Clutching his head in pain, he screamed inwardly, 'Why do I feel forced? I swore not to return! Did I lose my mind?'
With a shake of his head to dismiss the scratchings and knitted brows, he slowly walked towards his apartment, unwilling to approach the tower. However, after a few steps, the noises intensified, causing a groan to escape his lips and his eyes to look back at the monumental construct.
"NO! I don't want to participate in the sick trial ever again," He roared, hating the sensation of being forced to do something. He slapped his face with both hands, using the pain as an anchor to reorganise his mind. Sadly, the unease that plagued him only intensified.
"Why can't I just learn magic until Julius turns thirteen?!" He screamed, his face contorting into a grimace as his mind buzzed, almost whispering for him to enter the tower.
Unable to endure the plaguing sensation, he ultimately turned and walked to the gates. After a long moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and placed his hand on it.
After the same blinding white light enveloped him, causing his air to bristle, he disappeared from the plaza.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in the boundless white room he visited seven years ago. Then, the familiar messages popped up before his eyes, one line after another.
[Welcome to the tower of trials. Prove your skills and mastery by conquering its floors.]
[A reward tailored for the challenger will be awarded after each successful conquest.]
[Warning: Half the damage sustained during the trials will be carried to your body outside the Dream place. Be careful, challengers.]
[The tower's second trial will begin in thirty seconds. Prepare yourself, challenger.]
"..." His mood hit rock bottom as he read the messages, forcing doubts to thunder in his mind. 'I must really have gone mad. Because of feelings and intuition, I'm putting myself under this torture once more...' He thought, his lips quivering and his left eye twitching.
After thirty seconds, the boundless room came to life, trembling as rumbling sounds echoed everywhere. The smooth white floor turned crude and rocky before parts rose towards the appearing blue sky. Soon, tall peaks appeared before his eyes, forming a small mountain chain.
With dead eyes and praying not to meet bears in this place, he muttered, "Great, after the forest, a mountain."
Soon, the familiar messages appeared.
[Defeat five magical creatures to complete the second trial.]
[The reward's quality will be based on the type of beasts slain by the challenger.]
[Slay the boss to obtain the biggest possible reward.]
[Remaining time: Forty-eight hours.]
'So this time, it's the magical creatures I've read about. Let's hope I'll find some magical rabbits to hunt,' he thought, smiling wryly and remembering his plan to hunt rabbits in the first trial, only to be met by an alpha wolf and its pack.
Then, his eyes narrowed as seriousness veiled his face. 'I have to save mana as much as possible and deal with weak creatures using melee combat,' he pondered, taking his first steps toward the highest mountain peak.
The sound of his steps echoed amidst the peaceful landscape for an hour before his eyes widened at the sight of a creature.
He gulped, his beating heart hammering in his chest as his pupils dilated. It was an enormous spider the size of a cow. With eight long, hairy legs, six eyes and two horrifying clicking mandibles.
Dagger in hand, his face shifted to solemnness as he readied himself to make his move. He raised his right leg, then his left and dashed... In the opposite direction.
'The heck is that thing? I'd rather fight the bear again than this shit.' He thought, an icy shiver running down his spine as he scrambled away.
With inhuman velocity, he reached a boulder and hid behind it. Grasping his increased endurance and strength, he patted himself mentally, happy about his progress. After all, compared to seven years ago, his body was six times stronger!
Then, he peered above the boulder to ensure the spider didn't follow him and reviewed his limited knowledge of nature's creations. Despite the creepiness of the creature, he didn't flee without good reason.
According to his memories from Earth, mammal species could thrive without going extinct only because insects were small creatures. Imagining how absurdly strong an insect the size of a human would be caused his eyes to tremble in dread.
For example, ants were known for their ability to carry fifty times their weight. Not impressive considering their average weight of 0,015 grams, right? What if they were sixty kilos instead? Wouldn't that mean they could lift three tons casually?
This applied to spiders, as well. At equal weight, their silk was five times as strong as steel, so why would he fight one the size of a cow?
With a shake of his head, he dismissed his analysis and resumed his accession to the peak, swearing not to fight insects. After twenty minutes, another creature confronted him.
'That's better! Give me beasts. I'm not foolish enough to fight insects and make the trial harder for the fun of it.' He thought, smiling after spotting one of his old enemies, a wolf.
Without wasting a second, he charged, aiming for a swift resolution of the fight using his dagger.
As his hair danced in the wind, the wolf peered at the human with its golden eyes, its patch of yellow fur reflecting the light.
Without a sound or a movement, it patiently waited for the human to close the gap. Once he reached the two-meter range, it suddenly opened its maw, revealing a yellow ball of dancing arcs before spatting it with a howl.
A lightning bolt escaped its mouth, blurring as it aimed to zap the arrogant human to death.
"Shit." Adam only had time to scream and cross his arms to protect himself before being engulfed by the attack.
A painful scream echoed as the wolf's eyes glistened, waiting for the right moment to jump in and deliver the final blow with excitement.
However, alarms suddenly rang in its mind. Its eyes narrowed, warily scrutinising the man's rising finger before an impact jerked its head back.
Confusion veiled its eyes for a second before they dimmed as blood flowed from the hole drilled into its forehead.
"I already said. No matter what you try to do to me, I'll do it to you before!" Adam roared as the yellow arcs engulfing him dissipated in the wind, revealing his unscathed body.