I got transmigrated with Incubus system-Chapter 20: Trial 2

Everyone we up when King Roderick stood up from his throne, his skinny ass needing help from this fancy staff. When he spoke, magic made his voice boom across the whole arena.

"Today, two princes stand before you," the king announced, sounding stronger than his frail body looked. "But only one's walking away as the next in line for the throne of Lyranth!"

The crowd went fucking wild, with all the noble houses cheering for their favorite. Through all the noise, Arthur kept his eyes on his dad.

"The Trial of Arcane Mastery has three parts," the king continued. "First, elemental control—showing off your magic skills. Second, defensive magic—protecting yourself against attacks."

He paused, and Arthur noticed his dad's eyes nervously darting toward the royal mage. "And finally, as tradition demands when succession is contested... direct combat with full magical abilities."

People gasped all over the arena. Direct combat between royal heirs hadn't been allowed for generations. Arthur glanced at Gareth and saw his brother's surprised face quickly turn into a predatory smile. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

While everyone focused on the king's announcement, Arthur's eyes wandered to Queen Isolde. Unlike her husband who was paying attention to the ceremony, the queen was straight-up eye-fucking Arthur. Her gaze slowly moved down his body, lingering on the skin showing where his shirt had been loosened for combat.

When she realized he'd caught her staring, she didn't look away. Instead, she gave him a little smirk before finally turning to watch her son.

Arthur checked out the situation, figuring out how much energy he'd need. With three phases coming up, saving power would be crucial. He activated Combat Mode, but just temporarily to check out his opponents and the arena.

```

[Combat Mode: Activated]

[Physical Enhancement: +25% strength, +20% reflexes]

[Energy Cost: -20]

[Duration: 5 minutes]

[Energy Reserves: 280/300]

[Passive Aura Effect: Enhanced female attraction in 5m radius]

```

As the king sat back down, Arthur and Gareth moved to opposite sides of the arena. The first phase was about to start.

Gareth didn't wait for the official signal. With a dramatic flourish, he summoned his fire magic, with flames spiraling up his arms like red snakes. The fire danced over his body, caressing him like a lover, following his commands with fluid grace.

"Impressive display from Prince Gareth to begin the elemental phase!" the announcer called over the appreciative murmurs of the crowd.

Arthur stayed still, focusing. He didn't have traditional magic to show off, but Combat Mode had temporarily enhanced his body in ways that were becoming more and more obvious. The increased strength flowed through him like liquid heat, making every move more deliberate, more controlled.

After quickly checking out the arena and Gareth's initial display, Arthur made a strategic decision. He'd need his energy for later phases—no point keeping the enhancement running continuously.

```

[Combat Mode: Deactivated]

[Energy Conservation Mode: Active]

[Strategy: Selective Enhancement]

[Energy Reserves: 280/300]

```

When the official signal finally sounded, Gareth unleashed his first attack—a spiraling column of flame that roared across the arena, aimed right at Arthur's chest.

Arthur moved with natural grace, his body responding precisely as he sidestepped the attack. Even without Combat Mode active, his recent Level 3 evolution had permanently improved his baseline abilities. The flames passed close enough for him to feel their heat scorching the air, but they didn't touch him.

The audience had mixed reactions—disappointment from Gareth's supporters that the attack missed, surprise from others at Arthur's unexpected agility.

"First blood goes to Prince Arthur's defense!" the announcer called. "Unexpected speed from the younger prince!"

Gareth's face darkened at that comment. He gathered more power, flames forming between his palms into a burning sphere that pulsed with angry light.

"Stand still and face me properly, brother," Gareth called across the arena. "Or do you plan to just dodge until you get tired?"

Arthur smiled, knowing it would piss his brother off. "Why waste energy? Your flames find targets about as well as a drunk trying to find his dick to piss in the dark."

The crude comparison got shocked laughter from the common folk in the audience. Gareth's face flushed with rage, and he hurled the fireball with vicious force.

This attack came faster, needing more than basic reflexes. Arthur briefly reactivated Combat Mode, but only partially, channeling enhancement specifically to his legs and core for the evasion.

```

[Combat Mode: Selectively Activated]

[Energy Cost: -15 (partial activation)]

[Duration: 3 minutes]

[Energy Reserves: 265/300]

```

He dodged with a twisting motion that showed off his physique to full advantage. The movement was almost like dancing, teasing in how effortless it looked.

As he finished dodging, Arthur positioned himself so Princess Lysandra had a clear view from her seat among the Silvermoor nobles. His eyes met hers briefly, and he noticed the blush that spread across her cheeks.

Gareth followed Arthur's gaze, his expression getting even darker when he saw who Arthur was looking at. With a roar of fury, he summoned a wave of fire that spread outward in all directions, impossible to completely avoid.

Arthur had to dive and roll beneath the wave, coming up with his formal shirt partially burned away. Rather than looking disadvantaged, he stood up slowly, letting the audience see how his body had changed—muscles more defined than anyone remembered, skin gleaming with a light sheen of sweat in the arena's bright light.

There was a collective intake of breath from the female spectators. Even Gareth seemed momentarily distracted by the transformation of the brother he'd always considered physically inferior.

```

[Female Spectator Reaction: Significant Interest]

[Noted: Queen Isolde leaning forward, Lysandra's fixed gaze, Beatrice's widened eyes]

[Suggested Action: Maintain visible physical display]

```

"Is something wrong, brother?" Arthur called, casually brushing ash from his shoulder. "You seem... frustrated."

As he spoke, Arthur noticed the first signs of the enhancement drug affecting Gareth—faint red lines appearing beneath his skin, pulsing with each heartbeat. His brother's eyes seemed too bright, almost feverish with unnatural energy.

With the first phase wrapping up, Arthur deactivated the partial Combat Mode enhancement. He'd need his reserves for the harder phases ahead.

```

[Combat Mode: Fully Deactivated]

[Energy Reserves: 265/300]

```

Gareth collected himself, hands forming complex patterns as he prepared a more focused attack. "The only frustration," he growled, "will be explaining to Father why there's nothing left of you but ashes!"

Arthur circled slowly, keeping his movements fluid and controlled. As Gareth launched another burning projectile, Arthur spun away from it, calling out loud enough for those nearby to hear: "Your control seems lacking today, brother. I wonder if Princess Lysandra finds your... performance equally disappointing?"

The taunt hit harder than any physical blow. Gareth's composure shattered, the veins in his neck bulging visibly as the enhancement drug surged through his system. His next attack came wild and unfocused—a blast of flame that scorched the arena floor but missed Arthur completely.

From the corner of his eye, Arthur could see Lysandra's reaction—her face showed shock at the public reference to their private relationship, but her body betrayed her with subtle signs of arousal. Her hand pressed against her throat, her breathing quickened, and her thighs pressed together beneath her formal gown.

The elemental phase was ending, and Arthur had accomplished his goal—Gareth was burning through his magical reserves way too fast, the enhancement drug pushing him to channel more power than was safe. Already, faint wisps of steam rose from his brother's skin, a dangerous sign of overheating.

As the signal sounded ending the first phase, Arthur caught Valentina's eye among the Blackrose contingent. She gave him a subtle nod of approval. Everything was going according to plan.

The herald's voice echoed across the arena: "The Defensive Phase will now begin! Princes must demonstrate protective magics against standardized attacks!"

Court mages took positions around the edge, preparing to launch non-lethal but challenging magical attacks that each prince would need to defend against. Traditionally, this phase favored those with strong shielding abilities—not fire specialists like Gareth.

Arthur knew this was where his brother would push hardest to compensate, likely increasing his reliance on the enhancement drug.

Sure enough, as the first attack came—a bolt of pure magical energy—Gareth responded with unusual intensity. Rather than the standard shield most nobles would use, he created a swirling vortex of flame that not only absorbed the attack but sent it bouncing back toward its source.

The crowd gasped at the display, but the judges exchanged concerned glances. Such a counter went beyond defense into aggression—and burned through magical reserves at an alarming rate.

"Impressive counter from Prince Gareth!" the announcer called, though he sounded uncertain.

When Arthur's turn came, he continued his strategy of conservation. For this more challenging phase, he activated Combat Mode again, but at an increased cost due to the recent usage.

```

[Combat Mode: Reactivated]

[Energy Cost: -25 (increased due to frequency)]

[Duration: 5 minutes]

[Energy Reserves: 240/300]

```

Rather than creating magical shields, Arthur relied on his enhanced reflexes. As the energy bolt approached, he sidestepped with perfect timing, allowing it to pass harmlessly by.

"Unorthodox defense from Prince Arthur," the announcer noted. "Evasion rather than magical countering!"

Murmurs spread through the audience. Some seemed impressed by Arthur's physical abilities, others disappointed by the lack of magical display. Arthur caught Judge Bainbridge's eye, noting how the fat bastard shifted uncomfortably, their earlier blackmail exchange clearly fresh in his mind.

As the attacks got more complex, Arthur continued his strategy of minimal magical engagement, saving energy while Gareth burned through his reserves with increasingly spectacular defenses. With each passing minute, the signs of enhancement drug abuse became more obvious on Gareth's body—the red veins now clearly visible across his exposed skin, his movements becoming unnaturally quick, his eyes glowing with feverish light.

During a particularly complex attack sequence, Arthur deliberately faltered, creating what looked like an opening in his defense. Gareth, watching for any weakness, immediately launched a fire attack to exploit the vulnerability—despite this being against the rules of the defensive phase.

Arthur had anticipated this. At the last moment, he twisted away with snakelike grace, bringing him momentarily close to Gareth as their bodies almost collided. In that brief proximity, hidden from the audience by their positions, Arthur whispered words meant only for his brother's ears.

"She moaned when I kissed her, brother. Just thought you should know."

The effect was immediate and devastating. Gareth recoiled as if physically struck, his face twisting with rage and disbelief. The enhancement drug surged visibly beneath his skin, veins darkening from red to an alarming purple as his emotional state triggered a stronger reaction.

"You lie!" Gareth snarled, completely losing it as he abandoned all pretense of the defensive phase.

Fire erupted from his hands in a continuous stream, forcing Arthur to roll and dodge frantically. The audience cried out in alarm as the attack clearly violated the phase rules.

"Prince Gareth!" called the head judge, rising to his feet. "This phase is defensive only! Stop your attack immediately!"

Gareth either didn't hear or chose to ignore the command. The flames from his hands intensified, taking shape into a massive lion made entirely of fire—his signature attack, but larger and more ferocious than anyone had seen before. The creature's mane writhed with individual flames, its eyes burning white-hot with Gareth's fury.

Arthur found himself genuinely pressured, the heat becoming overwhelming as the lion stalked him across the arena. Unlike Gareth's earlier attacks, this manifestation moved with predatory intelligence, cutting off escape routes and gradually cornering Arthur toward the arena wall.

As Arthur's Combat Mode duration neared its end, he critically assessed the situation.

```

[Warning: External temperature approaching dangerous levels]

[Combat Mode: 30 seconds remaining]

[Submission Strike: Available]

[Energy reserves: 240/300]

```

As Arthur backed toward the wall, apparently cornered, he caught glimpses of the audience's reaction. Most were on their feet, sensing the crucial moment approaching. Queen Isolde had risen from her throne, one hand gripping the railing before her, knuckles white with tension. Lysandra's face showed conflict—concern battling with fascination as she watched the deadly dance unfold.

The fire lion gathered itself, muscles of flame bunching as it prepared to pounce. Behind it, Gareth stood with arms outstretched, controlling the beast's movements. His skin had taken on an alarming grayish undertone beneath the pulsing veins, the enhancement drug clearly pushing his body beyond safe limits.

"End this now, Arthur!" Gareth called, voice distorted with strain and drug-enhanced power. "Yield, and I'll make it quick!"

Arthur's back pressed against the arena wall, heat shimmering the air around him. As his Combat Mode duration expired, he immediately renewed it—at a higher cost due to consecutive usage.

```

[Combat Mode: Renewed]

[Energy Cost: -30 (second consecutive renewal)]

[Duration: 5 minutes]

[Energy Reserves: 210/300]

```

To the audience, it looked like the younger prince had finally run out of options. But as the fire lion leapt, Arthur's lips curved into a confident smile.

The time for defense had passed. Now, he would strike.