THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

As David and Ray approached the secluded area, they found themselves in an open courtyard surrounded by vibrant flower hedges. The air was fragrant with the scent of blossoms, a stark contrast to the weight of the trials that loomed ahead. Ray, ever dutiful, bowed slightly and spoke in a calm, formal tone, "I must take my leave, Master David. The others will join you shortly." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving David alone in the serene garden.

David exhaled heavily, feeling the strain not just from the impending test but from the morning's earlier indulgences. His body still felt drained, a lingering reminder of Katrina's voracious appetite during their steamy encounter. He shook his head slightly, trying to cast aside the haze of fatigue. "Katrina…" he muttered under his breath, a smirk playing on his lips. The memory of her ravenous energy made him feel a mix of amusement and exhaustion.

Maybe after the test

, he thought,

I'll visit her and settle the score

.

But there was no time to dwell on it. He clenched his fist, twisting his wrist to stretch the tension from his muscles. He needed to focus. The trials ahead would require all his mental and physical strength. This wasn't just any test—it was a defining moment, one that could shape his destiny. He couldn't afford to be distracted.

Taking a deep breath, David mentally commanded his system to open. A familiar interface flashed before his eyes, an ethereal screen only he could see. He navigated swiftly through the options, his eyes scanning the neatly organized inventory. His focus narrowed on the two key items stored within. These weren't just any possessions—they were crucial to his survival and success in the trials to come.

As he scrolled through the inventory, his mind wandered briefly, thinking about how far he had come. The trials of the De Gor family were brutal, designed to weed out the weak and elevate the strong. Nobles, commoner bastards—all gathered here with the same purpose: to prove their worth. The items in his inventory represented his preparation, his edge in this upcoming battle.

[Inventory: This storage space exists in a separate dimension, accessible only to its user...........]

[Items: 3]

[weapon: Frostfang, Voidshaper Sleeve]

[artefact: Chameleon's charm]

But beyond that, they symbolized the expectations placed upon him. He wasn't truly the noble character "David" they all assumed him to be. In reality, he was Mark, a mixed martial arts master from Earth who had seen the darkest depths of hell and fought his way through it. His strength came not from noble blood, but from the raw, relentless will of someone who had already conquered insurmountable odds. Mark had been underestimated before, and that was always his greatest advantage.

Closing the inventory screen, David steeled his nerves, his mind sharp and focused now. The moment of reckoning was near, and soon the courtyard would be filled with the other candidates, each vying for their chance to stand out.

But for now, David allowed himself a moment of calm, standing in the midst of the serene flowered hedges, his thoughts and emotions in perfect balance as he awaited the coming storm.

David stood at the heart of the courtyard, surrounded by the vibrant flower hedges that danced gently in the morning breeze. He closed his eyes, centering himself, and felt the familiar surge of energy building within him. Light motes began to coalesce around his hand and arm, shimmering like tiny stars awakening from slumber. With a focused thought, he summoned his weapons: two ethereal daggers, their forms both elegant and deadly, materialized in his grip. The daggers glinted with a metallic sheen, illuminating the air around him as he swiftly sheathed them behind his improvised leather combat vest.

As he adjusted the fit of the vest, a dark sleeve adorned with intricate runes slid over his arm, a powerful artifact known as the Voidshaper. Its very essence seemed to resonate with the energy of the void, promising untold potential. David's curiosity piqued, and he quickly expanded the description of the Voidshaper in his mind, eager to grasp its capabilities and integrate them into his battle style.

[Weapon Type: Magic Tool]

[Name: Voidshaper]

[Rank: SR(+)]

His eyes widened with excitement as he read on. Despite being a lower rank compared to his Frostfang daggers, the Voidshaper boasted upgradeable properties that tantalized him with possibilities.

[

Description:

A powerful and mystical armor piece that harnesses the essence of the void, allowing the wearer to manipulate space, matter, and telekinetic forces with extraordinary precision. Here are its unique abilities: LOCKED

]

Each word unfurled before him like a promise, igniting a sense of ambition deep within. David envisioned the battles ahead, picturing the enemies he would face and the tactics he could employ with this newfound power. The thrill of combat surged through him as he contemplated the mastery he could achieve.

However, the thought of upgrading the sleeve weighed heavily on his mind. If only there were a way to earn Dimension Coins, he mused, which would allow him to unlock its true potential. Just as he began to strategize, the atmosphere shifted around him. He sensed movement and the gathering of people, pulling him from his reverie.

The courtyard filled with the rustling of cloaks as nobles and commoner bastards alike congregated, their faces a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. A variety of cloaked mages flanked them, their presence commanding respect. Among them, Ray reappeared, his demeanor steady as he approached David.

"Master David," he called out, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "The time has come for you to join the others. We need you to take your place among the candidates."

David straightened, determination igniting in his chest. He felt the weight of expectation, not just from the nobles who watched with scrutinizing gazes, but also from the commoners who yearned for a chance to prove themselves. The Voidshaper sleeve wrapped around his arm felt like an extension of himself, a reminder of the potential he possessed.

With a final glance at his shimmering daggers, David stepped forward, ready to face whatever trials awaited him, fueled by the knowledge that he was more than just a name in the De Gor lineage. He was a force to be reckoned with, ready to carve his own destiny in a world that underestimated him.

Ray stood at the center of the grounds, the early morning sun casting a warm glow over the assembled candidates. They were a motley crew, each face etched with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He raised his hand, signaling for silence. "Gather around, everyone! We have a crucial moment ahead of us."

As the candidates formed a circle around him, the air buzzed with anticipation. The mages, draped in robes that shimmered with ancient symbols, positioned themselves at the perimeter, their expressions serious and focused. The atmosphere thickened with an electric tension, a palpable energy that made the hair on Ray's arms stand on end.

"Listen closely," Ray continued, his voice steady and authoritative. "We're about to be teleported to the designated part of the trial. I need each of you to brace yourselves. This will be unlike anything you've experienced before."

A wave of confusion rippled through the group. Whispers broke out among them—questions flying like startled birds. "What do you mean? Where are we going?" But before any of their concerns could take root, Ray held up a hand to quiet them once more.

"Trust in the mages. They have guided many before you, and they will guide you now," he assured them, though he could feel the knot of anxiety tightening in his own stomach. He had been through this before, but each time it felt like standing on the edge of a precipice, looking down into an unknown abyss.

The mages began to chant, their voices melding into a harmonious cadence that vibrated through the ground beneath them. Each syllable was laden with power, ancient and resonant. As they spoke, orbs of light flickered to life around the candidates, crackling with electricity, illuminating the ground like stars in a twilight sky. Read the latest on M-VL-emp,yr

Ray watched as the orbs swirled, casting dancing shadows over the anxious faces of the candidates. Some of them looked up, eyes wide, while others clenched their fists, readying themselves for whatever lay ahead. The atmosphere became charged, a storm of magic coiling around them.

Then, with a suddenness that took everyone by surprise, a rainbow-hued beam of light shot down from above. It enveloped them, bathing the candidates in a kaleidoscope of colors. Ray felt the warmth of the magic seep into his skin, igniting something deep within him. The moment felt timeless, suspended between breaths, as the world around them began to blur.

"Hold on!" Ray shouted, though he could hardly hear his own voice over the roar of magic swirling around them. In an instant, the candidates felt the ground beneath their feet disappear. The sensation of weightlessness surged through them, and before they could grasp the enormity of what was happening, the light intensified, a blinding flash that swallowed them whole.

In the next heartbeat, the ground lay silent and still, the only evidence of their departure a patch of scorched earth where they had stood moments before. The grass, crisp and blackened, whispered secrets of the extraordinary journey they had just undertaken, leaving only the lingering crackle of magic in the air. The mages exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of satisfaction and vigilance, knowing this trial would challenge the candidates in ways they could not yet comprehend.