"Only by taking the divine path will your world have a chance against the coming catastrophe." The Elder paused, his gaze swept across the silent crowd.
"There are three stages of existence on the Divine Path that is Mortal ranks, Celestial ranks, and Divine ranks. Each rank is divided into three tiers.
Tiers 1 to Tier 3 are Mortal Ranks.
Tiers 4 to Tier 6 are Celestial Ranks.
Tiers 7 to Tier 9 are Divine Ranks.
If a few among you can reach the peak of the Divine Ranks, then this world will have a chance for survival"
'Divine Path... so that's why this Elder guy is so powerful,' Kyle thought, his eyes narrowing. 'There's no way a Shi'en user could possess that level of strength. Not even those who've fully awakened their will. But... does this Divine Path have anything to do with Shi'en?'
Shi'en was the manifestation of one's will often referred to as Divine Will or Divine Might in some cultures. That's why Kyle suspected this Divine Path maybe connected to it somehow.
"To ascend the Divine path," the Elder continued, "you'll need something known as Divine Fragments. Each fragment corresponds to a Tier. You'll need a Tier 1 Fragment to ascend to Tier 1, a Tier 2 Fragment to ascend to Tier 2, and so on until Tier 9. That is if you're capable of such a feat." he paused to let it sink in.
The Divine path is not uneasy path to take, most people get stack at mortal ranks an able to ascend to celestial ranks.
Geniuses make it to celestial ranks and maybe divine ranks, but for a race to produce a peak divine rank ascender it considered a miracle.
This is almost un impossible task.
"You're probably wondering where to find these fragments. Worry not the Tower will provide. However, they're rare and limited. There is not enough for all. To prove your worth investing in, you'll undergo a trial. Pass it, and you'll earn your Tier 1 Divine Fragment. Fail, and you may try again... if there are any fragments left."
Murmurs spread through the crowd like ripples on still water. The Elders remained motionless, watching with unreadable expressions. If the Seventh Elder wanted, he could easily handpicked promising talents from the crowd. But doing so would rob this era of its true potential.
Talent is important when nurturing heros and worries, but those forged through flames of struggle and hardship surpassed the gifted.
Thus, the trial existed not only to test strength but to awaken hidden potential and put them through real stragle.
Only through hardship, pain and stragle can heros and legends be born.
If this generation failed to produce a peak Divine rank ascender, the world would be consumed by the Abyss with zero resistance.
"I wonder what kind of trial it'll be?" Kyle muttered under his breath.
"Who knows?" Lily replied, eyes gleaming. "But it sounds like our lives are about to get interesting. I can't wait to feel that divine power and see this 'Abyss' for myself."
Her tone was light, almost thrilled by the danger. Her life had been a cycle of routine family duties, business meetings and predictable victories. Even competing with her cousins had lost its thrill.
So the idea of fighting monsters like in the old fantasy tales excited her.
To Lily, despair was pointless.. It will not change a thing after all challenges are for the living.
Why fear taking risks when death is inevitable? It like fear of life.
Life without risk was no life at all, life without challenges would get boring easley.
'Why do I always attract weirdos? ' Kyle sighed inwardly, glancing at her sideways. Her mindset reminded him of someone else he knew another reckless soul. Ironically, Lily and Locks never got along.
Still, he couldn't entirely disagree. But unlike her, Kyle's first thought wasn't of adventure... but of his family. If the world truly was in danger, then so were they.
"Don't give me that look," Lily teased, grinning. "You're the one who said, and I quote, 'Don't let anything or anyone keep you from living fullest. Enjoy life no matter what it throws at you.'"
"When did I ever say that?" he raised a brow. " I just think you should take this more seriously. It could easily end with the annihilation of the entire world."
" The world, it not my burden alone or yours. That kind of mentality will put you under unnecessary pressure and nothing good is achieved under pressure. Just survive you and those around you. You cannot carry every once burden"
Kyle could not argue with her.
"The trial will not be behold your abilities. But I advice you give it, your all. Otherwise, you might remain a mortal for the rest of your life a fate I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."
The Elders eyes hardened. "It's time for your trials. Good luck."
"Only a willful enough man to desires change can rise to make changes.
It does not matter where you go, as long as there is man there is change, as long as there is change there is man.
Change is inevitable.
When it arrives, there are two kinds of people, the victims of change
those who fall into despair and self destruction… and wills of change, those who embrace change, adapt, get strong and rise to challenge the will behind the change to make their desired changes.
The question is son, who are you, a victim of change, or the will of change?, This is a question you can only answer when time is right."
The dizziness returned, and Kyle felt weightless again as his father's words reverberated in his mind. For a second time today.
The world as he knew it a few minutes ago had changed. Fear, despair and denial would consume many. They'd lose everything even their will to survive.
But those who embraced change would endure. They would fight. They would give the world hope.
And Kyle…
Understood well that his family's safety depended on his strength.
Back then he could not understand what his father was trying to say.
He could not that is until today.
Now it feel as if the right time as finally come for him to answer his father's question.
Would he be a victim of change or the will of change itself?
Lost in his thoughts he reached his destination. This time Kyle found himself among a completely different crowd.
He immediately smelled sweat and sensed tension in the air.
Everyone around was in combat gear and heavy harmed.
Feeling something was of he looked down, to his surprise he was no longer in a short but black trousers and combat boots. He only kept his white t-shirts.
He scanned the massive arena raised few meters above the ground and wide enough to hold several soccer fields. Then turned his attention to the spectators.
In the VIP stands, robed figures sat silently waiting for the show to begin.
' what kind of a trial is this? Did I get teleported to another world or something?' question formed in Kyle mind as he did not expect something like this.
"Your objective, is to rank at least third in this tournament. If you can be the last one standing you will receive additional rewards. Good luck." the Seventh Elder's voice echoed in his mind.
"So this is what he calls 'within one's abilities'? What a joke." Kyle exhaled sharply. "There is no weakling here it will be hard to get to top three, let alone last man standing"
He could already sense at least ten powerful auras nearby especially two ahead of him whose cloaked figures radiated immense pressure.
He couldn't make out their faces, but he could tell they were monsterousily strong.
Their shi'en felt chaotic especially the tall one his shi'en felt like a storm. He didn't even bother to council it.