After learning for some time, Conrad couldn't help but think about what he should choose.
He stood in silence, the mysterious void of the space around him offering no comfort. Only the distant shimmer of shifting stars beyond the black kept him from feeling completely alone.
Eventually, he turned to the admin and asked,
"How much time until the next trial, and how many questions can I ask?"
The admin responded in its usual cold, neutral tone.
"You will be spending two weeks of time in the Mystery. You may ask questions, but you may or may not receive answers."
Conrad smirked slightly at that.
"That's good to hear," he whispered, half to himself.
He closed his eyes for a moment, grounding himself. He wasn't impulsive like others might be. He had no illusions about being a genius or some chosen one. He knew how people like that ended up.
"Plenty of people must choose something like 'Time' right now," he thought. "All confidence, no patience. Thinking they're different—destined."
He opened his eyes again and asked,
"Do you know of any Conceptors who chose high-level Concepts at this point and then failed to progress?"
The admin took three long seconds before answering. Conrad noticed the delay—intentional, not mechanical.
"Empty Conceptors," it said. "That is the name given to them. These individuals overrate their intelligence, inflated by ego after surviving the first trial."
"Their arrogance leads them to choose high-level Concepts. But without the mental or emotional foundation to support their choice, they fail to earn even a single Title."
Conrad nodded slowly.
"What happens to them?"
The admin's voice grew colder.
"Without Titles, they receive no passive or active abilities to support them during trials. Most of them die. The survivors join stronger Conceptors as servants or slaves—trading loyalty for protection."
Conrad took a long breath and stayed quiet.
He didn't need to ask further.
He already knew.
But then he tilted his head, curiosity pushing him forward.
"You said most. So… are there people without Titles who still managed to keep going?"
This time, the admin answered immediately.
"There are. But they make up less than one percent. These are exceptional individuals who used their Mystic Points to enhance their physical and mental capabilities. That raw power gave them a temporary edge enough to survive."
Conrad nodded again, this time more slowly. He closed his eyes once more and thought in silence.
"If I choose a high-level Concept, I'll be stuck for who knows how long, trying to gain understanding just to reach one percent…"
"But if I choose a low-level Concept, I'll hit a wall too soon. No room to grow."
He sighed, then muttered under his breath,
"Which means I need something in the middle."
"A mid-level Concept I can grow steadily. Then, when I'm strong enough, I can risk a high-level one without gambling my life on it."
"That's the best path forward."
He began pacing again, back and forth. His expression turned grim, brows furrowed and jaw tense. The decision was eating at him. So many options. So many traps.
"There are limitless Concepts out there."
"What I need is something adaptable… something I can learn about easily. Something practical."
"The first thing that comes to mind is the elements: fire, water, earth…"
"But no. Those must be picked by everyone. I won't stand out at all."
He stopped and looked up into the void, trying to force inspiration.
"I need to choose something other people wouldn't even consider—something they'd overlook or avoid. Something strange but useful."
"Shadow, dark, light, death, fire… all the elemental and flashy ones are out."
He crossed his arms.
"Admin," he said, "is there a classification system for Concepts?"
The admin replied without emotion.
"There is. But you are not permitted access to it until you complete the second trial."
Conrad shook his head.
"You're not helping at all."
The admin remained silent.
Of course it did.
Conrad wasn't expecting sympathy from an artificial construct, but the lack of assistance stung all the same.
Still, he knew this was part of the Mystery—part of the trial itself. How many people failed right here, just by picking wrong?
Conrad paused, then asked another important question.
"Can a Concept be chosen later—during a trial, for example? And how does the process work? Does it happen instantly? Will I be protected while it's happening?"
The admin answered clearly.
"You may choose a Concept at any time. However, you will not be protected during the process. Once a Concept is chosen, you will be forced into a mental state where you imagine and recall every form of knowledge, emotion, and memory tied to that Concept."
"This process will determine your starting percentage."
"If it is high enough, you will receive a Title immediately. If not, you must continue developing your understanding over time."
Conrad nodded. "I see…"
That meant choosing something he already had a strong connection to would be smart. If he could get a Title right away, he'd gain abilities—real ones that could keep him alive.
He asked one more question, just to be sure.
"Can I choose a two-word Concept, like 'Fire Mage' instead of just 'Fire'?"
The admin replied instantly.
"No. Only one word. One main Concept."
Conrad let out a long, cold breath.
"Okay…"
He sighed, then changed the subject.
This wasn't the moment to choose yet. He still needed to prepare.
"For now," he said, "I want to spend my 100 Mystery Points to increase my Intelligence attribute."
The admin responded after three seconds.
"The enhancement will take two days. You will be unconscious during the process."
"Approve?"
Conrad nodded.
"Approve!" he said and one second later.
Darkness claimed him. His body went still.
And the void around him, for now, went quiet.