Chapter 202: The Lower Realm Evaluation
Tessa and a group of diverse aliens entered a vast room, their anticipation mingling with curiosity. The air was thick with an almost palpable energy, the walls shimmering with a strange, pulsating glow. This was the beginning of their evaluation.
At the front of the gathering stood a commanding figure—a Centaur. Tessa quickly learned that he was on the Xanthex level, much like Hovi. His fine brown skin gleamed under the ethereal light, and his muscular arms and torso seamlessly connected to a powerful equine body. Every movement he made exuded confidence and authority.
The Centaur, who introduced himself as Riis, began pacing in front of the group, his hooves clicking against the crystalline floor. Around 200 aliens of varying shapes, sizes, and features were gathered, their eyes fixed on him.
"My name is Riis," he announced, his deep voice resonating across the chamber. "You are here to undertake the Lower Realm Evaluations. I will get straight to the point. If you pass, you will enter the gate leading directly to the Middle Realm. If you fail... well, you will either be brought back here or returned to your original body, depending on the nature of your failure."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, ensuring everyone grasped the gravity of his words. The crowd's murmurs ceased as his authoritative presence commanded their attention.
"Here is what will happen," Riis continued. "All 200 of you will be transported to a specific location. There, your powers will be stripped away, leaving you with only your innate talents and abilities. Your objective is simple: move from the starting point to the endpoint."
The tension in the room rose as participants exchanged uncertain glances. Tessa felt a pang of unease at the thought of losing her Kaelrian speed.
"You are free to work together," Riis went on, "but be warned—trust is a double-edged sword. Along the way, you will face numerous challengers. Guard your progress Orb carefully. If you lose it, someone else may take your place."
Riis's tone grew stern. "You may not understand everything at the outset, but as you progress, the trials will reveal themselves to you. Adaptation and resilience will be your greatest allies. Now, steel yourselves. The evaluation begins shortly."
With his final words, Riis turned and exited through a concealed doorway. Moments later, a swirling portal materialized at the front of the room, its edges glowing with an otherworldly hue.
A disembodied voice echoed across the chamber. "All participants, please proceed through the portal. The evaluation begins now."
Tessa took a deep breath, her fists clenching with determination. Around her, some participants hesitated, while others strode forward with confidence. She allowed herself one moment to gather her thoughts before stepping into the portal, bracing for whatever lay ahead.
As Tessa emerged from the portal, a faint hum echoed behind her, dissipating like a whisper in the air. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, before noticing a peculiar weight in her hand. A small black orb hovered just above her palm, faintly pulsating with an eerie glow. Inside, an electronic inscription materialized:
Progress Evaluation: 0%
Pass Percentage: 0%
Tessa's eyes narrowed as a chill ran down her spine. The significance of Riis's twisted game began to crystallize.
"So, this is how it works," she murmured, her voice laced with unease. "If someone takes another person's orb, they can usurp their progress and place in the evaluations. How... sinister."
Clenching the orb protectively, Tessa scanned her surroundings. The vast, alien terrain stretched endlessly, a blend of jagged crystal spires and floating islands bathed in an ethereal, golden light.
All around her, other competitors emerged through similar portals, each clutching an identical orb. Their gazes darted between their own orbs and those of others, the grim realization dawning on them as well. The atmosphere grew tense, charged with the unspoken threat of betrayal.
Tessa's bad premonition deepened. This was not just a test of skill; it was a battlefield where trust and alliances were liabilities.
---
Meanwhile, in another dimension, a gathering of deities observed the proceedings. They were seated in a grand amphitheater of cosmic design, its architecture shifting with the ebb and flow of universal energy. These beings, their levels ranging from Xanthex-class titans to lesser gods, radiated an aura of overwhelming power.
Hovi lounged in a corner, his demeanor casual yet commanding. Beside him, three higher gods sat uneasily, their expressions betraying both frustration and apprehension. They were the ones who believed Hovi had stolen Tessa from their domain, though they dared not voice their grievances aloud.
On Hovi's other side sat Riis, his expression unreadable, and next to Riis was the sinister Xanthex god, Elial. The latter's gaze flickered with malice, his presence suffocating to those unaccustomed to his aura.
"Elial," Hovi said smoothly, cutting into the silence, "you seem restless. Perhaps you've found someone to entertain your interest? After the last war, I'm sure your faction needs some new injections!"
Elial smirked, leaning forward. "Not yet. But tell me, Hovi—has your eye caught anyone worthy of your attention? I believe the Rose faction also needs some new bloods"
Hovi's lips curved into a faint smile, his silence infuriating Elial. The Xanthex god's fingers twitched, but he quickly suppressed his irritation. He could not afford to anger Hovi, whose father, an Imogi on the cusp of becoming a cosmos-level god, wielded influence even Elial dared not challenge.
Turning his attention to the three higher gods, Elial's smirk widened. "And what about you three? Surely you've seen someone promising."
The three gods stiffened, caught in a web of conflicting dangers. If they revealed Tessa's presence, they risked provoking Hovi's wrath. Yet staying silent would invite Elial's ire—a far more immediate threat.
After a tense pause, the second god pointed hurriedly to a random competitor on the screen. "Him. We believe he has the potential to reach Imogi-level."
The focus shifted to the screen, displaying a young alien male. He had striking features resembling a human's, but his crimson skin, curling bull-like horns, and neatly coiled tail marked him as otherworldly. He studied a glowing map intently, his every movement measured and deliberate.
Elial squinted. "Are you mocking me?"
The second god's voice trembled but held firm. "I swear on my unborn kin. He's the one to watch."
The other two nodded fervently, though the third god struggled against the grip of his companion. His hesitation was clear, but a subtle squeeze on his arm conveyed a silent threat: If you ruin this for us, I'll deal with you before Elial does.
After a moment, Elial leaned back, satisfied for now. His gaze lingered on the chosen alien, though a trace of suspicion remained.
Hovi observed the exchange with mild amusement, his smirk deepening. He hadn't missed the three gods' clever maneuvering to protect Tessa. For that, they had earned a flicker of his respect.
"Wise choice," Hovi murmured, his voice barely audible but laced with mock approval. He turned his attention back to the evaluations, where chaos was already beginning to unfold.