School Transmigration: I, Chosen as the Saint by Dragons at the Start-Chapter 234 --A New Illusion

For the first time, Owen found himself completely unable to calm down and make a rational decision regarding a matter.

Consequently, Owen felt extremely restless, eager to escape this layer of illusion.

He tried various shortcuts, including suicide and killing all the teammates this layer of illusion had assigned to him.

However, these actions only resulted in brief moments of mental blankness, after which he found himself back at the starting point, in his room within the illusion.

Reluctantly, Owen accepted the identity assigned to him in this layer of illusion, following the development of events within it.

He step by step got involved in a war unrelated to him.

After several experiments, he roughly understood that the purpose of this illusion was to train his abilities in commanding battles, participating in combat, and maintaining his mental state.

To do so, he had to fully accept the identity set for him by the illusion.

Every time he reminisced about the past, he would be transported back to the starting room, forcing everything to begin anew.

Escaping this illusion was possible only by adhering to such distasteful rules. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After forcing himself to accept these rules, something peculiar happened.

Perhaps due to his prior study of the Doppelganger Technique, within this illusion, he became two people.

One observed everything happening within the illusion as if a deity from beyond, while the other seemed to have forgotten the past, progressing towards escaping the illusion.

In this manner, he finally found a way out of the illusion, taking the first step.

This illusion’s continent is known as the Eastern Land.

Eastern Land is divided into four major landmasses, with three of them connected.

Each of these three landmasses houses a powerful empire.

The largest and most powerful nation on the eastern landmass is the Eastern Forest Empire.

To the west of the landmass where Eastern Forest resides lies the strongest empire, the Western Gale Empire, which also governs various powers across the continent’s western regions.

The Western Gale Empire is considered the ruler of the west.

The northern landmass is not very far from the Eastern Forest Empire’s sphere of influence.

These two connected landmasses are the sites of perpetual warfare.

However, the northern landmass does not border the Western Gale Empire’s territories, as the geographical location of the Eastern Forest Empire separates them.

The strongest empire in the north is the Northern Mountain Empire, which, despite lacking vassal states and only having feudal domains, has unified the entire north of Eastern Land, rightfully earning the title of the ruler of the north.

Another landmass lies overseas, unconnected to any other landmass, thus enjoying peace and rarely experiencing large-scale, catastrophic wars.

However, this region also has its strongest empire, not by military might but by its wealth.

The people there live in abundance, thanks to natural maritime barriers that ensure peace.

The wealthiest country in this region is the Southern Flame Empire, the ruler of the south.

...

The sky was overcast with dense clouds, and the sound of rumbling thunder echoed, while streaks of lightning, like dragons, darted through the clouds.

Sparse raindrops fell upon the grand and solemn dueling ground.

In the center of the arena stood two similarly handsome and upright young men, probably around seventeen or eighteen years old.

They were candidates for the next successor of the strongest empire in the north of Eastern Land, the Northern Mountain Empire.

Panting, Owen said, "Armando, your golden spear has improved quite a bit."

Armando, with a smile on his face, responded, "Ha, your swordsmanship has also become much stronger, little brother. How about we brothers have a few hundred more rounds of intense battle?"

"Alright, as my brother wishes," Owen agreed.

Armando gripped his golden spear tightly and thrust it forward swiftly.

The air was torn apart by the sharp tip of the spear, emitting a buzzing sound as if to shatter the opponent’s spirit.

Owen, too, swung his Ice Sword rapidly in response, and the sound of their peerless weapons clashing in a frenzied speed filled the air.

Sparks from the collision of blades left trails on the dueling ground.

The two legendary weapons roared as if alive, their cries resonating deep within the heart.

The sound of their impact echoed throughout the entire arena.

The two figures engaged in dozens of rounds of intense combat, advancing and retreating in turn.

Gradually, Owen began to struggle.

Due to the earlier fighting, Owen had already expended most of his strength.

Damn, how does this guy still have so much energy?

At that moment, Owen’s mind wandered for an instant.

Armando, with a reverse thrust of his spear, aimed directly at Owen’s chest.

Owen tensed up, thinking it was the end, as the threat of death loomed over him, yet it abruptly stopped.

Armando had halted his golden spear in its tracks.

With a slight smile, he said, "Little brother, you’re still just a bit short."

Armando withdrew his golden spear and forcefully plunged it into the dueling ground’s platform.

Cheers and screams from women erupted from the spectator stands.

A natural air of kingship emanated, causing Owen on the platform to involuntarily step back a few paces.

Jealousy burgeoned within Owen.

Why, why, why have you always been one step ahead of me since we were young, seizing the glory that should have been mine? I hate, I hate you; you shouldn’t exist in this world.

These thoughts incessantly repeated in Owen’s mind.

Silently, Owen vowed: I will kill you and reclaim everything that should have been mine.

Resolved, Owen gripped his Ice Sword tighter, its cold aura becoming even more menacing.

He viciously stabbed at Armando’s abdomen.

At that moment, Armando, having let down his guard, was suddenly overtaken by a primal sense of danger.

Instinctively turning around, he saw a flash of cold light aiming straight for his abdomen.

Armando leaped into the air, performing a 360-degree spin, concentrating all his strength into his hands.

Mid-air, he grabbed the tail of his golden spear.

With a loud thud, the golden spear rose from the ground, carrying fragments of stone with it, blocking the blade of the Ice Sword.

Then, with an upward flick, Armando dislodged the Ice Sword from Owen’s hands, causing it to fall at his feet.

Armando pointed his golden spear directly at Owen’s throat, anger evident in his voice, "What are you trying to do?"

Owen, with a dark smirk, replied, "Brother, I merely wanted to test just how strong your golden spear really is."

"Indeed, it is quite formidable, haha, I am thoroughly convinced of my defeat."

Armando knew deep down that had his reaction been any slower, he might have been severely injured or even lying on the ground by now.

Because it was known throughout the empire, from the common folk to the high-ranking officials, that the next successor of the empire would soon emerge from between the two of them.

In the court, from the major families down to the smallest officials, everyone was picking sides.

They knew that their choice was a matter of destiny.

Choosing correctly could mean the prosperity of their family and personal advancement.

Choosing poorly might lead to death, perpetual obscurity, the decline of their family, or even being stricken from the records of the empire.

The dueling ground fell silent, shocked by Owen’s recent attack.

Everyone present, regardless of whose side they were on or whom they supported, was deeply alarmed.

Because if that sword had truly struck Armando’s abdomen, Owen would have faced a fierce counterattack, possibly leading to severe injury or death, while Armando might still have had a chance to survive.

If Owen had not died, he would likely face the death penalty, given that the current powers within the empire favored and valued Armando more.

Armando coldly said, "Is that so? You wouldn’t be trying to take my life, would you?"

"Ha-ha-ha, but let me tell you, you’re not worthy yet."

Just as Owen’s face, seething with rage, showed a murderous intent again, a distinct spectator stand in the middle of the arena saw a burly man stand up and loudly declare, "Enough, everyone stop!"

This man was none other than the ruler of the empire, the King of the Northern Mountain Empire.

The king announced, "Both of my sons are excellent. Ah, hahaha... The Northern Mountain Empire has worthy successors."

At that moment, the nobles in the arena unanimously and tacitly shouted, "Long live the King, long live the King."

The king, with a proud expression, said, "That’s enough for today’s duel. Let everyone withdraw."

As the crowd in the arena orderly dispersed, the two combatants also picked up their weapons and retreated offstage.

At this moment, an eunuch’s voice rang out, "Your Highness, please wait. The King asks for your presence in his study."

Armando respectfully inquired, "Does the gentleman know what my father, the King, wishes to discuss?"

The other party, with a sycophantic smile looking towards Armando, replied, "It is surely good news. Allow me to extend my congratulations to Your Highness in advance."

Armando pondered what it could be about.

Regardless, he decided to see what it was first.

"Then I must trouble you to lead the way, sir."

"Please follow me, Your Highness."