CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 311: A DEMI-GOD?

The reflection nods once. "The Oasis of Reflection isn’t a battlefield—it’s a mirror. You’ll find your answers there, not here."

Then, without another word, it steps backward into the pavilion. Its form passes through the white stone pillars like mist dissolving into sunlight. The structure glows faintly, runes awakening along its surface, and the water beneath it ripples outward in perfect circles.

Alix watches the glow fade, his expression unreadable. "Inside the reflection, huh?"

He glances down at the water beneath him. The reflection of the pavilion remains, faintly distorted—but this time, he can see the faint outline of a door beneath the mirrored surface, glowing like a heartbeat under glass.

Alix steps forward—once, then again—until he stands directly over it. The air hums faintly around him, charged with restrained power. His voice is low, almost amused as he murmurs, "Then entertain me."

Then he steps down—into his own reflection.

The world shatters like rippling glass, and Alix disappears beneath the surface.

The world reforms in a slow, deliberate motion—like paint swirling on water.

When Alix opens his eyes, he’s standing inside the pavilion.

The air feels... wrong. Too smooth, too quiet. The walls, the pillars, even the faint scent of stone—all of it feels manufactured, as if reality itself were pretending to exist. The colors are muted, yet unnaturally crisp; the space glows with light but casts no shadows.

He looks around slowly, his expression unreadable. "So this is inside."

A ripple distorts the air ahead, and from it, his reflection steps forward—calm, composed, smiling faintly.

"Welcome to my home..."

Alix tilts his head slightly, amused. "Your home?" His voice carries a soft scoff. "Feels more like a cage dressed as a temple."

The reflection only chuckles. "Perhaps. But you stepped inside willingly, didn’t you?"

Alix smirks. "So what now? You going to tell me how to move forward?"

"What’s the rush?" the reflection asks lightly, spreading its hands. "You probably already know how to get out of the first trial."

Alix doesn’t answer—just watches in silence, lips curving faintly as if entertained.

The floor ripples beneath their feet, and from the white marble surface, a table and two chairs emerge—smooth and carved from the same seamless material as the pavilion. The reflection gestures to one of them with a polite smile.

"Sit. It’s been a while since I’ve had company."

Alix eyes the setup for a moment before shrugging and taking the seat. "Fine. Let’s play along."

The reflection sits across from him, mirroring his posture perfectly—hands folded, back straight, eyes calm.

A faint hum lingers in the air, like distant chimes vibrating at the edge of hearing.

After a moment, the reflection speaks again.

"Do you want to know how your companions are faring?"

Alix’s expression doesn’t change. "They can manage themselves."

The reflection raises a brow, a knowing smirk tugging at its lips. "Is that so?"

"They’re not my companions," Alix continues, tone even. "I just hired them."

Silence lingers between them, heavy but not hostile. The air around the table feels thick—like the space itself is listening.

Then the reflection smiles again, this time without mockery. "They are quite capable, though. Especially the mage—Verrin, wasn’t it? Very knowledgeable in formation."

The reflection resting its chin on its knuckles as it studies Alix. "You know," it says, tone almost thoughtful, "you’re the first person I can’t see through at all."

Alix lifts a brow. "Can’t see through?"

"Yes," the reflection replies. "Usually, when someone steps inside here, I can read them—memories, fears, the little cracks they hide even from themselves. But you..." Its gaze narrows faintly, glimmering silver. "You’re like a wall of mist. I can’t even glimpse what’s beneath."

Alix smirks, leaning slightly back in his chair. "Maybe you’re just not as good as you think."

The reflection laughs quietly, shaking its head. "Oh, I am good. I could even see something in my master—someone far stronger than you."

That makes Alix pause. He tilts his head slightly, eyes sharpening. "Your master? Is it the one we saw earlier?"

"Yes," the reflection answers with calm certainty. "The being that shaped this place. The one whose will still lingers in the formation."

Alix hums thoughtfully. "And how strong is your master, then?"

The reflection’s tone softens, almost reverent. "He is a demi-god."

Alix blinks once, then frowns faintly. "A... what?"

The reflection looks genuinely surprised. "A demi-god. A being who has surpassed the mortal boundary of Tier 7 and stands upon Tier 8. Don’t tell me..." it leans forward slightly, eyes narrowing with faint disbelief, "...the three main continents have fallen so far that they no longer know what a demi-god is?"

Alix just looks at him for a moment, then chuckles under his breath. "No. I just wouldn’t know—" he pauses, his smile returning, sharp and calm "—since I’m not from any of the three main continents."

The reflection’s eyes widen slightly, the silver glow within them flickering like a disrupted flame. "Not from... any of them?"

Alix meets his gaze evenly. "That’s what I said."

For the first time, the reflection looks genuinely intrigued. "Interesting. How could a lesser continent produce someone like you?"

Alix just shrugs, his tone light. "Guess you’ll have to figure that out yourself."

The reflection lets out a quiet laugh, shaking its head. "Heh... I suppose so." It leans back slightly, watching him for a moment longer, as if memorizing every detail. Then, with a soft exhale, it says, "I guess it’s time for you to move forward."

Alix stands, his expression calm.

"It’s been nice meeting you, Alix," the reflection continues, its tone warmer now—almost human. "Talking to you feels... like talking to my master again."

Alix smiles faintly at that. "Then I’ll take that as a compliment."

"It is," the reflection says, smiling back.

Alix turns toward the exit—the rippling edge of light that marks the end of the pavilion. But just before he steps through, the reflection calls out, voice echoing softly across the still air.

"By the way," it says, "the second trial... my master built that one himself. I can’t interfere with it, not even a little. As much as I’d like to see what happens, I can’t."

Alix glances over his shoulder, eyes faintly glinting. "Then I guess you’ll just have to wait."

The reflection chuckles. "I will. So... see you in the third trial."

Alix nods once, steps forward, and disappears through the veil of light—leaving the reflection alone, its faint smile lingering as its form slowly dissolves back into the stillness of the pavilion.

-----

Light bends and folds around Alix as he steps through the veil. The sensation is strange—weightless, like falling through still water. Then, suddenly, his boots touch solid ground again.

The air here is warm, filled with the faint scent of incense and polished wood. The room he stands in is lavish—marble floors veined with gold, silk drapes hanging from crystal fixtures, and a long couch that looks far too soft for a trial chamber.

And sitting on that couch is Verrin.

Verrin looks up from the cup in his hand, surprise flashing briefly in his eyes before a small smile forms. "Congratulations," he says, setting the cup aside. "Didn’t think you’d be the second one to finish."

"The same for you," Alix says, a faint smile touching his lips. "Looks like you were the first to finish the trial."

Verrin chuckles softly, brushing some dust off his sleeve. "Guess all those years of studying formations finally paid off." He leans back, relaxed but proud. "Still, can’t say it was easy."

For a while, silence settles between them—calm, almost comfortable. The sound of the faint breeze from the open window fills the air, carrying the scent of old parchment and mana residue.

Then, a faint pulse echoes from the center of the room—a soft shimmer of light, and another figure steps through.

Kyra stumbles forward first, catching herself before she falls. "Ugh, what kind of twisted mind designs a place like that?" she groans, brushing her hair aside. When she looks up and spots Alix and Verrin already there, her eyes widen slightly. "Wait—both of you finished already?"

Verrin gives her a small nod. "You’re third."

Kyra groans dramatically, dropping onto one of the couches. "Great. I was sure I’d be second."

Before anyone can answer, another light flickers—two this time. Mave and Toren step out together, both looking winded but intact.

Mave stretches his shoulders with a grunt. "Finally out. I thought I’d be trapped in that damn place forever."