“Tomorrow,” the teacher said, “come prepared to enter the Trial Grounds. You all know this custom by now—it happens every time after the Awakening ceremony. But remember one thing: the winner within Moonreach City will receive a very valuable prize. You’ve had a long day, so go rest. We meet again tomorrow.”
The students dispersed back to their rooms—some happy, some stunned, others walking with bright, confident smiles.
Far away on the same continent, inside an office lit by crystalline panels, two figures were deep in discussion.
Unknown Person A leaned back in his chair, clearly pleased.
“This time, we got lucky. One of the students awakened a very rare hybrid soul—Tempest Soul—with a powerful innate skill. I’m satisfied. And not just that—around five percent of our students awakened medium to rare souls this year. One even awakened a Plant Soul, another a Sentinel Soul. Both are extremely supportive and highly sought after.”
Unknown Person B nodded.
“Yes. This year, we might finally have a chance to surpass the wall standing in front of us.”
“You mean the School of Infinite?” Person A laughed. “I was thinking the same.”
A knock sounded at the door. A figure slipped inside, breathing slightly hard.
“What is it?” Person A asked sharply. “Why are you interrupting our conversation?”
“Sir, you ordered me to report if anything major happened,” the newcomer said quickly. “So I came immediately. There is big news. Someone awakened a unique soul this time, with one of the largest phenomena recorded. Several rare souls appeared as well.”
“Unique soul?” Person A’s tone sharpened.
“Yes, sir. It was the Void Soul.”
“Oh.” Person A exhaled, then snorted. “You scared the life out of me for nothing, you useless brat. It’s just that trash soul. What’s there to worry about?”
Both Person A and Person B laughed.
“Still,” Person A added, “we should keep the School of Infinite on the ‘common knowledge’ list. Most talented students attend their one-year classes before Awakening because of their advanced science education—even children from great families.”
Person B nodded.
“Yes. Let’s see what they produce this year… including that Void Soul awakener.”
Back in the dormitory, WINI returned to his room and checked his wrist device. A message from his mother was waiting.
“Congratulations on awakening a unique-type soul,” Aarya had written.
“I’ve sent you a gift, along with guidance for the best next steps to complete your first breakthrough tomorrow.”
A small warmth spread through WINI’s chest. A gift from his mother was rare.
The package arrived while he was alone. He opened it carefully and unfolded its contents—a guiding scroll and a handwritten note.
Inside, Aarya had written:
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
I believe your Awakening is still incomplete. To finish it, you will need to use the guiding scroll enclosed.
WINI blinked.
How does Mother know the exact state of my Awakening? Even if she’s part of the Hall of Elders under the Council…
He remembered something she had once told him: Once you reach the Ascension realm, you’ll understand many things you can’t even imagine right now.
The thought eased his doubts.
The instructions were straightforward:
First, analyze his body, soul, and innate skill.
Second, gain basic combat experience using his Void Soul and Cancellation.
Only after that should he use the scroll to deepen his understanding.
“So first, I align my awakened soul and skill through real experience,” WINI murmured.
“Then I use the scroll…”
Feeling reassured, he stored the scroll safely and lay down. Sleep claimed him quickly.
As usual, Gonad returned late—after talking with his family and wandering around campus—and collapsed straight onto his bed.
The next day, the entire batch once again stood before the teachers. The supervising instructor’s expression was solemn.
“Today,” she said, “is your final test as students of this batch. Make full use of it.”
She raised her hand, and a projection of rugged terrain, dense forests, and stone arenas appeared above the plaza.
“The Trial Grounds consist of three phases:
First Phase:
Common-type beasts—wild boars, black hounds, nether cats, ferocious rabbits, and similar creatures.
Second Phase:
Low-tier spirit beasts, along with common beasts rated at the highest danger levels.
Third Phase:
Three types of aberrant beasts, followed by one low-tier Voidspawn corrupted beast as the final boss. This is meant to give you your first taste of what the wild truly holds.”
She allowed the murmurs to fade before continuing.
“The winner will be decided by points earned through defeating beasts:
- First-tier beasts: 1 point
- Second-tier beasts: 3 points
- Third-tier beasts: 5 points
Additionally, if you manage to confront the Voidspawn for at least two full minutes, you will receive an extra 10 points.”
She tapped her wristband.
“Keep your wristbands visible at all times. They will display the live rankings. That is all.”
She paused, allowing the students’ attention to sharpen.
“First place: two mid-grade spirit stones and one thousand low-grade spirit stones.
Second place: one mid-grade spirit stone and five hundred low-grade spirit stones.
Third place: five hundred low-grade spirit stones.”
She let the numbers settle into the crowd before continuing.
“For those who still can’t convert it in your heads,” she added calmly,
“one mid-grade spirit stone is equal to one thousand low-grade stones.
And one high-grade spirit stone is equal to one thousand mid-grade stones.”
Soft gasps and low whistles rippled through the plaza as students quickly did the math.
“And one more thing,” the teacher continued. “Those who perform well here will also gain the opportunity to enter the Infinite Academy after graduation for further studies. So treat this trial seriously—not just as a hunt, but as the first step toward your future.”
Her gaze grew firmer.
“And remember this,” she said. “For most of you, spirit stones are the most effective way to push through your very first realm. Mid-grade stones, in particular, will make your early breakthroughs faster and safer than relying solely on ambient aura.”
She raised a finger slightly.
“But this advantage exists only for the first realm. These spirit stones will help you touch the path of true cultivation for the first time—but beyond that, you will have to rely on your own effort, talent, and opportunities.”
TRIAL GROUNDS:
“The Trial Grounds exist for one primary reason,” the instructor continued.
“They are where you learn to accurately use your awakened soul and innate skill. Awakening alone is not mastery—it is only recognition.”
She swept her gaze across the students.
“Through repeated combat and controlled danger, you will become familiar with how your soul reacts, how your skill manifests, and how your thoughts influence both. Only when you reach a clear and stable understanding of your awakened nature can you step beyond Awakening.”
Her voice hardened slightly.
“With this level of understanding, a cultivator becomes eligible to break through into the Communication Realm, where the soul no longer remains silent and begins to respond.”
A quiet seriousness settled over the plaza.
“This is why the Trial Grounds exist. Not to rank you… but to prepare you.”
This marks the beginning of the Trial Grounds arc, where awakened abilities start being tested through real experience rather than theory. The trials are not just about ranking or rewards—they play an important role in understanding one’s soul and preparing for future breakthroughs.
Hope you enjoy the journey—feedback is always welcome!