The portal's light faded, leaving Eren in a vast circular chamber that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Ancient runes pulsed along obsidian walls, casting an ethereal blue glow. The air hummed with concentrated mana, making the shadows around him dance restlessly.
[System Alert: Welcome to Tutorial Stage - Phase 1 of 5]
[Objective: Defeat your reflection]
Combat knowledge of his countless previous lives flickered through Eren's mind as his system interface glowed. The skill [Adaptive Combat] activated automatically, analyzing the chamber's parameters.
"The reflection trial," he murmured, shadows coiling around his blade like living ink. "Always the first test."
The floor rippled like disturbed water, and from its surface rose a perfect mirror image of himself. His reflection stood bareheaded in simple training gear, sword held in the fluid stance that should have been unpredictable—but Eren knew better now.
The moment his reflection materialized, Eren abandoned all pretense of technique. He hurled himself forward with reckless abandon, shadows erupting from his blade in chaotic patterns. The reflection's eyes widened—how could it mirror what even Eren himself hadn't planned?
[Adaptive Combat has analyzed opponent's pattern]
[Counter-pattern activated]
One strike. That's all it took. The reflection shattered like black glass, its fragments dissolving into motes of light before it could even complete its first defensive movement.
[Phase 1 Complete]
[Time: 1.2 seconds]
As Eren steadied his breathing, notifications began flooding his system interface:
[Tutorial Phase 1 Rankings Updated]
1. Eren Valestrix - 1.2s
2. Jin Seoyung - 1.8s
3. Aria Moonweaver (Northern Mage Association) - 2m 15s
4. Li Wei (Mount Hua Sect) - 2m 48s
5. Thorne Blacksteel (New Terra) - 3m 02s
[Multiple challengers have acknowledged your achievement]
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
[You have received 3 friend requests]
"Jin Seoyung..." Eren smiled, unsurprised by his friend's impressive time. They'd worked together often enough for him to know Jin's capabilities. But another name caught his attention.
"Aria registered with Grandmother's association?" He hadn't seen her since the Awakeners test, where she'd demonstrated remarkable affinity for both combat and magical arts. The Northern Mage Association wasn't known for accepting many new members—their standards were notoriously high.
[System Message from Jin Seoyung: "Show-off. Couldn't let me have the record for even a minute, could you?"]
[System Message from Aria Moonweaver: "The Dark Emperor's son lives up to the rumors. Looking forward to seeing you in the later trials, Eren."]
Before he could respond, the chamber began to transform. The walls dissolved, revealing a vast open world beyond—rolling plains stretching to distant mountains, ancient ruins scattered across the landscape, and other challengers visible in the distance.
[Tutorial Phase 1 Complete]
[Open World Access Granted]
[Current Objective: Complete remaining tutorial phases in any order]
[Special Notice: First challenger to complete all 5 phases will receive:
- Unique Skill Scroll
- Access to Semi-Divine Weapon Cache
- Additional rewards locked]
Valeria's briefing echoed in his mind: "The tower's trials are designed to push you to your absolute limits. But the rewards... they're worth every risk."
Eren studied the sprawling landscape, already mapping out his route. Working with others might be easier, safer even. Jin and Aria were both exceptional fighters, and their styles would complement his well. But...
"Some answers can only be found alone," he murmured, thinking of his brother's disappearance, of Selena somewhere in the tower's upper reaches. The shadow mana around his blade pulsed in agreement.
[System Alert: Multiple party invitations received]
[Jin Seoyung wishes to form a party]
[Aria Moonweaver wishes to form a party]
Eren sent quick replies:
"Another time, Jin. Race you to the top?"
"We'll catch up soon, Aria. There's something I need to confirm first."
Without waiting for responses, he set off toward a distant ruins that radiated ancient power. The tower's true trials waited ahead, and with them, perhaps, answers about his brother's fate. The shadows swirled around him, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Behind him, the notification board updated one final time:
[Tutorial Phase 2 now available]
[Warning: Difficulty scales with Phase 1 performance]
[Special notice for Eren Valestrix: SSS-rank challenge parameters activated]
The path ahead would be harder, but that's exactly what he was counting on. After all, the greatest rewards lay at the edge of impossible challenges—and he had questions that only the tower's highest reaches could answer.