When the Gates Opened
The crowd thickened as Damon and Lira reached the outer plaza.
Stone platforms floated above the ground, held aloft by shimmering bands of energy. Towers curved toward the sky like blades of glass, each etched with glowing runes that pulsed in slow rhythm. At the center stood the exam arena—a vast circular field enclosed by a translucent barrier that hummed with restrained power.
This was the Celestial Academy.
A place where Ethereal decided who would rise.
Damon slowed, absorbing everything. Students his age filled the plaza—some nervous, some confident, some openly showing off flickers of flame, hardened skin, or faint distortions of speed around their feet. Others hid their abilities completely, eyes sharp and guarded.
Lira leaned closer, lowering her voice. "First stage is always the same. They test control before power."
Damon nodded. The system stayed silent, watching.
A deep chime echoed across the plaza.
The air itself seemed to still.
Above the arena, a figure appeared—projected in towering blue light. An examiner's voice rolled outward, calm and absolute.
"Candidates of Ethereal. Today, you are not judged by strength alone. You are judged by potential, adaptation, and will."
The barrier split open.
"Stage One: Awakening Trial."
The ground inside the arena shifted. Stone rose, forming uneven platforms, narrow bridges, and sudden drops. Floating targets appeared at different heights—some stable, others moving unpredictably.
"Objective," the voice continued. "Advance from entry point to the central pillar. Use your ability. Do not rely on others. Survival is part of evaluation."
A murmur rippled through the candidates.
Lira exhaled slowly. "Guess this is it."
She met Damon's eyes—curious, not fearful. "Good luck."
"You too," Damon replied.
The system flickered for the first time since leaving the house.
[Exam Environment Detected]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
[Recommendation: Observation First]
Candidates were called in groups.
When Damon's number appeared, his pulse quickened—but his steps stayed steady as he crossed the threshold. The barrier sealed behind him with a low hum.
Instantly, pressure settled over his body. Not weight—intent. Like the arena itself was watching.
The first platform lurched.
Someone ahead leapt, propelled by enhanced legs. Another hardened their skin and took the drop directly. A burst of fire scorched a moving target—but missed.
Damon didn't move.
He watched.
Timing. Angles. Patterns.
[Adaptive Analysis Running]
A target swept past. He stepped forward—not fast, not flashy—and adjusted his balance at the last second. The platform stabilized beneath him as if responding to the precision of his movement.
He jumped.
Not higher than anyone else.
Just… cleaner.
He landed. Continued. Each step shaved away wasted motion. When a sudden gap opened beneath his feet, his body corrected before panic could form.
[Micro-Optimization Applied]
[Efficiency Increased: 7%]
Eyes followed him now.
He felt it.
Near the center, a moving target darted across his path. Others blasted at it. Damon reached out—barely—and struck at the precise moment it intersected his trajectory.
The target shattered.
Silence rippled outward.
The examiner's voice returned, quieter this time.
"Interesting."
The final stretch rose before him—the central pillar glowing faintly. Damon advanced, breath controlled, mind sharp.
At the base of the pillar, the arena stilled.
[Stage One Complete]
Damon looked up as the barrier dissolved.
Somewhere high above, unseen eyes measured him.
And for the first time since he woke beneath the tiny house, Damon understood something clearly:
He didn't need to announce his power.
The system would make sure the world noticed—when it mattered.