The air was saturated with silence as the wooden carriages lined up before the eastern gate of the training grounds.

  The protagonist and his friend stood amid the crowd, each carrying a simple bag.

  No words. Only heavy glances of farewell.

  Friend:

  “This is where we part ways… Each of us bound for a different citadel.”

  Protagonist: (meeting his gaze)

  “I’ll see you on the tenth floor.”

  Friend: (smirking lightly)

  “You’ll be late catching up.”

  Each boarded their respective carriage.

  The convoy began to move under the quiet watch of stationed guards.

  ---

  Pages 11–15: Road of Silence

  The road to the Sixth Citadel was lined with towering, soundless trees.

  Heavy clouds loomed overhead, as if they were watching—judging.

  Inside the carriage, the protagonist sat alone.

  His hand gently held the corner of the bundle given by his adoptive mother.

  He didn’t eat. He didn’t sleep.

  His features were calm, but his eyes scanned everything with quiet alertness.

  At rest stops, he noticed something odd—

  His carriage was always parked at a distance from the others.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  As if the guards feared him.

  Though he had no idea why.

  Protagonist: (whispering to himself)

  “What’s different about me…?

  I simply don’t know.”

  ---

  Pages 16–20: Arrival at the Sixth Citadel

  The gate of the Sixth Citadel loomed large—

  Carved into a black mountain wall, it looked like the entrance to another world.

  At the threshold stood a row of soldiers.

  As the protagonist approached, they lifted their heads,

  Then lowered them again without a word or salute.

  He was led inside through a long, cold hallway bathed in dim violet light.

  Escort Soldier:

  “Don’t ask questions.

  Don’t fall behind.

  Don’t talk back.”

  The protagonist walked in silence.

  He didn’t know where he was being taken—

  Or what awaited him.

  ---

  Pages 21–25: The First Glance

  Inside the Citadel, the walls were covered in ancient, undeciphered carvings.

  A set of double doors opened to reveal an inner courtyard where a group of trainees stood in formation.

  All eyes turned toward him.

  Trainee 1:

  “That’s him… the ghost who couldn’t light the crystal.”

  Trainee 2: (mocking)

  “Are we really forced to train alongside someone who doesn’t even have a spark?”

  The protagonist said nothing.

  He kept walking—his face composed, though one eye flicked around with cautious awareness.

  ---

  Pages 26–30: The Sub-Commander’s Office

  He was summoned to the office of the Sub-Commander.

  The man was bald, had a single eye, and sat behind a desk cluttered with thick volumes.

  The moment the protagonist stepped inside…

  A crushing weight hit his chest.

  The air grew dense.

  The aura the man exuded was invisible—

  But it could be felt in every breath.

  Sweat beaded the boy’s brow.

  His steps slowed.

  His heart pounded like a drum.

  Protagonist (inner voice):

  “If this is just the strength of a deputy…

  What kind of force does the Commander possess?”

  Sub-Commander: (without looking up)

  “Name?”

  Protagonist: (stammering slightly)

  “M-My name is Ethan… I’m fifteen years old.”

  The Sub-Commander raised his single eye, locking gaze with him for a long, silent moment.

  Sub-Commander:

  “Ethan? …

  We’ll see if that name has a place here.”

  ---

  Pages 31–35: The Stranger’s Quarters

  He was led to a solitary room.

  It contained only a stone bed, a hanging lamp, and a narrow window overlooking a dark, mysterious drop.

  Before the door closed, the guard left him with a cryptic warning:

  Guard:

  “If you hear strange noises… ignore them.”

  The night dragged on.

  Soft sounds drifted through the hallways.

  Breaths. Whispers.

  A low rumble in the walls.

  But the protagonist didn’t move.

  His eyes remained open.

  Awake.

  ---

  Pages 36–40: The New Day Begins

  The bell rang out with a pale sunrise.

  All the trainees gathered in the main courtyard, dressed in dull grey uniforms.

  The protagonist arrived late—

  Descending the steps slowly and calmly.

  Eyes turned to him.

  Some stepped away.

  Others clenched their fists.

  Sub-Commander (from the platform above):

  “This citadel does not show mercy.

  There is no order here.

  No ranks.

  Only those who survive…

  And those who are forgotten.”

  “Let the internal trials begin.”

  ---

  End of Chapter 3