Flash!
As soon as the blinding flash of white light vanished, the world settled into silence—no more howling winds, no more screaming youths hurling techniques and fists at each other, no more shaky ground or ocean mist stinging their skin.
Just crisp, fresh air, a steady floor beneath their feet, and a sudden stream of translucent, floating screens popping up in front of every participant's face like a system-wide announcement had just dropped from the heavens.
The words were clear and glowing golden in bold letters, as if trying to reward their eyes for all the trauma they'd just gone through:
[Congratulations! You have successfully passed the first trial!]
Right below that, a follow-up message sparkled into view,
[The second trial will commence in exactly one week. All successful participants are to report to Parisia for the final phase. Good luck!]
The moment Creed read the notifications, he let out the most satisfying, drawn-out sigh of relief his body could muster.
