n

n

nI let them sleep for the night since they were both exhausted. As I lied down on my very large bed, I engaged in some thoughts.

nEven though my body doesn't require sleep, I actually wanted to sleep. The events of the day was more than I bargained for, and it's only going to get worse from hereon out.

nThat's why I need my pawns to level up faster. Now that both of them have sufficient power, it'll serve my ends well. It seems it'll be interesting... Them fighting each other.

n

"At least I have something to look forward to tomorrow

" I smiled.

nIt's going to be entertaining.

n

"ROOT

" I said.

n

"Better make the appropriate preparation before tomorrow

" I said to myself, giving ROOT certain commands and specifications, relevant to tomorrow's fight.

nAfter I was done, I shut down most of my body functions, resulting in sleep. Tomorrow is a big day after all.

nThe Next Day

n

"Both of you... Take to your positions. You begin on my mark

" I said to the two slaves who stood opposite themselves, ready to fight.

nThey both had determined looks on their faces, meaning I can expect an interesting match.

n

"Begin!

" I declared.

nEarlier Today

nThis morning, after waking and freshening up, I decided upon the venue for the combat session.

n

"A pocket dimension?

" Shamac asked me.

n

"Yeah

" I told him.

nI explained to them about where they would fight.

nThere's no way they can fight anywhere in the city. Plus, I can't transport them anywhere far away with Hex, and even I could, I am currently avoiding using Hex for now.

n

"We'll use a spot within ROOT

" I said to them.

nThey still looked confused, and so I decided to explain.

n

"Root contains a near infinite space. However, not every space within it is a treasury. There are other spaces and sections within it. For example, where I placed that snotty Royal, Phobio in.

" I explained.

nHe should be enjoying himself quite well where I put him... Or maybe not. Anyhow, he'll be useful to me later on, so his stay in ROOT won't be for long.

n

"So, we'll be entering... Your ring?

" Talia asked, looking unsure of the whole idea.

n

"That's one way to put it. Well then... Off you go!

" I said.

n

"ROOT

" I said.

nI dragged the two of them into ROOT, placing them in one of its fields which I designed the night before. Since I know both of their races, I need to compensate for their strength and weaknesses and ensure they are not handicapped in order for them fight at full strength.

nI designed the place to be filled with nothing but earth and grass for miles, I also made it dark out, making a false moon and dark clouds, a perfect replica of the night. Of course, I made enough lightings with the stars, so there should be no problem with visibility. This way, Shamac won't be at a disadvantage, since he is only able to use his power well in the night.

nAs for Talia, fairies are a race naturally blessed with Aspects, allowing them to communicate with and coax the Aspects in their immediate surrounding. Mostly they communicate with nature, that is, the earth. Putting these things into consideration, I designed the space they are in.

n

"Whoah

" Talia said in awe, looking around her.

n

"One would think we're actually in the real world

" Shamac muttered.

n

" It depends on what you actually consider to be real.

" I said, also appearing within ROOT myself.

n

" I just realized this... If you're here, does it mean there's no one with the ring currently? How are we supposed to get out then?

" Talia said, looking worried.

n

"Relax. This is merely a projection of myself. My physical body is still with the ring.

" I said.

n

"O-Oh...

" Talia said with an awkward laugh.

nI smiled at her sheepishness, looking at both Shamac and her.

n

"As I was saying... This is a 'real' world as well. It is a world within a vast pocket dimension. This means what generally applies in the world you know is present here. The concept of pain, exhaustion... Even Aspects... Everything has been perfectly mimicked. That said, I don't want you to hold back. In the case of any severe injury I am here, so knock yourselves out.

" I said to the both of them.

nThey both nodded, having a look of resolve on their faces.

nWhile they are both trying their hardest to hide it, I know the both of them feel threatened by the presence of each other. Talia feels Shamac will become my new favorite, since he seems more useful, powerful and subservient. Shamac, while initially didn't seem to really care for Talia, has recently also started feeling threatened by her. Due the vast amount of power she gained yesterday, she may become more of a valuable asset than him.

nHow funny.

nWhile I said this is a combat session for them to show me their abilities, I know it has a different meaning to them. This is a competition, and the result of this battle will decide who the more useful slave is. Well, this works to my benefit anyway. This means they won't hold back.

nTime for some entertainment.

nThe Present

nShamac materialized his shadow, causing it to rise. The blackness hardened and turned into sharp and spiky extensions. He launched the sharp edges at Talia, who quickly dodged them. She backflipped, dodging the barrages of attacks that came her way.

nI'm surprised. I didn't know she was this agile.

n

"How about this then?

" Shamac said.

nHe increased the numbers of the sharp edges, sending them in all directions of Talia, cornering her. She saw the shadows approach her in a swift manner. Left, right, forward, behind. They were coming from all directions.

n

"No you don't

" She said.

nSuddenly, the ground quaked. The earth moved, defending her from all sides. The shadows collided with the hard earth, causing it to shatter. However, this gave her enough leeway to avoid the shadow attacks.

nShamac looked taken aback by the sudden development, but quickly regained his composure.

n

"So, you can control earth

" He said to her.

n

"That's not all I can do

" She said, raising her right hand which glowed green.

nSuddenly, plants sprouted from the ground, forming tentacle like leaves. They surrounded her, dancing around her in a coordinated fashion. This way, it looked similar to Shamac's shadows.

n

"I'll be able to handle those troublesome shadows with this

" She said.

n

"You think those can defend you?

" Shamac said, slightly irritated.

nTo compare his shadows to some overgrown plants... How insulting.

nHe launched his shadows once again to her direction. However, immediately they got close enough, the tall vines around Talia parried them, countering the force of the shadows with their own.

n

"W-Wha...?

" Shamac looked surprise.

n

"Did you really think they were normal plants?

" Talia smiled triumphantly.

n

"I've coated them with my Aspect, making them as strong as steel. They are also able to immediately sense danger and react to it. None of your attacks will reach me

" She said.

nShamac gritted his teeth. If what Talia said was true... It means her vines are perfect counters to his shadows. He refused to accept that.

nLaunching more of his bladed shadows at her, he sent them flying at even higher speed than usual. However, each of them were dealt with by Talia's enhanced plants. The plants and shadows slapped at each other, attacking and defending together. They both seemed to be equally matched, however, as they attacked themselves, Shamac found himself at the disadvantage.

n

"My plants are more than your shadows

" Talia declared.

nShe launched some of her plant whips at Shamac, who was defenseless, thanks to sending his shadows after her. His eyes widened as he quickly recalled his shadow back to himself. He barely made it in time, as the shadows immediately parried the attacks of the plants, causing them to withdraw back to Talia.

n

"Tch, almost got you there

" Talia said in disappointment.

n

"I see...

" Shamac said, with a dark undertone.

n

"Looks like I need to take you more seriously.

" He added.

n

"Form: Spider

" He muttered.

nImmediately, his shadows hardened and curved, producing sharp ends. He brought out 8 of the shadow limbs and glared at Talia.

n

"Let's try this again, shall we?

" He said.

nLaunching the crooked and pointed shadows to Talia, he had a wide grin on his face. Once again, Talia launched her plants to counter the shadows. However, as they made contact, her plants got battered, causing them to get destroyed.

n

"What?

" Talia let out in surprise.

nThe shadows still approached Talia at high speed. To compensate, Talia quickly brought out more vines to stop the shadows. The plants rushed the shadows, but the result was the same. They got ripped apart, no match for the shadows.

n

"H-How?

" She panicked.

nShe hurriedly dashed back, creating more distance between her and Shamac. The spider limbs chased after her, but she relentlessly dodged them. The impact they made on the ground, and the destruction they caused around her was immense.

n

"W-What are those things made of?

" She thought within herself.

nAs she created more distance, the shadows stopped abruptly, unable to reach her.

n

"Tch

" Shamac let out.

nThe drawback from using Form: Spider is distance. While it is incredibly denser and more powerful, its range isn't as far as his regular shadows and other forms.

n

"Return

" He called them back.

nTalia breathed heavily, sweat dripping from her face. If not that the shadows stopped unexpectedly, she would have been hit. And judging from the density of the shadows, able to destroy even her plants which were as hard as steel... She had to avoid them at all cost.

nSo far, her entire body functions are enhanced by the Aspect essence she absorbed. Though most of the essence have been sealed off, since she can't handle it, she is still able to draw out more power from within the pool within her. Thanks to the cocoon's effects, she has 8 seals within her, due to the 8 extra wings essence within her, which limits her powers and allow her to moderately use them.

nHowever, its clear that her base form won't be able to beat Shamac. In that case...

n

"I should be able to handle the power of one more wing

" She said to herself.

n

"1st Seal break

"

nImmediately, a massive surge of energy built up within her, generating a bright light and pressure that wasn't present before. Shamac covered his eyes in order not to be blinded by the brightness, and raised his shadow as a defense against the surge of energy which Talia released.

nAfter a moment, the light dimmed, causing Shamac to look to the direction of Talia in order to resume his fight. However, what he saw made him shocked beyond words.

n

"Y-You...

" His mouth opened in surprise.

nHer fairy wings flapped slowly, as she flew, raised above the earth. Her brightly colored white wings glowed in radiance as she smiled, looking down to see Shamac.

n

"Ah, I've missed this view... Everything below me... Even you, Shamac

" She said to him as she watched him from her elevated position.

nHe couldn't reply her, but he had a frown on his face. His shadows won't reach her from her newfound position and mobility.

n

"Looks like I can handle this much after all

" She said to herself with a relieved look.

nShe then turned to Shamac, who looked above him with a glare on his face.

n

"Let's finish this

" She smiled, regaining confidence.

nAfter so long, she finally regains her ability to fly... Of course she would be excited.

n

"I'll test my newly acquired powers on you

" She declared

nFrom where I sat and watched, I smiled at the sight before me.. Looks like the fight is just beginning.

n