The hallways of the Vayrion Institute still buzzed with excitement. Qualifiers gathered in clusters, laughing, comparing powers, and sharing dreams. For most, this was the beginning of a new life — a chance to become heroes.
But Lior quietly slipped away.
He had never been good with social spaces — not after years of being mocked, teased, and treated as an outsider. Crowds made him feel like the boy he used to be, small and unwanted. So he moved alone, stepping through the wide courtyard until he reached the residential block.
The dormitory building stood tall, its stone frame carved with banners of past graduates. Each door bore a glowing plaque — displaying the names of those assigned to it.
He walked slowly, scanning each one.
Dorm 207 — Rain, Jason , Lior…
He stopped.
That was his.
He opened the door quietly — not expecting anything — only to hear frantic button-mashing and the loud sound of digital battle music.
Inside, a boy sat cross-legged on his bed, his face twisted with determination as he fought pixelated enemies on a handheld game console. He didn't notice Lior until the door clicked shut behind him.
"YES! Victory!" The stranger shouted, fists raised in triumph — then he finally turned — freezing mid-celebration. "Oh— someone's here?"
Lior stood awkwardly near the entrance. "…I'm your new roommate."
The boy blinked twice… then smiled.
"Oh! Right! You're Lior, yeah? My name is Rain Wilford." He stood and stretched, offering a casual wave. "Guess we'll be stuck together for a while. Third roommate isn't here yet — probably getting lost."
Lior nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
They chatted briefly. Rain was cheerful — almost too cheerful — talking about games, the academy cafeteria, and rumors of the "famous elite dorm" where nobles stayed. Lior mostly listened — exhaustion weighing his body down.
"Sorry," he finally said. "I think I need to sleep. It's been… too much."
Rain nodded. "No problem, bro. Go crash. You look like you've fought ten armies."
Lior managed a tired smile. His things were already arranged neatly in the small bedroom area — so he simply sat on the bed — pulled the blanket slightly — and let himself collapse.
But before his back met the mattress—
DING.
A cold light flashed before his eyes.
A system window appeared — bright, metallic — and relentless.
QUEST GENERATED — NO ACCEPTANCE REQUIRED
Destination: Imperial Chamber
Status: Immediate Initiation
He didn't even have time to curse.
A whirl of light devoured him — ripping him from the dorm — and within one heartbeat he was gone.
He landed hard.
Stone floor. Heavy air. Darkness.
The Imperial Chamber.
The atmosphere here felt ancient — thick with power and history — like the very walls were watching him. He stood still, eyes adjusting, breathing slowly.
Then—
ROOOOOAR!!
Thunderous footsteps shook the ground — a wave of snarling beasts charging from the shadows.
Lior did not panic.
He simply lowered his stance…
…and whispered:
"Come forth."
Instantly — every torch in the dungeon DIED — swallowed by complete darkness.
Only screams and the sound of blades cutting flesh echoed in the black.
Shing — shiiiing — CRASH — BOOM—!
A sudden firestorm erupted — scorching fur and bone.
Then — lightning spears struck from above — electrifying entire waves of monsters.
A whirlwind spiraled, ripping limbs apart.
Stone cracked — bursting into rock bullets that fired like arrows.
Two silhouettes stood back as the chaos unfolded — Solaris, arms crossed — Aqua, hands on her hips — both refusing to interfere.
From the shadows stepped a new presence — towering — terrifying — regal.
Orion.
With a single swing of his blade —
countless beast heads dropped like falling fruit.
Silence fell.
Smoke cleared.
And then — suddenly —
All six elementals stomped toward Lior — angry.
Ignis shouted first:
"You left us in the void for HOW LONG!?"
Sylph crossed her arms. "Do you know how boring it is trapped outside existence?"
Terra grumbled. "We should bury you alive."
Night flicked his forehead. "Next time — CALL US."
Lior lifted his hands in surrender. "…I was literally trying to sleep."
After a storm of complaints, they finally brushed it aside — returning to focus.
Far ahead — a massive obsidian gate trembled — opening itself.
The Boss Room.
Inside — the strongest beast awaited — a hulking monstrosity with horns crackling like thunder, muscles rippling with power.
The battle began —
—but ended almost instantly.
Orion stepped forward —
"Move."
One strike — and the world seemed to stop.
The boss split — collapsing — lifeless.
A chime echoed.
Imperial Trial Complete
You may return.
And before Lior could breathe — before he could even ask a question —
Light swallowed him again.
He returned.
To his dorm room.
Rain was asleep.
The room was silent.
It had been only… seconds.
Lior lay down slowly this time — staring at the ceiling.
"…One day… I will sleep normally."
But even he didn't believe it.