The skies above Nalanda rumbled.
Clouds churned, forming a stairway of mist and golden light— The Thousand Steps of Worth.
A divine construct. A mental forge. A soul-breaking climb meant to test one thing—willpower.
No magic. No weapons. No tricks.
Just you and your resolve.
> "Only those who reach the top may take the second trial," the instructor declared, voice echoing across the floating island like a decree from the heavens.
And then, the world changed.
The moment Lucien's foot touched the first step— He felt it.
A weight behind his eyes. A pressure clawing at his chest. An illusion of failure, despair, agony—
He smiled.
It was cute.
---
Each step was more than just a climb—it was a test. The moment a candidate placed their foot down, the illusion took hold.
For some, it was guilt. For others, regret. Or pain. Fear. Helplessness.
The Thousand Steps of Worth preyed on your deepest insecurity and magnified it tenfold.
---
By the 10th step, the first screams began. By the 30th, bodies dropped like flies.
Some clawed at their faces, trying to peel away hallucinations. Others curled into fetal positions, whispering names of long-lost loved ones.
The illusions were so vivid, so deeply personal, it was like stepping into a nightmare crafted by the gods.
And yet, Lucien walked.
His gaze forward. Expression unreadable.
To him, it wasn't resistance. It was an analysis. A calculation.
He could see through the illusion matrix. The embedded soul-weaving technique behind the steps. His [Eye of Data] flared with activity.
---
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – ACTIVE SCAN INITIATED]
Trial Construct Identified: The Thousand Steps of Worth
Core Mechanism: Soul Pressure / Hallucinogenic Illusion Array
Effect: Forces the climber to confront soul-weight illusions based on suppressed emotional burdens.
Lucien Arkanveil – Status: Immune (Adaptation Trait Override)
> "So that's how it works..."
---
Across the steps, one by one—candidates began to fall.
By the 100th step, half were gone. By the 300th step, only 10,000 remained.
Most were unconscious. Some were bleeding from the nose and ears—mind too fractured to handle the illusions.
---
The heirs, however, stood firm.
Ignis Vaelthorn burned like a walking sun. His sword wasn't with him, but the [Sword God] trait radiated through his being. Flames danced around his frame, forming a mental firewall against the illusions.
---
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – OBSERVE MODE: IGNIS VAELTHORN]
Trait 'Sword God': Partial Activation – Soulfire Ward Engaged
Mental Resistance Boost: +400%
Condition: Stable (Minor Mental Fatigue)
---
Liana von Dragora walked as though untouchable. Her silver hair flowed like ethereal blades. Her eyes shimmered with internal clarity.
---
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – OBSERVE MODE: LIANA VON DRAGORA]
Trait 'Draconic Mind': Full Activation
Effect: Immunity to Emotion-based Illusion Constructs
Condition: Perfect Mental Clarity
---
The Titan Heir was unmoving, unshakable—like an iron mountain.
The Vampire Prince laughed, though it became strained with every step.
The Elf Princess remained graceful, her songlike humming forming a protective harmony.
The Dwarf Heir huffed and growled, sweat pouring, but never slowing.
The Orc Son roared at his illusions, swinging fists at shadows that tried to drag him down.
The Beastman Princess walked with a low growl in her throat, slashing at invisible chains.
And Lucien?
He was accelerating.
He passed the 500th step without blinking. No sweat. No panting. No illusions.
He was already analyzing the upper structure.
> "The steps increase soul pressure exponentially every 100th mark. But it's linear until the 800th... then it spikes exponentially."
---
By the 700th step, even some elite heirs began to falter.
Sweat rolled down necks. The Elf stumbled. The Orc Son pounded his chest.
Ignis... slowed. His breath was steady but labored. His aura flickered.
A single bead of sweat rolled from his forehead.
He looked sideways— Lucien had already passed him.
Unbothered. Calm. Each step like it cost nothing.
Ignis bit down on his tongue. Blood filled his mouth.
> "Why isn't he slowing down…?"
He wasn't the only one who noticed.
Liana's steps paused. She watched Lucien with an unreadable expression.
Not suspicion. Not awe. But something in between.
> "He's... completely unaffected. How? Even I can feel the pressure."
The Vampire's laughter stopped.
> "What the hell is he made of...?"
The Titan Heir grunted. The Beastman snarled. The Elf narrowed her eyes.
One by one, they all looked at Lucien.
And Lucien?
He was already on the 999th step.
---
By the final step—only 3800 candidates remained.
All of the Nine Great Families' heirs were among them.
Some collapsed. Some fell to one knee, gasping.
Lucien stood tall. Hands in his pockets. His golden hair shimmering under the divine light.
His crimson eyes gazed upward, as if daring the next trial to actually challenge him.
Then came the voice. Louder than thunder. Calm as judgment.
> "You have passed the First Trial."
> "Thirty-eight hundreds remain. Prepare yourselves."
> "The Second Trial will begin within the hour."
---
A shimmering dome descended over the area, revealing the next trial location—a massive floating battlefield, fragmented and layered.
Islands drifted mid-air. Forests, ruins, volcanic terrain, snowy fields—all warped and stitched together.
> "Trial Name: Virtual Survival Battlefield." Objective: Survive for 3 days against unknown threats, scenarios, and shifting laws of reality. Alliances are allowed. Kill count is recorded. Death results in elimination.
---
[SYSTEM INTERFACE – TRIAL TWO: SURVIVAL BATTLEFIELD]
Time Limit: 72 Hours
Starting Zone: Randomized
Environment Type: Dynamic Shift Mode (Every 3 Hours)
Bonus Objectives: Hidden Kill Boss, Area Control, Relic Hunt
Special Rule: Last 10 receive rank-up tokens
---
A flicker of tension swept through the remaining candidates.
Ignis clenched his fists. His pride was wounded. Badly.
Liana glanced again at Lucien.
> "Just what are you, Lucien Arkanveil?"
Lucien finally smiled.
> "Now it gets interesting."
He turned. The portal shimmered. He stepped through without hesitation—
And then, the screen above flickered.