN EDITOR FROM ANOTHER WORLD?
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?