Earth's Camp

The dome stretched skyward, nearly touching the clouds, and was so massive it gave the illusion that the whole country was enclosed in a huge ball.

Case turned back and had his eyes widened when he was able to see the view outside, as if they were made of glass.

From the outside, the dome appeared as nothing but a thick white sphere with nothing to see inside of it, yet the appearance of the people leaving from outside could still be seen, some even directly touched the wall or were near it.

'Amazing. Heh, I'm sure we didn't make it. The High Table must've borrowed an excessive amount of money from Auralex just to make this Earth's Camp work.'

Case moved his eyes around to analyze the representatives from various districts, only to see most of them giving him subtle looks.

Some of those representatives were the same age as him, while others were older. There wasn't a child or an old person within the place, which Case had already expected since… just why those kinds of folks would partake in the tests.

Case didn't even allow his sister to do it since it's just that dangerous.

 'I wonder who these people Thomas had recruited. I didn't even get to see them since I was very busy. Does that appear arrogant? Well, I don't mind. None is allowed to be the captain of the First Exploration aside from me, the Great Tenth Commander.'

The Earth's Camp is a very important step for Case's plans.

He doesn't just need to pass it with flying colors, but needs to excel in it so that his position as the captain would not be contested.

'On Earth, I haven't heard of a qualified person who could be part of a renowned crew, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't find such a person here. Who knows if they are the same as me, showing their talents late in the game?'

Case understood that he shouldn't be shortsighted when it comes to matters like this.

They might be talents in this camp that haven't blossomed in the past due to occurrences that happened to Earth after the First Exploration.

After all, no one had come back from that expedition.

But now Case was here, and he'll unravel everything one step at a time.

'This camp will only last a month. Everything I do will be riding on that ticket to be the captain. I will do well.'

Bzt—!

Suddenly, an alarm echoed throughout the dome, its sharp and blaring tone impossible to ignore by the one perceiving it.

Moments later, it shifted into a flat, monotonous voice that began to speak, replacing noise with cold, robotic words.

"Welcome, Earthlings. My name is AI, and I will be the one guiding you through most of the tasks. However, in some classes, instructors would be there to teach you. That's all the important matters that needed to be said. Without further ado, let's begin."

Rumble—!

The ground inside the dome quaked, creating cracks on the floor. On those crevices, something began to emerge underneath.

They seem to be curved metal pillars with strange stones and unknown inscriptions carved on them. Those stones shimmered while the inscriptions dimly lit up.

"This is the Way of Runes. The first test that you'll do is to pass over it. The curved pillars will detect if you are eligible to partake in the Earth's Camp. After all, terminal sickness, severe injuries, and illnesses will be nothing but a waste of resources in the upcoming tests."

'But that's not all, isn't it?' Case mused inwardly, and just as he thought, he was right.

"Additionally, Way of the Runes isn't only used in such as that. Passing through it will give you a sensation of how the world outside works. Just because you pass over it doesn't mean you're still qualified to go through it."

'Sensation of how the world outside? So AI is saying that we're going to experience how Outer works on us, and if we're able to overcome it?'

Case has already figured out the first test.

'The sensation of being in space!'

Since the gravity on Earth is enough to support life as we know it, the first test will determine who among the representatives is able to withstand the waves of space.

This test is the battle of who will adjust to this sensation first.

But Case was different.

Excluding the fact that his time on Earth, the rest of his life revolved around the Universe.

Aside from having an impeccable balance, Case already felt a kinship towards space, making his confidence soar.

"Hmph! That's it? And here I thought it would be difficult."

A man in his thirties confidently spoke loudly before bringing his baggage down on the ground and started walking forward at the curved pillars.

'He's very confident. Let's see—'

Just as Case was expecting something, the man who entered the pillar threw himself back before throwing up so hard that viscous water and disgusting excess were thrown up to the ground.

"Bluergh!"

"Pft! Kwahaha!"

While the rest stood stiff with unease, Case laughed, dry and unfazed, as if the rising pressure didn't concern him in the slightest.

He might've been the only one who could like that there.

Actually, the reason Case could laugh at the man was because he was the same for the first time.

He didn't actually get into the Way of Runes; instead, he felt the terror of the dark space himself.

What he felt was probably worse than the man throwing himself up right now.

"Hahh…"

Finally, Case stopped laughing as he took a step forward in front of the curved pillars.

The crowd's attention veered toward him, drawn in the same way it had been toward the man from earlier.

"Listen here to every representative out there. You want to pass this test?" Case then pointed his finger at the man who threw up earlier, "Then you better prepare yourself to feel something worse than that."

Case confidently takes a step forward, passing through the middle of the curved pillars before moving deeper and defying expectations.

Suddenly, an alarm echoed loudly through the dome with an announcement that followed behind it.

"Case Kellys of the Cross District. You passed. Thirty points have been rewarded."