Pandora's Box

The world worked on a strong-rule-the-weak system. The more powerful the individual, the more value they held in society. In Iris' previous life, he had become the target of vicious attacks. He was brutally beat down, and every time he tried to rank up he was only forced lower by those above him. Iris felt extreme hatred towards those who bully the weak. That's why he wanted more power, so he could protect those weaker than him. 

After Iris rushed into the alley, he flew through them at high speed, rapidly approaching the group. His sword was too big to be used within the alley so he took out the dagger. He felt a sudden boost to his abilities and he flew through the middle of the group. He incapacitated two of them with only one strike as he turned around, slowing himself to a sudden stop. 

"ARGH, GET HIM!" Said one of the men who had been slashed. Four figures rushed at him, not including the two that had been cut. Iris decided this would be the perfect opportunity to test out the martial arts he learned. His hand glowed as the dagger receded back into his palm. The four rushing him didn't know what happened to the dagger he had just now. However, they didn't care. They were going to kill this brat. 

Iris chuckled to himself, taking stance. He flew forward to meet the group and punched one of them in the face knocking him back six feet. He swerved around an incoming punch and sent a kick to its sender. One of the men took out a pair of knives. 'Being bold now are we?' Iris thought to himself in amusement.

Iris dodged one attack after another before sending a sudden punch into one of the men, breaking his nose. The man cried in anguish, "AGGH!" He fell to his knees and Iris finished him off with a swift kick before dodging another attack. The man with the daggers pushed the other two to the side and flew in like a raging hurricane. Iris took out his own dagger and parried the two swift attacks sent his way. Feinting to one side, Iris took advantage of the sudden opening he created, stabbing the man with daggers in his stomach.

The man roared and his attacks became a blur. Iris was feeling confident about his wind. However, he didn't have much time. Someone would have alerted the guards by now. Iris flew around the man with daggers, stabbing his leg as he went by. He didn't have time for this. He proceeded to incapacitate everyone before they could even blink.

'Tsk, he was holding back." Thought one of the men. They all lied on the ground in different sorry states. "I will only tell you this once. Leave, next time I see you, there will not be an ounce of mercy." Said Iris, as he began to walk away.

When he rounded the corner, Iris sprinted to the path taking off his bloody cloak and mask, hiding them in his bag. He would dispose of them on his way to the Tower. Luckily, Iris had left early, even after dealing with the men, he had plenty of time to dispose of the clothes and make it to the Tower. Iris smiled to himself. 'That was fun, I want to fight more.' Iris thought to himself, silently. 

***

Iris reached the Tower around mid-day. His walk didn't exhaust him as much as it had during his first life. Time to succeed. I must win, no matter the cost. When he approached the gate Iris' eyes glowed. The gate was open! There was even a banner saying Welcome Examinees! Iris laughed. 

A guard noticed a new spirit coming near so he went to go and greet them. When he saw who it was his jaw dropped. The kid had managed to make it to bronze rank. His spirit was stronger than before and he had a mysterious aura about him. The guard shook the thought from his head and greeted the spirit. "Welcome young master, are you here to be examined?" Asked the guard. 

"Yes, I am." Iris said, smiling. The guard then let Iris pass into the courtyard. Iris saw many people around, some sitting, some standing, some bunched up in groups talking amongst each other. 'What a pleasant place. You wouldn't expect everyone here to be ruthless bullies.' Iris thought to himself. Iris stood on a rather lush patch of grass and began practicing body enhancement techniques. His body felt invigorated. He had to get as much energy as possible before the fight. WHile the hike wasn't tiring as it was when he first made it, the fight he had earlier was. 

Some of the elders overseeing the student saw Iris practicing body enhancement techniques. "Well now that's interesting?" Said an elder with long white hair. "Hmm, while everyone seems to be chatting only a few, like that boy, are practicing." Said an elder with a large sword strapped on his back. The sword just about dwarfed the elder. "The tests are sure to be interesting, that boy's aura reminds me of someone." Said a female elder. 

Iris felt eyes on him and looked over at the elders sitting atop the first floor balcony. While he knew it wasn't all the elders, he at least expected the grand elder to be there. The grand elder was the most powerful elder in the tower. He was said to have the highest chance of becoming a god blade this century. 

Iris looked at them with puzzled eyes. 'Why were they staring at me?' He thought. He then went back to ignoring them and continued to practice. He was on the cusp of iron rank. He spent hours drawing in energy and performing various moves. Just as he was about to finish his final technique horns blared. They played rhythmically and with precision.

A young third year student walked through the giant Tower doors. He observed the courtyard, to his dissatisfaction only a few of the students showed promise. A few of the promising ones were gold rank. However, one student in particular caught his eye. Iris stood out in the crowd as he was still practicing. While the skill he was doing wasn't a high-tier skill he still showed great skill with it. He tore his mind away from the mysterious student and began to address the crowd. 

"Welcome all! Welcome to the Tower's entrance examination. You've all gathered here to partake in a rare and unique opportunity available only to those who have shown great skill with a sword. Or, maybe you're just here to watch the examinees. Either way, if you'll please follow me to the first testing area." The young man said, leading the large group of examinees to a field. 

In the center of the field a large, raised platform had a gigantic cube on it. This was Pandora's Box. Iris' eyes widened just like his in his last life did. The box was utterly massive. However, Iris knew what to expect. Most of the students were marvelled while Iris took out his sword and began to polish it. "This blade feels quite good, especially when I swing it." Iris said, taking a quick swing with the Omen Blade. 'It's weight is balanced and the power of the strike isn't bad.' Iris thought. 

The third year spoke to everyone as he stepped on the platform, "This, examinees, is what we call the Pandora's Box. Based on the examinees talent, skills, and overall spiritual power the box will release a creature equal to the examinees level. You will have to kill the creature. Looking at most of your faces I see worry, but fret not, most creatures within the box lack higher intelligence." This didn't quell the worry of the audience. Most of the examinees kept staring at the box wondering, 'What kind of monster will I summon?' 

"Alright! Who's first?" Said the student, clapping his hands together. A few people ran through the test. They passed with relative ease. The strongest so far was a golem, and a mud one at that. Iris decided to queue up and wait for his turn. After about half an hour it became Iris' turn. He didn't know what kind of challenge he would face since he had gained a lot of power over the month. 

As he stepped on the platform the doors of the box began opening. Iris was confused, most peoples doors had been much smaller. When the door completely opened a sense of dread emanated from the opening. Most students stepped back from the platform. The third year looked back at the match, having since left to sit and meditate whilst waiting for the examinees to finish. 

The elders themselves looked over to the cube, feeling its presence. "Is it one of the gold tiers?" One of them asked. The grand master finally stood up. His presence immediately smothering that of the one emanating from the box. He had a hard glint in his eyes. "Be prepared for a breakout." He said in a harsh tone. "What! It's been ages since any of the monsters escaped the platform. The third years usually handle them." Said the female elder in disbelief. "That thing is not something a third year, let alone an examinee can handle." The grand elder said in finality. 

Iris felt an immense aura approaching the edge of the box. He readied himself pulling out his sword. Iris' palm immediately began to glow, as if sensing imminent danger. His sword released some of its power. A large scaly leg took a step exiting the box.

"Oh c'mon," Iris grumbled, "I'm going to die."