Spiritual Test (2) - Dream Architect

Astros took the lead in announcing the results. "Young people, you have experienced an interaction with mana. To understand its stigma is to experience this, especially during its sublimation with each rise in rank, so for you, at level 10, from white to bronze for the closest."

He raised his gaze to the tablet in front of him with a gentle expression, then sighed lightly. "There are too many names, so I'll only announce the top ten. For the others, please refer to the giant screen and look for your names."

In a clear, confident voice, he stated the top nine in this event:

Number 896 - Rin - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >80% (SS)

Number 601 - Shanna Matri - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >80% (SS)

Number 356 - Shen Yi - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >60% (S)

Number 589 - Shin Genryu - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >60% (S)

Number 124 - Yuuki Shenzhen - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >60% (S)

Number 801 - Hayashi Yoson - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >50% (A)

Number 002 - Nikito - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >50% (A)

Number 202 – Milion - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >50% (A)

Number 314 - Ebina Hona - Spiritual Absorption Rate : >50% (A)

After his announcement, Astros continued: "Here, the rate is approximate because it's complicated data to compile. For more precision, please go and get tested individually when you become awake. Finally, the last test is quite important, as it aims to verify your spiritual potential. I'm going to send you into a dream world where different runes will appear before you. At first, a one-line rune, then a two-line rune, and so on. When I sense that your mental state is weakening, I'll send you out of this world."

After this explanation, he gave the candidates a few minutes to prepare themselves mentally, while allowing the soldiers to prepare for treatment in case of any complications.

While almost all the candidates were concentrating, stressed at the thought of the final score and how their awakening would go, there was one individual who put everyone's nerves to the test by laughing out loud.

"Ahahahaha, that's hilarious, a 'C' Mr. Prodigy!" Rin and Alliong, as before, bickered, helping to change the other candidates' minds. Even if they were feigning anger, it provided a welcome distraction.

A few minutes later, everyone was ready. Astros raised his hands in front of him and whispered, "Dream World".

Suddenly, a huge purple rune materialized above his head, the largest application of his "Dream Architect" stigma, which was an auxiliary mental-type stigma.

From this immense violet rune, changing shape every moment, 896 smaller runes detached themselves and headed directly for the forehead of each candidate.

***

Rin awoke in a room measuring 5x5 meters, whose walls and ceiling were made of a strange substance, similar to a dark-gray liquid in perpetual motion. Small lights flickered inside, creating a dimly lit but soothing atmosphere.

"Weird, this stuff..." murmured Rin as he approached to inspect it more closely. He even tried to strike it, but no sound or sudden movement came, only his fist sinking slightly, absorbing all the impact.

"What's to be done here, then? He said something about runes..." he wondered. Just as he was examining the room, a rug and a cushion appeared, seemingly inviting him to sit down.

Making himself comfortable, Rin immediately felt his mind calm down, but a strange realization struck him: "Why is my semi-stigmata still active here? As if it weren't just a dream, but reality, or that it also functions in non-material places..."

As he pondered this riddle, tiny purple lights, like fireflies, began to converge in front of him to form a line. This formation was incredibly complex, far beyond any geometric form he'd seen before. It was baffling, defying all logic.

As Rin watched the rune form, he felt a slight mental pressure. The more he seemed to understand, or at least approach, the more this pressure intensified, albeit slightly. Then, at a certain point, the rune suddenly disappeared.

Just before Rin could assimilate this disappearance, a two-dash rune, resembling an "L", appeared in front of him. The mental pressure doubled, but he continued to stare at the rune with determination, convinced that the second he looked away, he would be eliminated.

***

In the gymnasium, at that very moment, as the rune on the candidates' foreheads unanimously changed to "L", some collapsed on the spot. The soldiers hastened to carry them to the side, while the lieutenant and Astros discussed Rin.

"I'm interested in this child. I intend to take him willingly or unwillingly to my Purple Tower, where I'll take him on as an apprentice. Slow down the information on the results of this ceremony as much as possible, little Jin," Astros declared, glancing at Rin with satisfaction as he spoke.

Unlike normal, Lieutenant Jin showed no internal struggle in the face of this blatant display of corruption. He stared at Astros without apparent emotion, then replied in a calm tone: "Mr. Astros, with all due respect, I value my life, and should the old 'Monster' of the slums learn of your intention to take him away "willingly or unwillingly", I fear for my safety, as well as that of many others. If you wish to confront a fallen high-level platinum awakened, do so, but without me, thank you in advance."

Instantly, Astros stared at Lieutenant Jin, cold sweat down his back. A primal fear invaded him. He remembered that incident ten years ago, during the Beast Tide, when "she" died. He'd unleashed a force so powerful that... No, it was better not to remember. Who knows if he could feel things like that? Let's forget little Rin. Fate willing, he'll come on his own. It's better this way.