At the second level of Allarion City, many structures floated in the air, suspended by runic circles. If one looked up from the ground below, they would see only clouds, as a great veil camouflaged the upper levels of the city.
At the very center, above Milward Borough, a garden filled with many flowers of varying colours hung in space. This was the Sagicious Garden belonging to the Verdant Order of the Gallipot.
Under normal circumstances, unawakened beings weren't allowed in the upper levels of the city. Today, however, an unawakened human with brown hair, blue clothing, and a kitten in his arms appeared in a room purely made of glass. Magenta runic symbols on the glass walls flared, then vanished.
Naturally, Lavron had never been to the second level and was bedazzled by what he saw. His eyes glowed with the wonder of a child on their first visit to a museum. All around him, an assortment of structures with different designs floated in the air; he could also see the city below through the clear, glassy floor.
They will surely love this.
"Isn't this lovely, Cooh?"
Cooh, who had been sitting in his arms with her eyes closed, opened them briefly, then—as if she wasn't interested at all—closed them again.
Lavron was here for a trial only unawakened beings could partake in. The Verdant Order of the Gallipot—a society of healers and apothecaries—had seen his stream and, after determining him to be a suitable candidate, had sought him out.
The order had offered him an irresistible deal: Lavron would get a pass to the second level in addition to a time‑limited streaming licence required for recording there, and in return, he would undertake a trial and retrieve a treasure on behalf of the order. Lavron couldn't miss the chance to gain more fans and had quickly agreed.
As he waited for his guide, Lavron decided to stream. He deployed a tiny robotic wasp drone he had recently bought. Using his Holocuff, Lavron controlled it to fly before him, then activated its camera. His stream immediately exploded with viewers.
For the first time in history, the second level of a first‑rate federation city was being streamed on Skylink.
"Hello, our lovely viewers. This is yet another day brimming with adventures. As promised, Cooh and I are venturing into yet another domain teeming with marvels."
He shifted the view from himself and made the wasp drone show the city below, then the floating structures around them.
"Today, we are in the second level of Allarion City. For all who have yet to see the Sagicious Garden, this is your lucky day."
"Meow."
Having been confronted by Lavron the previous night, Cooh understood the task at hand and engaged the audience.
After his announcement, comments started flooding in:
@Drax: OMFG, he's actually at the 2nd level
@Aller-Reff: what model are you using bro?
@Mekiow: I've been there before
@Aman_Elk: Sweet. You are back my guy. Are your parents super mega tycoons?
@AmberEllari: Isn't that place like super expensive to access. do you have a girlfriend @Adventurous-Lure?
@EmberSeeker: No embercrest.
@Yuna-Starfall: MEOW FOR ME AGAIN COOH
@CaveCrawler99: are you sure you're not an awakened? I'm starting to doubt you
Lavron was busy checking the comments and engaging the viewers when—from the corner of his eye—he saw a middle‑aged gentleman approach the booth. He wore fancy green robes and had a monocle.
A portion of the glass wall parted as he approached.
"Good morning, Mr. Styllus."
He stretched his hand toward Lavron as soon as he reached him.
"Good morning, kind sir."
Lavron replied, shaking his hand.
"Welcome to our Sagicious Garden. It is a pleasure to have you here. My name is Ellion Reegn, and I'll be your guide."
So, this was @Ellion_Green from Ulagram. The image of a young and cheerful youth in his mind shattered when the gentleman introduced himself. This was the member of the Verdant Order who had sought him out for the trial. To think he was an awakened!
"I'm honoured to be at your service, Mr. Reegn. Please guide me."
Ellion adjusted his monocle, then made a gesture toward the exit.
"Do follow me."
With that, the two of them moved from the outer glass fringe of the Sagicious Garden that housed the teleportation array. Soon enough, they arrived at the garden proper. There were people—most probably awakened—all around; some were brewing pills and elixirs in cauldrons, others admired the breathtaking view, while others simply walked about. They all had one thing in common: they wore green robes.
"The Sagicious Garden is a highly valued property of the Verdant Order. It houses many species of plants required in making pills, potions, and elixirs…"
Ellion began lecturing about the Sagicious Garden as he showed Lavron around, while Lavron streamed to his audience. Lavron, like the audience, listened attentively. Ellion explained so well that Lavron even grew jealous—if he wasn't careful, this man could steal his admirers.
Even Cooh—who, after her camerawoman status had been stolen by a bot, had been sleeping silently—opened her eyes and seemed interested in the lecture. By the time they had covered every section, Lavron possessed a plethora of knowledge about random herbs and ingredients used in brewing. The audience was highly content to have witnessed the second level of the city.
After the exploration, it was finally time for what he'd actually come here for. He wasn't allowed to record any longer and thus bade his audience farewell. He was extremely pleased to have acquired ten thousand more followers and had even pushed the mission progress to 67%.
I would need around two more streams to complete the mission.
Lavron and Ellion climbed a long staircase, and finally, they arrived at the very pinnacle of the garden.
There stood a huge apple tree, emanating an otherworldly and ethereal pressure. It had green, glowing leaves and white flowers that exuded shimmering golden pollen. On some branches hung red apples that looked extremely delicious.
"Listen carefully."
Ellion wore a stern expression.
"This trial is extremely dangerous. Even though you will not die, there is a high chance of losing your mind. Only with unyielding will and high perseverance can you come out unscathed. But, given your personality and tendency to take risks, I think you will be fine."
Ellion explained the trial to Lavron. After a long while, he was done.
"I have done my part and explained everything I know about the trial. The rest is up to you. To enter the trial, place your palm on the tree trunk after eating this apple."
He stretched out his hand, and one of the apples floated from the tree onto Ellion's palm. He then gave it to Lavron. At the sight of the tantalising fruit, Lavron immediately bit in.
It was succulent and extremely delicious, making Lavron experience bliss. He even wanted to request another one but decided against it.
He then noticed Cooh had been watching him as he ate and wore an extremely cute expression, making Lavron feel selfish and undeserving of being her owner.
Sorry, Cooh. I can only undertake the trial alone.
"Mr. Reegn, can you do me the favour of looking after my cat while I'm gone?"
He then looked at Cooh.
"Be a good girl and make sure to behave. Don't cause any trouble. I'll be back soon."
For some reason, she looked displeased and turned her gaze away from him when he spoke to her.
"No problem, Mr. Styllus. I'll look after your companion."
With that, he handed her over to Ellion. Cooh looked very pleased and rubbed her neck against his arms. Her purring said a lot about her attitude. If it were up to her, she would rather have Ellion as her owner.
Lavron, on the other hand, placed his hand on the tree.
His body turned to golden mist that flowed upward and disappeared into the flowers and leaves of the apple tree.
And the system, which had been silent for a long time, responded.
[Ping!]
Just then, the Holocuff on Ellion's wrist chimed.
He pressed it, and a holographic green panel appeared before him.
After reading the contents, his expression turned grim.
---
Meanwhile, in a seemingly endless white expanse filled with clouds, a young man with chestnut hair appeared. He floated in space, his clothes billowing smoothly.
Before he could check his system, an ethereal feminine voice filled his mind. It felt as though the world itself was speaking to him.
"Welcome, participant. Your trial starts now. Choose one door to proceed."
The world shifted, and nine golden clouds appeared before Lavron. The nine clouds swirled, and when they vanished, there were nine doors of different colours before him. Each rested on a golden cloud.
Lavron looked them over, then pointed at the green door—the one with a zero completion rate, the one he'd been advised against choosing.
If he was going to complete the whole trial, the order didn't matter.
"I choose that one."
There was silence for a moment.
"You have chosen the Door of Restoration."
The other doors descended into the golden clouds beneath them, leaving only the Door of Restoration.
The door then moved toward him and finally stopped just in front of Lavron.
"You may now enter."
Lavron stepped onto the cloud, feeling the forces holding him afloat disappear. He then opened the door and stepped inside.