Chapter 3: The First Steps on the trial grounds

The moment Emile stepped through the ancient stone archway, the familiar sounds of Oakhaven faded, replaced by an eerie silence. The Trial Grounds were a stark contrast to the bustling newbie town. The air hung heavy with a palpable sense of ancient power, and the ground beneath his feet was a smooth, grey stone that stretched out into a vast, circular arena. Towering walls of obsidian, etched with glowing runes that pulsed with a faint, inner light, enclosed the space, preventing any view of the outside world.

In the center of the arena, ten pedestals stood in a neat circle, each radiating a different colored aura. Above each pedestal, a shimmering symbol floated in the air. Emile recognized the first symbol from the system notification – a stylized depiction of swift movement.

He approached the first pedestal, his calm gaze taking in every detail. A holographic screen flickered to life above it, displaying the words: Trial of Agility: Prove your nimbleness and speed. Navigate the treacherous path to the summit.

Without hesitation, Emile touched the pedestal. The grey stone floor beneath him began to shift and rise, forming a complex obstacle course of moving platforms, rotating beams, and swinging blades. The course stretched upwards, disappearing into the hazy air high above.

This was the agility course Jin had mentioned. Emile observed the pattern of the moving platforms, his genius mind quickly calculating the optimal path and timing. He took a deep breath, his movements precise and economical. He leaped across a widening chasm, landed nimbly on a rotating platform just as it aligned, and ducked under a whirring blade with barely an inch to spare.

Unlike many of the other newcomers who likely relied on brute force or panicked reactions, Emile approached the course with a calm, almost mathematical precision. He anticipated the movements of the obstacles, his agility, though not his highest stat, proving sufficient when combined with his sharp intellect and perfect timing. He moved through the treacherous path with a fluid grace, each step calculated, each jump measured. He noticed several discarded attempts – broken platforms and scorch marks – remnants of those who had failed before him. This only reinforced his methodical approach. He reached the summit, a small, glowing platform high above, in a fraction of the time he estimated it would take the average player.

A chime resonated through the arena, and a message appeared before him: Trial of Agility: Completed. Time: 00:01:37. Proceed to the next trial. The platform beneath him descended smoothly, returning him to the arena floor.

The second pedestal pulsed with a soft blue light, its symbol depicting an intricate knot. Emile approached it, the holographic screen displaying: Trial of Intellect: Unravel the ancient riddle. The answer lies within the whispers of the past.

Touching the pedestal, the arena around him transformed. The obsidian walls faded, replaced by the interior of what looked like an ancient library. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with countless volumes, their titles written in a language he didn't recognize. In the center of the room, a spectral figure of an old scholar hovered, his eyes twinkling with arcane knowledge.

The scholar spoke, his voice a low, resonant whisper that seemed to echo from the very stones of the library. "I speak of a city that sleeps beneath the waves, where knowledge and sorrow lie intertwined. Its name is a reflection of the endless depths. What am I?"

Emile's mind raced, sifting through the fragmented lore he had absorbed about the game world. Fallen realities… endless depths… He recalled a brief mention in one of the game's introductory texts about a submerged civilization in the realm of Aquatica. "Abyssia," he stated confidently.

The spectral scholar smiled, his form shimmering slightly. "Indeed. Your intellect is sharp. Proceed to the next trial." The library vanished, and Emile was back in the central arena, the second pedestal now dimmed.

The third pedestal glowed with a fiery orange light, its symbol a roaring lion. The screen read: Trial of Courage: Face your fear. Confront the beast within.

As Emile touched this pedestal, the arena shifted once more. The grey stone floor cracked open, revealing a fiery chasm. From the depths, a monstrous roar echoed, and a colossal beast, wreathed in flames, emerged. Its eyes burned with malevolent intent, and its teeth were like jagged swords.

This was a test of courage, not necessarily combat prowess, Emile realized. He stood his ground, his heart rate steady, his mind clear. He focused on the creature, not with fear, but with detached observation. He analyzed its movements, its fiery aura, its raw power. There was a primal instinct to flee, but Emile suppressed it, his calm temperament holding firm. He met the beast's gaze without flinching, projecting an aura of quiet confidence.

The flaming beast roared again, its massive form trembling slightly. It seemed to sense Emile's lack of fear, his unwavering gaze. After a tense moment, the beast let out a frustrated bellow and slowly began to dissipate, its fiery form fading into nothingness.

Trial of Courage: Completed. Your resolve is noted. Proceed to the next trial.

Emile felt a flicker of satisfaction. Three trials down, seven to go. He moved to the next pedestal, which pulsed with a gentle green light, its symbol depicting a blooming flower. Trial of Empathy: Understand the silent plea. Heal the wounded spirit.

This trial transported him to a serene forest glade. A wounded spirit, in the form of a translucent, ethereal wolf, lay whimpering near a withered tree. Emile approached it cautiously. He could sense its pain, its despair. He examined the wolf, noticing a deep, festering wound on its leg. He had no healing skills, no magical abilities yet.

Thinking quickly, he recalled a basic crafting recipe he had skimmed in the game's introductory guide – a simple poultice made from specific herbs found in forest environments. He scanned the glade, identifying the glowing flora that matched the description. Gathering the herbs, he mentally accessed the crafting interface and created the poultice. Applying it to the wolf's wound, he watched as the ethereal injury slowly began to heal, the wolf's whimpers subsiding into soft sighs. As the wound closed completely, the wolf looked up at Emile with gratitude in its glowing eyes before fading away.

Trial of Empathy: Completed. Compassion is a virtue. Proceed to the next trial.

The trials continued in this manner, each one testing a different facet of Emile's being. The fifth was a Trial of Resourcefulness, where he had to survive in a harsh, desolate environment with limited supplies. The sixth was a Trial of Observation, where he had to spot subtle differences in an illusionary landscape. The seventh tested his Memory, requiring him to recall a sequence of intricate symbols. The eighth challenged his Patience, trapping him in a seemingly endless maze with no apparent exit, forcing him to remain calm and search methodically. The ninth was a Trial of Trust, where he had to rely on the word of a seemingly untrustworthy spectral guide to navigate a treacherous path.

With each completed trial, Emile felt a subtle shift within him, a growing sense of anticipation for the power that awaited. He approached the tenth and final pedestal, which radiated a brilliant white light, its symbol a closed eye. Trial of Self-Reflection: Confront your inner self. Understand your true desire.

As he touched this pedestal, the arena around him dissolved, and he found himself standing before a mirror. But the reflection staring back wasn't his game avatar. It was him – Emile Myers, the calm, genius, and ruthless young man from the real world. And then, the reflection spoke, its voice his own, yet somehow deeper, more resonant.

"What is it you truly seek, Emile?" the reflection asked, its eyes piercing his very soul. "Power? Escape? Or something more?"

Emile met his own gaze, his mind clear, his answer unwavering. "I seek the strength to survive, to protect what is mine, and to understand the truth of what is coming."

The reflection in the mirror smiled, a genuine, knowing smile. "Then you are ready."

A blinding white light erupted from the mirror, engulfing Emile. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his very being, a profound connection to the Void, and a sudden understanding of his inherent potential. The world around him reformed, and he was back in the central arena, all ten pedestals now dimmed.

A triumphant chime echoed through the Trial Grounds, and a series of messages flooded his vision:

Congratulations, Void God! You have completed the Awakening Trials.

Your latent talent, Ex-Sword, has awakened and fused with your chosen class, Void Master!

Your class has evolved to Voidblade Ascendant (Ex)!

You have gained access to your class-specific skills and abilities!

Your talent, Voidblade Ascendant (Ex), is now active!

Emile felt an incredible power surge through him, a tangible connection to the Void. He opened his status interface, his heart pounding with anticipation.

[Void God]

* Level: 1

* Class: Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) (Mythical Rank)

* Talent: Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) (Rank: ???)

* Race: Human

The talent rank was still obscured, likely requiring further assessment or progression. But the name itself resonated with him, a perfect fusion of his latent sword talent and the Void Master class he had chosen. He could feel the power thrumming within him, waiting to be unleashed. The trials were complete. His true journey in "Beginning Of The Universe END" had just begun.