An open field — though small, yet content.Houses scattered across the plains,spread like cattle beneath the sky.
In such a common house,upon such a common land of the Old Rule,dwells such a common boy,bearing such a common dream:the dream to provide.
The sun rises.A lovely orange ray escapes into the diner.A boy sits at the table,waiting for the gift of love.
But when it does not arrive,he chooses to continue — hollow.
He gets up,fixes his black hair,and walks toward the door.
As the light kisses his face,he is wrapped in an emotion known as mother.The warmth of the sunfalls short beside the tear on his cheek —cold, yet somehow just as warm.
A breath is taken before the farewell.Some words are uttered:"Take care, Xitij. May you return safe."And others:"Yes... I will."
In the nations of the Old Rule,a trial awaits every youthwho shares the common dream.
After completing primary educationin a Bronze Hall,each must face the Trial —and overcome it —to earn passage into one of the Eight Silver Halls.
This rite beginsat the grand Registration Festival,held in the education capital of Inkraeth,in the blazing heart of Ardovale.
Xitij departs on his long journey —from the sun-fired lands of Tejorasya.
Here, in Ardovale,an azure-eyed boy sits at the registration center,gaze locked on the counter,trying to summon the courageto approach the man at the fifth table —the one who seems safest.
He overhears a nearby conversation:
The Trial's first phase lasts for three months.Within this time,wild creatures may be hunted for points.
Each successful killleaves a trace of blood energyscarred temporarily upon the participant's arm —a record of power, etched in living light.
Creatures are ranked by Battle Strength (BTS)and leave traces accordingly.
There exist twenty levels:
1: 1–3 BTS2: 4–10 BTS3: 10–20 BTS4: 20–40 BTS5: 40–60 BTS6: 60–80 BTS7: 80–110 BTS8: 110–130 BTS9: 130–150 BTS10: 150–170 BTS11: 170–200 BTS12: 200–220 BTS13: 220–250 BTS14: 250–280 BTS15: 280–320 BTS16: 320–400 BTS17: 400–500 BTS18: 500–700 BTS19: 700–1000 BTS20: 1000+ BTS — The Global Level
Within the Trial,no creature exceeds the 15th level.To qualify, one must earn at least 1000 points.
The beasts that roam the triallandsare all tamed summons —but even they may carry bloodlust.
Of the creatures each youth defeats,one may be chosen for the second phase —where the trial shifts from killing to taming.
To tame the beast is to claim it.To fail or kill it is to lose everything.
Victory means keeping the beast.Failure means the trial is over.
Final rankings depend onthe level of beast tamedand the total BTS earned.
From these ranks,the Eight Silver Halls make their selection.