As Raj listened to his parents explain the intricacies of the world and their work, the weight of their responsibilities started to settle in his mind. It finally made sense why they were always so busy, constantly away from home as they were on missions, and why they were so focused on his upcoming Blessing Ceremony even though they were on missions they were tirelessly working to secure his future.
Raj thanks his parents for the divine fruit, but a lingering doubt gnawed at him. "I still don't get it. Why shouldn't we level up before receiving the blessing?" he asked with his brows furrowing with confusion.
Samba smiled, already anticipating his son's question. "Though blessings are more common now, they're still not guaranteed for everyone. Some people remain unblessed their whole lives."
Raj thanks his parents for the divine fruit, but a lingering doubt gnawed at him. "I still don't get it. Why shouldn't we level up before receiving the blessing?" he asked with his brows furrowing with confusion.
Samba smiled, already anticipating his son's question. "Though blessings are more common now, they're still not guaranteed for everyone. Some people remain unblessed their whole lives."
Sruthi nodded, chiming in. "Receiving a blessing isn't automatic, Raj. There are variables—actions and circumstances that can increase or decrease the probability of receiving a blessing. One of those factors is staying unleveled. And yes, children of the blessed are more likely to receive blessings than those of the unblessed, but it's not a certainty."
Samba continued, "Recently, the Union Council discovered some rifts that don't require leveling up and can increase your chances of receiving a higher-grade blessing if cleared. These rifts are rare and have unique properties."
Raj's eyes widened with understanding. "So… you found one of these rifts?"
"Exactly," Samba said. "This month, your mother and I located a rift that's never been cleared. If you clear it first, your chances of receiving a top-tier blessing will skyrocket."
Sruthi's expression darkened slightly. "But there's a catch. The information about the rift leaked. Now, many other top-ranking families are pressuring the Union to let their children clear it first. It's causing a lot of tension."
Samba's face grew stern. "The only reason the situation hasn't spiraled out of control is that your mother and I are guarding the rift. If it were in anyone else's hands, those families would have taken it by force."
Sruthi sighed, her voice heavy. "The Union Council stepped in to resolve the conflict. They've agreed to let you go first into the rift. However, if you don't clear it within five days, they'll allow other families to send their children in to assist or claim it."
Raj blinked, absorbing the seriousness of the situation. "So I have five days…"
Samba nodded. "Yes. You have five days to prepare, five days to clear the rift, and five more to stabilize your body and mind before the Blessing Ceremony. Time is tight, but you're not alone. We'll guide you through this, but in the end, it's your trial to overcome."
Raj felt the pressure mounting. The rift represented not just a personal challenge but a way to honor his family's hard work. He would need to be at his best, mentally and physically, to face whatever awaited him inside. And with the other families waiting for him to fail, there was no room for error.
"Okay, that's all for now. Go back to your room and get some rest. It's not like you have to clear the rift on the first attempt. Even though our investigation shows it's not too dangerous, nothing is ever 100% certain," Sruthi said, her voice gentle but filled with concern. She tried to offer encouragement, masking her own worries behind a soft smile.
Raj stood up, determination flashing in his eyes. "No, I will definitely go," he said firmly, his voice unwavering as he turned to head back to his room.
Sruthi and Samba watched him leave, both of them silently hoping that their son would rise to the challenge ahead, despite the unknown dangers.
After returning to his room, Raj was still digesting the information his parents had shared. He knew they hadn't told him everything, but he was certain the situation was more dangerous than they let on. He had often seen the injuries they sustained and the sorrow in their eyes after losing friends of the same rank. The weight of these thoughts hung in his mind as he lay back on his bed and drifted into a deep, dream-filled sleep.