I stepped out of the illusionary dungeon and back into reality. I’d spent what felt like a week in there, but here, it seemed like only an hour had passed.

Before leaving the forest, I checked my rewards.

Two Oblivion's Gift. Interesting. I opened the first one and—

[Avelar]

A technique-based style that focuses on footwork and quick strikes from unexpected angles.

I couldn’t help but grin. That sounded like something I could actually use. Maybe it was time to try something different.

I opened the second one.

[Obsidianite]

[Note: It wasn’t a skill but when turned into a sword it will give you skill]

A dense, dark stone with a smooth, glass-like texture. Its description was simple enough, but the more I read, the more I liked it. It was a magical material with insane durability and sharpness. Ideal for crafting swords.

Now that was something to look forward to.

I glanced at my Title Progression. The first title I had unlocked was Undead Slayer, which felt fitting after defeating that giant undead knight.

I spent a solid week in that dungeon, training and pushing myself. But now it’s time to head back to the city. It’s been eight days since I left, and honestly, I’m ready for a break.

After we part ways, Garrick’s reached out to me. He gave me a place to stay, so I’ve actually got a reason to come back. I don’t know why he’s been so generous, but I’m not complaining. A roof over my head and a bed to crash on? Yeah, I’ll take it.

As I walk through the city gates, I notice something immediately. The place is way more crowded than before. People are pouring in, all heading in the same direction—toward this massive coliseum-looking building.

What’s going on? Some kind of event?

I watch for a second.

Doesn’t matter. I’m not in the mood to figure it out. Right now, all I want is a bath and some rest.

I make my way to Garrick’s place, a shared building where his workers live and we’ve got our own rooms.

I step inside, the familiar creak of the door welcoming me back. My room’s small but cozy, and it feels good to be home. First things first—a long, hot bath.

The bath felt amazing. The place was spotless, like someone really put in the effort to keep it nice. A big mirror hung on the wall in front of me, and for the first time in a while, I got a good look at myself.

I’ve changed.

It’s subtle, but noticeable. I might’ve grown an inch or so, and my muscles are starting to show more definition. When I left my family, I barely had any muscle—just a little in my arms. Now? It’s not huge, but there’s definitely progress. Guess all that dungeon grinding paid off.

After a quick bath, I threw on some fresh clothes. Nothing fancy, just the basics. As I was adjusting my shirt, a knock echoed at the door.

I opened the door to find one of Garrick’s workers standing there, holding a letter.

“Sir Garrick instructed me to deliver this,” he said, handing it to me.

“A letter?”

"Thanks." I replied, giving him a small nod.

He smiled and walked off, leaving me to shut the door behind me. Curiosity got the best of me, so I tore open the letter.

Inside was an invitation. My eyes widened as I read the words: You are invited to witness the Trial of the Arcane Flame.

No way.

I had completely forgotten the trial was today. Of course, it was from Garrick. He must’ve pulled some strings to get me this. He never fails to surprise me.

I smiled to myself.

I’ll have to figure out something nice to thank him later. But for now, it looks like I’ve got somewhere to be.

The Trial of the Arcane Flame.

Every year, a new group of adventurers steps up, trying to prove they’ve got what it takes to move up the ranks. And next year? I’ll be participating also.

I checked the letter again to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

Nope, everything’s good. Time to go.

The streets were crowded as I headed toward the coliseum.

The energy was contagious—vendors shouting, kids laughing, and people moving around like it was a festival.

On the way, I ran into a few familiar faces. Some stall owners I’d bought from before, a few kids who used to watch me train, even a couple of older folks who always had some advice to give.

“Hey, Alistair!” one of the vendors called out. “Back from training?”

“Yeah, just got back,” I replied with a grin. “How’s business?”

“Same old grind,” he said, chuckling.

I nodded, continuing down the street. Seeing everyone hard at work reminded me of my time as Elian. Back when I worked the fields with my parents, it was all about survival.

But one thing stayed the same: hard work.

There’s something about people who keep pushing, even when no one’s around to see it. That quiet determination. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s what makes real change happen.

“The ones who keep going, even when no one’s watching, are the ones who really make a difference,”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

I’ve never really told anyone that. Maybe I don’t need to. It’s just something I carry with me, like a reminder of where I came from and where I’m headed.

When I reached the entrance of the coliseum, I spotted the trial candidates—about thirty of them. Most were wearing armor, a few carrying unique weapons. They looked focused and tense.

"Invitation?"

I handed my invitation to the guard at the entrance. Stepping inside, I expected the place to be packed with cheering crowds. But instead, it was quieter than I thought, with only a few scattered groups here and there. Guess the invite-only rule kept it more exclusive.

Then the people outside must be watching through the cracks in the walls. Makes sense now. No one would want to miss this.

I found a seat in a less crowded section, near a group of older-looking guys. They had that seasoned adventurer vibe. Scarred armor, calm expressions, the kind of people who’ve seen some real battles. One of them glanced my way briefly.

[Aura active]

[Few have felt your presence due to low aura.]

So hat’s how it works.

Aura isn’t just about power—it’s about how much presence you give off. The higher it is, the more people notice you.

I shifted my focus to the center of the coliseum, where the announcer stood. His voice boomed across the arena.

“Welcome, honored guests. Today, you will witness the Trial of the Arcane Flame: Duel Examination. Only the strong survive, and only the strongest rise. Remember, this event is for observation purposes only. Once the duels conclude, your business here is finished.”

The crowd murmured in anticipation. I leaned forward, ready for the show to begin.

The announcer stepped forward, raising his hand.

“Let the duel begin!”

Two examinees walked to the center of the coliseum. They introduced themselves, loud and clear, then vowed to fight with honor. Standard stuff.

Curious, I activated [Observer’s Eye]. Their stats popped up.

[Level 15]

Low stats, way lower than I expected.

The duel started. It was… okay. They swung their weapons with more confidence than skill. One of them had decent footwork, but the other just relied on heavy strikes.

As the matches went on, I kept using [Observer’s Eye]. Same story every time. The highest level I saw was 20. Everyone else? Lower than that.

Then the last two candidates stepped into the arena. One was like the rest—average, armored, nothing special. But the other guy... there was something about him. He had this intense presence, like he wasn’t here to mess around.

His hair was a sharp, dark purple, and his serious, almost annoyed expression gave him a vibe. He looked young too, maybe just a year or so older than me.

They introduced themselves, and the person who caught my attention: Lucian Valemont. Apparently, he was a noble. He and his opponent made their vows, then took their stances.

My curiosity got the better of me, so I activated [Observer’s Eye].

[Lucian Valemont]

Age: 16

Level: ??

I frowned. “I can’t see his level? And even his stats.”

This was a first. Usually, I got full stats on anyone. But with him, it was locked. This guy is one year older my age, yet somehow beyond what my skill could read?

Then, without warning, he raised his sword. In a blur, he lunged forward.

Swoooshh!

The next second, his opponent was on the ground, out cold.

Thud

Lucian turned, muttering, “Pathetic.” His voice was sharp, and somehow, I heard every word like he was standing right beside me.

This guy wasn’t just strong. He was dangerous.

The crowd around me erupted in hushed murmurs.

“Did you see that?”

“He’s not human… a monster.”

“No one else stood a chance.”

I couldn’t disagree.

He wasn’t like the others. His precision, his speed—it was in a league of its own. He didn’t just stand out; he made everyone else look like they were barely trying.

But just as I thought it was over, Lucian did something unexpected. He walked back over to his unconscious opponent and knelt beside him. For a moment, it looked like he was showing respect.

The whispers picked up again.

“Even after that, he’s still humble enough to acknowledge his opponent.”

“That’s why he’s so well-regarded. He doesn’t need to humiliate anyone.”

Yeah, right. Somehow, I wasn’t buying it.

~

“Pathetic,”

“If this wasn’t an exam, you’d be dead already.”

~

After the duel ended, Lucian gave the guy a smirk, a twisted, almost playful one. He didn’t say anything to him, but I could see it in his eyes. It was like he was enjoying the entire thing. Something about him was off—mysterious, unsettling even.

"The winner is... Lucian Valemont!"

Once the duel was over, the crowd began to clear out, and we were all ushered to leave. The next phase of the exam was about to begin inside the coliseum, but we arent allowed to watch that anymore.

I stepped out into the fresh air, my chest tight with excitement.

Thump thump thump...

If he could do that, so could I. I’d train harder, get stronger.

I clenched my fists, determination lighting a fire in me. I knew it was time to push myself even more.

After all of that.

I decided to find a blacksmith to craft my sword, but things didn’t go as planned. I checked out two blacksmiths in the city, and both of them hit me with prices that were downright insane. Like, I could practically buy a house with what they were asking for.

And also while asking for the price, I tried the new feature that I unlocked.

[He thinks: You’re too young and a total idiot.]

Okay, wow. That stung a bit. I mean, maybe he’s not wrong, but still. A little harsh, don’t you think?

[He thinks: You’re a lowlife poor.]

Oh, perfect. Just what I needed. I laughed to myself, shaking my head.

I could already see where this was going. The attitude of these guys was probably going to end up in a crap sword, anyway. If they saw me like that, it’d only mess up the process.

So, I walked away. No sword today. Maybe next time.

But then I couldn’t wait.

I decided to make an early visit to Garrick today. I showed up at the building for his merchant guild, the Garrick Merchant Guild.

The place had two floors and was spotless. Garrick was a responsible guy, that’s for sure—he was all about cleanliness. I asked one of the workers kindly where I could find him, and after I showed the token Garrick gave me, they nodded and said he'd be here soon. They led me up to his office.

His office was just like everything else—tidy and organized. There were a few books scattered on the shelf, and naturally, I had to take a look.

"101: This Book Will Never Gonna Give You Up, Never Gonna Let You Down."

What? Was this for real? I chuckled.

"Zero to Hero in 300 Pages."

Okay, that’s a bit more reasonable.

But then—“How to Start Your Own Country.”

I stared at the book. "What kind of books is this guy reading?" I laughed to myself. Maybe Garrick had big plans.

Then it hit me—I hadn’t gotten him a gift yet to show my gratitude.

No...

I could always do it next time. Yeah, no pressure.

I waited for about an hour, tapping my foot. Then I saw him outside the window, and I quickly ran down to greet him.

"Alistair! It's good to see you visiting me like this," he said, his voice warm.

I nodded, feeling a rush of respect. "This is my first time inside, and I have to say, it's so clean! Oh, and I also want to thank you for the invitation." I bowed slightly.

He waved me off, grinning. "Ah, kid, you're always welcome. It’s the least I can do. Your father did so much for me, so I’m just returning the favor tenfold."

We exchanged a few more words, and honestly, it felt good to be around someone like him. Someone who actually cared.

We continued talking in his office, and he asked me how the Trial of the Arcane Flame went.

“It was fine,”

“But there was one person who really stood out, like he was in a league of his own compared to the other examinees.”

Garrick raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Tell me more about that.”

“He was just... different. He’s a year older than me, but already that strong. It’s crazy.”

Garrick nodded, like he got it. “Yeah, seeing someone like that can definitely push you to do more.”

“Exactly,”

Then he shifted the topic. “So, what brings you here today? Got something you need?”

I hesitated for a moment before asking, “Do you know any good blacksmiths around here? I’m looking to get something made.”

He scratched his chin. “I know a couple, but their reputations aren’t exactly stellar. People here in Vermillion don’t really speak too highly of them.”

I raised an eyebrow. Damn, I already met them.

He thought for a second, then shook his head. “I wouldn’t recommend them, honestly. But—”

He paused, like he was mulling over an idea. “There’s a blacksmith in the nearby city of Blackspire. It’ll take you a few hours to get there, but his work is top-notch. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him. His name’s Rurik. Trust me, he’s worth the trip.”

Blackspire... I made a mental note of the name. It wasn’t that far, so it was worth checking out.

After that, we sat back and played a couple of rounds of a game he had on his desk. We talked about his weird books again, and I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the titles.

"How to Start Your Own Country?" I said, shaking my head.

"I don’t know whether to be impressed or confused."

Garrick chuckled. "I just like to keep my options open."

I smiled, genuinely appreciating the guy. He didn’t have to help me out as much as he did.

We spent several more hours chatting. I made sure to thank him again, telling him I’d return the favor for everything he’d done.

Finally, I stood up, stretching my legs. “Thanks again, Garrick. I’ll make sure to pay you back, one way or another.”

He smiled, standing up with me. “Don’t worry about it kid. Just stay strong and you know, live healthy. Also, don't hesitate to visit again, you are always welcome here.”

I bowed to him, and we shared a laugh before I left.