Chapter 156: First Trial Begins…
“Hmm…” Aether hummed softly to himself, uncertain of how to respond to his current predicament.
The situation before him was strange and unexpected, but he wasn’t entirely shocked. He knew from experience that his Log always managed to complicate things whenever it got bored…. Well, except for that one previous occasion where it had actually helped him.
But now,
“Really?” Aether muttered, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the peculiar pillars and the group of people surrounding them.
No, it wasn’t the pillars themselves or even the group that left him at a loss for words. Rather, it was…
“The fuck? I’m walking on the ceiling!” Aether exclaimed in disbelief, realizing he was indeed walking on the ceiling of the cave, much like a ghost in a horror movie. In fact, he looked like a ghost, his entire body appearing as transparent, smoky vapour. [Author’s note: Think of the Past Holders in MHA]
“Is this my soul?” Aether wondered aloud. If he had access to a mirror, he would have liked to check whether he had the soul of his 28-year-old self or that of his teenage years.
“We’re attempting this one last time. If it fails, we will have no choice but to wait for the Archpriestess’s arrival,” the Principal declared with a serious expression.
Hearing the mention of the Archpriestess, Aether flinched involuntarily and looked down… or rather, up!
He felt a little dizzy looking up…
Everyone nodded, taking their positions, and then chanted in unison,
“”””””””””Log In””””””””””
‘Sssshhhhhhh!!’
“Holy shit!” Aether exclaimed, his face displaying surprise as the pillars began to light up. ‘What is going on?’ he thought, his curiosity growing with each passing moment.
The Principal sighed in relief as the process seemed to be working. However,
‘ssshhh…..’
The light gradually began to fade, as if it were waiting for something to happen.
‘What is it now?’ the Principal thought, gritting her teeth in frustration, unable to comprehend what was going wrong this time.
Seeing the Principal’s distressed expression, Aether frowned, wondering if his ‘Log’ had once again caused some trouble. With a bit of hesitation, he softly mumbled, “Log… In.”
“SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”
A blinding white light enveloped everyone, and in an instant, the Principal and the remaining Professors were teleported out of the cave.
“THUD!”
The stone door closed itself with a resounding thud.
“Sigh,” the Principal exhaled in relief when it finally worked, but then she frowned and asked Alaric, “Did you hear another voice just now?”
“Hmm? No, I didn’t,” Alaric, whose sharp ears seldom missed anything, replied, “Why? Did you hear something, Principal?”
“…,” the Principal remained silent for a moment, then addressed the remaining professors, “You all can leave now. Alaric and I will bring back the children.”
Inside the cave,
“WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?!” Finnian shouted as the intense white light blinded his eyes. Everyone else shut their eyes tightly against the brightness, except for Aether, who standing nonchalantly on the ceiling, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
Slowly, the white light began to dim, and seven rainbow colours pulsed in the middle of the circular arrangement of pillars.
With every pulse, the cave’s scenery shifted dramatically, startling even Aether.
“SShhh”
The red colour pulsed, transforming the surroundings into a bursting volcano.
“Fuck!” Aether screamed, realizing the volcano was about to erupt beneath… no, above him. But then,
“SShhh”
The orange color pulsed, changing the scene into a chaotic war zone, with countless people engaged in fierce battles.
“What the hell!” Aether yelled, ducking as an axe hurtled towards his face. Before it could strike him,
“SShhh”
The yellow colour pulsed, shifting the scene to calm, rocky mountains.
“….”
With each pulse, the environment changed until it finally settled into a serene landscape filled with lush greenery, towering mountains, and flowing rivers, a stark contrast to the chaos that preceded it.
Aether looked down and saw he was standing on a cloud…. upside down. If he were in his physical body, he knew he would have already vomited from the disorientation.
“Wow!” Helena Sunfire exclaimed, her golden eyes sparkling with curiosity. She was just about to move away from the pillars when,
“Welcome”
An ethereal voice echoed through the seemingly endless space.
Everyone turned to locate the source of the voice, their eyes landing on a blurry figure whose gender was indeterminable. The figure emanated an ethereal glow, resembling a deity descended from the heavens. Even the voice was neutral and otherworldly.
“M-Mother?” Helena and Finnian muttered, their voices tinged with surprise and awe.
“I shall explain the details for your future endeavours,” the ethereal voice continued, its tone calm and authoritative, making everyone turn serious and attentive.
“There will be six trials, each unique and taking place in different locations.
Test your Patience
Test your Endurance
Test your Strength
Test your Weakness
Test your Heart’s Nature
…..
These trials may or may not come… It all depends on your ability to complete the tasks at hand.”
Everyone nodded in understanding, knowing these were all essential steps to becoming a Sovereign.
The ethereal voice went on, “Since ‘The Beginning’ is nearing, you need to finish these trials as soon as possible and be recognized by your desired weapon.”
“!!!” Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise and shock, ‘The Beginning?’ and ‘Recognize?’ they wondered, the terms swirling in their minds.
“W-What are you t—” Before Kai could finish his question,
The voice continued, “Upon completing each trial, you will be granted the chance to ask me one question, and I will answer it.”
Again, their eyes widened in surprise, absorbing this unexpected boon.
Ignoring their reactions, the ethereal voice carried on, “Since we have an uninvited guest…” There was a long pause as the blurry figure looked up, its gaze seemingly penetrating the ceiling.
Aether gulped, thinking, ‘Did it find out?’
“Your first trial begins… Ee-lah-zhur…. Find this!” The blurry figure said as an image hovered before it and added, “Since this is sudden, I will give you a hint: This item exists in this world.”
Everyone frowned at the image and nodded, committing it to memory… however,
“What is it?” Aether tried to see the image, but somehow the view was blocked from him. He couldn’t discern what it was clearly, nor could he hear the details the words felt like different language as if the information was purposefully obscured for him alone.
The voice then said, “You must not share this with anyone. Do you understand?”
“””””””””””Understood””””””””””
Everyone responded in unison.
The blurry figure glanced up and saw Aether trying his hardest to glimpse the image it showing to others. It giggled softly, “Hehe…”
The students were startled by the giggle, a chill running down their spines. ‘This is going to be a terrifying trial, isn’t it?’ they couldn’t help but think. Not knowing it was enjoying Aether’s expression.
The ethereal voice concluded, “All the best, Chosen Ones, and… Lost One.”
‘Lost—?’ Before they could ponder further, everyone was pushed out from the cave.
“Thud!!”
The stone door closed itself once more.
“How was it?” the Principal asked with a grin as she watched everyone stumbling, trying to regain their balance after the disorienting teleportation.
“T-The trial has already begun,” Leon mumbled, his face alight with eagerness and anticipation.
“Already?” The Principal and Alaric exchanged surprised glances, as it usually started a bit later for them.
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