Everything was set.
Michael stood near the worn entrance of the building, the air around him heavy with anticipation. This journey—whatever it truly was—would either grant him power… or end him entirely.
"Alright, Michael," said the man known only as Mr. X. "You'll be traveling with three people—Petra, James, and Mark."
Michael glanced at them briefly, nodding. "And where exactly are we going? I thought the test would happen here."
Mr. X gave a faint smile. "No. The place where the test occurs… is far from here."
Michael frowned. "How far?"
For a moment, Mr. X didn't answer. Instead, he looked outward, as if recalling something vast.
"This world," he began slowly, "is made up of countless biomes. Far more than you could imagine. Hundreds… perhaps even more."
Michael listened carefully.
"Most people never realize this," Mr. X continued. "They stay within their kingdoms, never traveling far enough to understand the world beyond their borders."
He paused.
"I have traveled," he added. "That's how I know."
His voice shifted slightly.
"The place you're standing in right now… is known as the Golden Plains."
Michael's eyes lit up. "Golden Plains?"
Mr. X nodded.
"It's not a name many know. People usually refer to their land by the name of their kingdom. But among travelers… this biome is called the Golden Plains."
Michael leaned forward slightly, curiosity taking over.
"Can you tell me more about it?" he asked quickly. "I'm… from another kingdom, far away. I don't know much about this place."
Mr. X narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh? Which kingdom?"
Michael didn't hesitate.
"The Kingdom of Taured."
Mr. X paused.
"…Never heard of it."
For a moment, Michael thought he might be questioned further—but instead, Mr. X simply shrugged.
"Anyway," he said, "listen carefully."
And then—
He began.
"The Golden Plains are vast stretches of fertile land that glow beneath the sun. Endless fields of grain—wheat, barley, tall grasses—move like waves across the horizon."
Michael could almost picture it.
"The soil is unnaturally rich," Mr. X continued. "Dark. Soft. Capable of sustaining multiple harvests in a single year."
"Rivers flow through the land, branching into irrigation systems that feed countless farms. The climate is stable—long days, predictable seasons. It is the most agriculturally reliable region in the world."
He paused briefly.
"But what makes it truly unique… is its consistency."
Michael tilted his head slightly.
"Other regions suffer from magical disturbances, unstable terrain, or extreme climates. The Golden Plains… do not."
A faint seriousness entered his tone.
"Some believe the land is blessed. Others think something ancient lies buried beneath it—something that stabilizes everything above."
Michael remained silent, absorbing every word.
"Crops grown here are enhanced," Mr. X continued. "More nutritious. Larger. Stronger. Even livestock raised here are healthier than anywhere else."
Michael's eyes widened slightly.
"That's why," Mr. X said, "this place is the breadbasket of the world."
The weight of that statement settled in.
"Kingdoms depend on it. Armies depend on it. Entire regions survive because of it."
"And because of that…"
His voice hardened slightly.
"…everyone wants it."
Michael understood.
"Wars are fought over this land," Mr. X said. "Not to destroy it—but to control it."
He continued,
"The plains are heavily defended. Fortified towns. Watchtowers. Organized armies. Civilization here is dense and structured."
"Farmers, nobles, soldiers—everyone has a role. Life is prosperous… but controlled. Because even a small disruption here can affect the entire world."
A pause.
"In simple terms," he finished, "the Golden Plains are the heart of civilization."
Silence followed.
Michael exhaled slowly, his excitement growing.
This world—
It was far bigger than he had imagined.
But before he could ask more—
Mr. X straightened.
"That's enough," he said. "It's time to move."
—
Soon after, Michael and his companions prepared for departure.
Bags packed.
Supplies gathered.
A wooden horse cart stood waiting.
Without further delay, the four of them climbed aboard and began their journey—leaving the stability of the Golden Plains behind.
Their destination—
The Underwild.
A biome far less forgiving.
A place where the First Test awaited.
—
Meanwhile—
In another world.
Everything seemed… normal.
No one suspected anything.
The versions of Michael and William living there continued their lives as usual—perfect copies, indistinguishable from the originals.
Body doubles.
Unnoticed.
Undisturbed.
Until—
One day.
Tracy needed to speak with William.
There was something important—his cousin wanted to discuss the second volume of his novel, offer ideas, help him improve it.
She called him.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Frowning, she decided to visit his house directly.
When she arrived, she greeted his mother.
"Aunty, where are William and Michael?" she asked.
"Upstairs," his mother replied casually.
Tracy nodded and walked up.
She reached the room.
Opened the door.
And—
Everything changed.
—
In an instant—
She was gone.
—
Back in the other world—
William had been walking for days.
Endless paths.
Unknown lands.
Constant movement.
Until finally—
He saw it.
A kingdom.
It shimmered faintly in the distance, reflecting light in ways that felt almost unnatural.
As he stepped closer, the surroundings began to change.
Crystals.
Everywhere.
Towering formations rose from the الأرض like jagged trees, their surfaces glowing in shades of blue, violet, and emerald. Light refracted endlessly through them, casting shifting patterns across the ground.
This—
Was the Crystal Kingdom.
Located at the edge of the Crystal Forest.
As William entered, he noticed something immediately.
People.
Everywhere.
And every one of them… used magic.
Casually.
Naturally.
It was woven into daily life.
Merchants sold glowing crystals, potions, enchanted tools. Traders moved through the streets, exchanging goods that pulsed faintly with energy.
Crystals were everything here.
Currency.
Crafting material.
Power source.
They were used for jewelry, medicine, weapons—and far more.
William observed the people closely.
Their veins glowed faintly beneath their skin—bluish, almost luminous. Their eyes reflected light like polished glass. Their skin appeared smooth… slightly translucent.
There was something calm about them.
Controlled.
Radiant.
As if magic lived quietly within them.
William took a step forward.
Then another.
Finally, he approached a woman nearby.
"Hey… umm… miss?" he said hesitantly. "Can you tell me where I am? I'm… kind of lost."
The woman turned toward him.
"You're in the Crystal Kingdom," she replied gently. "Are you alone?"
William nodded slightly. "I… don't have a place to stay. And I haven't eaten in days."
The woman's expression softened.
"Then come with me," she said. "I'll take you home."
William blinked.
"R-really?"
She nodded.
"Of course."
Without hesitation, he followed her.
In this world, where countless races and beings existed, his presence didn't raise suspicion.
To them—
He was just another lost child.
—
And as William walked away toward an unknown home—
Elsewhere—
Another journey had already begun.
One that would soon collide with his own.