[???!! Casts his gaze towards you]
[???!! Lineage received]
[Congratulations Whisperer Your Crucible is complete]
[Your judgement shall commence]
Vale found himself in a realm of endless mirrors stretching beyond infinity seemingly going on forever each mirror holding its own intricate details.
[A broken worn down being adventuring your emotions and understanding yourself to move forward your suffering truly knows no bounds.
[You have achieved the impossible]
[Final Judgement: Magnificent. truly Suffering is your bane]
[Whisperer receive your empowerment]
[You have been bestowed Soul name: Promise of Eternal Anguish.]
Vale tilted his head 'He wanted to rebuke the name say no to it, but he couldn't'
'It represented him perfectly'
[Resin received: Bearer of Endless Suffering]
[Resin Rank: Zenith]
[Resin Description: Bearer of Endless Suffering. Death is not enough to end your suffering. The weight of pain, grief, and anguish follows you, chaining you to a reality where emotions are both weapon and curse. You can feel every loss, every moment of fear, every shred of rage—but you learn to weather them, to shape their storm into resolve. The burden.
Stratching his head Vale didin't know what to make of this everything and anything about him was eerie and sad how would he explain this to anyone
[Resin Atrributes] : [Empath] [ [Death Defier]
He focused on the runes containing Empath
[Empath]: As the Bearer of Endless Suffering, emotions ripple subtly at your presence, shaped by the weight of your endurance and the shadows you carry.
"So, emotions are my power? I mean, it's unique, but I wish I got something big and strong, like fire powers. That would be awesome."
For all he'd endured, Vale was still just a kid.
Staring at the text floating before him, he hesitated. Death Defier. The name alone sent a shiver down his spine.
He wasn't sure he wanted to know what it meant.
The mirror had shown him fragments—grief, pain, suffering—etched into his soul. He could feel their weight, but the memories themselves were just out of reach.
"Maybe it's for the best," Vale muttered, almost convincing himself.
[Death Defier: Death itself cannot free you from the burdens you carry. Each passing only deepens your connection to the suffering that defines you, a quiet strength lurking beneath the pain.]
[Stack's 1 | Time Until Refill: 23:59 | Max Stacks: 1]
"Death itself cannot free you from the burdens you carry, huh?" Vale whispered, the words sinking in.
His mind raced. Does that mean I can come back to life?
"Holy shit," he blurted aloud, gasping as the realization hit. "I've never heard of anything like this."
A surge of awe and disbelief washed over him. Someone like him—a nobody from the slums—had been given a power that felt... broken.
Still, doubt lingered. Every ability had limits, and he couldn't afford to be reckless.
[Wake up, Adept. Your Crucible is over...]
The voice startled him. Raising his head, Vale found himself nose-to-nose with a woman, her lips curling into an amused smile.
"Um," he whispered, voice cracking slightly. "Who are you?"
"Ascended Sylvia," she replied, stepping back and offering a slight bow. "Pleased to meet you, Vale."
For a moment, he couldn't speak. In all his sixteen years in the slums, he had never seen anyone like her. Hazel eyes, soft brunette waves, fair skin, and a smile that could disarm anyone.
Vale felt his face heat. Nice thoughts, nice thoughts...
Sylvia's grin widened, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Starstruck, huh? Happens to the best of us. The Crucible does wonders for a glow-up."
She paused, considering her words. "I mean, take me, for example. Used to look like a sack of shit. Now? Hot as a microwave—wait, no, that's not right. Hot as an oven?"
Vale blinked.
Sylvia shrugged, brushing it off. "Anyway, back on track. I happened to be in town, so I decided to check out your Crucible. Gotta say, kid, you gave me a scare the way you were shaking in there."
Her tone grew softer as she added, "But don't look so down. You survived. That's all that matters. Now it's time to focus on what comes next."
Vale's chest tightened, the memories of the trial pressing down on him.
Sylvia clapped her hands together. "Speaking of next... Drumroll, please!"
She paused for dramatic effect before declaring, "The Academy!"
Vale stared at her, unimpressed.
"Not jumping up and down with excitement? Odd. Most kids are practically squirting with joy—"
"Was that last part really necessary?" Vale deadpanned.
Five minutes later
"Let me get this straight," Vale said, rubbing his temples. "After the trial, I'm forced to attend some academy to prepare me to fight monsters from another world?"
"That just about sums it up! Quick learner, aren't ya?" Sylvia replied cheerfully.
Vale sighed, the weight of inevitability settling over him. There was nothing left for him in the slums. For his goal, he couldn't afford to stay behind.
"Fine," he muttered.
Sylvia tilted her head. "Need to grab anything? Call anyone?"
For a moment, Vale's breath hitched. His eyes widened, then softened as he whispered, "N-no..."
Sylvia leaned closer. "What was that?"
Vale clenched his fists. "No," he said louder, his voice hardening. "There's nothing."
Sylvia raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Got it. Let me make a few calls, and we'll head out!"
Arriving at the Academy gates
Vale gawked at the sprawling, ornate structure before him. He'd never seen anything like it in his life.
"This is... where I'm staying?" he murmured.
Sylvia smirked. "Yup. Wait till you try the food. Only perk of being Awakened."
After a whirlwind tour of the Academy, Vale collapsed onto his bed, his thoughts swirling.
This is my life now...
His fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt. I wish you were here, Rue. You'd love this.
His voice cracked as he whispered, "I know you would..."
Later that night
"R-Rue! No!"
Vale bolted upright, gasping for air. His breaths came in shallow, desperate gulps as his hands clutched at his throat.
"Every time," he choked out. "Every fucking time I close my eyes, I see her."
He buried his face in his pillow, muffling his sobs.
Bang!
The door swung open. Sylvia peeked in, her eyes wide.
"Hurry up, you're lat—" She froze at the sight of him, then slowly backed away.
"Erhm... Take your time."
As the door clicked shut, Vale groaned, wiping at his face. "Gosh, can't anyone knock?"
With a heavy sigh, he got to his feet.
After all it was time to face his first day at the Academy.