Reborn In Another World As A Spirit Familiar

Thirty Seconds

Facing the terrifying being that is the sword king, my legs trembled. He exerted enough pressure to make me want to drop within the first three seconds, but it was nowhere near the same as before.

("Stand… Stand…!") [Solace]

I grit my teeth and clenched my fists. There was no way I was going down after making it seem like I was going to pass in front of my master.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

The feeling of oppression lifted slightly, but I was still losing breath. My breathing became ragged and my hands started feeling tingly. I thought I was about to get a seizure or something.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

Five seconds passed. At this point I was close to wetting my pants.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

Eight seconds passed.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

Ten seconds passed.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

At this point, I had reached my previous record.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

The leveling rate was astounding. I didn't expect |Mental Fortitude| to level up this quickly.

"Hm… He's doing quite well. You might want to go a bit harder." [Vincent]

"..." [Cor Sanguis]

Remaining silent, I felt the pressure double.

"Agh!" [Solace]

My knees buckled from the weight. I wasn't sure if it was even real, but I was afraid of being crushed.

("Not…! Yet…!") [Solace]

Strengthening my resolve, I steadied my legs. Soon after, twenty seconds passed.

("Almost… there…!") [Solace]

The goal was thirty seconds, and there were only ten left. However, those ten seconds felt like an eternity.

"He's getting pretty close to thirty seconds. Are you sure you don't want to add more?" [Vincent]

"..." [Cor Sanguis]

I watched as Master egged the sword king on, creating a rift in my heart.

("Don't do it. Please, don't do it.") [Solace]

The sword king looked at me, the black fog swirling around his face.

"...So be it." [Cor Sanguis]

The fog seemed to mix around his face, fading as it churned. By the end of it, my heart froze as I saw some kind of cursed tentacle glowing eye thingy on his face.

("The hell is that?!") [Solace]

Every instinct inside me screamed. Warning me to run, to not move, to not breathe, and literally anything else that could possibly keep me alive.

("My… Mind…!") [Solace]

My mind felt like it was tearing apart. Whatever was on the sword king's face, it was something that used my fear and doubts as fuel.

"U… Guh…!" [Solace]

My voice trailed off as I tried to resist my fear, which saved me five seconds.

"|Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

"Four seconds left." [Vincent]

My head pounded, and my vision blurred.

"Three." [Vincent]

The feeling of wanting to throw up emerged, and immense nausea almost tipped me over.

"Two." [Vincent]

When the last second remained, the creature seemed to stretch. It was as if it was going to consume my being in an instant. As it came closer, I heard Master's voice echo.

"One." [Vincent]

The creature vanished, along with my sense of fear. I hit the ground with a gasp, sweating like I've never sweat before.

"Is… Is it over…?" [Solace]

"Indeed." [Cor Sanguis]

I looked up, somewhat fearful of what I might see.

"You…" [Solace]

My eyes locked with the sword king's, making me a bit surprised by what I saw.

"...Is something wrong?" [Cor Sanguis]

His face was nowhere like before. The black fog and the monster-like face was gone. All that was left was a somewhat tired looking middle aged man. A disheveled beard and sunken eyes stuck out the most for me, showing his exhaustion.

"Congratulations, you've passed. As expected of my dear disciple." [Vincent]

Giving me a celebratory applause, Master wore a satisfied grin.

("Thank god it's over…") [Solace]

Sighing from relief, I let myself fall on my back.

"Hm? Why are you resting? It is about time to move on." [Vincent]

"...What?" [Solace]

Master snapped his fingers, changing the terrain. From what used to be a snowy valley, now we were back in the classroom.

"Wait wait wait! Can't I get a break?" [Solace]

"There is no time like the present. Is that not what they say?" [Vincent]

Dumbfounded by his logic, I simply gave up on arguing.

"...What are we doing back in here?" [Solace]

"We will be doing what you have looked forward to the most, no?" [Vincent]