Chapter 4: The Trial of Endurance

The black void shimmered around Riven like a silent sea of stars.

Before him, the glowing screen pulsed again.

[Awakening Trial Initiating…]
Pain Calibration Complete.
Countdown: 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…

Riven barely had time to brace himself.

The pain began.

At first, it felt like a sharp, biting chill crawling through his spine. Then, it intensified. Invisible blades raked across his nerves, fire spread through his muscles, and pressure clamped down on his skull as if the void itself wanted to crush him.

He screamed—but no sound came. His voice was swallowed by the emptiness.

This… this is unbearable…

Pain—both physical and mental—tore at him. Memories blurred. Every scar, every insult, every moment of weakness returned to haunt him like ghosts.

—A younger Riven, barefoot and bruised, sitting under the rain beside a crumbling shack.
—His mother’s frail voice whispering, “Stay strong, Riven. The world will notice you one day…”
—Children from the city mocking him, “Trash like you will never awaken anything!”
—The loneliness of empty dinners, cold nights, and silent tears.

The memories mixed with agony, turning pain into a forge—and his will into steel.

Most children of nobles and elite families were trained to endure this. They had been forged in the fires of combat drills and mental discipline. Riven had none of that.

He had only his will.

Outside the Platform

Back in the real world, the Awakening Platform glowed steadily.

Around it, crowds watched the digital timers on the display board beside each student's name.

A teacher muttered, “The time they stay inside… that determines everything.”

An official explained to a guest beside him, “To even be considered a low-tier Awakened, they must last at least three minutes. But it’s not easy. The pain in the mirror realm isn't something ordinary people can comprehend. It's worse than torture—like your mind and body being broken and stitched back together over and over.”

A legend was displayed on the screen:

[World Rank #1: Caelum Vireos – Awakening Time: 34 minutes 45 seconds]
Awakening Rank: SSS
Guild: Heaven’s Crown

Gasps rippled through the crowd as names began disappearing from the timer.

[Candidate Exited: 0:48]
[Candidate Fainted: 1:06]
[Candidate Exited: 1:29]
[Candidate Exited: 2:15]

More than 20% of candidates were already out in under a minute. By the two-and-a-half-minute mark, over 60% had fallen—some unconscious, others vomiting from the mental strain.

Back Inside the Realm

Riven’s vision was dark, stars flickering around him as his body twisted in agony.

He grit his teeth.

I won’t break… I won’t give them the satisfaction…

Every second stretched into an eternity. His muscles screamed. His bones felt like they would shatter.

And yet, deep inside his mind—through the haze of pain—a voice stirred.

A whisper.

“You still stand… curious.”

Riven’s eyes widened. The pain didn’t stop, but something else bloomed in the space around him—a presence. Ancient. Watching.

The display before him flickered.

[Unknown Energy Signature Detected…]

In the distance, something glowed—a faint light.

Drawn to it despite the torment, Riven began drifting toward the light. Every movement sent new waves of pain through him, but he pressed forward.

The light grew brighter. A crystal—floating in the void, radiant and warm. And familiar. It was the same crystal from his dream.

As he reached out and touched it, energy surged from the crystal into his body.

[Analyzing Candidate… Potential: Does Not Meet Requirements]
[Override: Potential Restructure Initiated]

The energy invaded him. Riven screamed silently. He couldn’t stop it, couldn’t resist.

[Commencing Body Destruction and Reshape Protocol…]

His body began to collapse inward—bones shattering, organs tearing apart, cells dissolving.

The pain was unimaginable. Beyond death. Beyond life.

Then came the growth.

Muscles regrew. Bones reforged. Flesh reknitted stronger, firmer. Divine energy wrapped around him like silk and steel.

[Body Reformation in Progress… Process Will Repeat Until Condition is Met]
[Condition: ???]

The cycle repeated.
Destruction.
Rebirth.
Screaming.
Silence.
Over and over.

Outside the Mirror Realm

More candidates emerged.

[Candidate Exited: 3:06 – Successful Awakening]

Others followed, clutching their heads or falling to their knees.

Five boys and girls from Riven’s school exited, all lasting around 8 to 12 minutes.

At 23:50, the son of the country’s third-strongest Awakened emerged:

Name: Zane Raellis
Rank: A
Guild Affiliation: Emberfang Dominion

At 24:02, three more exited:

Name: Kara Vynn – B+ Rank – Psychic Affinity
Name: Elias Morn – A Rank – Wind Affinity
Name: Mira Cael – A Rank – Ice Affinity

At 26:17, two more came out:

Name: Rylen Dross – A Rank – Lightning Affinity
Name: Seraphina Quell – A+ Rank – Spirit Affinity

At 27:43, Lyra Valtros stepped out. Graceful, barely exhausted.

“She’s the daughter of Draven Valtros…” someone whispered in awe.

The platform’s light began to dim.

Then names on the Awakening Board began vanishing one by one.

When Riven’s name disappeared, a hush fell.

Some assumed he failed.

But atop the tallest skyscraper in the city, belonging to Guild: Moonveil Sanctum, a woman stood, watching. Her cloak shimmered with constellations, and violet eyes scanned the board.

“…Interesting,” she whispered. “That one… doesn’t belong to the ordinary.”

She vanished in the wind.

A voice echoed from the stadium speakers:

“All successful candidates, report to the Registration Stone in one hour. The stone will determine your Awakening Tier and officially register you in the national and world leaderboards.”

Back in the Mirror Realm

Riven’s body floated in the void. Burnt. Rebuilt. Faint.

Then, finally…

[Condition Met]
[God Body: Acquired]
[God Mentality: Acquired]
[Awakening Process: Complete]

Golden markings burst across his skin—sigils of ancient origin, spiraling over his chest, arms, and back. A crest formed over his heart. Radiant wings of energy briefly unfolded behind him.

[Divine Authority Recognized]
[Awakening Tier: ???]
[You have awakened the Talent: Path of God]

Before his consciousness faded, a voice echoed through his soul:

“You are not yet ready… but the world will tremble when you rise.”

End of Chapter 4