The convoy reached the provincial capital just past noon.
From above, the city looked like a layered crown of stone and light—wide outer districts spiraling inward toward towering crystal spires that pierced the clouds. Mana rails curved through the air like glowing veins, carrying floating carriages between districts without ever touching the ground.
Zael stood near the rail as the transport descended, cloak tugged by high-altitude wind.
Different city.
Different system.
Different rules.
You could feel it the moment you crossed into provincial territory.
The convoy docked at a massive floating terminal carved directly into the mountainside. Runes flared beneath their feet as the platforms locked into place.
"Disembark in order!" an escort shouted. "All contestants proceed to the central plaza!"
Zael followed the flow of awakeners down wide crystal stairs. The terminal opened into a colossal circular square ringed with obelisks and floating screens. Already, hundreds of contestants from different academies were gathering.
Not just students.
Scouts. Observers. Nobles. Guild officials.
A woman in silver robes rose into the air on a mana disk.
"Welcome to the Provincial Trial," she announced, her voice amplified across the plaza.
"Mistfall Dungeon will open at dawn tomorrow."
A holographic projection formed behind her—an enormous forested labyrinth wrapped in glowing barriers.
"This is a three-day survival dungeon."
Murmurs rippled outward.
"No teams will be permitted. All contestants act independently."
New symbols appeared.
"Killing beasts earns full points."
"Defeating another contestant earns half points."
A pause.
"Lethal force is disabled. When a contestant reaches critical injury or declares surrender, they will be immediately teleported out and healed by specialized restoration professionals."
The image shifted again.
"Total registered participants: one thousand and fifty."
A low whistle ran through the crowd.
Zael absorbed it silently.
So it's not about duels…
It's about endurance and efficiency.
The woman continued, "Final rankings will be determined by total point accumulation across all three days."
"And remember—only the top one hundred will qualify for interprovincial placement."
That finally drew real tension.
Tyron exhaled slowly beside him. "One thousand and fifty… and only a hundred pass."
Selvig crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Just means cutting down more obstacles."
Zael didn't comment.
His gaze drifted across the mass of contestants.
And found Zane.
Three platforms away.
Calm.
Still.
Like a drawn blade waiting for motion.
The echo between them stirred faintly.
Then another presence brushed Zael's senses.
Light.
Elastic.
Unstable.
He turned—
And nearly walked into her.
"Hey."
A girl with pale silver hair stood directly in front of him, hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes were an unusual shade of violet, and her mana felt… folded, like space itself bent slightly around her.
"You're blocking the walkway," Zael said.
She tilted her head. "You weren't walking."
"That's still blocking."
She stared at him for a second longer than necessary.
Then smiled faintly.
"You're weird."
Zael blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're calm," she said. "Everyone else is pretending to be calm."
Zael studied her. Simple clothes. No visible crest. No entourage.
"Do I know you?"
"No," she said immediately. "But you look like you're thinking about leaving already."
"I am."
She stepped into his path again.
"My name's Lily."
"…Zael."
"See?" she said, satisfied. "Now we know each other."
Zael frowned. "Why are you talking to me?"
Lily looked away briefly. "Because I wanted to."
That was… not a useful answer.
She walked beside him as he moved toward the outer ring of the plaza.
"So, Zael," she continued, "how many beasts do you think you'll kill?"
"Enough."
"That's vague."
"I like vague."
She laughed quietly.
They wandered toward the food stalls without any real direction. Zael bought skewers. Lily complained they were too spicy but kept eating anyway.
It was… strangely normal.
For someone who felt like space itself bent around her, she talked like an ordinary girl.
"You're from the eastern academies," she said. "Your group arrived loud."
"We traveled far."
"Are you strong?"
Zael shrugged. "Strong enough."
Lily stopped walking.
Turned.
Stared straight at him.
For a moment, Zael felt the faintest pressure in his chest—as if the world measured him and then let go.
"…Yeah," she said quietly. "That sounds right."
They walked in silence for a while after that.
When dusk came, lights bloomed across the city like constellations anchored to stone.
Zael finally stopped near the hotel district.
"This is where I'm staying."
Lily nodded. "Me too. Different building."
She hesitated.
Then said, "Try not to die tomorrow."
Zael smirked. "Same to you."
She turned and walked off.
Zael watched her go.
Something about her presence lingered.
Not threatening.
Not heavy.
Just… bent.
Back in his room, Zael removed his cloak and sat on the edge of the bed.
Tomorrow, the dungeon would open.
Three days.
One thousand and fifty awakeners.
And somewhere in that crowd—
Zane.
Selvig.
Seraphina.
And Lily.
He lay back and closed his eyes.
Unaware that the girl he'd just shared skewers with…
Was the mythical-grade Spatial Walker
who would nearly steal first place from Zane.
And didn't yet know why she'd chosen him to talk to at all.