As Nyxaris completed the Spirit Test, the forest around him felt alive, almost as if it were breathing with him. The ethereal deer spirit, having watched him overcome the trials, gave a final nod of approval before dissipating into the air with a soft, glowing mist.
"You have proven yourself worthy," the spirit's voice echoed in his mind. "The Forest's Blessing is yours. The path you walk now is intertwined with the very essence of nature. Go forth with this gift."
Nyxaris stood still, absorbing the gravity of the spirit's words. The forest hummed with energy, and for a brief moment, he could sense the flow of life in everything around him—the rustling of the leaves, the movement of the animals, the silent whispers of the trees. This wasn't just a game anymore. This was something real, something deep.
Before he could fully gather his thoughts, the sound of a system chime broke through the stillness. A large, golden screen appeared before him, a new notification flashing brightly:
[World Announcement]
"Nyxaris has completed the Spirit's Test of the Forest of Shadows. He is the first player to ever unlock the Forest's Blessing, a rare and revered power. His name will go down in the annals of history. Congratulations, Nyxaris!"
Nyxaris blinked in shock. "What?" he whispered, glancing around.
"It is going to get harder for me to hide?" he muttered, trying to process the magnitude of what had just happened.
Zeraldris, still resonating quietly within him, spoke up, his voice calm and almost amused. "It seems your actions have made quite the impression. You've just made history, Nyxaris. This will attract a lot of attention, both from players and the system creators."
Nyxaris exhaled deeply, his mind racing. He had never expected his actions to be so significant. This wasn't just completing a quest—this was a monumental event. The feeling of pride mixed with anxiety. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the attention.
But it didn't stop there. The World Announcement continued to reverberate across the game's world, and soon, Nyxaris's screen was filled with messages flooding in from every direction.
"Did you hear? Nyxaris just finished the Forest's Test—first one ever! I can't believe it."
"Who is this Nyxaris? First to complete that test? They must be insane."
"Is he recruiting? A player that strong so early… He could be the next big thing in this game!"
"Anyone know where Nyxaris is? I need to find him and learn what he did to unlock that blessing."
The messages kept pouring in. Some were admiring, others were competitive, and a few seemed desperate. But one thing was clear—his name was already spreading. His actions had drawn the attention of other players. There were even a few guilds sending invitations, eager to recruit him. But despite all the attention, Nyxaris kept his focus on the next step.
Before he could dive deeper into the barrage of messages, another World Announcement rang through the air:
[World Announcement]
"Nyxaris, the first to unlock the Forest's Blessing. His name has spread across the realm."
The second announcement hit like a thunderclap. The flood of messages intensified. Nyxaris could already feel the weight of expectations press on him. But before he could decide what to do, he quickly dismissed the notifications and focused on his next steps.
He turned back to the path, heading toward Astrid. His goal wasn't fame or recognition—it was simple. Survival. Strength. Protecting his family.
[Back in Astrid]
When Nyxaris arrived at Astrid, it felt different. There was an undercurrent of whispers in the air. Players glanced his way as he walked through the crowded streets, some of them recognizing him, others just curious about the recent World Announcement. But he didn't stop to engage. He didn't want the attention, not yet.
Inside the Mage's Guild, Master Volkan, an NPC mage Nyxaris had met before, was waiting for him.
"Ah, Nyxaris, I see you've been busy," Volkan said with a knowing smile. "I can see the world has taken notice of your actions."
Nyxaris raised an eyebrow but didn't respond right away. He didn't have the time to bask in his newfound fame—he was more interested in moving forward.
"I've been following your progress," Volkan continued. "Impressive work, young one. You've shown the world your potential, and I believe you've earned the right to take on something even greater."
Nyxaris was intrigued, but also a little wary. It wasn't the time to get caught up in grand schemes. "What do you mean?"
Volkan's expression turned more serious. "There is a trial—one that not many have even heard of, let alone completed. It's called the Trial of Evolution. Those who pass it are changed forever. Not just in power, but in nature. It is a trial meant for the brave and the gifted. And, Nyxaris, I believe you are both."
Before Nyxaris could answer, a new World Announcement echoed through the air:
[World Announcement]
"Nyxaris, the first to complete the Spirit's Test, has unlocked A special trial, the Trial of Evolution"
Zeraldris chuckled, his voice resonating softly within Nyxaris's mind. "It seems they're already making their move. You're quite the topic of discussion, Nyxaris. This trial could change everything."
Nyxaris took a deep breath, feeling the weight of all the eyes on him. But one thing remained clear: he wasn't going to let the game control him. "I'll take the trial," he said firmly. "But I'll do it on my own terms."
As he prepared to step into the unknown, ready to face the Trial of Evolution, little did he know, the creators of the game were in a frenzy. They had never anticipated a player like Nyxaris—one who had broken so many unspoken rules. His path wasn't supposed to unfold like this.
They watched, hoping that their creation would stay on course—but for the first time, they weren't sure what would happen next.