Ch 11: Gilbert the Time Hero.

Gilbert's P.O.V.

Gilbert's inner thoughts: "Damn you, Selk. I can't believe you beat me for the third time."

My name is Gilbert Alzar, but, I used to be known as Park, San Gyun back in my old world. I was reincarnated along side four others in this strange new world of swords and magic. Then, we were told that two new reincarnated people will be joining us in our Dream meet ups with the familiars of the Gods we represented.

I personally trained in secret in the white void that is the dream realm in order to be able to defeat the demons and prevent a multiversal invasion from happening. At six years old, me and my co-reincarnated were secretly announced as the legendary heroes that will save this world from the demon's forces.

All of us contributed to the war in our own ways once we were drafted to the war at Eleven years old, (ten for the two late reincarnates). It took five long years of battle (four for Selk since he went away to only the Gods know where for one year) to finally defeat the demons and force them to agree to a peace treaty.

What does this have anything to do with the fight I just had with Selk you might ask? Well, before I was declared the Time Hero in this new world, I was found to be a child genius and a master tactician since my cheat ability also let me absurd knowledge far faster than anyone in this world. Due to this turn of events, I was generalized as the strategist hero and formed plans of attacks and defenses.

At first I was fine with this. However, on a fateful day when Chris the Fire Hero, had too much to drink at the age of fourteen, challenged me to a duel. I was going to pay him no mind at first, but then I remembered my fencing days back on earth.

I use to win multiple national fencing competitions back on then, and felt a sort of nostalgia and yearning for competitive combat sports again. I don't know what came over me, but I accepted Chris's challenge. 

Since I was the one he challenged, I set up the rules. I drew a large circle approximately twenty feet in diameter on the ground to stand in as a ring on the forest we were in. I told Chris that whom ever leaves the circle losses. Same thing will happen to whom ever surrenders first or gets heavily injured.

The rest of my fellow heroes pleaded with me not to go through with the duel, stating that I might get injured and I wouldn't be able to formulate proper plans for the battle ahead. They just made me angry for thinking that I didn't stand a chance.

As Chris and I assumed our fighting positions, we started to gaged the distance between us. Chris decided to move first. Chris summoned flames on both his fists as he ran straight at me. Unfortunately for him, I already know how to use Re-step, which I used to time skipped my way on his back, avoiding his left cross.

I then hit Chris from behind with the back of my cutlass sword. He staggered a little and almost fell out of the circle I've drawn, but he managed to find his footing to turn around and face me again. He called me a coward for dodging his attack, to which I replied that if he's going to call me a coward for using my powers, then the same thing should be said about him.

Chris grinded his teeth from my words and started to charge at me again with a straight right punch. I used Re-step once more to take his back, however Chris was ready, and this time he made a little explosion with the fire on his hand that made his right fist bonce back for a back fist attack aimed at my head.

I ducked under his attack, and struck the back of his left knee this time. The pain from my blow almost brought Chris to his knees, but he caught himself again before he fell. Chris was unsurprisingly annoyed and upset that the guy who is supposed to be the weakest hero in our group was beating him so one sidedly.

I asked Chris if he gives up, which upset him even more. Chris attacked again, but this time his aim was not directed at me, but towards the ground. He shot a fire blast at the ground between us that caused fire and dirt to explode upward and created a smoke screen. I had to cover my eyes to avoid debris from going in it. Chris used my momentary blindness to strike.

Chris attacked me from my left flank, knowing that if he did so I would have no way to defend myself. In the brief moment when our eyes met, I saw how serious Chris was in trying to defeat me. I let fear over take my senses as Chris's flaming fist came at me. That was when I unlocked a power I've been trying to reach these pass few years. In my time of desperation, I managed to learn the Re-slash.

I unwittingly activated my new move at the advancing Chris, who was unable to react fast enough. My time replica planted it's blade right in the center of Chris's head as it mimicked the downward slash I've practiced thousands of times during my fencing practices.

Chris's lifeless body fell limply on the dirt covered forest floor. Selk rush to Chris's side and tried to heal him, but I knew from just looking at him, Chris was gone. The other heroes were shocked beyond belief that our energetic friend was killed instantly. The fear that I felt just seconds ago was replaced by guilt and despair upon seeing the corps of my friend. At that moment, I wished for nothing more than to turn back the hands of time. And that was exactly what happened.

Time Magic, Reset, was a magical skill that can only be done by sacrificing almost all your remaining mana, and a day of your life span to activate. It will allow it's user to time travel within twenty four hours from the time it was activated. The user only needs to think of the time he or she wishes to go back to and it will be done. I managed to unlock this power as well, and without warning, I was back at the time when Chris was boasting on and on about how he can beat anyone of us heroes in a fight.

I was feeling a wave of emotions at that time, but all I wanted to do was just to stand up and give Chris a hug. However, when I tried, I couldn't find the strength to move from my seat. That was when I realized what I had done. At the end of my realization, I only had the power and the will to giggle at what happened.

After that incident, I couldn't get that day out of my head, but not because of the continued guilt I felt over killing Chris. No, It was the feeling I had after I won against him, and was able to bring him back from the dead, so to speak. The moment I knew I had the power to beat my fellow heroes, and not face any consequences for doing so filled me with a high I have never known. And I knew then as well that this will not be the last time I seek the same high again.

It wasn't long till I felt I had a craving for combat. So I requested to try and lead a platoon on the front lines. However, the top brass shot down my request and said that my abilities of seeing into the future one week in advance was too crucial in their strategy that they can't risk my well being by fighting. To me however, my future sight is the most useless skill I have.

Sure, I can see one week into the future, but because of the limitations of the human body, I'll need to wait one week as well before I could use it again. Since I can't use future sight for another week, I am cooped up in my tent until I'm ready to use it once more. I contemplated on showing the generals the rest of my abilities, but whenever I think about how the other heroes will be able to prepare for my attacks once they know my abilities, I automatically hesitate.

In order to scratch my metaphorical itch, I decided to fight Chris once again. I manage to win this time as well, without killing him for the second time. However, I still felt that my ability should remain a secret to everyone. So I used Reset again and erased any memory of this second fight from existence.

I was scolded by Lord Fabizaph, the God of Time and Foresight over using Reset to undo my fights, stating that cutting a day off of my life span is akin to suicide. I argued that I knew of the risks, however I need to know for myself that I have the power to defeat anyone and everyone that I come across. So I told him that I will keep challenging the other heroes, possibly the strongest people in this world, until I defeat them all. With a heavy heart, Lord Fabizaph gave me his blessing to do as I wish.

In time, I was able to defeat almost every one of my fellow heroes. I beat Chris three times in a row. I defeated Sarah twice. I beat Ivan twice as well. And Serafina, the Wind Hero once. The only exceptions were these two monsters. Vina and Selk were the toughest ones to conquer. Vina can keep up with my time magic with her light magic, and Selk uses multiple weapons to stymie my attacks.

I was finally able to beat Vina two months ago in their villa using my latest skill, the Blade Cage. I only lost twice to her, and now I finally focus on the last hero on my list, Selk. I'm probably the only one that knows the extent of Selk's true power, since for some reason, he doesn't wish for people to know of his real abilities. In a way, I can relate to that way of thinking.

I planned for everything so perfectly, yet, even after using my trump card, he used an ability that he never showed on any of our previous two encounters. I need to come up with a way to beat him, other wise I'll never be able to move on with this obsession to be the most powerful hero in this world. You can call me vain, You can even call me arrogant, but I will never stop until I've finally won against my one and only rival, Selk, the Flesh Mage.

Mean while, In the realm of the Gods.

Fabizaph: "Hahhhh! San Gyun, you idiot. I wish you would stop with this stupid obsession of being the best combatant out of all the heroes. You might think that a day of your life is insignificant since you're young now, yet life is but a fleeting moment for mortals. I'll have to scold him again tonight, I'm afraid."

Gore Traveegal: "You better. If even one of those attacks landed on my dear representative Henry, I would have sliced you a thousand times."

Gore Traveegal told the God of Time and Foresight as he crept up to him unknowingly.

Fabizaph: "Lo-Lord Gore Traveegal, how long have you been standing there?"

Gore Traveegal: "As the God of Time and Foresight, you should be able to know the answer to your own question. So, can you please tell your representative to stop trying to kill Henry. San Gyun will never be able to beat him."

The Flesh God said to the Time God's question as he states that his representative will never be defeated.

Fabizaph: "I've done that already, but San Gyun is such a hard headed boy. Besides, How can you be so sure of your representative's invincibility? Sure, he is strong, but San Gyun can find a way to crack his armor given enough time. Like in a drawn out fight. If San Gyun can just deplete is mana, he could win, right?"

The Giant turtle looking God rebutted to the God of Flesh, certain that there is a way to beat Henry.

Gore Traveegal: "That will never happen. I can personally attest to that."

Fabzaph: How can you be so sure of that? What did he do for his mana pool to be so deep? I don't see him carrying any Items for mana regenerations."

Gore Traveegal: "He doesn't need to. I can't really say the details, but he modified his body to be sure that his mana will replenish fast."

Fabizaph was left speechless once Gore Traveegal told him the truth. With that, the Flesh God once again implored the Time God to keep his representative on a tighter leash before returning to his own corner of the Gods realm.

Selk's POV.

Wow! I never knew there would be an audience of thousands in attendance for just a university's entrance ceremony. Vina told me that this university is known for its multiple annual battle oriented competitions and for charging people for entrance fees to watch students perform their magic in the entrance exams.

That sounded like a very shady practice to me who lives with a minimal budget and doesn't attend these sorts of venue, but who am I to judge how an institution makes it's money.

Since they were recognized as the legendary heroes, Gilbert, Sarah, and Vina were exempted from participating in the entrance exams, but were still asked to demonstrate their abilities for the crowd. Gilbert had to decline since he wasn't feeling particularly well right now, but Sara and Vina did accept the request.

Sarah was up first. The host of the event pointed out three targets on the far end of the large circular ring. He then ask Sarah to destroy them with any kind of long distance magic she had.

Without chanting, Sarah then constructed a sphere of water that shot out three consecutive blast of highly pressurized water jets. the three shots hit their marks and destroyed all the targets before her.

The crowd erupted into applause from Sarah's display of magical prowess. She said that attack was called Fatal Jets. Once Sarah left the stage, Vina climbed in and took her place. She waved at mine and Allice's direction, which prompted the male students and audience in our general direction to speculate weather or not it was them whom Vina waved at.

Once Vina took the stage, new targets were brought out and she was asked to do the same thing Sarah did. Vina then pulled out the Luminite sword I made for her out of her dimensional storage. Vina then placed the sword across the top of her shoulders and prepared for a one handed attack.

Vina then swung her sword horizontally and produces a brilliant crescent shape beam of light that sliced all three targets in one strike before disappearing. Just like with Sarah, the audience went wild upon seeing Vina's Crescent Wave. With the heroes' presentation done, The entrance exam was finally announced and all participants like myself were asked to form a line near the ring. I said bye to Allice and asked her to pay attention and take notes on what I'm about to do, as this will also be her first lesson from me.

Allice: "Take notes? Okay, Dr. Selk. But. what exactly are you going to do?"

Allice said, looking so cute with her black and white maid uniform that is the standard outfit for all female attendants in this school. Her head dress embroidered with three red cross symbolizing that she is an attendant of a medical student.

Selk: "I'm about to show everyone here a fraction of the power Flesh Magic has."

I replied to my apprentice with a calm and gentle smile.