Illusion of Self. Part 1.

A dark corridor. A dry and cold floor. A gloomy, oppressive place in the middle of a labyrinth.
Alric:
— This is the second stage?.. I didn't expect that we would be teleported by a magic circle. So... I need to look around.
To the left is a corridor leading into the unknown. To the right is the same. Above his head is a magical barrier that can only be destroyed by high-level magic or an artifact of rank S+.
Alric:
— Hmm... the choice is not great: either left or right.
He felt a powerful magical aura from the right corridor—at least the level of an average mage, perhaps higher. Either someone has fallen into a trap, or is fighting an enemy.
Alric:
— Better not to risk it. I'll take the left path. The main thing is not to fall into a trap myself.
The corridor turned out to be narrow, gloomy, cold, and the walls were covered in wet slime. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
Alric:
— Just a little bit more... A couple more steps and the exit.
He came out into a more spacious part of the labyrinth. Six corridors opened up before him. Five were narrow and familiar, but the sixth was noticeably wider and... suspiciously safe.
Alric (sarcastically):
— Yeah, right. A real trap. Who would fall for that?
He thought:
> 1. Try to break through the walls and go straight through the labyrinth.
2. Walk at random, hoping to find the exit sooner or later.
3. Try to team up with someone... but it's a risk.
After 30 seconds, he made his choice. He took his sword and assumed a stance. Mana began to vibrate, enveloping the blade.
Alric (loudly):
— Piercing blade!
A bright flash illuminated the entire space, followed by a powerful explosion. Even the teachers felt the surge of mana.
Irma Delar:
— Wow! Who is so strong here?
Professor Sirius (smirking):
— Whoever you are, young monster… you are on our radar now.
---
When the smoke cleared, the wall was intact.
Alric (sighing):
— Well, yes… I had hoped, but it seems in vain. Trying is not torture.
He turned to the sixth corridor, which he had treated so sarcastically before.
Alric (grumbling):
— Okay… forget what I said. I'll go down the corridor for fools.
Surprisingly, the corridor turned out to be ordinary: quiet, not as cramped as the previous ones, even... pleasant.
Alric:
— You have to be on your guard. The trap could go off at any moment… Or I might meet someone. But who knows, will they be a friend or an enemy?
He walked for about ten minutes. A straight path, no turns. The walls were decorated with intricate patterns—at least something aesthetically pleasing.
Suddenly, something appeared ahead. Someone was running straight at him.
Alric froze. He instantly activated his fighting stance.
It was him. More precisely, his double, created by the illusion of the labyrinth.
The illusionary Alric swung his sword, but the real one managed to parry the blow.
Alric:
— Now that's unexpected. Fighting yourself... Interesting. If I win, it means I'll overcome myself.
Illusion (smugly):
— I am your reflection. I am you. Your weakness. Your pain. I am what you are not capable of becoming.
The battle has begun.