Uncle Sam, after introducing the old scholar Hector, began explaining the journey ahead.
"We are heading to town for the entrance test of the village school," Uncle Sam said, his voice warm with pride. "As you know, the village has four stars—Maya, Jessica, Roni, and Sid. They've already received confirmed admission based on their remarkable abilities. But for the others, it's time to prove themselves."
Nile glanced around at the group of children. He had already started admiring Roni's unshakable confidence and the quiet strength of the two girls. But despite their remarkable skills, there was something different about these four —they seemed to have a natural pull, an aura that set them apart from the others. Nile could only hope to find his own place among them.
Hector, who had been quietly observing, now spoke up, his voice smooth but firm. "The entrance test is not just about raw talent. The way you present yourself, the decisions you make under pressure, and your ability to learn quickly will play a huge role. Out there adventurer doesn't survive by chance. You need to be prepared for anything."
Nile nodded, taking the words to heart. His mind was a whirlwind, but one thing was clear—he was ready to take his own reins. No longer just a passenger in his own life, he was starting to understand the importance of every step he took from here on out.
As the conversation drifted into quieter tones, Nile sat back, absorbing everything. This was his journey now—one that he would navigate on his own terms. And though the road ahead seemed unclear, for the first time in a long while, Nile felt the fire of determination burning within him.
As Nile sat there, feeling the fire of determination slowly burning brighter inside him, something suddenly clicked in his mind. His thoughts, previously scattered, began to come together with such intensity that it caused a sharp, searing pain in his head. The sensation was overwhelming, as if his very brain was expanding and compressing all at once.
His hand shot up to his temple, a sharp gasp escaping him as the pain intensified. It felt like something was tearing through his mind, forcing its way into his thoughts. And then, just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped.
Nile blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the disorienting sensation. His gaze dropped to his watch, and what he saw made his heart race. The small green dot behind the number "4" had changed—it was now completely transparent, much like the large central dot.
Realization hit him like a thunderclap. "No way," he whispered under his breath. With trembling fingers, he closed his eyes and focused on the virtual state, just like Jessica had taught him.
Suddenly, before his closed eyelids, a massive transparent screen materialized. It hovered in front of him like a silent sentinel, showcasing rows of information. The screen displayed his unique ID at the top, and beneath it, rows of specs. But what caught his attention more than anything were the 11 green dots floating behind the screen, each one tethered by a string that led to the center of the display.
At the forefront, however, was a small transparent bundle, identical in size to the central dot. It was pulsing faintly, as if waiting for something. Nile stared at it, trying to make sense of the image in front of him.
The screen flickered and shifted, displaying the following information:
---
Unique ID: 2340984712-XG
Mana: 0.01/0.07
Spiritual Energy: 0.1/ 5.32
Number of Imprints: 0.1/10
Imprint Type: Transparent
Attribute: None (Attributeless)
Current Training
Level: 0
Stage: 0
---
Nile's pulse quickened. The realization that his imprint was transparent, and the fact that his attribute was marked as "None," left him feeling both uncertain and intrigued. What did this mean for his future? Why was his imprint not like everyone else's?
As he looked at the small transparent bundle in front of the screen, a sense of unease grew. It was tethered to the screen, just like the other dots, but it was different. A strange, almost foreign energy seemed to be emanating from it, calling to him. He couldn't help but feel that this was the key to unlocking something far beyond what he had understood so far.
Nile's mind races as he recalls the previous incident when Jessica had explained the significance of making pledges carefully. The memory of the transparent bundle in front of his screen causes him to hesitate. Despite the growing curiosity to absorb it, he resists the impulse, recalling the rules and advice about taking actions with caution. His thoughts move rapidly through the rows of his specifications displayed in the virtual state.
He focuses on each row one by one:
Mana: 0.01/0.07 – His mana is still so low, barely capable of anything, but there's potential.
Spiritual Energy: 0.1/5.32 – A low yet steady growth, a symbol of his slow yet steady progress.
Number of Imprints: 0.1/10 – His first imprint is still young, fragile, and transparent, a mystery.
Imprint Type: Transparent – The unfamiliar imprint, a puzzle he feels he should not touch yet.
Attribute: None (Attributeless) – A blank slate, no clear direction, just the beginning.
Current Training Level: 0 – Still a beginner, nothing to show for all his effort.
Current Stage: 0 – He hasn't even taken the first real step.
Taking a deep breath, Nile closes his eyes and steps away from the screen, feeling the weight of his thoughts. "What if I make a mistake again?" he thinks, recalling how important his decisions will be.
He resolves to seek Jessica's guidance. With determination in his steps, he walks towards her, fully aware that the answers he seeks might change everything. His impulse to act on the unknown was strong, but his mind—the one that needed to take control—was now even stronger.
Approaching Jessica, Nile hesitates for just a moment, then speaks with newfound resolve. "Jessica, I need your help. There's something on my ASD screen I don't understand. Should I absorb the transparent bundle, or is it dangerous?" He looks at her intently, waiting for her expert advice, ready to finally take control of his own story.