The chill of the surroundings struck my body like a blade, snapping me out of my stupor. My skin—still wet from my bath—broke out in goosebumps as I realized something was wrong. A moment ago, I had been in the water… and now I stood on cold, stone ground in a completely unfamiliar place.

I slowly lifted my gaze, ignoring the trembling in my muscles. Before me loomed a massive tower whose walls pulsed with a gentle, greenish glow. I sensed something strange in the air—a singular, pure energy, untainted by any other kind of force. Unlike the outside world, where the energies of nature, water, and earth intermingle, here there was only one. It was calm and steady…

"Something like that…" a hoarse, gravelly voice suddenly echoed through the space. "I haven’t seen an entrance like this in ages. And you’re completely naked. Aren’t you afraid you’ll catch a chill?"

Before me, seemingly out of nowhere, a translucent, slightly phosphorescent figure materialized. A man with stern features, gray hair, and narrowed eyes looked at me with an expression of overt disdain mixed with amusement. He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.

"Well, look at that—so young and already having the nerve to step into my abode without warning. And in such a state, no less." He tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness. "I won’t say it’s a clever way to attract attention, but unfortunately it doesn’t impress me. I’m far too old for such things."

"Shut up." I snapped, clenching my arms as I struggled to retain even a shred of dignity. "Where am I?"

The spirit raised his hand and pointed toward the tower behind me.

"In a place that is not meant for you, girl. In the Tower of Nature’s Heritage." His lips curled into a crooked smile. "Though judging by your aura… you have no business here."

I narrowed my eyes, straightening up despite the cold.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you’re utterly talentless." He laughed—a sound like a dry croak. "This is a place for those who feel nature, who can synchronize with its essence. And you? Pff! Everything about you screams 'chaos.' I can already see you trying to grasp these subtle energies and ending up setting the entire forest on fire."

I furrowed my brow, trying to understand what he was really saying. Nature, essence? I’d never heard such terms used in the context of magic before. In my world, energy was transient—and here… I felt like something was slipping away from me.

"Who exactly are you?" I asked, tilting my head.

The spirit raised an eyebrow, as if amused by my question, but there was something more in his gaze. He narrowed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, sighing theatrically.

"Finally, a sensible question." He crossed his arms. "You may call me Eldric. I was the one who created this place and left behind the legacy that you now attempt to sully with your presence. And now… I am but the remnants of a spirit, tasked with finding a worthy successor."

"So, since I'm here, does that mean I have a chance to become your successor?" I asked, watching him intently.

Eldric raised an eyebrow and snorted with laughter.

"Technically speaking, yes. The very fact that you’ve found yourself here means you have something within you that could, in theory, make you worthy. But let me dash your hopes—you are the worst candidate for an heir I’ve ever seen. Just because you have the potential doesn’t mean you’ll use it."

Anger began to boil within me. I had no idea what it truly meant to be his successor, but I wasn’t about to give up simply because some spectral old man deemed me useless. Was it fate? Chance? Or perhaps something more led me here? Regardless of the answer, I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by.

I clenched my fists, looking at Eldric with renewed determination. Even if I didn’t know the rules of this game, I could learn them. If there was even the slightest chance, I intended to seize it.

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"Nevertheless… I want to try." My words were soft yet determined as I stared him in the eyes. He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"You really don’t know when to quit, do you?" he said, shaking his head as if speaking to an exceptionally stubborn child. "Alright then, girl, but let me warn you: foolishness and determination often go hand in hand."

"That remains to be seen." I straightened up, ignoring the shiver running through my body. Naked, wet, and treated with hostility, I could feel his gaze upon me. Yet there was no hint of genuine interest—only pure, amused contempt, as if he were waiting for me to embarrass myself. I clenched my fists, feeling anger slowly supplant my embarrassment. I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction.

"Maybe you could stop staring at me, you old pervert, and give me something I can cover myself with?" I snapped irritably, folding my arms.

Eldric raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by my bluntness, then let out a long sigh.

"Ah, youth… zero gratitude." With a wave of his hand, a simple yet sturdy robe appeared at my feet. "Here, take this as your covering."

I looked down at the robe lying on the ground and sighed softly. Of course, he couldn’t simply hand it to me—he had to make me fetch it myself. I bent down and picked up the fabric, which felt surprisingly warm to the touch. It was plain, but sturdy, and at that moment, that was all that mattered. I draped it over myself, feeling how pleasantly it embraced my chilled body. Although I was still wet, at least I didn’t have to stand here completely naked.

"Since you're now covered, we can begin the trial."

"The first trial is a test of your ability to synchronize with the energy of this place." Eldric squinted, as if assessing whether it was even worth explaining. "Your task is to sense the flow of nature's energy and adjust to it. Those who possess talent can naturally harmonize with their surroundings, but you..." He paused for a moment, smiling mockingly. "You'll have to try a little harder."

"And what exactly am I supposed to do?" I asked, frowning.

"First and foremost, survive." He shrugged. "If you fail to meld with the rhythm of the energy, you will be rejected by this place. Most people with even minimal talent pass this trial within minutes. We'll see how long you last."

Before I could react, I felt the ground beneath my feet vanish. For a brief moment, disorientation overwhelmed me, then suddenly I felt a powerful surge of energy envelop me. Everything around me swirled, and my body began to dissolve into a radiant glow. In the next second, I was transported to the first floor of the tower.

I fell to one knee, still stunned by the sudden change of surroundings. I drew a deep breath, trying to regain my balance. This was my chance. I would show that spirit he was wrong. I would prove that I was capable of doing this.

"So, let's begin," I muttered to myself, rising to my feet and lifting my head with determination.

***

"Hahahaha! I knew this would be entertaining!" Eldric's voice boomed with laughter as I once again found myself before him, lying face down.

I groaned softly, pressing my hands into the ground. My entire body trembled, as if I had just been thrown into the raging current of a river. I tried to lift my head, but every attempt ended in another fall.

The first floor was hell. Eldric had said I needed to synchronize with the energy of the place, but to me it felt like trying to listen to a melody while someone hammers a wall. I could sense the energy pulsing around me, yet I couldn’t adapt to it. Instead of harmonizing, it felt as though I was battling an invisible foe.

At first, I tried to concentrate—to find the rhythm of that single, dominant energy—but it was like trying to catch water with my bare hands. Every time it slipped away, it returned with even greater force, crushing me with its own momentum. Eventually, I felt my body grow heavy and the world around me spin. A second later, I felt that familiar tug and... I was ejected from the trial back before Eldric.

"Well... I suppose nature doesn't like you." Eldric leaned over me, a derisive smile playing on his lips. "So... you wanted to prove something to me? It seems your grand plan to conquer this tower has just become a bit more complicated."

I gritted my teeth, ignoring the burning sting of defeat. I didn't want to admit he was right, but my body—still trembling from being expelled from the tower—told a different story.

This wasn't just an ordinary loss. It wasn't something I could blame on bad luck or inexperience. I had failed because I didn’t belong in this place, with its unique energy. It felt as though the entire system of this tower was rejecting me, as if condemning me to failure from the start. I couldn’t accept that. There had always been a way, some solution... and now? I was in a situation where none of my skills or talents mattered.

But I had to accept it. I couldn’t pretend things were any different. Eldric was right—this wasn’t a place for me. I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling bitter irritation, and forced myself to speak the words that burned from within.

"Fine, I lost. I can't do this." I exhaled, trying to ignore the searing frustration. "But even so, your stupid tower is nothing compared to my Tower of Chaos."

A sudden, ominous silence fell.

In an instant, the mockery vanished from Eldric's face. His eyes widened, and the air around us grew heavier. For the first time since our conversation began, he looked genuinely surprised.

"What did you say?" His voice, once full of ridicule, became low and disturbingly serious.