It all happened a few years ago.
It was my eleventh birthday... or maybe my twelfth.
I don't remember clearly anymore.
…Well, whatever it was, that day marked the beginning of my damned life.
A rift opened without warning. In an instant, the entire district was doomed. Screams and Destruction everywhere. Monsters pouring out of something that shouldn't have existed.
I got separated from my family. Whether they're alive or dead, I still don't know.
I was saved by the military.
Or rather… kidnapped would be the more accurate word.
After that, my memories become blurry.
I wasn't the only one taken. There were many children around my age, all dragged away from the ruins of their homes.
Strangely, they never harmed us.
They fed us. Sheltered us. Treated us well.
Except during training. Like now.
***
"Trainee Jonah, you're late. Five laps."
A loud, deep voice echoed across the training ground.
Hearing that, I cursed inwardly.
'Oh shit. Here we go again. Well… this will be my last time anyway.'
Without complaining, I started running.
The gravel bit into my shoes as I circled the field, my lungs already burning. The instructor didn't spare me another glance. His attention had shifted to the rest of the trainees.
None of them was watching me.
Today wasn't an ordinary training day. They were gathered here for a special reason.
To see if any of us had resonance with something called the Eternal Spire. We didn't know what the Eternal Spire really was.
Only know that those chosen by it could gain powers. Powers strong enough to fight the monsters.
The instructor slowly swept his gaze across the trainees.
When the field fell completely silent, he finally spoke.
"As you all know, today I will be checking whether any of you have resonance with the Spire. Maintain silence. I will call you one by one."
After saying that, he turned toward the nearby office.
"Silver Ascender Stella, please come out."
The office door opened.
A young woman stepped out, no older than her early twenties.
She walked forward with calm grace, her black hair fluttering softly with each step. Her eyes, dark and innocent, shone with quiet curiosity as they glanced over the trainees.
The field stirred.
Several trainees stiffened. Others swallowed nervously. She was beautiful. But the instructor felt cold sweat break out across his back.
Only he knew how terrifyingly powerful this innocent-looking woman truly was.
Suppressing his unease, he straightened himself and nodded.
Then he turned back to the trainees.
"Trainee N1, step forward."
A petite girl walked out of the line and stood in front of them.
Stella gently took the girl's hand, her movements careful and soft. She gazed into the girl's eyes for a few seconds, then spoke calmly.
"Failed."
The instructor nodded.
"Trainee N1, return to your position. Trainee N2, step forward."
A short-haired boy hurried up, hope flashing briefly in his eyes.
"Failed."
One by one, trainees stepped forward.
One by one, they returned in silence.
By the time I finished five laps, my breathing was heavy. Returned to my spot, and I watched quietly.
Another girl stepped forward, her hands trembling as she offered them to Stella.
Stella took them.
This time, something changed.
The girl's eyes suddenly shimmered, glowing gold for a brief moment before fading.
Stella paused. Then she gave the girl a bitter smile.
"Connected."
The instructor let out a slow breath.
"Trainee N78, stand behind us. Trainee N79, step forward."
Time passed. Three more trainees were found to be connected.
And finally, it was my turn.
"Trainee N254, step forward."
I nodded and stepped forward.
If someone else were in my position, how would they feel?
Nervous? Excited? Probably both.
But I didn't need to think about it. I already knew what was going to happen.
I stopped in front of Lady Stella and slowly raised my hand.
Her grip was warm when she took it. Gentle. Almost reassuring.
She looked straight into my eyes.
Something stirred inside me.
It was subtle at first. A strange, crawling sensation, deep within my chest. Then my vision suddenly flooded with golden light.
It lasted less than a second. But in that instant, I saw it.
A towering structure, so long that I can't see its end, it was an endless tower. The Eternal Spire.
It was a pitch-black tower, and crimson patterns crawled across its surface, like veins.
Then my vision snapped back to reality.
Lady Stella was still holding my hand. Her expression didn't change, but her eyes lingered on me longer than they should have.
She opened her mouth to announce the result.
I was connected. I knew that much.
But her voice came out calm and flat.
"Mm… failed."
I let out a quiet sigh.
So that's how it would be.
This was my secret, or rather… my curse.
I am forced to be a failure.
My name is Jonah, A forever failure.
I turned back and started walking toward my spot.
Then, blue colored illusionary lines suddenly appeared in the air before my eyes.
[Connecting to Eternal Spire....]
[1%....]