Lucius's eyes fluttered open to an infinite expanse of stars. The void surrounding him pulsed faintly with the rhythm of mana particles that drifted like glowing fireflies. Slowly, the particles began to converge, rearranging themselves into intricate golden runes.
The runes floated and twisted around him, etching symbols of ancient power into the air. Lucius barely reacted as his academy uniform began to morph, each strand of fabric dissolving into a fine dust before reforming into the cloak and armor now adorning his body. The ensemble bore a regal yet rugged look, as though designed for survival and battle alike.
He glanced down at the Aetheris on his wrist, its screen flickering to life as the glowing runes flowed seamlessly into the device.
"Great," Lucius muttered under his breath, already bracing himself.
The Aetheris vibrated, and lines of text began to fill the screen:
Mission Objectives:
1. Primary Objective: Uncover and recover the Forgotten Artifact of the Ashen Sands.
2. Optional Objective: Unearth the Lost Archive and gain insight into the collapse of the Valtherion Empire.
Lucius sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why do I feel like I just drew the short straw?"
As if in answer, the golden runes dissolved into a swirling cascade of black and white mana particles, enveloping him entirely. The transition was abrupt, the starlit void replaced by blinding light that left his vision seared.
Then came the wind.
A fierce, scorching gust blasted against him, carrying with it a storm of sand that pelted his skin. The air was thick and humid, every breath a struggle against the oppressive heat.
Lucius squinted, opening his eyes just enough to survey his surroundings. Sand. Endless dunes of it, stretching as far as the eye could see, punctuated only by the occasional ruin half-buried in the desert. The wind howled, carrying grains of sand that stung his face and threatened to blind him completely.
Adjusting the tattered cloak that now hung over his shoulders, he fashioned it into a makeshift hood, shielding his mouth and eyes from the onslaught.
"Well, this is just perfect," he muttered, glancing at the Aetheris.
The screen buzzed with new notifications.
Supplied Equipment:
• Sideam: Arcane-Infused Handgun (10 Rounds)
• Melee Weapon: Tactical Dagger (Short Blade, Reinforced Alloy)
• Utility: Water Flask (Half-Full)
Lucius gave the flask a skeptical look, shaking it slightly. "At least they didn't send me here completely unarmed," he muttered. "Though knowing the professors, this was probably the least they could do."
He scanned the horizon again, deducing from the swirling sandstorms and oppressive heat that he was in some distant past—likely within the Valtherion Empire's prime. The ruins, though barely visible, bore the distinct architecture of a civilization long since buried by time.
"Figures," Lucius grumbled, brushing sand off his cloak. "I couldn't get a lush forest or a quiet library, could I? No, I get this."
The Aetheris buzzed again, its screen lighting up with a new notification.
{World Map Feature Unlocked}.
Raising an eyebrow, Lucius opened the map, only to find it… incomplete. His current location was marked clearly—a single glowing dot amidst a sea of blurred spaces.
"What the—" he began, only to have another message appear:
[The World Snickers At You].
Lucius let out an exasperated groan, raising his middle finger at the screen without so much as looking at it. "Laugh it up," he muttered before choosing a random direction and setting off.
…..
Hours Later.
The sun hung mercilessly overhead, its heat bearing down on Lucius as he trudged through the dunes. The sand shifted beneath his boots, making every step an exhausting effort.
Sweat dripped from his brow, but he kept his hood drawn, the makeshift shield against the relentless wind and swirling sand. His water supply was already running low, and the Aetheris hadn't provided any updates.
"What kind of twisted exam is this?" he muttered to himself.
Pausing atop a particularly high dune, Lucius scanned the horizon. For a moment, he thought he saw movement—a shadow flitting between the ruins in the distance.
His hand instinctively went to the handgun at his hip.
"Finally," he said, a dark smirk forming on his lips. "Something to break the monotony."
As the shadow moved closer, Lucius's smirk faded. The figure was larger than he'd anticipated, its shape distorted by the sandstorm. The faint glint of metal caught his eye, and he realized with growing unease that whatever was approaching wasn't human.
The Aetheris buzzed, a single word flashing across the screen:
[WARNING: ANOMALY DETECTED].
Lucius sighed, drawing his handgun. "Of course."
He took aim, the weight of the weapon comforting in his hand as he braced himself. "Let's see what you've got."
The shadow emerged from the storm, revealing a hulking figure clad in ancient, rusted armor. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Lucius, and a guttural roar echoed across the dunes.
Lucius cocked the gun, his smirk returning. "Time for a history lesson."