Chapter 31: Inside the Lab

Examiner Maltrius stood at the front of the lab, his gaze sweeping across the 46 players seated in perfect rows. “These people were sent by the Detective Company last year,” he said, his voice cold and steady. “Back then, it was only paper exams. But now… the questions are inside the Animus.”

A low murmur ran through the room. Each player sat tense, aware that the prize, 10,000 GPD, would be awarded to only one victor. All 46 had agreed to spend 1,150 years inside the Animus. Completing all 250,000 quests was the only way to return to the real world. The trials ahead would test every skill, every power, and every ounce of willpower.

Maltrius tapped a button. A massive screen lit up with the player roster. He began announcing the teams:

Rynara Luthen, Female, 19, Soulflare, 5’9”, Fair skin, White-blonde hair, Indigo eyes

Kaelen Dravik, Male, 19, Ironroot, 5’8”, Medium brown skin, Dark brown hair, Red eyes

Fiora Malvek, Female, 20, Rock Spike, 5’7”, Fair skin, Dark brown hair, Brown eyes

Rynor Kestrel, Male, 21, Lava Surge, 6’0”, Tan skin, Red hair, Amber eyes

Alveris Nohl, Male, 22, Voidflare, 6’0”, Pale skin, Silver hair, Violet eyes

Luar Venrix, Male, 14, Shadow Vein, 5’6”, Pale skin, Silver hair, Violet eyes

Liora Dravik, Female, 18, Mudslide, 5’6”, Light brown skin, Brown hair, Green eyes

Dralen Vorn, Male, 22, Ironclad, 6’2”, Tan skin, Dark brown hair, Hazel eyes

Veyra Koln, Female, 19, Sandstorm, 5’8”, Light brown skin, Blonde hair, Amber eyes

Ofurd Malvek, Male, 24, Soul Echo, 6’0”, Light gray skin, Black hair, Indigo eyes

Tavric Nohven, Male, 22, Gale Claw, 6’1”, Light brown skin, Black hair, Blue eyes

Rynara Cireth, Female, 19, Thunderstorm, 5’8”, Fair skin, Silver-blonde hair, Violet eyes

Terra Veylin, Female, 20, Stonefist, 6’0”, Light olive skin, Black hair, Brown eyes

Kamil Dresven, Male, 19, Voidbind, 5’8”, Medium brown skin, Dark brown hair, Red eyes

Dralen Cireth, Male, 21, Cyclone Strike, 6’0”, Tan skin, Black hair, Sky blue eyes

Zyra Veylin, Female, 19, Skyflare, 5’7”, Light brown skin, Blonde hair, Blue eyes

Orvek Thalen, Male, 23, Air Surge, 6’2”, Tan skin, Dark brown hair, Green eyes

Lyra Malvek, Female, 20, Stormlash, 5’9”, Fair skin, Dark brown hair, Violet eyes

Lyven Drast, Male, 19, Thunderlash, 5’11”, Light brown skin, Dark brown hair, Electric blue eyes

Serina Vaylen, Female, 18, Frostwave, 5’6”, Pale skin, White-blonde hair, Ice blue eyes

Kaelor Trisven, Male, 22, Windstep, 6’1”, Light olive skin, Dark brown hair, Teal eyes

Mira Soltran, Female, 21, Icebrand, 5’8”, Light brown skin, Black hair, Ice blue eyes

Orvek Soltran, Male, 21, Soul Veil, 6’1”, Light brown skin, Black hair, Purple eyes

Dralen Vox, Male, 22, Night Lash, 6’0”, Medium brown skin, Black hair, Dark blue eyes

Sythera Noctel, Female, 19, Shadow Bloom, 5’9”, Pale skin, Dark purple hair, Violet eyes

Kara Veyris, Female, 20, Darkflare, 5’7”, Pale skin, Black hair, Amethyst eyes

Ravik Ontrane, Male, 23, Night Gale, 6’2”, Tan skin, Black hair, Dark blue eyes

Velora Kynth, Female, 20, Soul Reaver, 5’6”, Light brown skin, Dark purple hair, Amber eyes

Zerik Malvor, Male, 24, Shadow Spike, 6’0”, Grayish skin, Black hair, Red eyes

Lyra Solven, Female, 21, Eclipse Strike, 5’8”, Light brown skin, Black hair, Dark violet eyes

Dorian Veyris, Male, 21, Soulbind, 5’11”, Pale skin, Black hair, Purple eyes

Caelis Orvand, Male, 22, Pyroclast, 6’1”, Light brown skin, Red hair, Amber eyes

Syra Vellion, Female, 19, Dusk Mirage, 5’7”, Pale skin, Black hair, Violet eyes

Talia Kestrel, Female, 20, Shadowflare, 5’6”, Tan skin, Dark brown hair, Blue eyes

Rynor Elveth, Male, 24, Gale Fist, 6’2”, Tan skin, Black hair, Sky blue eyes

Selina Corvath, Female, 20, Frostwave, 5’8”, Pale skin, White-blonde hair, Ice blue eyes

Tavric Durnell, Male, 24, Ironroot, 6’0”, Medium brown skin, Dark brown hair, Hazel eyes

Fiora Luthen, Female, 19, Thunderstorm, 5’7”, Fair skin, White-blonde hair, Indigo eyes

Zyra Kallin, Female, 19, Flameheart, 5’7”, Fair skin, Auburn hair, Amber eyes

Orven Delmar, Male, 21, Lunar Mirage, 5’10”, Pale skin, Silver hair, Blue eyes

Kaelis Traven, Male, 22, Starfall, 6’1”, Light brown skin, Black hair, Violet eyes

Liora Veylin, Female, 20, Firestorm, 5’8”, Light brown skin, Blonde hair, Golden eyes

Mateo Varlen, Male, Unknown, Time Bending, 6’0”, Light olive skin, Dark brown hair, Teal eyes

Luar Venrix, Male, 14, Shadow Vein, 5’6”, Pale skin, Silver hair, Violet eyes

Ofurd Malvek, Male, 24, Soul Echo, 6’0”, Light gray skin, Black hair, Indigo eyes

Kamil Dresven, Male, 19, Voidbind, 5’8”, Medium brown skin, Dark brown hair, Red eyes

Maltrius’s voice echoed through the lab:
“Each of you will enter the Animus. Your body remains here, but your soul will feel everything: pain, growth, and age. Inside, you will all be 25 years old. Complete the quests. Survive the challenges. Only the strongest, smartest, and most resourceful will return.”

He gestured toward the Animus pods. “Step inside. The trial begins now. More challenges, more battles, and more guests are coming. What happens next will test everything you know about yourself.”