Moonless Family Home.
Louise Moonless, Arthur Moonless, and Aoki Moonless sat in the cozy living room, leaning into their family discussion.
The soft glow of the lamps barely outshone the massive 4K television that dominated the wall.
As soon as the big announcement that shut down all screens appeared, Aoki went down from his room, just to see his parents in the living room, staring at the screens.
"What's happening–" he began.
"Shhh..." Arthur cut him off, pointing at the TV.
The screen showed Stark's face, as well as every other participant in the 15 squares.
"HIM?!" Aoki's reaction was immediate, his tone laced with disdain. "I knew he was bad news!"
From the start, Aoki never trusted Stark.
He'd been uneasy ever since Stark had visited their home for an offer to join the [Rift Conqueror's Academy].
The idea of someone that young, that mysterious, already aligning himself with such prestigious groups had rubbed Aoki the wrong way.
Plus, he dared to try and flirt with his sister!
Worse of all, they apparently live together now!
And now, seeing him here, as one of the last seven participants of that thing called the Domination Trial, Aoki's suspicions only deepened.
"What even is Stark's class, anyway?" Aoki muttered, glancing at his father.
Arthur looked at him, almost as baffled.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Considering his family, it should be [Soul Wielder]. But I've never seen him summon a [Soul Heart], not even once. And I've seen him fight."
Louise's voice was soft, her curiosity clearly piqued. "But these other participants... they're not just anyone."
She wasn't wrong.
The seven left in the trial were more than just participants.
Every surviving name was well-known and respected—some feared.
"Sora Gardenis..." Louise continued, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Who doesn't know about her?"
Sora's beauty and the "Gardenis" family name were extremely famous.
Then, of course, there was CEO, whose very name commanded influence and power.
Known as the head of the Amaterasu group, his presence in such a deadly trial raised questions.
Why would someone as influential as him risk his life? Was he forced into this?
But the most dangerous person among all of them was... Clever.
Stark didn't know it, and most people didn't since he was from another country in Rheria, but Clever was considered one of the most powerful people in his respective country.
He is able to take down level 600 bosses easily, and even manages against level 700s.
There were even rumors that if he used his entire potential, he could beat level 750 or level 800 monsters.
But who knows.
All that Arthur knew was that anybody who dared to defy Clever would die.
...
Gardenis Family Home.
In another household, the tension was equally high.
Mike Gardenis and Elise Gardenis watched in shock as they saw their daughter's face among the final seven.
"I... I don't know," Sini answered, fear edging her voice.
What the hell was Stark doing along with all of those powerhouses.
Even a single one of those participants would defeat their entire family 10x times over without breaking a sweat.
There was no chance Stark was like them, right?
You can't become so strong in less than 2 years... right?!
"He's with Sora Gardenis and Lilith Silent," Jay was baffled as well, why was his brother, much less popular than he was, with these two beauties!?
Both Sora and Lilith came from families with more power and influence than theirs, and possibly even more than the Moonless family.
Yet there was Stark, right by their sides.
The Heartsouls family could only watch, having chosen Stark as the [Chosen] participant they'd follow in this trial.
"Did he unlock his class?" Lara asked.
"Probably," Aiden muttered, though his gaze remained hard. "But the real question is... is it [Soul Wielder]?"
They couldn't watch Stark fight because of the lack of monsters, but soon enough they would.
Maybe it was to make the suspense higher in the entire world that the trial removed every moonscorched monster, actually, it would make sense!
...
And lastly, there was Lana.
Alone in her apartment complex, she felt a tangle of emotions as she watched the broadcast.
"Didn't they say they were going somewhere else?" she murmured to herself, trying to piece together the truth.
But, in opposition to all the others, who were shocked and/or worried, Lana, on the other hand was... relieved.
"PHEW!" She laughed, "And here I was thinking they went to have sex behind my back!"
She had thought about this possibility since they first spoke, but she couldn't stop Stark from having a relationship with Sora if he wanted.
The best she could do was wait for him, and see if he would like her to join.
Instead, he was in a trial that could kill him at any moment!
Her relief, however, didn't last long.
"WAIT WHAT?!"
As she clutched her phone, her fingers shook, her mind reeling at the dangers Stark would be facing.
She didn't understand why they both hid this from her, but there must be a reason.
Stark and Sora wouldn't betray her, she knew it, and Sora wouldn't play dirty in romance, maybe she would even be willing to share if it came to it, who knows.
But then why are they there?!
...
Around the world, the reactions varied.
Some were curious, others worried, and a few were dismissive.
But everyone was tuned in, watching closely.
Whether they were protective like Sora's family, bewildered like Stark's, or holding their breath in fear like Lana, one thing was certain: everyone was watching, waiting to see who would make it out alive.
The trial continued, and the world held its breath.
Back in the trial, the timer finally reached 0, and as the dark barrier that stopped them from leaving the [Hollow Tower Square] formed.
A message appeared.
[Get ready to fight.]