Zane and his team passed through the transparent beam of energy.
For a brief moment, darkness swallowed their vision.
When their sight returned, they found themselves standing on what looked like a floor of water—yet it wasn't water at all. The surface was solid and transparent, like glass, but beneath it…
Clusters of brilliant, star-like points shimmered, scattered endlessly below them.
The team froze, instinctively looking down, afraid their feet might slip through.
"The stars… we're standing on the stars?!" Har, the fatty, cried out, jumping in surprise.
Dar smacked him on the back of the head, as usual.
"Shut up, and look above."
Rubbing his head with a sheepish grin, Har tilted his gaze upward.
"Oh… I see. The stars on the floor are just the reflection of the sky."
A vast dark expanse stretched overhead, filled with constellations too brilliant, too alien, to belong to their world.
"Where are we?" Har asked, his voice quieter this time. His gaze finally settled on Zane.
By now, none of them needed to say it aloud—Zane had become their leader.
He was the one who had opened the gate to Titan Ruin No. 3345. He was the one who had slain the three-headed python with just two punches. The team's silent trust in him was absolute.
But Zane himself wasn't so sure.
System, where am I? What is this place? He asked inwardly.
He frowned and tried again.
Clicking his tongue in irritation, he muttered, "I have no idea where we are right now."
The team exchanged uneasy glances. If even Zane didn't know, what hope did they have?
A sweeping beam scanned over the five of them from head to toe, and a calm female voice echoed through the dark hall:
"Welcome to Solaris City, five humans from the outside!"
Everyone snapped their heads toward the source.
"You have passed the first hurdle to enter this city. Congratulations are in order. Now… let me give you a brief history."
The voice softened politely.
"Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself first. I am XoXo, the Guardian A.I. of Solaris City."
The glowing light pulsed once, as if acknowledging them, before continuing.
"This city was once home to the Atlantis—a species most similar to Humans of Earth. What you see here is but a post, a temporary recluse within this pocket universe. The Atlantis lingered here for four centuries, fascinated by its properties.
"But then… an oracle among them foresaw a great disaster coming to this pocket universe. After much debate, the Atlantis abandoned Solaris City and returned to their federation in haste.
"They left behind their resources, their treasures, and me—the city's guardian—entrusted to maintain protocols until their return. Should their descendants or anyone sharing their DNA appear…"
The voice grew sharper, almost amused.
"…they would be allowed entry."
The A.I. continued, her tone casual yet firm:
"But remember—this city was built by one of Atlantis' greatest explorers. It holds wonders… but also dangers. To safeguard its treasures, I established trials. The first, outside the gate—you have already passed. The next… is the Trial of Aptitude. Only those who prove themselves worthy may access certain sectors of Solaris City. Within, you may try your luck."
"For this trial, each of you will be asked five questions."
A sharp beep rang out, and the entire hall trembled. Cracks spread through the floor like lightning. The chamber is split into five isolated sections, each sealing one member of the team inside.
Tension rose instantly. Even Zane's teammates—who had faced death beside him—looked rattled.
Zane, however, forced himself to remain still. Fear would only cloud his judgment. From what he had gathered, the A.I. had no intention to harm them; this was protocol, nothing more.
Now, alone, with even his System eerily silent, he simply waited.
The voice returned, softer this time.
"Apologies for separating you from your teammates, Zane. It is necessary for the Trial of Aptitude. To make you more comfortable, I will assume a form."
A shimmer of light appeared before him.
A girl materialized—blonde hair, no older than thirteen, clad in a colorful shirt, skirt, and sneakers. She looked ordinary… perhaps too ordinary, the kind of image lifted from old Earth records.
Zane blinked, then smirked. "Oh, that's lovely."
"Thank you." The girl smiled, almost bashfully. Then her tone reset—precise, measured. "Now, the first question. Tell me about yourself, Mister…" She paused, as though remembering. "Oh, pardon me. Based on my studies of human etiquette, I believe it is poor manners to ask one's identity without offering my own first."
"No need, XoXo," Zane cut her off. "I've heard enough about you, and I understand what you are. I am Zane Carter, a human from Earth. That's as much as I'll share. I'm a new student at the Academy, here for a ranking tournament. The rest, you already know—from observing how I fought the beasts you sent."
Her youthful eyes glimmered with approval. "Good. Second question, Zane: Who is the current head of Earth?"
Zane raised an eyebrow at the oddly phrased question, but answered evenly.
"Earth isn't ruled by a single head. Our world is divided by vast oceans, separating different civilizations. Different cultures, languages, beliefs, and governments. Today, there are more than two hundred and fifty nations, each governed independently. So the rulers of Earth are its many governments."
The girl tilted her head, processing. "Fascinating. That is… new information."
She shifted again. "Third question. If I offered you one of three gifts—Wealth, Power, or Intelligence—which would you choose?"
Zane hesitated for a moment, then replied firmly: "Power."
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"Because Intelligence… I already have. I am human—my mind is the result of millions of years of evolution, still unlocking its potential. I don't need you to give me that.
As for Wealth—if I hold Power, I can acquire all the wealth I need, in any form, and in any amount. Wealth is only valuable to the weak."