1 Iota vs Kaoru (1)

When I came to, it was under yet another unfamiliar ceiling. So of course, my first thought, simply out of instinct, was "where am I?" I wanted to scold myself for asking a foolish question. I could easily solve the problem myself, but I realized there was more to this problem than I initially realized.

I was in a white space.

Mind you, not a white room. This was simply a space that was devoid of any color besides 255. And despite this, my eyes didn't need to adjust at all, as if the whiteness wasn't bright. I was neither standing nor laying down. My body was simply *existing*, yet I was still under the influence of gravity... There was only one other time in my life I'd felt so strange.

*Have I been taken to another world again?*

Whether it be by some higher power, superior being, or inter-dimensional kidnapper, I had been taken to another world, namely the planet Amth, only recently. And yet I was in another realm once more.

*Once is a coincidence. Twice could also be a coincidence... but I highly doubt it.*

What were the odds of getting transported to another world? They were... out of this world. But for it to happen twice? Raise that number to the "out of this world"th power. Of course, it really could be a coincidence. For instance, there are people who have won the lottery multiple times, or have been struck by lightning multiple times and survived. It was possible that I was one of these anomalies. However, it was more likely that I was brought to Amth, and here, on purpose. Just as I was about to ponder my predicament a bit more, a voice spoke to me.

"Welcome, Iota."

It was a mechanical female voice as if it were a product of artificial intelligence, yet it sounded genuine. It was cute and seductive, yet mechanical and aloof. It could be heard everywhere, yet propagated from nowhere at the same time. Before I could respond, the voice answered me, seemingly knowing what I was thinking.

"You've entered an inter-dimensional tournament arc."

*What? So it really was an inter-dimensional kidnapper?*

"You will be fighting (to the death) one-on-one with other transmigrants in a bracket format. Your only ability is to copy your opponent's abilities with 100% potency. This will be a battle of wits."

After "to the death" was mentioned, I tried to speak up, but my body was suppressed as if I were in a vegetative state. I had no choice but to listen until the mysterious being was done talking.

"Your opponent this round is Nagase Kaoru, a twenty-two year old Japanese woman reincarnated as a fifteen year old girl. Here are her abilities.

1. The ability to understand, read and write in any language.

2. The power to create any medicine/potion with the exact effect you imagine it to have in any container you are thinking of.

3. An [Item Box] spell that connects to an interdimensional storage with unlimited space, where time doesn't pass inside of it. You can access it at any time and anywhere, and it can only be used by you.

Do you have any questions?"

Finally, I was able to move again. I understood the gist of what she was proposing to me, but I had more pressing concerns.

"Who are you? Are you responsible for my transportation to Amth as well? What's the purpose of all this? Put me back on Earth!"

All of the questions I had prepared for a moment like this jettisoned from my mouth at breakneck speed. Unfortunately, the only response I initially received was...

"Ha... Hahahaha!"

It was a psychotic, mocking, high-pitched laughter that would make anyone who heard it feel rage and fear. I covered my ears to dampen the obnoxious roar.

"Do you think you're in a position to make demands of me? You're here because I want you to be here, and I won't answer any of your questions. However..."

The voice ominously paused. I secretly hoped it would concede to my demands in any fashion.

"I will reveal my true appearance as well as truthfully answer every question you have... if you can win."

"That's good enough for me."

"Hmm... do you not have any rebuttals?"

"You won't let me out of here anyway. You have more power than I do, so I must naturally bend to your will. If it's a show you want, it's a show I will put on. But when I win, you will keep your word."

"Hahaha... You're in no position to command me. But if you win, I will indeed keep my word. But do you think it will be easy? You need at least 50 consecutive victories against beings whose abilities you have no prior knowledge of. Don't think for a second that your reward will be granted."

"I will take whatever chance I can get. If I merely loiter here, you won't tell me anything. And so, I must win."

"You won't."

"What?"

"That will be all. You currently have Nagase Kaoru's abilities. You have 1 hour to prepare and familiarize yourself. There will be a countdown starting at one minute remaining. Good luck."

"Wait. I won't win? What makes you so sure?"

My query was acknowledged... by silence.

"Hey! I will win. And you WILL tell me everything!"

Something that annoyed me was being controlled by someone of higher power. Something that infuriated me was being told I couldn't win. And this psycho clearly knew both of these things about me. I didn't have a plan now, but I would make her regret oppressing me sooner or later. But first...

*A battle to the death. And I have these abilities, huh?*

I had to prepare. How could I kill somebody, namely a fifteen year old girl, as quickly as possible with my given abilities?

Right as I had that thought, I shuddered at the cruel nature of my predicament. In one hour, one of us would cease to exist. It was either going to be her or me. I was only one year older than her, so if she had a conscience, she would mull over the issue of killing a young person as well. But however cruel, I wasn't going to sacrifice my life to someone who could very well lose the next round.

This was a bracket format, after all. As crazy as it may sound, she should be grateful to have gone against me, who would become the final winner!

*I'll prove you wrong, you crazy bitch!*

After a few deep breaths, I managed to stabilize my mental condition. I could finally chart my plan of attack with a clear head.

*Let's go over what we have.*

1. I am a polyglot. Although extremely useful in everyday life, it was utterly useless in a battle to the death without knowing my opponent's susceptibility to trash talk.

2. The ability to create a potion with any desired effect in any container I conceive of. This one is the true killer, and most likely the only one I need to win. But let's talk about the last one, too.

3. The so-called [Item Box] spell. A timeless dimension with infinite capacity. Once again, I would most likely not need it unless something went horribly wrong.

*Let's see... what potion could I create to kill her the fastest? I think I know the answer...*

After less than a minute of thought, I came up with the ideal solution.

But before I reveal it, let's talk about some other possibilities.

*I need to win a fight, so I need to be stronger than her. So, I will need to create a strength potion to do away with her.*

This is the most basic line of thinking.

*Let's do just that, then. Let's create a potion that will double my strength in a standard glass flask.*

And so, a red potion in a flask appeared in my hand. It was exactly as I imagined it, since I normally associated the color red with strength. The flask was open as well, since I hadn't thought to cover it.

*Here goes the taste test...*

I downed the liquid with one swig.

*Tastes like water...*

Neither had I thought to give it a flavor, so it ended up as bland as possible. Regardless, I clearly felt my strength rising. With a couple of punches and kicks, I determined that they were definitely faster than before I drank the potion. Unfortunately, due to a lack of objects in my surroundings, I had no objective standard I could measure. Although it was a turnoff, it wouldn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

*After all, I now know how this power works.*

Unless my opponent was a chimp, the most basic line of thought would never grant me the ability to take them down. So, the strength potion idea went out the window. In fact, I had never intended to use it at all. I was merely familiarizing myself with how to use this power.

*Let's try creating a different potion and a different container, as well as alter some other things.*

"This potion will be an acid that can corrode anything. The container will be indestructible."

...

Nothing happened. Apparently working with paradoxes was impossible. Absolutes were banned, such as "unlimited x". This didn't surprise me. It was physically impossible to create something of infinite value, after all.

*Now, let's test the laws of physics as well as the limits of my 'container'.*

"An invisibility potion will appear five meters away from me. And the container will be... a human skull."

In this space where nothing could rise or fall, an overturned human skull with a clear liquid appeared precisely three meters away from my body.

*It doesn't matter what I say. Only my intentions matter. And it looks like there isn't even a limit on what my container can be... What a joke. How did she land such an overpowered ability?*

This was one of the most overpowered abilities I'd ever seen. Ever. Even in the history of fantasy. Because...

*You can literally do anything. Unless...*

"The potion will be an aphrodisiac. And the container will be my freshman year crush, Lily."

...

Nothing happened.

*Looks like there's the limit of the power.*

I had no crush, and there was no Lily in my high school. My mind was filled with the unknown while attempting to cast this ability. In other words, I needed to have a clear picture of my container in order for the power to activate.

*And with that, my plan of attack is complete.*

I had formulated a foolproof plan. Unless my opponent was faster than I was, I was guaranteed to win. To avoid such a mishap, I closed my eyes and ran the simulation in my head countless times. Before I knew it, the countdown from one minute began.

"60, 59, 58, 57..."

The psycho's voice reverberated in my skull, but I paid it no mind. I was only focused on one thing - victory.

"24, 23, 22, 21..."

As the time limit approached, I grew exponentially more confident in my ability to win.

"11, 10, 9, 8..."

Countless perfect runs. She has nowhere to run.

"3, 2, 1..."

*Unfortunately, in order for me to survive, you must die.*

"Begin."

*Sorry, Kaoru. I win.*