LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: Boundary
Chapter Thirteen: Boundary
"Now I believe you're truly ready to face the entry phase of the Astral Realm. What do you think?" Lillian asked, turning to Twilight with a bright smile on her face.
Dressed in a sleek purple tracksuit, Twilight let out a bitter chuckle and shook his head. The last seven days had been hell.
He had endured brutal physical training that pushed his body beyond its limits, experienced excruciating pain from his wounds, and suffered through countless sleepless nights.
Lillian hadn't been exaggerating when she said he would face hell. Not only had he been trained in combat, but even his advanced survival classes had nearly broken him.
She was just that terrifying.
Despite her slender frame and delicate beauty, Lillian was anything but harmless. Having personally experienced her prowess in battle, Twilight couldn't help but shudder at the memories.
However, great suffering came with great rewards. He couldn't deny that the training had transformed him.
He had learned several martial techniques under Lillian's guidance and was even taught an Earth-grade cultivation technique. Though he hadn't stepped into the first realm yet — having spent most of his time refining his body rather than cultivating — his progress was undeniable as he wasn't that far from breaking through.
His once thin, malnourished frame had filled out with toned muscle, and for the first time in years, he felt strong.
Alice, the Flame Empress, had spared no resources in training him, providing him with techniques, equipment, potions, and even a spatial ring that could be transported alongside his soul to the Astral Realm.
Twilight could confidently say that the version of himself from seven days ago wouldn't last a single minute against him now.
The only thing that concerned him was what he had discovered about his Fragmented Core, Abyssal Core, and Spirit Heart…
"You don't want to respond?" Lillian teased, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Don't tell me a few days of training traumatized you."
Twilight shot her a glare, making her giggle.
They were standing before a high-tech Astral Pod made entirely of reinforced glass. The sleek design alone screamed luxury.
Behind him stood both Lillian and Alice, the latter watching silently with a faint smile.
Today was the day he would finally step into the Astral Realm. Excitement burned in Twilight's chest.
"Okay, okay. Stop messing with him, Lillian," Alice interjected, noticing Lillian about to tease Twilight again. "It's time to send him off. Otherwise, the Sovereign System will do it for us."
Lillian pouted but remained silent.
Alice turned her gaze to Twilight, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"You've received enough training to survive and I have to admit that I'm terrified of your learning speed," she stated with a firm nod. "As long as you're not thrown into a death zone or some abominable land, you should have almost no problem reaching a checkpoint."
The sheer confidence in her tone made Twilight chuckle dryly.
"You don't have to call flags, Miss Alice."
Seven days ago, he wouldn't have dared to call the Flame Empress by her name, much less joke with her. But with she being his sponsor and him, technically her student, she had insisted he speak to her casually.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight stepped into the Astral Pod and lay down. Alice and Lillian gave him a firm nod as he closed his eyes, focusing on the connection to his Soul Mark.
The Soul Mark was the key to opening the Astral Realm. As long as one possessed it, they could enter.
This was one of the reasons why awakening ones potential was crucial, as only after awakening it would one be granted their soul mark by the Sovereign system.
Twilight concentrated on the small mark on the back of his right hand, feeling a tug at his soul — an invisible force pulling him toward an endless void.
He didn't resist, allowing the subtle glow radiating from his soul mark to engulf his body.
Darkness enveloped him as his consciousness left his body.
---
[Astral Realm – Initialization]
[Chosen, welcome to the boundary of the Astral Realm.]
[Scanning…]
[Creating character status…]
[Awakening latent talents…]
[Creating Astral Character…]
[Please enter a nickname for your Astral Character.]
Twilight found himself floating in an endless void, standing atop a small black platform.
Hearing the Sovereign System's prompts, he pondered over a suitable nickname.
Astral Characters were perfect replicas of a player's real body, but they only existed within the Astral Realm — similar to avatars in a video game.
After a moment, he spoke:
"Light."
[Nickname has been taken.]
Twilight sighed. It wasn't surprising. With millions of players across the world, common names were bound to be taken.
More than anything, he simply wanted to keep his identity hidden in the Astral Realm. He had already offended several major powers by refusing their sponsorship.
"Night."
[Nickname has been taken.]
Another sigh escaped his lips.
"Fallen."
[Nickname has been taken.]
"Eternal."
[Nickname has been taken.]
Twilight groaned in obvious dissatisfaction.
"Black Void."
[Nickname has been taken.]
His frustration mounted to a boiling point and he couldn't help but roar:
"DAMN IT!"
[Nickname has been taken.]
Twilight froze.
A chill ran down his spine.
Some poor soul — probably just as frustrated as he was — had already registered that as their character name.
For a moment, he felt grateful that it hadn't been his official title. After all, nicknames couldn't be changed and would follow the user till their inevitable end.
The thought alone made him shudder.
Taking a deep breath, he thought for a few seconds before muttering:
"Sorrow."
[Nickname has been acknowledged.]
[Player Sorrow, welcome to the Astral Realm. Become a First Stage Spirit Apostle to choose your class.]
***
Author's Note: The player status refers to those without a sponsor, while the Seeker one refers to those with a sponsor. However, the term 'Player' is often used to generalize all people from Earth who enter the Astral Realm. This is why Twilight is referred to as Player Sorrow instead of 'Seeker' Sorrow. In the end, Seekers are just players with higher privileges. Just like nobles are still humans.