Archie experienced an odd sensation, as if he was descending through the sky. He attempted to open his eyes to comprehend his situation, but to no avail.

Suddenly, he felt a soft landing.

Summoning his strength, Archie tried once more to open his eyes. This time, he was successful, only to find himself enveloped in complete darkness.

The darkness was so profound that Archie couldn't discern whether his eyes were open or closed. He couldn't see his own body; he could only confirm its existence by touch.

With a struggle, Archie managed to rise from the ground, disoriented and clueless about his whereabouts.

The enveloping darkness filled him with dread, and the eerie silence amplified his fear. To steady his nerves, Archie sat down, taking a deep breath.

He tried to recall his actions prior to this. He remembered being in a room, conversing with an elderly woman.

'Did I doze off mid-conversation?'

Archie racked his brain for plausible explanations for his current predicament, but none seemed to fit.

Gradually, his eyes began to adjust to the darkness, yet all he could discern were shadows.

However, he could identify the surface he was sitting on; it felt like a plush sofa—springy and smooth.

A question finally formed in Archie's mind,

"Is this some sort of trial?"

"You're catching on, Archie!"

A mysterious voice, genderless and chilling, reverberated through the darkness, startling Archie.

"Who are you? Why am I here?"

Archie called out into the void, his body trembling from the sound of the voice.

"Escape this place by answering three questions. If you dare."

The voice seemed to draw nearer, its volume intensifying.

Desperate to leave, Archie urged, “Ask it already.”

"Question No.1 - Who are you?"

“I’m Archie Troy… AHHHH…” Archie's scream cut off his sentence.

Archie's left hand began to desiccate. The blood within it started to vanish, and the moisture in his hand evaporated. His left hand felt as if it was withering, his muscles weakening and his bones starting to fracture.

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Within moments, Archie's left hand resembled a skeletal structure covered by skin.

“GASP-GASP!”

Archie gasped as the pain gradually subsided. He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

“Archie, speak the truth. If you lie, you will disintegrate.”

Archie rose to his feet, wiped his tears with his right hand, and pondered his response. The pain in his left hand clouded his thoughts.

He felt powerless and frail. Finally, Archie responded to the question.

“In this world, I’m a nobody. A failure in the eyes of all. I live as an unknown and will die as an unknown.”

Archie braced himself for further torment, but nothing happened. The voice continued.

“Question No.2 - What is the rift to you?”

After a moment's thought, Archie replied in a terrified tone,

“A curse. The rift is a curse that has ruined my life and my family. If rifts never existed, I would have led a peaceful life and wouldn’t be standing here.”

“Question No.3 - Can you change fate?”

Archie didn't hesitate to answer this question, as it had been on his mind since his mother's demise.

“I can’t alter my fate, but I won’t blindly follow it. I will carve a new path, even if it means obliterating everything in my way to find peace.”

“Archie Troy, you are an eyesore.”

---

“HUFF- HUFF!”

Archie woke up with a start, his breath ragged. His heart pounded, his body was soaked in sweat, and his throat was dry. He felt feverish.

More importantly, Archie looked at his left hand and saw it was unharmed, as if nothing had transpired.

“Are you okay, Archie?” Justina's voice echoed with concern.

Archie looked around to see he was reclining on a luxurious bed, with Justina seated on a chair nearby.

“Here,” Justina handed a bottle of water to Archie. He took it and gulped it down until his throat signaled he had had enough.

After hydrating, Archie calmed down and surveyed his surroundings. He found himself in a grand room adorned in gold, cream, and purple hues, complete with four closets, an ornate chandelier, polished wood flooring with rugs, elegant furniture, heavy window drapes, and a portrait of a boy his age that Archie didn't recognize.

The opulence of the room made Archie more anxious than relaxed. Justina, with a smile on her face, said,

“I have some good news for you, Archie.”

“What is it?” Archie’s tone was cold, reflecting his resentment towards her for bringing him here and for the ordeal he had just endured.

Justina remained calm, not trying to win Archie’s favor. She delivered the good news in a composed manner,

“I managed to secure your admission into Rhoman Academy.”

“What!” Archie was taken aback and quickly rejected, “No, I don’t want to join that academy. Are you trying to get me killed?”

“Archie, please understand. This is for your own good.”

“Justina, I know what kind of hellhole that place is. If an ‘F’ Ethereal like me joined there, I would be forced to quit on the first day anyway.”

Archie was resolute in his decision; it seemed unlikely that Justina could persuade him.

Justina was persistent; she pressed on,

“Archie, I’ll stop if you’re willing to live the rest of your life as a nobody.”

The mechanic’s voice and face flashed in Archie's mind, as the Mechanic had uttered the exact same words, now echoed by Justina.

“I don’t want to die as a nobody.” Archie muttered to himself, clenching his fist.

Thoughts of the Mechanic mocking him if she saw him next time and Deadbeat’s disappointed face made Archie decide.

“I will join that hellish academy.”

Before Archie could fully commit to his decision, he realized something that made him quickly retract his statement.

“Sorry, I can’t join the academy.”

Justina understood Archie's dilemma and reassured him.

“Don’t worry. The woman you saw before said she will nominate you and cover your academy fees.”