The Tower of Trials

Location – The Tower of Trials

1:30 PM

The Tower of Trials stood at the heart of Glory Academy, rising like a blade of light into the heavens. Its spires stretched impossibly high, crowned with gleaming lights that seemed to shine like stars.

The tower's white marble surface shimmered—smooth stone walls reflected the campus city lights, making the entire structure appear almost ethereal.

At the colossal base of the tower, the first-years, led by Mavena, walked inside the massive doors of white-and-gold.

The moment the first-years crossed the threshold, the sounds of the outside world vanished, swallowed by the immense silence within.

Inside, the Tower of Trials was even more breathtaking. A vast, circular chamber stretched out before them, the floor crafted from flawless white marble veined with threads of gold. Soft, ambient light—seemingly without a source—bathed everything in a dreamlike glow.

Above, the ceiling soared into darkness, so high it felt almost infinite. Like they were standing beneath a second sky.

Along the walls, towering statues of unknown figures watched silently, their stone eyes seemed judgmental. Each figure was larger than life, clad in flowing colourless robes or ancient armour, weapons resting at their sides.

The students' attention was then drawn to the centre of the hall, an enormous circular platform floated a few feet above the ground, rotating slowly. Intricate runes spiralled across its surface, shifting patterns like a living language. Smaller floating platforms, each etched with different emblems, orbited around it at different speeds.

From the centre platform, Principal Aldric Malchus Hadi raised a hand, his robe's hem fluttering slightly despite the still air. Beside him, the Vice-Principal watched.

Floating above the centre of the room—suspended by some invisible force—was the object they had all been told about in rumours and lectures: The Genesis Capsule.

It resembled a large black crystal, smooth and layered by swirling patterns of gold.

The Principal's voice echoed across the chamber, calm but carrying immense weight.

"Before you, as I'm sure you know, is a Genesis Capsule. Each one of you will enter one of these and within it, your souls will depart this plane and enter your Foundational Script—the trial prepared for you by The Akashic Library."

His sharp gaze swept over them.

"Your bodies will remain here, protected in stasis. But know this—death in the script will destroy your soul. And your body will become a soulless husk. If you do not pass your Script after a year. We will assume you are dead and dispose of your body."

Hadi's voice grew softer.

"I truly, from the bottom of my heart, wish you the best."

With a wave of his hand, the floor shifted—the marble parting like rippling water.

Rows of Genesis Capsules rose from the depths, sleek and crystalline, humming with ancient power.

Giuseppe, Marcus, Daniel, Arthur, Tandav, and Evelynne huddled closer, forming a small circle amid the sea of faces.

Marcus was the first to break the silence, his voice low and steady.

"Alright. This is it."

Arthur gave a tight nod, his jaw set. "We're finally at the starting line."

"Is it weird that I'm kind of… nervous?" Tandav couldn't help but ask.

Daniel glanced at him, "Nerves at this point is a natural reaction."

Giuseppe didn't say a word. His clenched fist trembled. A wild, irrepressible grin split his face, showing his sharp white teeth. His blood felt like fire.

Evelynne, standing beside him, spoke with quiet certainty.

"All of us will survive." She said. Her eyes didn't even waver for a moment. It was as if she already knew.

And somehow, with just those words, the group unconsciously eased up. Shoulders relaxed. Hearts steadied.

"All right, then." Marcus tapped Giuseppe lightly on the back.

"See you later," Giuseppe said, finding his voice steady, burning with life.

Without another word, they each stepped towards their capsules.

…

Location – ???

Giuseppe opened his eyes to a world unlike anything he had ever seen.

Before him stretched an endless sea of clouds, vast and boundless, glowing under the gaze of a radiant sun suspended in the heavens.

The clouds were thick and voluminous, stacked in towering formations, their edges kissed with hues of gold.

Between the breaks in the clouds, he caught glimpses of an even deeper sky—a canvas of shimmering blues and ethereal colours that swirled together like a living painting.

The light was warm but not harsh, gentle but powerful, bathing the world in a dreamlike brilliance. It wasn't just beautiful—it was overwhelming, almost sacred. The air itself felt different, lighter. Giuseppe couldn't describe the feelings he felt just witnessing it.

It reminded him, distantly, of the paintings of a famous artist from his homeland—visions of paradise that now seemed woefully inadequate compared to the real thing.

Giuseppe slowly took a step forward, the cloud beneath his feet held firm, solid and sure, like mist woven into marble.

Then, without warning, a soft chime echoed in the air.

A white and gold holographic screen materialised before his eyes, perfectly matching the aesthetic of this surreal sky-realm.

[Character Creation]

As Giuseppe blinked, countless smaller windows bloomed around him—each one offering intricate, almost overwhelming options for customisation.

Without hesitation, he dove in, his fingers flying across the interface. Time melted away as he adjusted sliders, tweaked settings, and cycled through endless options.

Nearly thirty minutes later, he finally looked back and admired his work.

The avatar staring back at him was unmistakably himself—he had kept his real body shape and features almost entirely intact. The only change was the hair: slightly shorter than usual, parted neatly down the middle.

He was dressed in a white sleeveless martial arts robe held by a black belt, paired with black martial arts shoes.

Atop his head, naturally, sat a beautiful, white bucket hat

Giuseppe couldn't help but grin at the sight.

'Good lord, there are way too many tattoo options on this thing,' he thought, scrolling through a few lingering menus. 'Should I add one? Nah, tattoos are lame.'

Yet despite the thought, his hand moved almost on its own.

He selected a long, black dragon tattoo that coiled around his right arm, winding from his shoulder all the way to the back of his hand.

He let out a soft chuckle.

'Fuck, I couldn't resist. It looks too damn cool.'

Giving his avatar one last approving nod, he pressed confirm.

[Please Create a Username]

What sounds amazing?

What name would reverberate across worlds and universes?

What name would fit a glorious existence such as I?

He spent even longer thinking about what he would call himself.

[BucketHatOnMyHeadLikeABoss]

[Confirm?]

[Yes/No]

[Confirmed]

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Author Note: ;)