Chapter 8
New Worlds
Shiro groaned as he sat up, a sharp pain flaring in his lower back.
The academy's common-room sofa was not meant for sleep.
He stretched his arms above his head and winced. Maybe a real bed would be nice once in a while.
As he stepped into the hallway, the morning buzz of students filled the air chatter, footsteps, laughter. Shiro felt their eyes on him again. Not friendly. Not curious. Just... judging.
Being a commoner at an elite academy like this made him a walking anomaly. In this world, social class defined everything. Commoners weren't just rare they were considered fundamentally lesser. Limited access to resources, education, opportunities. They were supposed to stay at the bottom.
So when Shiro walked through those marble halls, he didn't just stand out he disturbed the balance.
He glanced at his hand. For a moment, it felt like his connection to his god was fading.
Strange, he thought. He had never actually spoken to his god, but the bond had always been there steady, strong. Now it felt... thin. Distant.
He shoved the thought aside and entered his next class.
The room gradually filled with students. Shiro took his seat. Aurelia, elegant as ever, sat beside him with a small nod.
At the front, Professor Myrrh looked more animated than usual. His face had a rare flicker of energy as if today's lesson actually mattered to him.
He grabbed a marker and began writing on the whiteboard: the numbers 1 through 8.
Then he turned to face them, sighing.
"Welcome back," he said. "Today, we're talking about ranks and what they really mean."
He pointed to the number one.
"When you reach the age of ten, a god may choose to form a bond with you. With one god, you are a Possessor. With two: a Bearer. Three: a Harbinger. Four: a Warden.
"Each of these ranks marks a rise in both power and responsibility. Possessors can do the basics support, defense, minor offense. Bearers are stronger. Harbingers shape the battlefield. Wardens... they reshape the world around them."
He turned back to the board and wrote more numbers, continuing the explanation.
"After that comes the higher tier. Five gods: an Enlightened. Six: a Conduit. Seven: an Eclipsed. And eight..." His voice dropped, almost reverent. "Eight gods makes you a Divial."
The room went still.
"Divials are as close to gods as a human can be," Myrrh continued. "Only five are known to exist. Five who've chosen to show themselves."
Then his voice deepened. Something cold entered the room. An unseen pressure.
"But beyond even them... is one more."
Myrrh's tone darkened, and the lights seemed dimmer. "The final rank. Not a person. Not a god. A being beyond definition. Its true name cannot be spoken, knowing it kills you. Seeing it kills you. It created the gods. It reaches into distant dimensions... and drags people from their worlds here."
He paused, letting the silence stretch.
"They call it... The Observer."
Gasps echoed through the room. Some students stiffened, others whispered to their neighbors.
Aurelia raised her hand.
Her golden hair shimmered as she asked, "Where are these people from the other universes?"
Myrrh nodded. "Great question. Well, we are from the original universe. But we're also the weakest. The Observer saw how feeble we were barely able to survive on our own and decided to test us. Strengthen us. So, it began bringing in people from other worlds—stronger ones. Gifted ones. Most of them start with two or more gods."
Angry muttering broke out across the classroom. Students were not thrilled about being told they were weaker than outsiders.
Aurelia raised her hand again. "You didn't answer the full question. Where are they?"
Myrrh blinked. "Ah, right. That begins after your first year here."
He stepped closer to the front.
"Once the year ends, the Observer will evaluate everything about you, your strength, your will, your power. If you pass... you'll undergo something called a Rebirth, which will grant you access to a place called The Aetherveil."
The class went silent again.
"Pay close attention now," Myrrh said seriously. "This is going to be a lot to process."
Shiro leaned forward, alert. Around him, quiet whispers floated everyone trying to make sense of what they were hearing.
"The Aetherveil is a gateway," Myrrh said. "It connects to other worlds. The next world you visit is where you'll earn your second god. Right now, we are in the world called Earth in what you know as Korea. The Aetherveil allows you to travel between different realms, but only after completing your studies at each academy. One world, one god."
He paused.
"Do you need a second god to move on? No. But you'll be at a massive disadvantage. And luckily, you can always return to Earth between transitions."
Shiro's mind reeled. He still couldn't shake the image of that final entity The Observer. Something beyond gods. Something watching.
Just as his headache began to settle, Myrrh picked up again.
"I'll go over the worlds you'll eventually reach. Each has its own laws. Each, its own danger."
He pointed to the board and began listing names.
1. Earth — Safe. No major flaws.
2. Miralune — The moon controls gravity. At night, gravity shifts and becomes erratic. Never fight without proper gear after sunset.
3. The Red Obryss — An underground world. You can only surface on Thursdays or the first of any month. The rain causes pain, madness, hallucinations.
4. Portalis — Random portals appear across the land. Some lead to treasure. Others to death. They vanish only when explored.
5. The Ecliphar — The sun rises just once a week. Shadows are alive. Light attracts creatures. Danger is constant.
6. Fearful — Your own fears manifest into monsters. Your doubts physically weaken you.
7. Drouven — Rain enhances everything—your stamina, strength, magic. But afterward, droughts last for weeks. The land shifts. Terrain changes.
8. [Unknown] — Home of the Divials. No information. No known survivors.
Myrrh set down the marker and exhaled hard. "Class dismissed."
The students stood, slowly stretching, faces pale and quiet.
Shiro remained seated for a moment, his mind racing.
Will I even live long enough to reach those worlds?
He finally rose. There was still an hour left before his next class time enough to train.
He met Aeris near the dorms, and together they changed into training clothes. No words were needed between them.
They headed straight for the White Room.