The projected frame of Rowan was observed by all across the six towers in Elyon.
The seventh tower, which was in the capital city of Elyon, had no need for the projection since they were witnessing it in the flesh.
Rowan stood tall atop the podium, his white robe with orange diamonds glittering under the radiant sun. He scanned the lot present with a steady gaze, hands crossed behind his back, before finally speaking.
"To the Unranked gathered across the towers. I am Rowan, the First-Ranked Hero of Humanity." His voice boomed as if projected by speakers, but all he did was infuse his voice with Aether.
"Today marks a special day for humanity... a day where our young, brave warriors step into the Trials of the Towers and ascend as Ranked Heroes!" He paused, letting his words sink in.
Len stared at the figure displayed on the panel before them, a strange expression slowly creeping onto his face.
'Where do I know this guy from? Have I seen him before?' He frowned, racking his brain.
The man's face felt familiar... too familiar for his liking.
"As you all know," Rowan continued. "These towers... are not a gift. I see it as a mechanism of equivalent exchange.
"The Tower will test your strength, your will... and see if you're worthy. In return, it'll reward you with a fragment of its power."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone growing heavier.
"I will not lie to you... not all of you will return."
A heavy silence fell as everyone stared intently at the orange haired man as if glancing away would make them miss his next words.
"Some of you will fall in those trials... and some will fall to the hands of others who stand beside you now.
As hard as it may be... I urge you all as one humanity, to stand together and blaze through the trials with courage!"
"Together, you're stronger! Together, the trial is nothing but an obstacle blocking your path!"
He took a step forward.
"If you fall, let it be while pushing forward! If you rise... rise carrying the will of your fallen comrades!
As long as we stand together... humanity will remain unshaken!"
"Dedicate your heart!"
"FOR ELYON!" He yelled, slamming his right fist on his chest.
"FOR ELYON!"
The roar in response shook the very ground. Applause erupted from every corners, some wiping their teary faces with the sleeve of their shirts.
Meanwhile, the young candidates steadied themselves, their resolve hardening as they prepared for what lay ahead.
The screens flickered, and then finally, it went dark. And just like that, the next phase could begin.
Lucius finally led Len and Maya with Von tagging behind into the building. They passed through a vast hall, venturing deeper.
Len soon noticed the deeper they ventured, the tighter the security was.
Minutes later, they arrived before a door made from the same crystals of the tower. Lucius stepped forward and then placed his hand on the pulsing door.
A blue aura slowly seeped from his palm into the door.
The door began to open in a low rhythmic rumbling.
The room was insanely bright as if the sun had been trapped within it.
Surprisingly, they felt no heat. Rather, Len could feel his body reacting to the rich energy permeating the room.
His eyes finally landed on the source of the light, a little white orb hovering at the centre of the room.
"Alright. Hope you've got everything ready?"
Lucius finally spoke, staring at Von before staring at the two youngsters.
"They are ready. I made sure of that." Von voiced out with a serious expression etched on his face.
"Hold on, don't tell me we're entering it right now." Len muttered, taking in a deep, long breath.
"Of course. Take it as a privilege for being pure blood." Von answered, staring at Len.
Sigh.
"If you say so..."
Lucius approached the orb and then filled it with his aura.
The room further glowed brightly, and a dazzling transformation began to occur under the awed eyes of Len and even Maya.
The orb began to expand, forming a vortex that slowly took the shape of a swirling portal.
The portal was entirely white, with a few specks of blue swirling around its surface.
Lucius casually walked into it, his body disappearing into the portal.
"What are you waiting for? Go on in."
Len finally broke out of his stupor. Taking a glance at Maya, who was already walking forward, he followed behind.
Maya soon disappeared into the portal. Thereafter, Len followed through.
Len felt his vision clouded by luminous light floating in a dazzling spectrum. His body felt weightless with his senses dampened greatly.
The feeling finally faded as he appeared at the other side of the portal.
"This..."
Len muttered with a dazed expression.
They were at the foothold of the domineering Tower. He turned around, staring at the vast land and scenery.
Von finally appeared beside them, his bemused gaze falling on Len.
"Easy boy. Your eyes are about to pop out."
"Alright... we've finally gotten to our final destination." Lucius muttered, walking forward.
"It's time for you to enter the trial."
"Uhmmm... how do we do that?"
"Ha! It's nothing much. Just walk into the tower."
Len stared at Lucius with a frown. How were they going to enter something without a door?
Maya calmly walked forward, placing her hand on the shimmering surface of the tower. Her hand sinked into it, causing Len's eyes to light up in understanding.
Ahh. He had forgotten the world he was, still using the logic of his previous world in this bizarre world.
"Hold on!" Von voiced out, staring at Maya.
"I know how you feel, Maya. But don't let that distract you. I know you're gonna soar through the trial easily." He muttered, then a smile bloomed on his face.
"You are my granddaughter, after all. With all that, be careful. Trust no one.
Likewise you, boy." He said with a pause staring at Len.
"Your greatest foe there isn't the eldritch horrors or whatever the trial throws at you. It's ourselves. We humans."
"The trial is a place restricted to the Unranked. No law to stop them from doing whatever the hell they want." He continued. "And I don't need to remind you... give some humans freedom, and they become far worse than monsters.
In there, strength is everything. So you go in there and come out stronger than ever"
Staring at the duo with a bright smile, he uttered with pride.
"Give them hell."
Maya stared at her grandfather for a long time before flashing out a smile. "Dont miss me too much. I'll be back before you know it."
With that, she finally let the remaining parts of her body sink into the wall.
Len gave a slight nod at Von before entering. His body sinked into the pulsating wall, and in a flash, he was gone.
The area was drenched in silence, both men staring at the wall.
Sigh~
"You don't need to worry about them. If truly they learnt under you, it should be the other way round." Lucius voiced out firmly.
"Yeah. I'd believe in them." Von muttered with a sigh
"Let's go then. I've to ensure all candidates enter the portal before the trial can fully begin."
Both walked towards the floating portal they had come out from moments ago and then arrived back in the room.
Meanwhile...
The moment Len's body sunk into the tower, he was greeted by a white expanse.
[Welcome Aspirants... The trial will begin soon...]
Len remained in his position, waiting patiently as time flowed quickly. He didn't have to wait long, though, as the voice finally announced to him.
[All aspirants have successfully entered the Towers... Innate traits of aspirants have been awakened...]
[The trial will begin on 5...4...3...2...1...]