ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝟙𝟘𝟠: 𝐙𝔢𝔭𝔥𝐲𝔯 𝔊𝔞𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔠 ℭ𝔩𝔲𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯 ⓇⒺⓋⒶⓂⓅⒺⒹ

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As Day-7 of the Trial Program unfolded, the assimilated parts of the Universe were rife with tension and speculation, especially within the ten hegemonic powers of the Virgo SuperCluster.

The Virgo SuperCluster, a vast cosmic structure, comprised roughly 1000 Galactic Clusters, each containing about 1000 Galaxies. Over the past millennium, nearly every Galactic Cluster in the Virgo SuperCluster had undergone System assimilation, with one notable exception—the Zephyr Galactic Cluster. Its assimilation was now imminent, pending the conclusion of its Trial Program.

In the System-assimilated Universe, each Galactic Cluster destined for assimilation first underwent a 18-month Trial Program. These trials provided a glimpse into the Cluster's potential and capabilities, and their progress was meticulously tracked and broadcast across the System's UltraNet.

This interconnected network ensured that information flowed seamlessly across the Universe, allowing all corners to stay updated in real-time.

The UltraNet featured a Live Performance Score, a metric published during every Trial Program. This score represented the System’s evaluation of each Galaxy within the participating Cluster, based on several factors: the survival rate of the Alpha Chosen, the quantity and difficulty of monsters defeated, and overall progress since the Trial Program began.

Typically, the Live Performance Scores of Trial Programs garnered little attention—after all, a new Galactic Cluster began its trial every two years. But the Zephyr Galactic Cluster was different. The Universe’s collective focus was locked onto its performance, and for good reason.

Remarkably, none of the 1000 Galaxies within the Zephyr Galactic Cluster had scored below 75 points. This achievement was extraordinary, given that fewer than 10,000 Galaxies across the entire Universe had ever managed such a feat. What’s more, Galaxies with such scores often ascended to prominence, becoming formidable powers in the Universe.

Even more astonishing was the performance of one Galaxy in particular—the Milky Way Galaxy. Its Live Performance Score stood at an unprecedented 93 points, a feat that left the Universe in awe.

To put it in perspective, fewer than 50 Galaxies in the Universe’s history had ever achieved such a score. Every Galaxy to have done so had eventually risen to the pinnacle of cosmic power, solidifying its place among the Universe’s elite.

A score above 90 typically hinted at one of two possibilities: either the average Innate Talent Grades of the Galaxy’s Alpha Chosen were exceptionally high, signifying unparalleled potential, or the Galaxy had produced an Omega Chosen, a being of unmatched potential and destiny.

The overwhelming consensus leaned toward the second possibility: the Milky Way Galaxy’s astounding Live Performance Score of 93 could only mean the emergence of an Omega Chosen. No precedent existed for a Galaxy surpassing a score of 90 solely through a higher average of Alpha Chosen Innate Talent Grades.

The rise of an Omega Chosen sent waves of unrest rippling through the Universe’s top powers. Such an individual possessed the potential to ascend to Tier-10, the apex of power in the System-assimilated Universe.

Every hegemony vied to recruit this exceptional being, understanding that having an Omega Chosen among their ranks could tilt the scales of power in their favor.

The hegemons of the Virgo SuperCluster, in particular, were especially agitated. One among them was the Red Elven Empire, a dominant force controlling one-tenth of the Virgo SuperCluster’s vast expanse.

On a red, Jupiter-sized planet that served as the Empire’s heart, a bustling imperial city teemed with activity. At the city’s center loomed the majestic palace, home to the Red Elven Emperor. Within the royal courtroom, advisors and high-ranking officials gathered, their attention fixed on thousands of video projection screens.

Each screen displayed individuals of various races, all Tier-4 Low Phase, drawn from the Empire’s vast domain. These individuals hailed from different planets and Galaxies within the Empire’s territory—90 Galactic Clusters comprising nearly 90,000 Galaxies in total. The sheer scale of the Red Elven Empire was a testament to its grandeur and influence.

The Red Elves, the Empire’s ruling race, were distinguishable by their pale red skin and green eyes. Their slim, tall builds and pointed ears resembled those of traditional elves, but their affinity for Fire and Wood Innate Talents set them apart.

Some members of the race even wielded both elements, a rare duality. Most Red Elves possessed Innate Talents graded between Grade-4 and Grade-6, a significant distinction in a Universe where 60-70% of the population had talents graded between Grade-1 and Grade-3.

Talents above Grade-4 offered the potential to reach the Sky Realm ⧼Tiers 4-6⧽, while Grade-7 and above were exceedingly rare. Even the Red Elven Emperor, a peak Tier-6 powerhouse and one of the Virgo SuperCluster’s mightiest, had a Grade-6 Innate Talent.

In the video projections, the Tier-4 individuals anxiously monitored their STATUS windows, checking repeatedly as if awaiting some vital notification. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the royal courtroom mirrored their unease. Both the Emperor and his officials were on edge, awaiting a significant announcement.

Their apprehension stemmed from the System’s selection process for Tournament Managers in the ongoing Zephyr Galactic Cluster. With 930 Galaxies participating, and each Galaxy containing 1000 Trial Regions, a staggering 930,000 Regional Trial Tournaments were scheduled for Day-10 of the Trial Program.

For that, the System required 930,000 qualified individuals from the assimilated Universe to serve as Tournament Managers, overseeing these simultaneous events.

Whenever a Tournament was about to take place during a Trial Program, the System opened a 'Tournament Manager Quest.' For the first Tournament, only Tier-4 Low-Phase individuals could apply. From the billions of applicants across the Virgo SuperCluster, the System would randomly select the required number—in this case, 930,000.

The involvement of the Milky Way Galaxy, which had produced an Omega Chosen, heightened the stakes. The Hegemonies of the Virgo SuperCluster were fiercely competitive, encouraging millions of their people to apply for the Tournament Manager Quest. Their aim was clear: gather intelligence on the Milky Way Galaxy’s Alpha Chosen and attempt to win over the Omega Chosen.

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The System’s restriction that only native life forms of the Virgo SuperCluster could apply prevented an even larger influx of applications from other SuperClusters across the Universe, who would have eagerly vied for the same opportunity.

In the imperial palace of the Red Elven Empire, the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. The Emperor paced back and forth, his expression pensive. Finally, an advisor approached, bowing deeply before delivering the awaited news.

“Your Majesty, the results are out. Out of the 930,000 Tournament Manager positions, slightly more than 22,000 applicants from our Empire were selected. However, only 15 of them were chosen as Tournament Managers for the Milky Way Galaxy.”

The Red Elven Emperor sighed heavily, disappointment evident on his face. “Fortune does not favor us this time. Only 15 for the Milky Way Galaxy… It’s almost certain the remaining 985 positions went to representatives of the other nine factions. The odds of one of our 15 managing the Trial Region where the Omega Chosen resides are slim.”

Another advisor stepped forward, offering a measured perspective. “Your Majesty, even if none of our 15 encounter the Omega Chosen during this first Tournament, there will be future opportunities. It’s unlikely that such a significant individual would join a faction immediately without evaluating the offers from others. Furthermore, the Live Performance Scores of other Galaxies in the Zephyr Galactic Cluster are also exceptional. Perhaps it would be wise to focus on them while the other factions scramble over the Omega Chosen.”

The Emperor paused to consider the advice, nodding slightly as its logic sank in. Still, he wasn’t ready to abandon the possibility of one of his Empire’s representatives crossing paths with the Omega Chosen.

Determined to maximize his Empire’s chances, the Emperor issued an imperial order. “Bring all 15 of the selected Tournament Managers for the Milky Way Galaxy to meet me within the next day.”

The Red Elven Emperor intended to personally brief the 15 selected Tournament Managers about the critical importance of recruiting the Omega Chosen from the Milky Way Galaxy. He planned to outline the vast resources the Red Elven Empire was prepared to offer, even going so far as to promise the coveted Grand Elder position—an authority equal to the Emperor himself.

If news of this offer spread, it would undoubtedly shock the entire Empire. The Grand Elder position was a symbol of unmatched influence, one that no Emperor had ever offered to anyone outside the royal lineage.

An hour later, as the Emperor sat on his throne, an advisor cautiously approached and bowed. “Your Majesty, I have delivered your orders to the 15 members and arranged for their arrival by the end of the day. However… one of them has refused to appear.”

The Emperor’s gaze turned sharp, his voice thundering through the royal courtroom. “Hmph! This matter concerns the Empire’s future. Every subject of the Empire bears the responsibility to act in its welfare. Did I not make it clear that the rewards would reflect their contributions? Who dares to ignore my imperial order?”

The advisor trembled under the Emperor’s anger, his voice faltering as he answered. “Your Maj... Majesty, it was... the 3rd Prince.”

The Emperor’s fury dissipated the moment he heard the name. He sighed deeply, leaning back against his throne, his fierce demeanor replaced with weary helplessness.

The 3rd Prince had once been the pride of the Empire, celebrated as one of its strongest individuals. His dual Fire and Wood Grade-7 Innate Talents made him the top candidate to succeed the Emperor, with the potential to surpass the 2nd Universe Limit and ascend to Tier-7. The Empire had pinned its hopes on him, believing he would lead them to unprecedented greatness.

But fifteen years ago, disaster struck. During his attempted ascension to Tier-7, a deviation severely damaged his Spirit Pool, a crutual asset for elemental talent users. Stripped of his potential, he regressed to Tier-4 Low-Phase with no hope of recovering his former strength.

The setback devastated the 3rd Prince, shattering not only his body but also his spirit. Despite the Emperor’s relentless efforts to find a cure, no medicine or miracle could restore his once-glorious future. Since then, the 3rd Prince had withdrawn from the world, living in isolation within his mansion, refusing all contact.

The Emperor had made countless attempts to lift his son from despair, but nothing could reignite the 3rd Prince’s lost motivation. So, when he heard his son had ignored the imperial summons, the Emperor chose not to press the matter. It was, after all, an all-too-common occurrence in the years since the tragedy.

Yet, despite this, the Emperor felt a quiet sense of relief, pleased that the 3rd Prince had chosen to step forward as a Regional Tournament Manager rather than wallowing in the shadows of his past.

Years ago, the Emperor had placed great hopes on the 3rd Prince, envisioning a future where the Empire would reach unparalleled heights under his leadership. Now, another opportunity had appeared—this time in the form of the Zephyr Galactic Cluster and its Omega Chosen. The Emperor was determined not to let it slip away.

His plan was simple but ambitious: to forge a bond with the Omega Chosen, creating a sense of attachment to the Red Elven Empire. That way, as the Omega Chosen grew in strength and eventually ascended to the ranks of the Mega Cluster hegemonies or even Universe-level powers, the Empire could leverage their influence to dominate the Virgo SuperCluster—or perhaps even beyond.

The Emperor was well aware that his ambitions were shared by the other nine hegemonies. Each sought to use the Omega Chosen’s future strength as a stepping stone to becoming the dominant force in the Virgo SuperCluster. The race to recruit this unparalleled talent had begun.

As the Emperor pondered his strategies, an official carrying a leather parchment approached the advisor who had just spoken with him.

The advisor asked, “Did you find out which Trial Region the 3rd Prince was assigned to? I’m recording today’s events for the historical annals of our Empire. Everything that transpires today will be remembered for generations.”

The official nodded, replying, “Yes…yes, indeed. Today is a pivotal day for our Empire. As for the 3rd Prince’s assigned Trial Region, it’s the 35th Trial Region in the 7th Trial Continent of the Milky Way Galaxy’s Trial World.”

Those words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken significance. Unbeknownst to them, the 3rd Prince had been assigned as the Tournament Manager for the very same Trial Region that included Earth’s Chosen. Among them was not only the Omega Chosen they were so desperately seeking but also the one responsible for creating the Omega Chosen in the first place.

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╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

Cosmic Scale:

* 1 Universe ≈ 1,000 Mega Clusters

* 1 Mega Cluster ≈ 1,000 Super Clusters

* 1 Super Cluster ≈ 1,000 Galactic Clusters

* 1 Galactic Cluster ≈ 1,000 Galaxies

Trial World Structure:

* 1 Trial World = 10 Trial Continents

* 1 Trial Continent = 100 Trial Regions

* 1 Trial Region = 1,000 Trial Zones

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯