I knew that giving up would only lead me to my eventual downfall. In pursuit of power, I have already made contact with an evil organization.
"I thought I would be much better being someone who knows a bit about the future of this place but I guess I was wrong," I said to myself.
"That is true. You are only a failure that will not amount to anything when your time is up."
I heard a voice.
I was supposed to be alone and the two illusions that I had met before didn't make any noise so I was shocked to hear someone talking.
It was a human that looked and sounded exactly like me.
He walked towards me and smiled at me.
"You should just stay at your mom's house instead of pursuing something that you are not worthy of." He said as he mocked me.
I was a bit angry as my fighting spirit rose.
A white aura started to appear around my body as I fully gave up my self into anger to escape my fears.
It was Ki. The power that I was yearning for for all this time.
I was happy to gain that power on my own without anyone teaching me but my mind is still uneasy.
After gaining the ability to emit ki from my body I also gained the ability to sense ki.
And with that ability, I realized that I was able to sense the power of the man who was standing in front of me.
He was way stronger than me. And the gap between us is not something that I can overcome.
How am I even supposed to defeat someone like him? Is that, old witch even right in the head? I curse fortune teller Baba in my head.
No. I have to calm down. There must be a way. There is always a way. Trying over and over again is not realistic most of the time but this might be the time that it might work.
As I calmed down I also realized that the man who looked exactly like I stopped moving and his strength plummeted to the point that I could have a chance against him.
"So that's it. The power of my opponents comes from my fears of being weak and powerless. If I had been able to control my mind and keep calm I would have already passed this test a long time ago." I said after realizing what this test was about.
I gathered all the ki that I could control in my hand and launched a punch at the illusion that looked exactly like me.
Reducing him to dust that was scattered into the wind.
The whole forest where I was located started to brighten up a bit as a few glowing plants.
"They must be the paradise herb," I said as I walked towards them.
As I sat down and extended my hands to the plants I was suddenly knocked out.
*****
I immediately woke up and saw an old woman and a pink ghost staring at me.
"What happened?" I asked her.
"You passed my test. But I force you out of the forest because the herbs are not ripe just yet." She replied.
"So that means I completed my task right? Since you are the one who prevented me from getting the herb." I replied.
"I say half complete." She replied.
I realized that she probably wouldn't give me my full reward just by hearing her answer.
"But I am surprised. I was not expecting you to be able to discover how to use ki." She complimented me.
"So about helping me get someone to train me to become stronger," I asked her.
"Since you accomplished half of my test and entertained me I think I should at least help you with that regard." She said.
"The 21st Tenkaichi Budokai is just around the corner. If you were able to get me the prize money I would ask my brother to personally train you." She said.
"If you accomplished all of your tasks instead of just half I could have asked him to train you by giving him some of the paradise herbs in exchange for being your master." She continued.
"You know I should have gotten the herb if you didn't stop me," I replied.
"I know. This is why before entering the tournament I will personally ask someone to train you if you agree to give me all of your prize money from the tournament." She asked me.
"I haven't even agreed to enter it," I replied to her.
"Don't even try to trick me, boy. I know someone like you who lusts for power won't pass on this golden opportunity." She said.
I tried to think about what I should do.
The prize money is good but It won't be of much use in the future.
I doubt she would let me meet Son Gohan but Getting a short-term training session under someone like Devilman along with the opportunity to study under fortune teller Baba's brother is more valuable than any amount of money that one could offer.
But I dislike following every order of that old witch. At first, it was just a passing thought that made me think she might be treating me like a tool for entertainment. But now I am fully sure that I am a tool for her entertainment.
Sometimes I hate myself for having a brain. If I don't have one I could just say fuck off right in her face and stopped being her errand boy.
But Baba's magic is so powerful and her influence is so great that she is still helpful even after the Majin Buu saga so I knew she was not someone I could offend at any cost.
However, I knew that accepting her deal meant that my mom and I might be put in danger. I have a decent rank in the army and if I suddenly went missing without a body the Red Ribbon Army would suspect me of betraying them. And when that happened they will try to not only to target me but also my mom who was living in West City.
She smiled as if she knew what I was thinking which made me frown.
"Don't let me down, boy. I will conceal you and your mom's presence from the Red Ribbon's army. So that they will not be able to make any trouble for you." She said to me.
I have to admit that Despite Baba's arrogant and money-grabbing nature and her other flaws she is still somewhat reliable.