The Grand Hall of the Luminis Academy was filled with tense silence as the applicants were called forward. Instead of the headmaster delivering a speech, it was Lirael Dawnlight, the deputy headmistress and a prominent figure at the academy, who took charge of the admissions process.
"Welcome to Luminis Academy," Lirael said, her voice clear and commanding. "This exam will determine if you are worthy of joining this institution. Here, we do not seek only strength or power; we seek candidates with character, ingenuity, and the ability to overcome the impossible."
Kael's eyes locked onto Lirael. Her poise and authority made her stand out, and her mere presence seemed to unsettle the other candidates.
Lirael extended her hand toward a floating object that materialized before her—a brilliant white crystal radiating magical energy.
"The first trial will be the Trial of the Heart. Each of you will be taken into a magical space designed to test your resolve, your fears, and your ability to make decisions under pressure."
Kael frowned, recalling the game's stories about this exam. It was one of the most dreaded trials because it didn't measure physical strength but something far more intimate and difficult to control: mental fortitude.
The candidates were called one by one toward the crystal. When it was Kael's turn, he felt an invisible force wrap around him, pulling him into an entirely different place.
Kael opened his eyes to find himself in an empty field. The sky was covered with unnaturally shifting black clouds. Standing before him was a perfect reflection of himself, but its gaze was filled with contempt.
"Do you think you're ready for this world?" his double said, its voice cold and cutting through the air like a blade. "Do you think your knowledge as a player makes you better than everyone else?"
Kael took a step back, startled by the accusation. He knew the trial was a manifestation of his fears and doubts, but he hadn't expected them to be so personal.
"No matter how much you plan or how many strategies you prepare," the reflection continued, "death here is final. If you fail, there will be no second chances. Do you really believe you can protect those around you?"
The reflection raised its hand, and the scenery changed again. Kael was now on a battlefield surrounded by lifeless bodies. He recognized some of them: his father, Duke Ashborne, and figures from the game—friends and allies he hadn't yet met in this life. All of them lay motionless, their bloodied forms scattered under a relentless rain.
"This is what awaits you if you continue," the reflection said, stepping closer with a cruel smile. "Will you run now, or will you have the courage to accept that this is your fate?"
Kael closed his eyes, trying to calm his mind. He remembered Solarius's words: this trial was not physical but spiritual. It was a confrontation with his own insecurities, and brute force wouldn't help him here.
"It's true," Kael finally said, opening his eyes and facing his reflection with renewed determination. "I can't deny that I'm afraid—afraid of failing, afraid of losing others. But that fear is also what drives me to keep going. I'm not here to run away from my responsibilities; I'm here to face them."
The reflection stared at him in silence for a moment before dissolving into smoke. The scenery shifted again, returning to the empty field. This time, the sky cleared, allowing a beam of golden light to shine down and illuminate the circle where Kael stood.
A warm, reassuring voice echoed in his mind: "You have passed the first stage. Move forward, but remember—the true challenge has only just begun."
Kael felt the golden bubble around him fade, and suddenly, he was back in the Grand Hall. Around him, some candidates had already fallen, while others stood with expressions of exhaustion and relief. The first step was complete, but Kael knew the road ahead would only grow more difficult.