Chapter 4: A Test Of Skills

Carefully planning my approach, I realized that this battle was just a test of my skills. The messenger himself was also judging my ability to react to his moves. He didn't move an inch and anticipated my first move. I saw his lack of aggression as an opportunity and launched an attack. Our distance was approximately fifty meters and the perfect range I anticipated. 

Quickly, I activated the Projectile Burst skill. It levitated three rocks from the ground under my feet that orbited around me. A strange sensation intruded my head upon activating, making me grunt. Facing the challenge of aiming for the projectiles, I focused on my target, hoping that it would not be missed.

"How do I aim this?" I pondered, attempting to align my attacks with precision. As I attacked, the three projectiles found their way towards the messenger. However, only one successfully landed a hit, making the messenger's shield sound a loud clang. The partial success prompted me to refine my control over my new abilities and perfect my accuracy if I face opponents like the messenger. 

After the attack, I suddenly felt relief, as the burden was been lifted. 

"Using your skills could be taxing in your head. One of the reasons why mastery is important was to reduce the side effects and improve efficiency!" the messenger explained, making me understand the side effects that my abilities could have on my mind. With this knowledge understood, I prepared myself for the upcoming challenges the messenger would give me. 

Getting serious, the messenger prepared for his turn. He charged towards me with remarkable speed, attempting a forceful tackle. My defensive ability suddenly activated and effectively deflected his attack, throwing the messenger ten meters away.

Seizing the opportunity, I leapt five meters back, maintaining our distance. The defensive ability was on cool-down for twenty seconds. However, I could still use the projectile burst ability to defend myself against his next move. I planned my next attack against him carefully as he carefully anticipated it. 

As the fight rages on, I deployed the three projectiles and fixed my aim on the messenger. The audible whistling of the projectiles filled the air as they found their way on their target, this time aiming at the messenger's helmet. Despite the speed of the rocks, it failed to dent or scratch the resilient messenger. 

"Not bad!" the messenger commended, acknowledging the attempted assault, before swiftly closing the distance once more.

As the messenger charged, I was unable to prepare what attack or defense I should counter him. It was nearly twenty seconds had elapsed since I used my passive skill. I suddenly remembered that I haven't used my summons or auxiliaries. Despite allocated Focus points for my auxiliary, I decided to summon her, intercepted the blow from the messenger's attack for me. 

"A timely summon? Not bad!" the messenger acknowledged, stepping back momentarily.

Concerned for my well-being, Leniah inquired, "Are you alright, master?"

"Barely!" I responded, regaining my composure after the earlier fall. Standing upright, I issued a command to my auxiliary, "Keep him at bay for a while!"

As the messenger charged, I was unable to prepare what attack or defense I should counter him. It was nearly twenty seconds had elapsed since I used my passive skill. I suddenly remembered that I haven't used my summons or auxiliaries. Despite allocated Focus points for my auxiliary, I decided to summon her, intercepted the blow from the messenger's attack for me. 

"Your wish is my command!" Leah replied, eager to execute my orders. Determined, I tried to gain the upper hand. I attempted to access the system, searching for useful abilities to could counter the messenger's relentless attacks. I planned for a strategic plan in my mind. 

"Using my core: telekinesis, I thought I could use the ground below in my plan..." Despite being inside the Messenger's dimension, I could use the environmemt against him. The ground was dry and laden with dust and sand, made me thought of an idea. I planned to use my surroundings into my advantage.

"Leniah!" I signaled, prompting her to sidestep and afford me a clear view of the messenger's approach.

"But sir, if we do that you may..." Leniah began to express her concerns.

Interrupting her, I emphatically yelled, "BACK OFF DAMN IT!"

Leniah obediently complied, granting me an unobstructed view of the enemy. Patiently, until he was within ten meters, I used my telekinetic ability to make a massive plum and sad before me

"Not quite... not yet!" I muttered, seizing the opportune moment. As the messenger struggled through the swirling dust, I commanded Leniah, "Now!"

Leniah swiftly attacked, while I launched barrage of three projectiles. The messenger, seemingly blinded by the earlier dust plume, barely managed to block Leniah's assault, the impact resonating with a loud clang. With the dust settling, a surge of confidence washed over me, convinced that I had won the duel.

To my surprise, the messenger's shield and cloak lay on the ground, "Leniah, check your surroundings!" I commanded my auxiliary to scan the area in front of her. As I Separated from her, I was off guard as the messenger stealthily approached from behind, I was unable to respond after he attacked from behind. 

As the messenger attempted to slash me from behind, my passive skill activated, forcefully throwing the messenger at a distance of five meters. I sighed in relief, realizing that I had escaped unscathed from his attack. Leniah pursued him and attacked with her lance, but the enforcer effortlessly evaded her assault. 

"Time's up... Boy!" The messenger declared, swiftly slashing my right arm, which I instinctively used to block the attack.

A scream echoed in response to the pain from the wound. The messenger sheathed his weapon and inquired, "Do you concede?"

"Of course, damn it! You almost cut my arm!" I exclaimed, the pain still vivid.

"It's just a flesh wound, it will heal soon!"The messenger assured and unfurls his wings. I had forgotten that I had equipped myself with the Rapid Regeneration skill. Witnessing my wound healed swiftly, and then my bleeding stopped quickly. I turned to the messenger whose white wings spread.

"Where do you think you're going?" I questioned.

"Report your progress!" the messenger replied.

"I see..." I sighed, taking a seat on the ground.

"My report is prepared! I shall tell the All-father of your progress." The messengers said, and added, "I was kidding, for someone whose skill as insignificant as you, I fear no threats from you. Despite of that, you were able to made me sweat and chip my armor. You have quite the potential!' 

His words elicited a sense of pride, despite the grueling nature of the battle.

"Don't let it bloat your ego, and remember, I still don't trust you!. If you cross the All-father, I will deliver quick judgment. Keep that in mind," The messenger said an left by flying with his wings.

Returning to the original dimension in my family's backyard, I encountered young Stella, the youngest of my in-laws, who had been searching for me.

"Hey Uncle! Mama's been looking for you!" she informed me.

"Oh, is that so? Tell her I'll head home. Just give me a minute!" I replied.

"O-okay!" Stella smiled and left the backyard.

Reflecting on the challenging battle against the messenger, I acknowledged the gap in our abilities. I felt robbed as I made the messenger sweat. Realizing that I needed to improve myself is a must to survive in this world, not only against potential opponents but also for personal growth. 

After tending to my wounds, I fixed myself up. I joined my in-laws for dinner afterward. Reunion with Shayne McLane's adopted family, my vessel in this world, was a joyous occasion. The warmth of the acceptance and genuine smiles reminded me of the power of familial bonds. Despite my past as a former Elven Demon Lord, the love and connection of this family were contagious. It made me enjoy and cherish the relationships and their transformative power.