Stars of Destiny

Phaistos stood in the white room, his mind agitated with questions and fear. The voice resumed, breaking the silence with its cold demeanor.

[To advance, you must awaken your magical powers. For this, we need to assess your level of understanding of the elements. Do you wish to test your mastery of light or water first?]

Phaistos did not understand what the voice meant by that. Intuitively, because of the white room, he thought of light. Immediately, the voice resumed.

[I will ask you to reflect on the meaning of light and what you understand about light.]

Phaistos began to ponder his own understanding of the word "light". It seemed simple and silly, but as he thought, he realized that his thoughts were confused. To him, light was what allowed the world to be illuminated and to chase away darkness. However, he also understood that darkness did not flee from light, but was rather created by light. The interplay between light and darkness seemed more complex than he had initially thought.

[Analysis of your initial understanding of light: 1%]

[Let's see how you fare with the element of water.]

For the element of water, Phaistos felt more confident. Indeed, he was born on the island of Thera off the coast of the Aegean Sea. He had lived his entire life surrounded by water, so he expected a higher result. He then began to reflect on the deep meaning of water. To him, water was life, but also death. He had seen how rain could enrich crops, but he had also seen waves carry away ships. Water was like a paradox, both gentle and brutal, both patient and tumultuous, both a source of life and death. Surrounded by water, Phaistos had learned to fear water more than he revered it. Poseidon, after all, was known to be both one of the wisest gods and the most wrathful. He never forgot one of his grandfather's sayings: "Beware of the sea, for he who commands it imprisoned Ulysses for ten years for a single offense." This duality resonated deeply with Phaistos, influencing his thoughts as he tried to comprehend the element. After immersing himself in reflection, he awoke and heard the voice.

[Analysis of your initial understanding of water: 50%]

Phaistos could not believe his eyes. He suspected there would be a huge difference between his understanding of light and water, but he did not expect such a disparity. He could not decide if he was simply unfit for the element of light or too talented for the element of water. As Phaistos expected clarification from the voice, it gave none.

[Updating your data]

[Phaistos Astraeus]

[Magic Power: 5]

[Combat Power: 10]

[Light initial stage - 1%]

[Water initial stage - 50%]

[Spiritual Origin: B-]

[Lineage: ???]

[Talent: ???]

[We can now proceed to the true beginnings of this test. As previously stated, you must become a rank 1 apprentice to pass the test and be accepted into our academy. Here are the different ranks of apprentice:

Rank 1: Initiate

Rank 2: Apprentice

Rank 3: Disciple

Rank 4: Adept

Rank 5: Companion

Rank 6: Conjuror

Rank 7: Invoker

Rank 8: Scholar Mage

Rank 9: Arcanist]

[The names are merely honorary titles for each step on the path of truth. Typically, people refer to others by their rank only. For now, you can only be considered a rank zero apprentice, also called a mortal.]

[To become a rank 1 apprentice, you must raise your magic power to 10 and your initial understanding of your elements to 100%. As an apprentice with multiple elements, you must train both elements. Now, enter the corridor to your left.]

Phaistos was overwhelmed. He was already tired from his day's work, and now he was being bombarded with information that made no sense to him. Nevertheless, he did not dare to disobey. After all, the cold voice could very well be the personification of a god, which would explain all these incomprehensible phenomena.

Phaistos cautiously advanced towards the corridor. Due to his previous shocks, Phaistos hadn't noticed that his steps made no sound when he walked on the floor. This only heightened his fears about what he might find in this mysterious corridor.

To Phaistos' astonishment, there was nothing in this corridor. One couldn't even see the end of it. Without understanding the objective of the mysterious voice, Phaistos began to walk. As he walked, he began to reflect on the events that had happened to him since he had appeared in this mysterious room.

Phaistos couldn't make sense of this sequence of events. Nevertheless, he had managed to understand one fact: his destiny might be about to be written. Phaistos silently prayed in his heart: "I thank you, oh gods of Olympus, for allowing your humble mortal to fulfill his ambition."

His prayer echoed in the emptiness, offering a strange comfort amid his confusion. The most amusing thing about this situation is that the mechanical voice could very well have explained to Phaistos the true nature of the sponsors of this test. But it did nothing, after thousands of tests across the universe. It was established that the natives should not be rushed in their beliefs at the risk of breaking their minds.

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Phaistos didn't understand what was expected of him. He felt like he had been walking for hours but nothing had changed in his field of vision. His strength was gradually leaving him and soon his steps became slower and he noticed that he was sweating profusely. It was only then that he realized that the surrounding temperature had significantly increased.

The difference was laughable at first, which led Phaistos' body to ignore this external element. Nevertheless, now that Phaistos was becoming aware of his environment again, he immediately noticed the difference.

Looking up, he immediately understood when he felt his retinas burn. He closed his eyes in pain and prostrated himself.

"Sorry, oh great Apollo, I didn't know you were there. I did not mean to offend your greatness with my humble gaze."

High above the previously sterile corridor stood a golden ball of light that gently warmed the surroundings with its soft light. It hovered majestically, radiating an aura of divine power.

When Phaistos became aware of the environment he was in, the mechanical voice resumed.

[You will now undergo the first trial. To do this, you have been placed in an environment that can stimulate the elements. Given your weakness in understanding the element of light, the environment focuses on learning this element. Be careful, if you fail to improve your understanding of the elements, the heat will kill you.]

Phaistos, being a fisherman, had already witnessed the death of a living being up close. However, it was the first time he had heard of death in such a cold and detached manner. Cold sweat appeared all over his body, and it felt as if the environment had become as cold as a winter night.

He recalled the various legends that had shaped his culture and realized they often had one thing in common. The hero, despite his triumph, was always placed in a situation that could take his life at the slightest misstep. Steeling himself with this knowledge, he knew he had to approach this trial with caution and determination.

He would only realize years later that this realization would have a huge impact on his future achievements.

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Far away, in a dimly lit room thanks to various screens, a man was sitting. He was evaluating the five youths from planet 28456. His face was illuminated by the soft glow of the monitors, showing a mix of curiosity and amusement.

As he was amused by their misunderstanding of the situation, a voice was heard in the room: "Aldric, I think it's time to give them the maps to succeed in this trial."

Aldric, recognizing the voice of someone he couldn't stand, turned around and said, "Eldrin, couldn't you have a little fun? Look at them, they come from a world where only a few chosen ones know about magic. I don't even understand why they are given this opportunity."

Eldrin replied with a detached air, "I don't know, but I don't care. I came to tell you to follow the director's orders unless you feel capable of facing the consequences."

Without waiting for a response, Eldrin left, convinced that his words would be heeded.

"What a bore!" Aldric thought. He sighed deeply, turning his attention back to the screens.

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Before Phaistos could try to figure out how he could overcome this trial, the voice was heard again.

[Given the situation of the host's home world, the system will give you a meditation technique for one of your elements. Choose between light and water.]

Phaistos still didn't understand most of the words invoked by the voice. However, Phaistos knew about meditation. In Greek religion, there was a muse named Melete who was in charge of meditation. His father had taught him some basics of this art to avoid alerting the fish when he was fishing.

"This situation offers a very complicated choice. If I choose meditation for the element of light, I could catch up on my understanding of water. However, if I work on the element of water, it will give me more time to deepen my understanding of light. I think it is better to choose the element of water."

Phaistos felt that his reasoning was logical, but he remembered that he was in the realm of the gods. He was there to try to approach the position of these beings. He then understood that it couldn't be an easy exercise. Moreover, he remembered the blinding sun above him. He thought he shouldn't miss this gift.

"I have made my choice, I will opt for the meditation of light."

[Received. With your choice, the beginning of the trial can start. You will now receive the memories related to the meditation technique of light called "Dawn Vigil"]

Suddenly, a screen showing the time appeared in Phaistos' field of vision.

[168: 00: 00]

He didn't have time to analyze it before immense pain flooded his brain. A pain much more chilling than anything he had ever experienced in his life. After struggling for a few seconds, Phaistos fainted.