In the City of Arcana, within Maximus's Manor:
[0d:0h:1m:23s]
"One more minute," Maximus said as he sat, his gaze fixed on the countdown displayed on his token.
"Good luck on your trial, husband," his wife encouraged.
"Go, Dad, we'll cheer for you!"
His wife and children had set aside this day specifically to support and cheer for him.
"Thank you, with your support, I'm sure to succeed," Maximus replied with a smile.
"We'll be waiting for your victory, Father."
"Hmm, watch me," Maximus said confidently.
...
In the virtual world, at the official Student Trial:
Maximus opened his eyes and beheld thousands of doors of immeasurable size.
In front of him lay a sea of people, exuding a hint of liveliness.
"It's finally the official student trial!"
"I will surely pass this time."
After a thousand years of preparation, the time had finally arrived.
The crowd murmured as they cheered themselves on for the upcoming trial.
These people were seekers, occupying the majority of the origin domain.
For seekers, they only barely had rights living in Origin Domain.
While they also had access to credits system like official students, the price when they bought and use things is ten times more expensive.
Furthermore, even though all knowledge was available in Arcana Library,
Without the guidance of a teacher, you could only rely on yourself and fumble through.
Lastly, seekers' rights are low, and they didn't have the right to use more advanced facilities.
Like the time dilation chamber, official students can freely change the time flow as long as they have credits.
Seekers, have a limited quota, and can only go up to a thousand times.
As he wondered, he spotted three friends.
"Hey, Lilith, Ragnar, Silas," Maximus greeted.
The position you're teleported to is close to the friends you added to your token.
"Maximus, you're here," Ragnar greeted.
Over the past three months, they had met from time to time and had grown somewhat close.
Maximus and Lilith had grown even closer, but he dared not to cross the line.
After all, the sword of Damocles hung over him called big sister demon.
"Have you joined any guild?" Maximus asked.
"No, guilds usually determine your worth after the official student trial."
"If you join them now, you'll only get a lowly position," Ragnar explained.
"Oh, have you thought about what guild to join?"
"My father established a guild early on. I plan to join there," Ragnar said.
"I'll join any guild as long as it's not too troublesome, that it'll interfere with my training," Silas explained.
He was the most introverted among them.
Over these three months, Maximus had only met him once.
That was when Ragnar dragged him out of the time-dilation chamber.
"What about you, Lilith?"
"Uh, I'll join whatever you join," Lilith said.
She had no idea what to join, to be honest, so she just go with the flow.
"Hey, if you have time, consider joining mine," Maximus suggested.
"You're creating a guild?"
"But I heard you need to be at least Tier 5 to create one?" Ragnar asked.
"Of course not now, Anyway, I'll be tier 5 sooner or later," Maximus said.
"Indeed, it's fine to establish a guild later. I heard that my father also established his guild when he was Tier 5," Ragnar said.
"How about it, do you want to join?"
"We'll see how you manage your guild. I will join later to observe," Ragnar said.
If Maximus's guild showed a promising future, he would surely join.
Ragnar intended not to rely on his father's foundation if possible.
"I'll join if it's not too bothersome," Silas said.
"I'll join your guild, Maximus," Lilith said.
"Thanks, I will inform you after I set up the guild."
"Anyway, what kind of guild do you want to create?"
"It's a sea hunting guild, roaming the chaotic sea to search for treasure," Maximus said.
This is also his solution for dealing with the system items.
If he wanted to acquire treasures from his system without arousing suspicion, a sea hunting guild would be a suitable cover.
Unlike the Arcane Continent, where every location is marked, the Chaotic Sea is uncharted territory with many unknown treasures.
The Chaotic Sea is full of riches, as the chaotic energy can give birth to a multitude of different treasures and resources.
Even Tier 9 treasures can be found from time to time.
"It's quite dangerous. I've heard that sea hunting guilds hardly last for a long time."
"Even the EGCC, who roamed the chaotic sea needed to have an Apex Sovereign to establish fixed paths," Ragnar explained.
"What, are you scared?" Maximus mocked.
"Of course not, I'm just concerned for your safety," Ragnar refuted.
What a joke – Ragnar's body was filled with Tier 9 treasures; even in the face of an apex sovereign, he could endure for a long time.
On the other hand, Silas had already decided not to join Maximus's guild in the future.
Such a perilous venture was not something he could undertake.
Regardless, with his unique physique, sooner or later, he would ascend to the apex.
While they were exchanging words among themselves, the dean of the institute, Fealan, entered.
As he entered the bright sky suddenly become gloomy.
"Good day, seekers!"
"Today marks the beginning of the official student trial, which will last for a hundred days."
"You can choose one of these doors to determine your path."
"You might wonder why you should study these miscellaneous subjects."
"Why not just focus on your training?"
The students below fell silent.
They had heard this question countless times.
"Some believe that this is to enhance your mana amplitude."
"Some think that it's the path to wealth."
"Some view it as a way of fighting."
"All of these are correct."
"You cannot advance solely without these elements."
"Without enough mana amplitude, you can't progress to the next tier."
"Without wealth, you won't have enough resources to practice."
"Without this fighting approach, you'll be at a disadvantage."
"Unless you possess heaven-defying talent, if you wish to avoid mediocrity, you must choose one of these paths."
"Now, the official student trial for this term officially begins!"
The dark sky suddenly brightened as Fealan left the stage.
"What door do you choose?" Ragnar asked.
"I choose the path of alchemy," Lilith said.
"Mechanic," Silas said.
"I'm also going for the mechanic," Maximus added.
"Oh, I chose battle mage," Ragnar said.
"Why didn't you choose a proper profession?" Lilith was puzzled.
The path of a battle mage was likely the most violent among mages.
However, as the dean had mentioned, without enough mana aptitude, one couldn't advance to Tier 9.
"Hehe, you see, the dean said that without heaven-defying talent, you can't advance to Tier 9."
"But don't forget that my talent is ranked at 9," Ragnar proudly stated.
"As for wealth, I already have more than enough."
"And needless to say, the path of a battle mage is the most violent."
"Oh, right," Lilith nodded in understanding.
"Then we'll see each other after the trial."
...
Maximus and Silas walked towards the doors marked "Mechanic."
"Huh? Why are there so many?" Maximus asked, seeing hundreds of doors marked for mechanics.
"It's because, like alchemy, mechanics are divided into different types."
"Like robotic mechanics."
"Like Automobile Mechanic"
"There's also weapon mechanics."
"As long as a path reaches Tier 8, it can have its own door."
"The number of Alchemy doors is more than three times that of the Mechanic doors."
Silas explained, noticing Maximus's confusion.
"Oh, but I don't want to confine myself to just one path of mechanics. I want to explore all of them," Maximus said.
"Indeed, I also don't want to limit myself to specific paths. I want a broader world," Silas sighed.
"Look, that door looks quite distinct from the rest," Maximus said, pointing to a golden door with a subtly marked "Mechanic."
"This should be it!" Silas exclaimed as he walked toward it.
"Hmm."
The two pushed the golden door, and they were drawn inside.
...
In a wasteland world devoid of mana:
"Where am I?" Maximus's mind was still foggy as he tried to take in his surroundings.
This world was somehow different from the illusion trial.
Though he couldn't pinpoint the differences yet.
Perhaps it felt more real.
What Maximus didn't know was that outside, his physical body was enclosed by a void of gold metal, while surrounding mana gathered around him.
"Huh, what happened to father?" Lily, sharp-eyed, noticed her father's predicament.
"What's going on?" His wives also hurried over.
Seeing Maximus encapsulated, they were at a loss.
As they attempted to break the barrier, a virtual panel appeared.
[Official Student Trial: Maximus Shadowcrest
Special Mechanic Trial - Death Mode!!!]
"Death Mode?"
"What's that?"
One of his wives tried to access "Death Mode" to understand it further.
[The trialist has chosen the Golden Gate of Death. Success grants special student status. Failure results in death.]
"What?!"
While his wives and children were panicking, Maximus also looked at his mission.
[Survive in the wasteland for a hundred years.
Note: One day outside is equivalent to a year here.]
"A hundred years?!" Maximus was shocked.
He hadn't even lived that long, yet he was now expected to survive in this wasteland for a whole hundred years.
Moreover, he felt no mana here, and he couldn't even utilize his soul power to affect his surroundings.
Fortunately, he could still use his system scan, so he didn't panic too much.
Just as he began to relax, he spotted a colossal monster about hundreds of miles away.
The fact that he could see it from such a distance indicated that it was truly a world-threatening creature.
"I can't stay here," Maximus murmured.
If that creature noticed him, he would undoubtedly die.
Just as he was about to run, an undead zombie happened to pass by.
"Damn, is this a hell mode?" Maximus cursed.
He had just spawned, and there was already a group of undead creatures converging on him.
Furthermore, he couldn't mobilize his soul, and his body seemed as normal as that of a regular human being.
"System scan," Maximus commanded.
He couldn't take on hundreds of undead by himself, or he would be overwhelmed.
The system scan revealed a hidden sewer passage just a few meters away.
"Here," Maximus hurriedly opened the passage and jumped in.
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