Chapter 203 End of Exam
50 years later,
The world had revolved over half a century, undergoing significant changes.
Fewer than a thousand examinees remained, either succumbing to natural causes or falling victim to the world's aborigines.
Despite being sent into this world as children, surviving for over a century posed a huge challenge.
The calamities that they accumulated in the beginning, erupted killing them before the mission ended.
As for the inhabitants of this world, they had already adapted to the subterranean world.
Now, the new generation only learned about the surface world through history and picture books.
The subterranean world further thrived and became connected.
Shelters had been connected through tunnels, marking a new chapter in their subterranean journey.
...
In the previously Promised Land Shelter, now known as the Promised City, a bustling scene unfolded.
As the city leader and founders, announced their final presence in this world.
"Citizens of the Promised City..."
"We are here to bid our final farewell and perhaps convey our last wishes," The aged figure, Liam solemnly addressed his fellow citizens.
Living for over a century was a rare feat in a world where the average lifespan barely reached 50 years.
Even with various longevity potions, the aboriginal people in this world could only hope to extend their lives to around 80 years.
It seemed that their bodies were unique, offering them a chance to complete their mission.
However, even then they were still in their last breaths.
This announcement marked their last goodbye.
As they entered a hibernation period, hoping to survive to complete their mission of living a century in this world.
"From the first generation's search for water to the construction of the place we now call home, we have left our mark on this world," Liam continued.
The people below couldn't help but reminisce.
Hearing stories from their parents and grandparents that sometimes seemed like fantasies.
The world they had built with their own hands was something they now considered natural.
This is a testament to the sweat and blood they had sacrificed for them to live a carefree life.
They gazed at the elderly man on the podium, a living legend and the spiritual leader of their city.
"Now it is our turn to take off the reins, to allow you, the younger generations to lead the world," he declared.
"I hope that you will not disappoint us."
"I hope that you will continue to live courageously, carrying the torch from one generation to the next."
"Finally, I hope you will never forget that there is a surface above us, where we truly belong..."
Liam's speech caused sadness and conviction all over the place.
The older generation was a little sad about the passing of their idol.
The younger felt their responsibility and courage booming.
This speech was marked in history as the last eulogy of the most beloved ruler.
...
In a secure underground facility somewhere in the subterranean world.
15 people gathered, their eyes locked on each other.
Among them were Liam, Lily, Max, Nathan, Lyla, Lydia, Sam, Luke, Serene, Cyra, Neo, Amara, Ella, Zoe, and Yorticia.
"We're finally about to complete the test; this body is really uncomfortable to use," Max lightened the atmosphere as he tried to move vigorously.
"Don't be too active; you might have a heart attack," Ella patted his back.
"Tsk, everything is really getting old," Luke commented as he adjusted his prosthetic limbs one last time.
As a mechanic, having an aging body was a hindrance, so Luke replaced limps with bionic prosthetics.
"Damn, Brother, you should quickly remove that junk from your body; it's not good in the hibernation pod," Sam chided Luke, seeing that he still cared for his mechanical limbs.
Unlike Luke, who couldn't leave his work behind.
When Sam's body had deteriorated, making it impossible to work properly.
Sam had started to enjoy retirement, playing various entertainment games with his brothers and sisters.
"Alright, alright, sigh, how will I miss this baby..." Luke said slowly removing his bionic limbs.
"Sister, look, they look old and ugly," Lyla mocked as she clung to Lily.
Despite their age, the women didn't show any signs of age and ugliness.
Although they couldn't reverse their age, they could change their appearance.
Thanks to their constant maintenance and care.
Aside from being a little weaker, they looked like they were in their 40s or 50s.
As for the boys, they didn't like to go through all the trouble just for the sake of aesthetics.
"Don't worry; they'll be your cute little brothers again after a nap," Lily reassured.
"More than that, I'm more excited to meet Dad and Mommy," Serene chimed in.
"Who isn't? I still remember hugging Dad and Mommy. Oh, how nostalgic," Cyra said, reminiscing about their carefree days.
Now, having lived for over a century, she couldn't help but smile.
Fortunately, they would return to that world after a bit of sleep.
"Hey, I wonder how my little fox is doing?" Lydia mused, capturing the group's attention.
"They're probably living the life of kings," Lydia complained, thinking of her eagle pet.
Thanks to their father's wealth, their pets had the most luxurious homes and food imaginable.
Before they embarked on the trial, their pets were already at the 5th tier.
"Anyway, let's sleep quickly so we won't think anymore," Max urged the group as he hopped into the hibernation pod.
Soon, the others followed, one after the other.
After a while, only Liam and Yorticia remained in the room.
"Are you finally leaving this world?" Yorticia asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
She had long known that Liam and the others were different.
After all, what normal person could resist her seduction for a century?
"Yes..." Liam also gazed at Yorticia, looking a bit absentminded.
He had almost forgotten that Yorticia was an aboriginal in this world.
"Can you stay a little longer?" Yorticia said pitifully.
"I'm afraid I can't," Liam sighed.
"Then can you hug me one last time?" Yorticia requested.
"Hmm,"
Liam walked slowly toward her and gave her a firm hug.
This surprised Yorticia, as by "one last hug," she meant that she would be hugging him.
Throughout all these years, Yorticia was the only one who took advantage of Liam, taking the initiative whenever she could.
Now, Liam's willingness to hug her made her even sadder.
"You must never forget me," Yorticia said, kissing Liam.
After the kiss, feeling embarrassed, she hurriedly left the room, taking one last look at Liam.
Even after all these years of teasing Liam, this was their first kiss.
Feeling her lips, she couldn't help but smile.
"Just wait, pretty boy. You must never forget me..."
...
In the Etherium realm, in the city of Arcana, within Maximus' Manor:
One hundred days had passed since his children took the exam.
Anxious and eager, Maximus and his wives couldn't wait to see their children.
Witnessing their mental struggles, time distortions, and various forms of suffering.
Even Maximus began to question whether he had made the trial too difficult.
While it might appear as a simple survival mission, the primary difficulty of the trial lay in the time.
For these young individuals, who had only lived for a few decades, extreme time dilation could be perilous.
If anything went awry, it could drive anyone to madness.
The combination of the soul and time dilation made every sensation, sight, sound, and taste vividly experienced by the soul.
It presented an extreme challenge that could shape one's entire perspective on life.
Maximus, who had traveled through time, had experienced only a few decades of life before coming here.
Even then this experience still hugely affects him right now.
For his children, who had lived through a century of time within the trial, the effects were even more profound.
Soon, the souls of his children began returning to their bodies.
Before he could react, another energy, that seemed to come from the origin of the world, fused with their souls.
Maximus was sensitive to all forms of energy and noticed that this world's origin seemed to heal his children's souls.
It begins to revert them to a younger state, erasing the scars of time and making their soul stronger.
"Could it be that this is part of the trial?" Maximus muttered.
He recalled his own experience with extreme time dilation in the core student trial.
He realized that his knowledge and experiences of that world had been somewhat diluted.
Back then, he had been inexperienced and lacked knowledge, so he hadn't noticed.
Realizing that their souls had returned to their previous state, he couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
After all, having children who think and act older than him can be a bit awkward.
Soon, the virtual pods opened.
His children got up and looked at the adults in the room in a daze.
Without saying anything, his children rushed towards them, hugging them tightly.
Silence lingered for a few minutes as they allowed the children to reacquaint themselves with reality.
"Why don't we have dinner for a while?" Erica suggested.
"That's a good idea. Let's celebrate the children's successful completion of this trial," Maximus nodded.
"Furthermore, we have a lot to talk about," Maximus added, looking at Liam, Max, and Nathan.
Although they couldn't see explicit or private matters, they roughly understood what had been happening.
Hearing their father's words, the three boys couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Now that they were back to their childlike innocence, they couldn't help but be embarrassed about their previous boldness.
But seeing their parents again after a century, they were just thankful that they were back again.
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