The moment the middle-aged man stepped forward on the obsidian platform, the enormous Central Assembly Hall fell into complete silence.
Thousands of aspirants stopped whispering.
Even the restless shifting of feet faded away.
The man stood calmly, his dark coat moving slightly in the faint breeze that slipped through the high windows of the hall.
His long hair was tied behind his head, and the Serpent Moon tattoo on his arm seemed almost alive under the dim light.
His gaze swept slowly across the ocean of young aspirants.
Then he finally spoke.
His voice was deep, steady, and carried effortlessly through the massive hall.
"As you all know… I would not come here for any trivial matter."
The words echoed across the stone pillars.
Several aspirants swallowed nervously.
Everyone knew that someone like Kael Varynshade—the Nine-Victory Champion of the Shadow Clan—would never appear somewhere like this without a reason.
He continued calmly.
"I am here for something that will only benefit the Shadow Clan."
The moment those words were spoken, the silence broke into quiet murmurs.
Not loud enough to interrupt him…
but loud enough that the emotions of the crowd became obvious.
Some aspirants immediately looked disappointed.
A boy near the middle scratched his head with frustration.
"Seriously? Just Shadow Clan matters?"
His friend sighed.
"I knew it… someone like him wouldn't come here for us."
Another aspirant folded his arms.
"Why gather the whole academy if it's only for the Shadow Clan?"
A girl nearby shook her head.
"Clan politics again."
A few students clearly felt disheartened.
Many of them were from completely different clans, or even independent families with no clan support at all.
To them, hearing that this event was meant to benefit the Shadow Clan sounded unfair.
One student muttered quietly.
"So we're just spectators?"
Another replied in a low voice.
"Relax. If he gathered the entire academy, then it must involve all of us somehow."
Still, disappointment lingered in several corners of the hall.
However, in another part of the crowd, the reaction was completely different.
Curiosity spread like wildfire.
A tall boy leaned closer to his friend with bright eyes.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"He said it benefits the Shadow Clan."
"So?"
"That means something huge is happening."
Another aspirant nodded excitedly.
"Exactly. Someone like Kael Varynshade wouldn't move unless the matter was extremely important."
A girl whispered eagerly.
"Maybe it's related to the Realm Sorcery System."
Several students nearby leaned closer.
"The system?"
"What about it?"
Another student lowered his voice.
"Haven't you heard the rumors lately?"
"What rumors?"
"That something strange has been happening."
"Strange how?"
"Apparently… a lot more humans are being summoned into the Realm Sorcery Trials."
Several students looked surprised.
"That sounds normal."
"No, it's not."
"How many?"
"Some say ten times the usual amount."
A few aspirants looked uneasy.
"That would overload the academies…"
Another boy whispered nervously.
"Maybe that's exactly what's happening."
Just then—
Kael Varynshade continued speaking.
"Recently, there has been an anomaly within the System."
The hall instantly quieted again.
Thousands of eyes focused on him.
"Countless humans are being drawn into the Realm Sorcery Trials at an unprecedented rate."
A wave of whispers spread across the crowd.
"So the rumors were true…"
"I knew something strange was happening."
"My cousin got summoned last month."
"Mine too."
Kael Varynshade spoke again.
"As you know, aspirants are not allowed to roam freely before their first official trial."
Many students nodded.
That rule had always been strict.
Aspirants remained inside academy territory until their trial began.
"However, due to the sudden increase in numbers, the academies are no longer capable of supporting every aspirant."
That statement caused a ripple of shock.
"So what happens now?"
Another student whispered nervously.
"Are they sending us away?"
Kael Varynshade raised his hand slightly.
The hall quieted again.
"Because of this anomaly, the System has made a decision."
His gaze moved slowly across the crowd.
"Both weak and strong aspirants will now be challenged with their first Realm Sorcery Trial."
The hall exploded with shocked murmurs.
"What?!"
"Already?"
"That's insane!"
Some aspirants looked pale.
Others looked excited.
A boy whispered nervously.
"I just arrived at the academy yesterday…"
Another responded.
"So did I!"
Kael Varynshade continued calmly.
"In this trial, all of you will be transported to the territories of your respective clans."
Some students looked relieved.
"So we're going home?"
But Kael Varynshade immediately added another statement.
"However, you will not appear within the protected lands."
The relief vanished.
"You will appear in the abandoned regions surrounding your clans."
Several aspirants swallowed nervously.
Those abandoned regions were known for being extremely dangerous.
Monsters, rogue beasts, and corrupted creatures often roamed those areas.
Kael continued.
"Some of you may appear near other aspirants."
A few students looked hopeful.
"That's good."
"At least we won't be alone."
But Kael clarified.
"If that occurs, it only means your clans share nearby territories."
The implication was clear.
Many aspirants would still end up alone.
He continued.
"Your task is simple."
Thousands listened carefully.
"Locate an Exalted member of your clan."
Several students nodded.
Exalted warriors were elite fighters capable of guiding young aspirants.
"Once you find one, they will escort you back to the human world."
Another student whispered.
"And if we can't find one?"
Kael answered before anyone could ask aloud.
"Alternatively, you may locate a teleportation gate within the abandoned lands."
That option sounded even more dangerous.
Teleportation gates were often guarded by powerful creatures.
Kael continued explaining.
"As you know, only two classes within the Realm are considered active classes."
Several aspirants nodded.
"These classes are ruled by Sovereigns."
His voice remained calm.
"All other classes are passive, ruled by Sanctified beings."
The difference between those ranks was enormous.
Sovereigns were nearly mythical.
Sanctified beings were powerful…
but still far below them.
Then Kael said something surprising.
"I, Kael Varynshade… will personally wait for the Shadow Clan aspirants within the trial."
The hall stirred again.
"He's going inside the trial?"
"That means he'll be in the Realm itself!"
Kael finished calmly.
"I will escort the Shadow Clan aspirants back to the human world."
Excited whispers spread among the Shadow Clan students.
"That's incredible…"
"We'll have a champion protecting us."
But Kael raised a finger.
His voice grew colder.
"However… only after you have fulfilled your call."
The atmosphere tightened again.
"I will not allow members of the Shadow Clan to grow sluggish or dependent."
Several students straightened instinctively.
"Complete your task first."
"Prove your worth."
"Then I will guide you back."
After speaking for several minutes, Kael paused briefly.
Then he continued.
"Now…"
His sharp eyes scanned the entire hall.
"It is time to explain the ranks of your Spirit Soul Cores."
Many aspirants immediately focused harder.
Because that topic would determine something extremely important.
Their potential.
Their future strength.
And whether they would rise as powerful warriors…