Vastarael was floating underwater. He could breathe but he was sinking deeper. The conversation with the Omniscient Natas lingered in his mind.
As he sank, the weight of everything he had learned settled onto his shoulders and for the first time, he began to piece together the grand puzzle of his existence.
The First Test had been nothing short of a trial by fire. It was a brutal gauntlet that tested not only his combat prowess but his ability to lead, strategize, and protect those who could not protect themselves. What had started as an attempt to gain power had spiraled into a revolution that saved hundreds of lives. The slaves he'd liberated were not merely survivors. They were the seeds of a new future destined to reshape history.
Vastarael began to see how his Boon was tied to the bane Thyrexxa had placed upon him. Women were destined to accompany him for better or worse. Their admiration, their struggles, and their pain would always be intertwined with his journey.
He let out a deep sigh, his thoughts drifting to Thyrexxa, the Primordial of Time. It was her will that had sent him spiraling back into the past. What had seemed like a random displacement was, in truth, his First Timeskipping Event.
And then there was the revelation of the Sphere Natas, capable of manipulating souls and energy to create strength in academy students and forming artifacts and power.
A good example was when he killed the Lavalouse. He remembered what the academy system said.
[Your physical body has been enhanced!]
He didn't feel the body getting stronger but it helped him at least. Also, the artifact he got from the monster. He gave it to the slaves because it was interconnected. Why would he kill a monster and then go save some slaves in a colosseum?
He was meant to give the artifact to save their lives and that is what he did.
Vastarael couldn't help but reflect on the artifact he had gained from defeating the lava monster. That victory, too, had been orchestrated by this... dark creation called Sphere Natas. As he thought of the Omniscient who called himself a historian, Vastarael began to see how deeply his actions intertwined with existence.
Axia, the World System Omniscient, governed the tangible aspects of the world, yet it was Phaenora, his personal Omniscient, who gave him the edge.
Ever since he was six, Axia didn't give him a Hidden Book for him to check his stats on. Instead, he had Phaenora, his own Omniscient.
In Spheraphase, a Hidden Book was the holographic system of Axia the Spheraphasians used to check their profile, Tethers, Booms, Banes, artifacts and so on. Vastarael had a system but didn't use the Hidden Book. Instead, he used Phaenora's System.
"Thyrexxa, I'll play my part. But when this is over, I'll demand answers. And if I find out there's more to this than you've told me…"
He didn't finish the sentence. The future was uncertain but Vastarael had made one thing clear to himself. He wouldn't stop until he had the strength to stand above fate itself.
"Speaking of which, when do I get back?"
°°°°°°°
The strange weightlessness was replaced by the familiar gravity of the academy grounds and he found himself standing in the exact spot where he had first entered. His eyes scanned the area, noting that nothing appeared to have changed.
Except for one glaring difference.
Chainless stood beside him, still clutching the small wolf cub in her arms, but now dressed in a modern academy uniform. The sleek black and gold attire fit her perfectly, accentuating her slim frame while making her look like she had always belonged here. Vastarael couldn't help but smirk at the contrast. She seemed out of place yet entirely at ease.
"You clean up well. Guess even the little one gets to join the academy fashion parade."
Chainless tilted her head slightly, giving him a small smile. Before Vastarael could say more, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"You're the last one to arrive. Oh. You got her from the test? Not bad."
He turned to see Elyonari approaching. She brushed a strand of her silvery hair over her shoulder.
"And you? Did you pass the tests?"
"I passed all seven tests. Of course, I expected no less of myself. But the question is, what about you?"
Vastarael shrugged.
"I don't know."
Elyonari's eyes flicked to Chainless, noting her presence but saying nothing about it. Instead, she gestured to a group gathered nearby.
"They're waiting for the results. You should join us."
Vastarael followed her. Adelasta sat alone on a bench while others stood in small clusters, some talking in hushed tones. He recognized a few faces—candidates who had caught his attention earlier—but he didn't dwell on them.
Adelasta's solitude caught his eye but he brushed it off. He'd deal with her in due time. For now, he had other priorities.
He glanced at Chainless, who was still quietly observing everything.
"Stay close," he said softly. "This might get… interesting."
A sudden chime echoed across the courtyard, drawing everyone's attention. A massive holographic display materialized above them, glowing with the academy's emblem.
"Attention, candidates. The results of the Academy's Entry Trials have been finalized. Your performance has been evaluated across all tests and your rankings will now be revealed."
The holographic display shifted, names beginning to appear one by one.
____
[Seventh Enlightenment Students.]
1. [Narisva Starisnova.]
2. [Xander Fedres.]
3. [Eldrigan Hanabas.]
4. [Elyonari Mintheris.]
5. [Farrynelle Skyrover.]
6. [Vastarael Richinaria.]
7. [Adelasta Viaca Vazakiel.]
8. [Natalis and Denisia Andelaris.]
9. [Peroncerea Ceres.]
_____
Beside him, Elyonari's eyes narrowed in focus as she scanned the list, her expression hardening when she reached his name.
"Sixth? You held back."
Vastarael shrugged.
"Maybe I did. Or maybe the judges just didn't see my best side. Also, you did the same."
"Of course. It would be stupid to reveal all my cards to an academy you know."
For now, she chose to focus on her own accomplishment in fourth place.
The murmurs around them grew louder and both Vastarael and Elyonari's attention shifted to the top of the list, where a single name radiated with unparalleled brilliance.
Narisva Starisnova.
A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to the figure standing near the edge of the gathering. Narisva's presence was almost otherworldly. If Vastarael was the epitome of handsomeness, she was his counterpart in every way.
Her long, starry hair shimmered like the night sky. Her eyes were like galaxies, as if space was contained within them. Her pale, almost white skin contrasted sharply with her voluptuous, seductive build that left the boys speechless. Several male students stared at her, unable to find words to describe her allure. Even some of the female students were captivated by her ethereal charm.
Vastarael's eyes met hers briefly but she scoffed, clearly unimpressed by the attention she was receiving. With an air of disdain, she turned on her heel and walked away.
"She's not one to linger," Elyonari remarked dryly, watching Narisva disappear into the crowd.
"Seems like she's got better things to do than bask in glory."
Before Elyonari could respond, the disembodied voice returned.
"New students of the Seventh to the Fifth Enlightenment, you are hereby summoned to the Grand Assembly Hall. The academy welcomes you to your journey toward greatness. Please proceed immediately. As for the ones below the Fifth Enlightenment, you shall be called for your turn."
The courtyard began to stir with movement as students called whispered among themselves and started filing toward the main entrance of the academy. Vastarael adjusted the lapel of his coat and glanced at Chainless, who stood silently by his side, still holding the wolf cub. He tilted his head toward the growing crowd.
"Shall we?"
Chainless nodded. Elyonari studied him for a moment longer before falling into step beside him.
"You really need to tell me how you got a human."
"Maybe later."
And with that, they joined the stream of students heading toward the assembly, ready to face whatever awaited them in the next chapter of their journey.