Akira standing before the towering marble gates of Eldoria Royal Academy during the annual Open Trials a rare chance for non-nobles to earn entry through combat and essence demonstration. Hundreds of hopefuls swarm the courtyard, most E or D-rank, all desperate to escape the slums.
Akira, now clad in his new black hooded cloak (guild mark hidden beneath the sleeve), keeps his face shadowed. The system pings:
[Quest Accepted: Royal Academy Open Trials. Objectives: Place in top 10%, secure sponsorship. Reward: Official rank elevation, academy tuition waiver. Failure: Public humiliation, potential guild probation penalty.]
The trials are brutal spectacles:
• First round: Essence control duels in a massive arena. Akira faces a cocky D-rank earth mage who mocks "slum rats." Using Phantom Step and Dagger Proficiency, Akira phases behind him in a blur of shadow, dagger at throat before the mage can summon a golem. Instant forfeit. Crowd murmurs about the "ghost contender."
• Second round: Team survival maze filled with illusion traps and minor void beasts. Akira's Soul Echo passive lets him hear the beasts' whispers, giving him unnatural foresight. He single-handedly clears a path for his temporary team, absorbing essence mid-fight. Sanity dips further — brief flash of a child's terrified face in a mirror trap.
He places in the top 5%, drawing attention from noble observers in the stands.
Among them is Elara Voss, seated with her family. Her silver eyes lock on Akira as he exits the arena, blood-flecked but unflinching. She subtly casts an illusion to magnify her view of him.
Elara (whispering to her aide): "That one. The shadow. Find out who he is."
Post-trials, successful entrants are paraded before potential sponsors. Most nobles ignore or sneer at the commoners. Akira stands apart, crimson eyes scanning the crowd with quiet disdain.
Then Elara approaches elegant in flowing silver robes, illusion magic making the air around her shimmer like starlight. She stops directly in front of him.
Elara: "You fight like someone who has nothing left to lose. That makes you interesting."
Akira studies her warily. For the first time since arriving in Eldoria, something other than void stirs her presence feels… warm. The monochrome world gains a faint hue.
Akira (guarded): "And you sponsor like someone looking for a weapon."
Elara smiles, unfazed. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I'm looking for someone who sees through illusions. House Voss offers sponsorship full tuition, resources, protection. In return… loyalty."
He hesitates. The system flashes a warning: [Caution: Noble alliances increase exposure risk.]
But her eyes hold no contempt only curiosity and something almost like recognition.
Akira: "I don't do loyalty. I do deals."
Elara extends a hand. "Then let's make a deal."
He takes it. The moment their skin touches, faint color blooms in his vision her silver hair gleams, the academy lights soften. Soul Echo is silent for the first time.
[Sponsorship Secured: House Voss. Academy Enrollment Confirmed. New Optional Quest: Maintain alliance with Elara Voss.]
Later that night, in his new academy dorm (a stark upgrade from the slums), Akira stands at the window overlooking the noble district. Void wisps curl around him, but slower now, almost hesitant.
Akira (voiceover, softer than before): "For the first time… the dark doesn't feel empty."
Cut to Elara in her family estate, dismissing her aide. She conjures an illusion of Akira's final trial moment the cold precision in his eyes.
Elara (quietly, to the illusion): "You're hiding something terrible. I want to know what."
She lets the illusion fade, a small, genuine smile forming.