After some time, Alexander was walking through the city, glancing at the large screens that broadcast the Awakening Ceremony. As he continued, a loud shout echoed behind him.
"HIIII! WAIT FOR ME!"
Melina came running towards him, panting, and stopped with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
"Can't you stop for a second?" she gasped, still bent over.
Alexander looked at her with an unimpressed expression. "Why are you even acting like that? I doubt even a normal person would be this tired."
Melina looked at Alexander with an angry face and said, "This is called professionalism. As an orphan with no backup, staying low-key is the best."
Alexander's gaze shifted to the letter she was holding, noticing her change in posture as she proudly showed it off. "Hmph, look at this—a letter of recommendation directly from that old man."
"The old man sure is a pretender," she added, her eyes narrowing, "he was watching from the sidelines but didn't step in, acting all high and mighty."
"Well, look who's talking," Alexander said with a smirk.
Melina's face flushed, but then she quickly straightened up and, with a serious expression, declared, "My name is Melina. Height: 1.72 meters, weight: 68kg, currently single and homeless."
Alexander blinked in confusion at her sudden introduction. Realizing she was serious, he also got serious and replied, "Alexander. Height: 1.83 meters, weight: 78kg, single, homeless."
They both shook hands after introducing themselves, maintaining eye contact in an awkward silence. Passersby glanced at them, some chuckling at the strange scene.
Melina, breaking the silence, asked, "And?"
Alexander tilted his head, confused. "And...?"
Melina stared at him, surprised. "Huh, are you really this innocent, or are you just playing dumb? Can't you pick up on hints?"
Alexander blinked, finally realizing what Melina was implying. His mouth twitched as he turned and started walking away, leaving Melina momentarily stunned before she hurried after him.
As he walked, Alexander's mind was elsewhere, focusing on his status screen, particularly on his legacy:
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Misfortune's Embrace: Trouble is constantly around you. Bad luck increased.
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???: ???????????????????????????????
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He could guess that Misfortune's Embrace was that mysterious woman's doing, but the second legacy remained a mystery, hidden beyond his reach.
Melina, now walking beside him, asked, "Alexander, what's your plan now? Are you going to accept the headmaster's invitation and join Rising Academy?"
Alexander casually replied, "Well, yes."
Melina gave him a weird look, her expression full of confusion. "Then why did you...?"
Without missing a beat, Alexander shrugged and said, "Just felt like saying it."
Melina's mouth twitched in frustration as she thought, At least make a better excuse, you idiot.
...
At night, Alexander stood before a Realm Gate, its ethereal blue glow illuminating the surroundings. The gate was about five meters tall and wide, towering ominously in the quiet night. This mystical plane was formed by the World Will, and though one couldn't actually die inside, their soul and cultivation would take a severe hit if they failed. "So, this is a Realm Gate," Alexander murmured to himself, inspecting the intricate patterns swirling on its surface. "Looks just like something out of a manhwa from my previous life."
"WOW!" Melina exclaimed beside Alexander, her wide eyes darting to the people entering and exiting the Realm Gate. Some returned with pride, while others were teleported or thrown out in defeat, likely victims of the trials inside. Her excitement bubbled over as she jumped, pointing at a group of adventurers. "Alexander, look at their gear! If we take them down, we could make a fortune!"
Alexander stared at her blankly, his expression frozen. "Your focus...is something," he muttered. She was probably the only woman who could unsettle his otherwise calm mind. Shaking his head, he shot her a sharp glare, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance. "Why are you following me?"
Melina blinked innocently, feigning oblivion. "As a fellow outsider and orphan, I'm worried you'll get into trouble," she replied with a straight face.
Alexander felt a sense of futility as he realized talking to Melina was becoming increasingly difficult. Without saying another word, he turned and walked toward the Realm Gate, his expression indifferent. Of course, Melina wasn't far behind, smiling as she caught up. "Why don't we form a team and go in together? It'll be easier," she suggested.
Without looking back, Alexander replied calmly, "You can't form a party in this type of Realm Gate. It's designed for solo participants—those who've just awakened."
Melina's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean by that?"
As they approached the gate, Alexander explained, "This Realm Gate is meant to test the potential of beginners. It's connected to all realms from what I know."
Melina's shock deepened. "All realms? You mean this Realm can be accessed by people from powerful families and empires outside our planet?"
Alexander nodded slightly. "That's right. You should take this seriously. Performance here will be evaluated, and the rewards can be life-changing. Even those with weak talents have used these gates to rise to power."
Melina's heart began to race as she processed Alexander's words. The Realm Gate loomed ahead, and she couldn't shake the feeling that this was her key to rising to power. Her previous mischievous demeanor was replaced by a newfound seriousness. I don't have strong talent; the Spirit Body can't take me to great heights, she thought, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
As she focused on the gate, she suddenly noticed that Alexander was already stepping through it. Panic surged through her, and she quickly followed, determined not to miss this opportunity. The world around them began to shimmer as they crossed the threshold, anticipation coursing through her veins.
As Alexander stepped through the Realm Gate, he immediately felt a familiar force envelop him, reminiscent of the sensation that had transported him to this planet. It was as if time and space were bending around him.
His body felt oddly weightless, and he struggled to maintain his strength as he was teleported inside.
[ENTERING GREAT TRIAL PLANE]