[Congratulations! You are now C-Rank!]
[Your Existence have been strengthened]
[You have piqued the interest of the Goddess of Life.]
[The Goddess of Life finds your trial amusing.]
[The Goddess of Life peers into your past…]
[She finds your former life intriguing.]
[The Goddess of Life has decided to keep an eye on you.]
[She notices your newly acquired Title.]
[The Goddess of Life nods in approval.]
...
[Congratulations! You have once again performed an Extraordinary Achievement.]
[Congratulations! You are now B-Rank!]
[You have gained a new Extraordinary Title.]
[Life's Glance]
Effects:
[Aura of Serenity: Your presence soothes the weak. Allies below your rank feel calmer and steadier in your presence, reducing fear and hesitation.]
[Blessed Veil: You are partially concealed from lesser life-detection abilities. Skills or beings that sense vitality may overlook you unless they surpass your rank.]
[Life Resonance: All life-related skills and titles gain a slight effectiveness boost. Healing, regeneration, and vitality effects are strengthened.]
[Gaze of Warmth: When you lock eyes with a target, their soul instinctively steadies. Allies gain morale and resolve, while hostile beings of corruption or decay may falter.]
[Few mortals ever draw the eye of the Goddess of Life. To be glanced upon, even briefly, is both a blessing and a mark. Where you walk, vitality stirs, and corruption recoils.]
[It has come to notice that you now possess both Titles: Life's Glance and Death's Glance.]
[You have been marked as one who can influence the Cycle of Life and Death with little to no consequence.]
[Try not to misuse this authority…]
"Is that a threat?!" Bruce frowned at the prompt.
But then he sighed. At first, he had doubted, but now he was sure.
The Akashic Codex… it wasn't just a system. It was alive. It was a living entity, governing over the multiverse... Could he afford to oppose something like that? Definitely not.
He sighed again. Whatever the case, it was through the Codex that he had gained all he had so far. Without it, he wouldn't be here.
Meanwhile, the scenes continued. Each death new, each perspective different, unlike anything he had imagined, even as Earth's greatest surgeon.
Some lives were alien. Some were strange, some beautiful, some disgusting, some tragic, some joyous. Through it all, Bruce's perspective broadened far beyond anything human.
He gained thousands of years of experience in what felt like days. And with his photographic memory, every single moment, every life, every death, was etched into him permanently.
Yet… something gnawed at him.
Ever since he saw the panel that the Goddess of Life found his trial amusing, he couldn't shake the thought.
'What was amusing about this?'
'More importantly, what was the purpose of this trial?'
The Akashic Codex didn't act without reason. That much, Bruce was certain of.
'So what is its purpose…?'
Life came, life passed. Death came, death passed. Bruce experienced more of both... But the question lingered at the edge of every breath.
Until finally… it struck him.
'Is this what the Codex is trying to show me?
That even with the overpowered effects of my class skill, even if I can heal, adapt, and resist everything, I can still die?'
The thought shook him. It wasn't certain… but it felt true.
And then...
[You have discovered the purpose of your trial.]
[Very few Awakened ever think this deeply.]
[Exceptional!]
[You have gained a Title: The Observer.]
[Congratulations you're now A-rank]
[Your existence has been strengthened]
[ The Observer]
[Effects:]
[Comprehension speed of concepts is slightly accelerated.]
[You can sometimes sense the hidden intent behind trials, challenges, or system messages.]
[Mental resistance against illusions, corruption, and manipulations is increased — the Observer does not easily lose sight of truth.]
Time flowed on.
When the number of lives Bruce had witnessed reached a thousand, something finally appeared before his eyes.
[You have completed the Trial.]
[Congratulations on completing the Trial of a Thousand Lives and a Thousand Deaths.]
[Congratulations! You have reached A-Rank.]
Bruce's consciousness snapped back. This time, he was in his body again, standing where he had been before the trial began.
He looked around.
Only a handful of students had completed their trials so far. They spoke in excited bursts, voices overflowing as they shared their experiences, the titles they had gained, the ranks they had reached, and the overwhelming power coursing through their veins.
They were no longer the same as before. Each one radiated strength and confidence, brimming with power far greater than their past selves.
Bruce, however, remained still, quietly contemplating what to do next.
That was when he felt it, a warm hug from behind. Something big, soft and round pressed gently against his back.
"Yay! You're done with yours?"
Bruce turned, already knowing the voice. As expected, it was Sophie.
"Yes," he replied evenly.
"So, how was your trial?" she asked, tilting her head up at him, her red eyes shining with curiosity.
"Smooth…" Bruce let out a quiet sigh.
Sophie breathed out softly too, relief showing in her smile. "Mine went well as well. I still can't believe it… I managed to get three Exceptional Titles." Her voice trembled slightly with pride and disbelief. "It feels surreal, but I earned it with my own effort."
Bruce's gaze lingered on her, calm and unreadable. "…So you're B-Rank?"
"Yeah~" Sophie sang lightly, flashing him a bright smile that could have lit the entire hall.
But when she noticed the stoic expression still plastered across his face, the one she secretly admired, her brows furrowed just a little.
"Oh, c'mon Bruce. Cut me some slack," she teased, nudging his arm gently. "I'm your girlfriend, you could at least look a little happy for me."
Bruce paused. He had never once been treated this way in his life. He didn't quite know how to react… how to express himself.
"Well," he finally said, lips curving into a faint smile, "I'm happy for you."
It was a small smile. But for Sophie, it was everything.
Her heart fluttered violently in her chest. She could feel warmth spreading through her whole body, her face flushing in ways she couldn't control.