Class-up Trial

In a place where existence is a different concepts from anywhere else.

[Myriad Cosmos Universe seeks connnection to Universe Central]

[...Connection approved. Hello, Myriad Cosmos Universe]

The sentience of the Myriad Cosmos Universe, in other words, the Heavens of Myriad Cosmos Universe themselves were humbly seeking another sentience as meekly as a junior seeks advice from an elder.

[Myriad Cosmos Universe was target of a unannounced invasion by another, higher Class universe. Seeking reparations and protection.]

[...Investigating...]

While the higher sentience was investigating the matter, Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience was very anxious.

After all, the invaders were of a higher Class universe. This meant that their cultivation could reach heights that it's own cultivators could never reach.

For now it was still fine, after all, the connection between the universes was unstable, so besides being a extremely dangerous trip, cultivators with realms greater than Myriad Cosmos Universe's limit could not come over.

However, this was only temporary. With enough time the connection would become more stable, allowing to the invaders to come in greater number and strength.

It's only a given Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience was in a hurry to cut the connection. After all, if the invaders managed to conquer the universe, the invading universe's sentience would absorb Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience, in effect, killing Myriad Cosmos Universe.

No one wants to die, not even the Heavens.

[... Investigation complete.]

Even though the process was almost instant, Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience felt like it took an eternity. It grew more and more anxious, after all, it already knew the probable result as soon as the first invader came through.

[Investigation Result: The discovery and first inavasion to Myriad Cosmos Universe was accidental. It was not instigated by the sentience of the invading universe. As result, Universe Central will not intervene. Request denied.]

Even though Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience already expected this result, it still felt despair when the result came.

After all it was basically a death sentence. There's no way it could resist the invasion of a higher Class universe without any preparation.

Unwilling to give up, it did the only thing left it could do to have a not-zero chance of survival.

[Myriad Cosmos Universe requests a class up trial.]

[...Understood. Checking requirements...]

A list appeared.

[...Energy... Sufficient...

...Population... Sufficient...

...Number of Experts...Largely Insufficient...

...Number of Fated... Slightly Insufficient...

...Technology Level... Slightly Insufficient...

...Orientation Balance...Unbalanced...]

Every line that recieved a negative result made the situation more difficult to Myriad Cosmos Universe. If it had a face, it would have a very difficult expression right now.

It wasn't ready and it knew. While in a Trial, a universe recieved certain boons. In order to avoid situations where universes would exploit this, undergoing a Trial while not ready would increase the Trial's difficulty.

[...Avaliating Result: Myriad Cosmos Universe is not ready to go through a Class-up Trial. Chance of failure above 95%. In case it does proceed, the Trial will have enhanced difficulty. Proceed?]

There was only one answer. It was try beating a nearly impossible trial or to die an inevitable death by the hands of the invaders.

[Proceed.]

It's mind was made up. It would survive even if the success chance was zero.

[...Selecting Trial...Trial selected: Agent of Fate. Chance of success: 0.00000000...]

After some time.

[...00104%. Would you like an explanation of the Trial?]

Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience was dumbfounded. Even though it was ready for a very small chance, it was simply abysmal.

The die was already cast, it could only give it's best now.

[..Yes..]

[...Agent of Fate: The universe's sentience will be allowed to select or create a soul. This soul would be the Agent of Fate, responsible for guiding Fated. Meanwhile, an egg would be created somewhere in the edge of the universe. From this egg, a creature will eventually be born. This creature will bring the end to all life in the universe and then destroy the universe, killing the sentience. The creature can only be slain by the hands of a fated. Do you need to hear again?]

[No.] An immediate answer.

[...Victory conditions: Creature is slain or subdued. Defeat Conditions: No life left in the universe or Agent of Fate is slain. Do you need to hear again?]

[No.] Another immediate answer.

[...The creature knows the rules of the Trial and, upon discovering the identity of the Agent of Fate, it will try it's best to eliminate them. It's recommended to the Agent of Fate to keep their identity hidden for as long as possible. The beast will hatch three million years after the Trial starts. The Trial is expected to end around two million years after it hatches. Do you need to heard again?]

[No] A heavy tone answer. Five million years might seem much, but in the eyes of the universe it's not much at all

[...During the Trial the universe will receive the following boons: Increased Space Integrity, Increased Population Talent, Increased Fated Birth, Increased Techniques Evolution and Increased Natural Resources. Do you need to hear again?]

[No.] This time it's tone had some happiness. It would get rid of the invaders with the Increased Space Integrity and would recieve a much needed reinforcement with the other boons.

[Then, as soon as the connection is cut, the Trial will start. Do you need anything else?]

This time Myriad Cosmos Universe's sentience took some time to think before answering.

[...How much help can I give to the Agent of Fate?]

[...Aside gifting them a Differential, you can only aid them the same amount allowed to a Regular in a normal situation. You can also instruct them before they start the working in the Trial.]

This was both good and bad news. Good because the Agent of Fate would not be slain easily, as it would recieve a Diferential. However, after they start in their mission,it could only aid them in very limited situation, if any at all.

[Understood. Ready to close connection.]

[...Very well. I wish you good luck, Myriad Cosmos Universe. You will really need it. Closing connection.]

[Trial...START]

At the same time, somewhere in the edge of the universe, a black egg appeared out of nowhere.

A couple of seconds later a small sound ou heartbeats were heard from it.

With the first heartbeat, every cultivator above a certain level felt a bad omen. A storm was coming.