I DIED AND WAS REINCARNATED AS ..... A GOD?

"Do you know? If you want to keep fighting, I suggest heading to the amphitheater. Otherwise, you’ll end up annihilating that border town," Kaltor commented from above, his expression a mix of amusement and intrigue.

The remark caused Baltra and Andhr to freeze, finally aware of the chaos they had caused. Several sections of the city wall and a good number of Elysians lay gravely injured or worse, while the survivors looked at the two novice gods with fear and bewilderment.

Baltra shot a piercing glance at Andhr, noticing how the usual confident expression of the Treant had been replaced by a shadow of doubt. Despite his disdain for mortals, Andhr had ruined any chance of turning them into followers. For Baltra, that was a small victory.

"Good luck with your fight against Sary, 'Log,'" he said, the word dripping with mockery as Baltra unfurled a pair of massive, bat-like black membranous wings and ascended with agile grace.

"I’ll remember this, little devil," Andhr muttered bitterly before transforming into a whirlwind of roots that sank into the ground. Like an underground river, he advanced toward the city to repair the damage—or at least pretend to.

Back at the camp, Calyps looked up just in time to see Baltra land gracefully near the training grounds.

"Baltra! Where have you been? You didn’t come to see our friendly spar," Calyps scolded, a mix of reproach and concern in her tone.

"Sorry, Calyps," Baltra replied, scratching his head as if in thought, his voice carrying a rehearsed excuse. "I was practicing with my halberd and lost track of time."

Calyps narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced, but before she could retort, Sary arrived, accompanied by Mia, the perpetually drowsy goddess.

"Well, well, it seems someone has secrets," Sary said with a teasing smile. "But don’t worry, Baltra. I suppose we all need to 'practice' every now and then."

"True, it’s not like you’ve skipped a nap, Mia," Calyps interjected, eyeing the goddess, who still seemed half-asleep.

"Mmhh... naps are... mental training," Mia murmured, yawning and stretching.

"Oh, yes, like that time Kaltor threw us into a forest of poisonous plants, and you used them to make a hammock, right?" Baltra added with a slight smile.

"That—you promised not to tell!" Mia squealed, her face turning red.

"You’ve got a silly side. So cute. Let me hug you," Sary said, catching the slow-moving Mia and embracing her tightly.

"Anyway, I heard Kaelen and Lyra are fighting. Shall we go see who wins?" Baltra suggested, and everyone nodded.

As the four settled into the stands to watch the match between Kaelen and Lyra, the attacks grew fiercer.

Kaelen moved with impressive agility, his twin axes emitting flashes of lunar energy with each swing. In a swift motion, he unleashed a series of light arcs toward Lyra, who countered with a crystalline water wall that absorbed the impact.

"Who do you think will win?" Calyps asked, watching with interest.

"Lyra has the advantage," Sary replied, pointing out how the naiad’s movements were more fluid and strategic. "Kaelen is strong, but his style is predictable."

Sary’s prediction proved correct moments later. Lyra conjured a massive whirlpool that trapped Kaelen, immobilizing him long enough for her water whip to wrap around him and toss him out of the arena. The victory was clear, and the applause echoed in the amphitheater.

"Ugh, that was disappointing to watch. I expected a Lunar Elf to beat a Naiad. Those rumors were false. I lost some money on that bet," Baltra grumbled, looking at his thinner wallet.

"Under normal circumstances, a Lunar Elf would have the upper hand, but Kaelen is the exception. He’s the first Lunar Elf I’ve seen fight like a berserker. Usually, that race is agile, skilled with thrown weapons, and excels in stealth attacks. In this case, Lyra was the obvious winner," Sary explained while munching on a mix of fried snacks and nuts.

"Mm… I heard... from Selene and Thorne... during practice... the other day... Kaelen... was a barbarian in his mortal life," Mia said slowly, fully waking up.

Back at the camp, the conversation shifted to the "domains" each novice god was expected to start building.

"I’ve heard some of us have already started experimenting with creating their universes," Mia remarked lazily. "What about you guys?"

"I haven’t yet," Calyps admitted. "I feel like there’s so much to learn before even trying."

"What about you, Baltra?" Sary asked curiously.

"I’ve experimented a bit," he replied, crossing his arms. "But nothing that compares to what Kaltor has shown us."

"I guess no one wants to fall behind," Mia murmured as she lay back on the ground with her arms behind her head.

The conversation was interrupted when Kaltor appeared, descending from the sky like an imposing figure.

"I hope you’re ready," he said, his voice resonating with authority. "It’s time for a new training session. This time, you’ll face low-tier Nephilims—beings who barely graze the level of a pre-semi-god."

The announcement caused an uproar among the gathered gods. While Nephilims were known enemies, facing them in direct training was a trial by fire.

"ARGH, PLEASE," groaned 90 percent of the newbie gods. "GIVE US A BREAK!"

"Will we face them alone or in teams?" Sary asked, clearly excited by the challenge.

"That’s up to you," Kaltor replied. "But I warn you: underestimating a Nephilim, even a low-tier one, is a mistake that could cost you dearly."

Before the Nephilim training began, the duel between Sary and Andhr was scheduled as the next major attraction in the amphitheater.

The tension was palpable as they prepared to enter the arena.

"I hope you’re ready, 'Log,'" Sary said with a defiant smile, her eyes shining with determination.

"And you, little girl? Are you ready to face someone superior?" Andhr retorted with a mocking smile, though his gaze betrayed a caution he hadn’t shown before.

In the stands, Calyps and Baltra watched in silence. Each had their own concerns about the match, but they knew both opponents were formidable.

The fight began with an explosion of energy. Sary moved with blinding speed, closing the distance between them in an instant, while Andhr raised a wall of roots to block her attack.

The battle promised to be an unforgettable spectacle, with Andhr’s brute strength clashing against Sary’s speed and technique. In the air, the tension was almost tangible.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL READERS!!!

ATTE: THE WRITING DUCK DREADXRUBY