"Are you ready for the next coming of a legend?"
Vonn read the words aloud, his voice low as he studied the bold text etched onto the ancient stone wall. This wall stood in a place deep within the central lands, a gathering ground where nations from every corner of the world converged.
People crowded the area, all eyes on the massive structure. At the center of the wall, a slight distortion shimmered in the air—a tear in the space and time, creating a vortex that led to somewhere extraordinary.
In front of this gateway stood dozens of children, all between the ages of six and ten. They came from diverse backgrounds, yet each shared a single goal: to become stronger in the trials that lay ahead.
This place, known as the Biennial Dimension, was rich with resources and secrets that promised power and knowledge to those who dared to enter. Yet, it was not without risks, and only the bravest—or the most desperate—would cross the threshold.
The ratio of entrants, most children here were from wealthy families, well-prepared and trained from a young age to harness mana's power. The few from humbler origins had one motivation—the hope of a better life, despite their lack of training and resources.
The Biennial Dimension was technically open to all kids, but entry was no small decision. Not every child was willing or able to brave the dangers within; only those deemed ready and resourceful were allowed near the entrance, while adults remained at a distance unless specifically exempted. The area was, therefore, filled almost entirely with children, all waiting to begin their journey.
Vonn swallowed hard, feeling his pulse quicken. This was his opportunity, a chance to grow and measure his strength against this world's unknowns.
So far, he still hadn't fully grasped his own capacity, nor did he understand the intricacies of the power system here. His knowledge was limited, and he'd had little time to prepare himself. All he could do now was focus on achieving his best, reaching for the greatness that seemed just out of reach.
To keep his determination steady, he reminded himself of his shortcomings. He knew he wasn't yet strong. He possessed only a fraction of Noire's power and still hadn't inherited any from Frain. But that didn't matter now, this was his moment.
Smirking, he looked up at the words on the wall and nodded with resolve. "Here I come," he muttered to himself, stepping forward with a surge of energy.
As he passed through the entrance, his mind raced with determination and hope, unaware that his presence had already caught someone's attention.
From the crowd, a young girl watched him. Her striking golden hair and piercing gaze made her stand out, along with an unmistakable air of confidence and strength. She came from a prestigious family in the cold northern lands, where she had been trained rigorously since early childhood. Her aura was enough to make others step aside as she moved, parting the crowd in a straight path toward Vonn.
"You… you're from the Prestige Clan, aren't you?"
Vonn raised an eyebrow, taken aback by the unexpected question from this unfamiliar girl. He glanced at her calmly, studying her from head to toe with a curious but blank expression.
"Who are you?"
The moment Vonn asked the question, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd. Even the new arrivals—children and a few guardians lingering at the edge—paused, their attention captured by Vonn's boldness. Many of them were still taking in the weight of their decision to enter the Biennial Dimension, mentally preparing themselves for the challenges within. For one of them to address the young lady so directly was unthinkable.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, shocked at Vonn's audacity.
"What nerve! Who does this nobody think he is, daring to speak to the Golden Prodigy? Doesn't he know who she is? No one speaks to her unless she allows it!"
"Look at him, trying to make himself important. And with a face like that? He's not worthy of even looking at her!"
"Just wait until I get in there," one kid muttered darkly. "I'll make him regret this. He'll wish he never even looked her way."
Vonn heard their whispers, each word tinged with envy or outright malice. He couldn't fully understand the intensity of their reactions, but he sensed that this girl—whoever she was—held some sort of importance that set her apart from the others. Still, he wasn't concerned, his only priority was to become stronger in the dimension.
The young girl tilted her head, giving Vonn a once-over with a look of dismay. Her voice dripped with disdain as she spoke, "Why do weak, poor people even bother with the dimension? It's not like you have a real chance in there. This is a place where power matters. If you're weak, you should try your luck somewhere else. Don't waste our time or get in our way."
With a dismissive flip of her golden hair, she turned away, striding off as if she'd already dismissed him from her mind.
Vonn watched her go, a smirk playing on his lips as he thought to himself, 'That attitude of hers... So she's the type who thinks she's untouchable, huh? Well, she has another thing coming if we meet inside. I might just rip that smug expression right off her face and take whatever resources she thinks she owns.'
He clenched his fist, irritated but trying to temper his own thoughts. 'Maybe that's exaggerating a bit, but still... I'm pissed.'
As Vonn moved toward the entrance, he noticed that others in the crowd had started to stare at him, their eyes lingering with either curiosity or outright contempt. It was the last thing he wanted—attention. He'd come here to train and get stronger, not to become the center of gossip and scorn.
'I don't like this…' he thought, sighing inwardly. 'I hoped to blend in and just be another face in the crowd. If this keeps up, my risk of exposure goes up, and my life could be on the line.'
He had no desire to stand out, especially because of his unique powers. If anyone saw him using them in public, who knew what kinds of labels or dangerous attention he might attract? Worse, what kind of treatment would he face from those who viewed him as a threat?
Just the thought made his skin crawl. There was no way he'd let anyone know his true abilities unless he absolutely had to.
With a determined gaze, he turned his thoughts inward, preparing himself mentally as he stepped closer to the entrance of the Biennial Dimension, determined to make this chance count.
When it was finally his turn, after the endless wait in line, Vonn stepped forward, entering the dimension.
***
The Biennial Dimension was an enigmatic land, appearing seemingly out of nowhere and opening its gates only once every two years. It held countless opportunities and resources that only children could harness, feats uniquely available to the young.
To most, the true purpose of this dimension was unclear. Was it created to nurture the potential of children? No one knew for sure. But to the adults, it represented a chance—a chance to send their children into a place where they could grow stronger, securing not only their futures but the futures of their families. Many believed that a successful journey in the Biennial Dimension could secure their social standing or even elevate their family's status.
There were different reasons why children braved the risks within. Though they knew almost nothing of what awaited them, each child entered with a hope, a glimmer of ambition to make the most of whatever they encountered.
'Other kids entered unprepared,' Vonn mused. 'They have no idea what lies inside. The Biennial Dimension is constantly shifting; the terrain remains fixed, but resources are scattered across unknown reaches, always changing.'
But for Vonn, things were different. He held knowledge that few others did, having carefully revisited Luxer's insights from the novel. Smiling to himself, he realized he knew the locations where some of the story's pivotal characters had uncovered treasures or gained invaluable resources.