The first few moments as Trial-King were a dizzying deluge of information. As Astraeus stood firm before his volatile companion, the God System worked in the background, interfacing with the pocket dimension's core programming. A translucent map, visible only to him, materialized in his vision, overlaying the twilight forest. It was a live, topographical chart of the entire Elysian Proving Grounds. Dozens of small, flickering lights appeared on the map, each one representing a student who had just been scattered across the realm. Most were stationary, still unconscious or disoriented from the forced dimensional transfer. A few, however, were already beginning to stir. He could also sense the dimension's key locations: a shimmering lake to the east, a jagged mountain range to the west, and directly at the center, a floating island with a single, ruined citadel. That, the system noted, was the 'Throne,' the main control center for the Trial-King.His immediate priority was to establish a base of operations. The central citadel was the obvious prize, but it was also the most conspicuous. Every ambitious student would be heading there. Instead, Astraeus's gaze, both his own and the one on the system's map, fell upon a deep, shadowed valley carved between two of the western mountains. It was defensible, secluded, and strategically positioned. It would serve as their temporary sanctuary while he assessed the other players and the capabilities of his new, unwilling 'instrument'."We are moving," Astraeus announced, his voice firm. He looked at Kha'Zul, who was still observing the world with an air of profound boredom and disdain. "Follow me."Kha'Zul did not respond, but when Astraeus turned and began walking towards the mountains, the demon fell into step behind him, a silent, menacing shadow. The compliance was unsettling. It wasn't the obedience of a loyal servant; it was the patient stalking of a predator that knows its prey has nowhere to run. Every step of the way, Astraeus could feel the demon's immense will pressing against the contract, testing it, searching for the slightest weakness. The journey was not just a physical one; it was a constant, silent battle of wills, a tightrope walk over a chasm of annihilation. He had to project an aura of unshakable confidence, even as the system privately warned him that the contract's integrity was fluctuating with Kha'Zul's volatile mood.
As they moved through the crystalline forest, the world began to awaken. The other students, having recovered from the shock of the transfer, were beginning to take stock of their situations. On Astraeus's mental map, the flickering lights started to move, some cautiously, others with bold purpose. He saw a cluster of three lights near the shimmering lake—likely a group of friends who had landed together—already moving as a unit. He saw a lone, bright light making a direct, confident beeline for the central citadel. This was probably one of the academy's top students, powerful and arrogant, eager to challenge his claim as Trial-King. The game was afoot.Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed through the forest, followed by the crackle of magical energy. On his map, one of the student-lights near their path flared brightly and then abruptly went dark.[Participant #84 has been eliminated,] the system stated calmly. [Cause: Encounter with a native predator, 'Crystal-back Lurker'.]Astraeus paused, turning his attention to the direction of the scream. Kha'Zul also stopped, a flicker of mild interest in his burning eyes. This dimension was not an empty stage; it was a functioning ecosystem, filled with dangers designed to test the students. This was an element Astraeus had not fully accounted for. His authority as Trial-King gave him control over the dimension's 'rules', but not its native inhabitants. They were wild cards."Amusing," Kha'Zul's voice echoed in his mind. "The lesser beings in this cage hunt each other. Shall we go watch?""No," Astraeus replied, his focus returning to their objective. "The lesser beings are not our concern. We secure our position first."He resumed his pace, but the incident served as a stark reminder. He was not just contending with the other students and his own demonic companion. He was in a hostile wilderness. His physical stats, while improved, were still mortal. A single mistake, a moment of distraction, could lead to a swift and ignominious end at the claws of some local beast. He had to rely on the system's analysis and Kha'Zul's power to navigate this treacherous new world. His 'instrument' was a double-edged sword that could protect him from the world, but could also turn on him at any moment.
They reached the entrance to the shadowed valley within the hour. It was a narrow pass, easily defensible, with high cliffs on either side. As they stepped through, the system immediately began a detailed scan of the area.[Scanning Sector Gamma-7. High concentrations of ambient energy detected. Cave system present. Warning: The primary cave shows signs of habitation by a territorial creature.]Astraeus came to a halt at the mouth of a large cave. The air here was heavy, and the ground was littered with massive, splintered bones. A low, guttural growl emanated from the darkness within. This was the lair of one of the dimension's alpha predators. For any other student, this would be a place to avoid at all costs. For Astraeus, it was the perfect fortress."This will be our base," Astraeus declared."The current occupant may disagree," Kha'Zul noted, a hint of amusement in his tone. He seemed to be enjoying the prospect of a confrontation."Then you will persuade it to leave," Astraeus commanded, turning to face the demon. This was the first direct, practical order he had given. It was a test. A test of Kha'Zul's compliance, and a demonstration for his own benefit. He needed to see what his weapon could do.Kha'Zul looked from Astraeus to the dark cave entrance, and for the first time, a genuine, predatory smile touched his lips. It was not a smile of joy, but of bloodlust given a momentary release. "As the King commands," he purred, the title dripping with sarcasm.The demon took a slow step towards the cave. He did not draw a weapon or gather energy. He simply raised a hand and crooked a single finger, a gesture of beckoning. The guttural growl from within the cave intensified into a furious roar, and a massive creature charged out of the darkness. It was a behemoth, a bear-like beast twice the size of an elephant, its back covered in thick, razor-sharp crystal plates. It was likely the same species that had eliminated the other student. It thundered towards Kha'Zul, its charge shaking the very ground.
The Crystal-back Behemoth was a creature of immense physical power, a living engine of destruction. It was a monster designed to be a significant challenge for a whole team of skilled mages. Against Kha'Zul, it was nothing.The demon did not move. He simply watched the creature's charge with an air of supreme indifference. Just as the behemoth was about to crush him, he sighed, a soft, bored sound. He lifted his hand, palm open. The air in front of him shimmered, and a perfect sphere of absolute blackness, no larger than his fist, materialized. It was not a spell; it was a hole in reality, a pocket of pure void.The behemoth slammed into the sphere, and all sound ceased. The creature's immense forward momentum, its furious roar, its very physical substance—it all just vanished into that tiny point of nothingness. There was no explosion, no blood, no gore. One moment, a raging, twenty-ton monster was there, and the next, it was simply gone, consumed and annihilated so completely that it might as well have never existed.Kha'Zul lowered his hand, and the sphere of void winked out of existence. He glanced back at Astraeus, his burning eyes holding a clear, unspoken message: This is a fraction of what I am. This is the power you think you can control.Astraeus met his gaze, his face an unreadable mask, refusing to show the awe and terror that churned within him. He had witnessed a display of casual, conceptual destruction that dwarfed any magic he had ever known. He had commanded the end of a world to clear out a cave. The system's warnings about the contract's fragility echoed in his mind. He had his base, but he had also been given a terrifying glimpse of the consequences should his control ever slip."The cave is clear," Astraeus said, his voice steady despite the hammering in his chest. "Let's go inside. We have a war to plan."He turned and walked into the now-silent cave, the new king of this strange, hostile world, with the ultimate apocalypse walking silently at his back. The trial had truly begun.