"I must thank you for your magnanimity for agreeing to a duel request from your junior."
It was the day of the duel, and my cute little brother had indeed gone all out for this, he had invited our siblings,Romasa,our father and all the higher ups of the village.
"Nonsense, how can I reject anything requested to me by my little brother. But I must say, isn't this quite the big crowd for a small practice duel."
"I think it's a great way to raise the morale of our village while taking off a little stress off them by showing how great the next generation is."
"I'm not sure we can show them as huge of a sight that you wish brother."
"Enough chitchating you two, hold your positions and get ready to fight."
Finally, our father couldn't stand hearing our jabs and told us to start.
"Now, as the official witness of this duel, I will lay down the rules of this duel."
"Killing and heavily injuring the opponents are not allowed. The perpetrator will be exiled from the village."
"You are not allowed to strike if your opponent has surrendered or has lost his weapon."
"Now, let the duel begin!"
As soon as the last word left my father's mouth,Sudas jumped over with the swiftness at a rabbit.
I was caught a bit off guard but I managed to parry his strike nonetheless. After which I countered his strike by going for an upper body slash aimed at his shoulder.
Contrary to my expectations, he actually managed to block my sword in time, his sword speed and reflexes were certainly fast. I'm not certain I could have blocked that hit myself.
After which he went for a stab attack at my chest which I easily managed to deflect, I was a bit shocked and proud of myself for how good I managed to deflect that but it made sense the next moment.
He went for a kick aimed at my knee, I managed to react in time though and minimize the damage done, but I still lost my sense of balance for a second there.
Which was enough for my brother to unleash a huge over the top strike.
*Clang*
I somehow managed to block it but my brother clearly didn't want to let go of this opportunity, putting more and more strength on his sword until I felt I was blocking a boulder.
I somehow managed to last through it, tho my arms felt like they were on fire.
"Impressive brother, just like I expected from you."
"You're too humble little brother, your little tricks are not bad themselves."
Saying this, we both jumped at each other.
*Clang*
•••
We went back and forth for a couple of times after that.
And although it was a tough challenge, I did manage to beat him.
.. That was what I was planning to say but lying on my back with my weapon having fallen out of my hand, I don't think I'll really get a chance to say it.
"I declare the winner of this duel to be Sudas."
Standing up was a bit of a chore considering my body was aching all over.
"I thank you for going easy on me and letting me win."
"No, you have deserved this win fairly. I'm proud of you my little brother."
Although Atri had a charming smile on his face, he was internally snorting.
'This guy, even with the win he still isn't satisfied.'
By saying such words which looked nice and respectful on the surface,words which a model little brother should say in this situation, he was not only increasing his reputation in the hearts of the spectators.
He was also humiliating Atri, after all, everyone of the spectators was an expert or at least a decent fighter. How could they possibly not tell that Atri had clearly gone all out in this battle, yet his brother still left him a way out.
Not only this, Atri even had to reply to those polite words with praise to his brother, otherwise he would be looked as a sore loser who lost a fight with his model brother and got angry after losing.
'He's still as cunning as ever.'
Damn it, I'm gonna do more combat training when I get back. This will be the last time I ever get humiliated like this.
•••
"It's finally the day to give the trial, huh."
"Are you still nervous, brother Atri?"
Looking at my Romasa's carefree smile, it really felt like I was the weird one for caring that we were going on an unknown adventure with a high chance of death.
"Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous."
"Don't be worried too much, we have spent the last month training for this, we are prepared for it."
"I just hope that's true, but don't be too overconfident."
While we were talking, Elder sister Vrita had also come over.
"Are you two ready for the trial?"
"Well, we have prepared all we could."
"I see, remember to be careful in the trial, try your best to stay alive. Remember, remain alert at all times, getting careless is the fastest way to death."
"I will, You stay careful too."
Thank god, it seems I'm not the only one who's worried.
"Don't worry, your sister hasn't fallen so much that she needs you to worry about her."
"Haha, I'm sure you don't, sister."
"Look, I'm gonna be serious with you."
My sister said that while her eyes gave a more serious look.
"If you ever find yourself struggling and depressed in the Maya realm, remember, we are waiting for you back home, so try to stay alive."
"Thanks sis, I will keep that in mind."
"Alright kids, gather around."
At that moment, our father entered the room followed by Sudas and sister Apala.
"Alright, look this are the Maya stones that you need to enter the trial."
Saying that, our father showed us 5 glowing stones.
They weren't that bright, they were bright enough that you'd notice them in the dark but not bright enough that they'd light up the surroundings around them.
However, although they weren't bright. They evoked a type of feeling in you, a feeling of hope.
They make you feel how a man who had been far way from his home might feel when he sees the light illuminating his house after a long time.
Father quickly gave each of us one, what surprised was how they felt.
They weren't tough like you'd expect stones to be, they were softer, smoother and almost felt warm for some reason.
"Alright, now, the only thing you need to do is to truly let yourself go. Stop resisting and allow the warmth of the stone to expand in you. That's how you enter the Maya realm."
"Alright kids, now go and do your best and make me proud. Remember, I love you."
As I followed the instructions of father, I felt the warmth spreading throughout my whole body, although I didn't really hear what he said at the last.
Feeling the warmth spreading in you was a weird feeling, it felt as if you had let go of everything, every burden, every obsession. It felt like 'freedom'
•••
"Brother Li, are you okay?"
"Huh yeah, I'm fine."
Opening my eyes, I quickly did what my father instructed me to do and examined my body.
I was wearing an armour, although it wasn't a fancy one, something way more basic.
I was a bit hurt and had some injuries but nothing too concerning or life threatening, my body was also similar to the one I had in the real world, which was good since it would have been hard to adjust to a different type of body.
After examining my body, I quickly looked around and examined my surroundings, from one glance, I could tell that we were in a war.
I had become a soldier, and looking at my armour and clothes, I'm probably not in a high position.
Looking around, I could tell one thing, I wasn't in the winning side.
I along with a few other soldiers were surrounded by seemingly hundreds of enemy soldiers.
I also found our commander,he was quite easy to find because he was wearing a way better armour than everyone around us and had a fierce face too, reminding me of my father.
Looking at his desperate gaze, I could guess what his plans were, we would probably have to escape from this situation.
In such a situation, the best two options available to me are to go try to take a commanders head, however that would be an extremely hard task and there would be an extremely high chance I die.
The other option was much more simple one, escape from here alive, it was a much more possible task too, although the only problem is that it decreases the chances of a yaksa approaching me. Even if I get a yaksa, it would be way less powerful than one I'd get from taking the commanders head probably.
But that's something I just have to accept, after all, it's better to live with a weak yaksa than die trying to get a powerful one.
Now, as soon the commander gives the command to attack, I must do my best to escape.
Thankfully I learned tons of escaping techniques, I knew it was a good idea to learn them.
"Brother Li, looks like the commander is gonna give the order now."
"Yeah"
It seems my name is Li and this guy is probably one of my fellow soldiers.
Then, the commander looked as if he had resolved himself.
'Here it comes.'
The declaration to fight and escape.
"We surrender!!"
Wait what?
•••
"Daniel , our situation here is becoming extremely bad. We must escape to the capital,or it will become impossible later. "
Sudas who had just woken up in the body of an advisor to a prince , quickly guessed his situation.
'Judging from the difference between his and my clothes, it seems I am an advisor to high ranking figure. Also, he is pretty young to be in a powerful position so he must have an influential parental figure.'
'Judging from his words, I have two choices, either help him escape from here or destroy whatever it is that is threatening him.'
"Your majesty, please do not worry. I will make sure that we shall not allow a single hair of you to be damaged, we will also punish every single one that has dared to stand against you."
He had already made his choice. Nay, For him, there was but one choice from the start.
'Run home like a coward, no way I am going to do that. The only option is to get control of this territory.'
Hearing that, the prince let out a deep sigh and then looked at Sudas with a gaze of conviction.
"Alright, if it was anyone else, I would have refused but since it's you. I will trust you and stay in this territory but if things turn even worse, we must escape quickly."
"I promise you, your majesty. That when you return to the capital, all the city would cheer the name of you. You would be looked at as a great conqueror."
"Haha, that would be nice. Alright, Daniel. Quickly build a plan for how we are going to take this territory back."
"I'm on it, your majesty. Now, please allow your humble servant to go and build the plan."
"Go, quickly. Don't waste any time. You should have a satisfactory plan in a week or we will return to the capital."
Hearing this, Sudas smiled, this was exactly what he wanted to hear.
"As you wish."