Morning arrived slowly.
Soft golden sunlight streamed through the windows of the house, casting long warm beams across the living room floor. The quiet sound of morning birds drifted in from outside, giving the house a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
But despite the peaceful morning, today was not an ordinary day.
Today was Jade's sixteenth birthday.
And today was also the day he would be sent to his trial.
On the living room couch, Jade was sleeping awkwardly. One arm hung over the edge while his head rested against the cushion. The television screen in front of him still showed a paused combat tutorial from the previous night.
He had fallen asleep while studying combat skills.
After hours of training in the underground dojo and practicing techniques, exhaustion had finally caught up with him.
Then suddenly—
"Jade!"
A voice cut through the quiet room.
"Jade, wake up!"
Jade felt someone shaking his shoulder.
He groaned softly and slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Nora standing in front of him with her arms crossed.
Her expression looked annoyed but also confused.
Jade blinked several times and sat up slowly.
"What time is it…?" he asked sleepily.
"It's six in the morning," Nora replied.
Jade rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms.
Nora stared at him suspiciously.
"Oh," she said. "I thought you were already supposed to be gone to your trial."
Jade shook his head.
"No."
He looked toward the wall clock.
"I will be sent into the trial at eight a.m."
He stood up slowly and stretched again.
"So I still have two hours."
Jade sighed slightly.
"That should at least give me enough time to eat something… and say goodbye."
Just then, Jade noticed someone near the entrance of the house.
He turned his head.
Standing there was Asterion.
Jade's grandfather was dressed in a clean elegant suit. His posture was straight, and his hair was neatly combed as usual. It looked like he was preparing to leave.
Jade smiled faintly.
"Granddad," he said.
"Good morning."
Asterion turned around and smiled warmly.
"Oh, good morning, Jade."
Jade walked closer.
"Where are you going?"
Asterion adjusted the sleeve of his suit calmly.
"Back home."
He chuckled slightly.
"You know I only came here to celebrate your birthday."
"And now that the celebration is over… it's time for me to return."
Jade nodded slowly.
That made sense.
Then Asterion looked directly at him.
"Oh, and by the way…"
"Happy birthday."
Jade blinked.
For a moment he had completely forgotten.
Yesterday had been his early celebration, so the actual day didn't even register in his mind.
But today—
Today was truly his birthday.
Jade smiled.
"Thanks, Granddad."
Beside him, Nora had been standing quietly.
Her eyes had begun to shine slightly with tears.
She tried to hide it, but it was obvious she felt sad that her grandfather was leaving.
Without saying anything, Nora suddenly walked forward and hugged Asterion tightly.
Asterion laughed softly.
He gently patted her head.
"Don't look so sad," he said kindly.
"I will visit again."
Nora nodded quietly but didn't say anything.
After a few seconds, Asterion stepped back and looked at both grandchildren.
"Well," he said calmly.
"Take care of yourselves."
He raised his hand and waved goodbye.
Then something unusual happened.
Asterion's body slowly began dissolving into tiny particles of light.
Within seconds, he completely disappeared.
The living room suddenly felt quieter.
Jade stared at the empty space where his grandfather had been standing.
A strange thought crossed his mind.
"Soon…"
"I will be leaving too."
But unlike his grandfather, his journey would lead somewhere unknown and dangerous.
Nora wiped the corner of her eyes quickly.
Then she turned toward the door.
"I'm going to the park," she said casually.
Jade nodded.
"Okay."
Nora paused briefly before leaving.
Then she said quietly without turning around,
"Don't die."
She opened the door and left.
Jade watched her go.
Then he turned and walked deeper into the house.
Inside the main living room, he saw his parents.
Rylan and Seraphine were standing near the mirror getting ready for the day.
Seraphine was adjusting her outfit while Rylan tightened the sleeves of his training clothes.
Jade walked toward them.
"Good morning, Dad."
Rylan turned his head and looked at his son carefully.
His eyes scanned Jade quickly.
"You haven't been sent to your trial yet?" he asked.
Jade shook his head.
"No."
"In the next two hours, I will."
Seraphine stopped what she was doing and turned toward Jade.
Her expression softened immediately.
She walked closer and gently placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Son," she said softly.
"When you enter that trial…"
"Remember something."
Jade listened carefully.
Seraphine looked directly into his eyes.
"Don't fall prey to monsters."
She paused.
"Instead…"
"Be the predator."
Her words carried a deep meaning.
Jade nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Seraphine smiled warmly.
Then suddenly her body began dissolving into light particles.
Within seconds, she disappeared.
Jade watched quietly.
Then Rylan stepped forward.
The atmosphere became more serious.
Rylan looked at his son with pride.
"When you get there," he said calmly,
"Make our ancestors proud."
Jade met his father's gaze.
"I will."
Rylan nodded once.
Then he turned and walked toward the underground dojo.
Within moments, Jade heard the sound of the dojo door closing.
Now the house was completely silent.
Jade stood there alone.
He walked into the kitchen.
"If I'm going into a dangerous trial," he said to himself,
"I should eat something first."
He prepared a simple breakfast.
Bread.
Eggs.
And some fruit.
Jade sat at the dining table and began eating slowly.
As he chewed his food, he looked around the house.
The place suddenly felt very quiet.
"I will really miss everyone," he murmured.
Just then—
The system's voice appeared inside his mind.
"You will be sent to your trial in ten seconds."
Jade froze.
"What?!"
The system continued calmly.
"Countdown begins now."
"10…"
Jade quickly grabbed more food.
He started eating faster.
He had no idea what kind of food existed in the trial world.
"9…"
"8…"
He stuffed another piece of bread into his mouth.
"7…"
"6…"
Jade chewed quickly.
"5…"
"4…"
He swallowed the food hurriedly.
"3…"
"2…"
Jade stood up suddenly.
"1…"
"0."
A strange glow surrounded his body.
Tiny particles of light appeared around him.
Jade looked down at his hands.
They were slowly fading.
"What is—"
Before he could finish speaking—
His body completely dissolved into light.
The house disappeared.
The world vanished.
Everything turned black.
Jade suddenly found himself floating in a vast dark void.
There was no ground beneath him.
No sky above him.
Only endless darkness.
Jade looked around in confusion.
"What's happening?"
The system answered calmly.
"You are being transported to your trial."
The darkness slowly shifted around him like moving shadows.
The system spoke again.
"So please relax…"
"And enjoy the ride."
Jade took a deep breath.
His trial had finally begun.