//Authors note- I have not included stats as of yet, because game novels are criticized harshly and I want the numbers to match up and correlate with accuracy. //

Thorn-Hp-80 -Level 0 - Sword Skill- 10/10 - Sub skills- rapid strikes-5/5 - power attack-1/5- Shield skill- 5/10-

sub skill- block-2/5- Bronze Shortsword- 25 damage + strength modifer -80 durabilty- Small punch shield- +25 defense- 80 durability- cloth starting armor-+ 1 defense - 20 durability-

Strength- 40- Dexterity- 25- Constitution- 8- Intellegence-10- Wisdom-10- Charisma- 14

I had done a great deal of research on what to expect from this trial, watching countless videos and guides. The difficulty lay within the number of possible variations. Though I may be taking the trial for the sword, my enemies will start with a random weapon, or like this case two sets of weapons. My opponent has one of these weapons at skill level 10, but I don't know which one. I will only know once a sub-skill has been used. This poses a problem since Blank has an incredibly intuitive sub-skill creation protocol. Using the "Perfect Algorithm" B.L.A.N.K. produces sub-skills based on how you play the game. For example, my sub-skill, rapid strikes. I obtained it because I would strike quickly for periods at a time, and power attack came from trying to put as much strength as I could into every blow. The AI in the trials would be assigned random sub-skills, so I had to be cautious.

In each round of the trial, my enemies will have identical stats to mine, with the exception of armor. This puts them at an advantage. My strength is high, and my constitution is low, so it should be a quick battle win or lose.

I put all of my focus into a battle plan, trying to prepare for every possible action he could perform. My opponent slowly walked toward me, which gave me a moment to think.

Alright, so I have to close the distance on that spear, get in close. He could have a spear skill like a precise shot, which would instant kill me if it hit, and it's very hard to dodge. He could also have a dagger sub-skill and just be trying to lure me in close for a backstab or kidney shot, both of which would kill or incapacitate me. When using a skill there is a millisecond of glimmery light upon the weapon, before it activates. I would have little time to react. Alright, feign left, dodge right, get close and don't get killed. Easy peasy.

Then another thought came to me and a crazy plan began to formulate. It would be a big gamble, and if it worked it would be a miracle. Nonetheless, I hardened my mind, and put my plan into action.

I quickly charged at the man holding the great spear, but then I suddenly stopped. The man jumped back and I carefully stored in my head exactly how far and how long it took. Typically AI will perform the same actions at the same speed, by charging and suddenly stopping I forced the AI to let me be able to gauge his reaction time before actually entering his range.

Once again I charged him only this time I didn't stop, and true to his AI programming he attacked with the great spear as soon as I was in the maximum range. I watched for the glimmer on his weapon, and as he reared his arms back to lunge I feigned left and I watched him readjust his aim to intercept my dodge. The feign worked and I dodged right, his spear went to my left and I performed a move I hadn't practiced in years. My sword slid up the shaft of the spear as I closed the gap. Once within a few feet, I activated rapid strikes and put all of my focus into the precision and timing of the three almost instant strikes. The first attack was into the spear shaft, the force of which pushed the spearhead into the sand.

You have dealt 40 durability damage to great spear-40/80

Bronze shortsword durability reduced by 10- 70/80

The second was aimed at the wrist, which hit his leather gauntlet causing damage and making him let go of the spear.

You have dealt 35 damage. (45/80)

The third attack was aimed at the man's waist in a wide arc. He jumped back as I hoped he would and the sword sliced right through the belt.

You have dealt 40 durability damage to leather belt-0/40

The belt fell off of him dropping his daggers to the sand and I pressed forward. I swung my weapon in a slow wide slash to get him to back up. He was forced to back up without his weapons. I stood before the weapons and smiled at the unarmed AI before me.

I spoke to the man, " I rather like that leather armor you have, do you mind if I borrow it? ".

The AI had a confused look on his face, which I ignored as I casually pulled up my inventory menu and unequipped my bronze short sword.

I equipped my wooden training sword with an evil smile, having forgotten completely about the crowd watching me. I had also forgotten about the time. I had only six minutes left on the medallion when I began the trial. The last-second ticked away and a purple glow surrounded me, returning me to my original form.

I pointed my wooden sword at the defenseless man. " Now, let's begin!"