Dark stepped off the train that had stopped just moments ago, letting out a sigh."Finally... I've arrived in the capital," he murmured, gazing up at the stunning architecture of the Spirit Capital. A smile tugged at his lips. The four points in his eyes were glowing softly.
He started walking."Alright," he thought, "I think this is the road that leads to the Selection Hall. It's supposed to be right at the center of the city."
After a few minutes of walking, he noticed many Element Wielders heading in the same direction — some on foot, some flying, and some gliding on floating stones shaped like skateboards.
As he walked a little further, he saw it.
The Selection Hall.
It was massive — built to accommodate 20,000 Element Wielders. Its entrance loomed ahead, a colossal square building with an enormous gate. At the front stood a group of Element Knights — the equivalent of police in this world. Today, they were in charge of screening applicants for the Dream Chasers.
Dark joined the long line leading up to the gate. One by one, the Knights allowed the Wielders inside.
A quarter of an hour passed before it was Dark's turn.
Two knights glanced at him, then leaned in toward each other and whispered,"Why do his points look a little dim?""Should we let him in?""I'm not sure..."
But Dark heard them.
His hands started trembling."No… not now. Not after everything I've been through. Is this really how it ends?"
Just then, one of the knights noticed a pendant tucked in Dark's pocket — the one his grandfather had given him.
The knight's expression changed.
He nudged the other, then both of them looked at Dark with newfound attention.
"You're cleared. Go ahead," they said.
Dark lit up with joy, though a question gnawed at him."What made them change their minds so suddenly?"
He shook the thought off and moved forward into the hall.
Behind him, the two knights kept talking.
"Wow… I didn't expect to see someone from that family here," one said."I know, right? The Legend family is terrifying. Who is that kid?""No idea."
Meanwhile, Dark had crossed the gate and entered the vast hall where the selection was being held. It was immense — filled with thousands of Element Wielders. A large balcony overlooked the hall from above, currently empty.
Dark didn't pay it much attention at first. He was too stunned by the sheer number of Wielders present.
All he could think about was something Jason — the Master of the First Dimension — had once said.
"Could he really be here?" Dark wondered.
Just then, a hand tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned around eagerly, heart racing — half-hoping it was Jason.
But no. It was Laiver, smirking mischievously.
"Haha! Thought I was someone else, didn't you?" Laiver grinned.
Dark frowned."What are you doing here? Didn't you say you were looking for someone?"
"Hey, I never said I wasn't joining the Dream Chasers too," Laiver replied. "And I don't think the person I'm looking for is in the First Realm anymore. Best way to find them is through the Chasers."
He added, "Anyway, have you seen our mutual friend yet? Didn't she say she was joining too?"
"Yeah… she did say that . Where is she?" Dark asked, scanning the crowd.
They both turned their heads, searching.
But instead of Mirai, something else caught their attention — several powerful Wielders in the crowd.
One had six points in his eyes, glowing with a bluish-white light. Another, also with six points, had eyes shining deep purple. They were surrounded by others with five points — one with brown-lit eyes, another glowing blue.
The three approached Dark and Laiver.
One of the five-point Wielders pointed at Dark."Hey, don't his eyes look faded? What is this — did he wash them with bleach? Haha!"
The second added,"Yeah, they look sick. Why'd they even let him in?"
They laughed, mocking him openly.
Dark lowered his head.
Laiver stepped forward, but Dark gently stopped him.
Then the six-point Wielder spoke."You guys are right — let's get away before we catch whatever he's got. My eyes better not start fading too."
They walked away, still laughing.
Dark stood quietly, head lowered. He looked mildly unsettled at first — but then raised his head again, face calm and steady.
Laiver stared at him, puzzled.
"Why doesn't he get angry? That's… weird."
Dark simply asked,"Where's Mirai?"
They resumed searching until they heard a commotion behind them.
"She's got a rare eye!" someone shouted.
A crowd had gathered around a girl — it was Mirai. Her new rare eye shimmered — a crescent moon shape in her right eye, and six points in her left.
She walked up to them and said,"Oh, there you two are."
Laiver smirked."Looks like your new eye's causing a scene."
Mirai gave him a smug look.
Dark smiled softly."I'm really happy for you, Mirai."
Whispers spread again through the crowd."Aren't his points kind of faded? Why do his four points look like that?"
Mirai turned to Dark with an almost mocking smile."Stay close to me. If you do, they'll stop focusing on you and start staring at me instead."
Her words unsettled Dark — not angrily, but deeply.
"Focus on you so they forget about me… Am I disabled? Or sick?" he thought, quietly lowering his head for a moment… before lifting it again, smiling as always.
Laiver was still watching him, confused — just about to speak when—
A loud horn blasted.
An Element Knight appeared on the balcony that had previously been empty.
"Prepare yourselves!" the knight called out. "Lord Jason The Legend is entering!"
A door behind the balcony opened.
And as soon as Jason — the Master of the First Dimension — took his first step onto the platform, the entire hall began to shake.
He was producing elemental energy in overwhelming amounts.
His eyes glowed yellowish-green, radiating a presence that filled the room. The pressure was immense — even breathing became difficult.
Everyone in the hall struggled to stay standing. Jason didn't stop his output, even after stepping fully onto the balcony.
He stared down from above — majestic. Terrifying.
People began collapsing. Many with four or even five points fainted on the spot.
Dark fought with everything he had — teetering, barely holding on. He channeled his element as hard as he could, forcing himself to stay conscious.
"I won't give up. I won't stop here. Give me everything you've got."
Laiver, too, was struggling."I won't back down. Nothing will stop me from reaching my goal."
Mirai… was the only one completely calm.
She stood perfectly still, unaffected. It was as if nothing was happening around her.
After a few long minutes, Jason stopped producing energy and turned to the guards.
"Anyone who fainted or collapsed — throw them out. We don't need cowards."
The guards entered and began dragging out everyone who had fainted or collapsed. Dark stood, barely holding himself up, still affected by Jason's overwhelming energy. He took a breath and looked up.
"Ah... alright," he thought, smiling faintly. "That was quite the introduction."
Beside him, Laiver looked up at Jason and muttered, "So this is the output of a Dimension Lord… it sends chills down my spine."
Dark, completely focused on Jason, was momentarily unaware of everything else.
"Yes," he thought. "This is what I want. That presence. That pressure. That power."
He looked around the hall. A large number of elemental users had been eliminated. Only about a hundred remained.
The six-point bearer with violet-glowing eyes was smiling. The other, whose six points glowed bluish-white, stood calmly, staring up at Jason. Mirai, however, was inspecting her nails—completely uninterested.
One of the knights approached Jason and handed him a small spherical object. Jason held it to his mouth and let it float, using his element. Then he began to speak.
"Alright, alright. Test, test... I assume my voice is clear now? Good."
The imposing seriousness on Jason's face faded. His tone became casual.
"Congratulations to those who are still here. You've passed. You endured. You're good.
In the previous selection, 99% collapsed—and the few who didn't still weren't fit to be Dream Chasers. That was a bit disappointing.
But hey, this year seems different. Let me clarify the roles for you all.
The Elemental Knights are the protectors of this dimension. They stay here to safeguard the people. They are the frontline defense in any war or attack. Their role is crucial, and I'm grateful for them.
As for the Dream Chasers—they are the ones eligible to travel the Path of Trials, the path that leads to the Tenth Dimension.
As you know, our reality consists of ten interconnected dimensions. Each dimension is like a galaxy, mirroring our solar system, each with a planet similar to Earth—except for the tenth, about which we know nothing.
Each of the first six dimensions has a gateway—a portal that leads to the next. There is no other way to move between dimensions.
But here's the catch: standard portals only go as far as Dimension Six.
Beyond that—Dimensions Seven, Eight, and Nine—are not inhabited by elemental humans. Rather, they are filled with beings of stars. We know very little about them, but one thing is certain—they are not our allies.
Luckily, in each of the nine dimensions, there exists an auxiliary planet—inhabited by strange creatures. Elemental beasts formed from raw, unfiltered energy. Their strength and danger increase with every dimension.
Only the strongest can face them. Each of those auxiliary planets holds the gateway to the next.
If you follow those gates… you'll reach the Tenth Dimension.
And in that place—we believe—lie all the answers. Why people became elemental bearers. How humanity ended up scattered across dimensions. Everything.
We want those answers.
Now, the question you're all asking: who are the ones deemed eligible?
The answer is simple—those with a Predatory Spirit Animal."
Confusion spread. Voices whispered through the hall:
"What's a spirit animal?"
"Have you heard of it before?"
One of the knights shouted, "Silence."
The room fell quiet again as Jason continued.
"A spirit animal represents your personality. It is formed the moment you are born with an element. It is the key to traveling from one portal to the next—and it determines whether or not you're worthy of the Path of Trials.
Not just in theory. Literally.
A predatory spirit animal has four stone slots on its forehead. You need four elemental stones between each portal.
Regular spirit animals only have one slot. Just one.
Those who fainted earlier—their animals have only one slot.
…Whew, that's a lot of explanation.
Now, the next question you'll ask: how do we get our spirit animals?
Simple. We awaken them.
And my dear assistant, Saher, will help with that."
Saher, Jason's assistant, stepped forward. His face showed clear irritation.
"'Dear' assistant? Really, Jason?" he muttered. "Anyway—I'm Saher. Element: Electricity. Six points.
I'll awaken your spirit animals forcibly using your nervous systems. Nothing magical."
He raised his hands, and sparks floated between his fingers.
Dark was silently praying, A spirit animal… alright, don't let me down. Be anything, even just a cat—but let it be predatory. Please…
Saher released the electricity, which rippled across the crowd.
Each person saw their spirit animal begin to manifest in front of them.
Laiver got a lynx.
Mirai received a white tiger.
The six-point violet-eyed candidate got a hyena.
The bluish-white-eyed one received an arctic snow leopard.
Then came the surprise.
Dark… got nothing.
Everyone turned toward him.
At first—silence.
Then laughter.
Loud. Overwhelming.
They all laughed at him.
Dark looked down. "So I really am defective…" he thought, bitter disappointment washing over him.
Suddenly, Jason released a wave of intense elemental output once again—silencing the hall.
Saher stepped down from the balcony. "It's impossible. No elemental bearer exists without a spirit animal," he said as he approached Dark.
He placed his hand on Dark's forehead and closed his eyes.
Seconds passed.
Then Saher's eyes shot open. He screamed and fell back onto the ground.
"His spirit animal… it's already awake!"
The room went still.
Before anyone could speak, something began to take shape in front of Dark.
A black mass appeared—shifting and pulsing—until it took form: a black panther.
Its fur was lined with dark blue streaks. Its eyes—somewhere between violet and electric blue—locked onto Dark's.
Saher stood up, trembling. "This… this isn't in the record," he said, pulling out a book and flipping pages frantically.
"This creature doesn't exist."
Tension filled the room.
No one said a word—except Jason, who laughed from above.
"Haha! How fascinating. A mythical spirit animal… I've heard rumors they exist."
Saher returned to the balcony, stunned ,
"now lets continue " said Jason with a smile on his face .