Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"We have three people already passing the first two trials," The announcer spoke. "They are none other than the stars of the 7 Star Strategy Games - Ceil Skyborn, Adrian Lighthaven, and another freshman student Aurelius Avondale. Unfortunately, we can't see the process with our own eyes but since it is a rule, we have to respect it.

Thankfully, we can see their progress using a special spell cast in the Ruin and each of the contestants."

Adrian, unaware of the crowd's reactions, focused solely on the task ahead. The chamber he entered was vast, with intricate patterns etched into the walls and floor, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The air was thick with anticipation as if the very ruins themselves were holding their breath.

He took a cautious step forward, and the chamber responded, shifting and morphing around him. Illusions began to form, but this time they were more abstract—shapes and patterns that seemed to defy logic and reality. Adrian's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the shifting landscape, his instincts guiding him through the maze of illusions.

After what felt like an hour, he passed the third illusion as well, however, just as he solved the illusion, his vision went dark and after a few moments, he regained his vision.

He found himself lying on a bed, with a little girl and an old man sleeping while watching over him.

Adrian blinked, disoriented, as he took in his surroundings. He was in a modest room with wooden walls and a low ceiling. The soft glow of a lantern cast gentle shadows across the room, highlighting the worn but cozy furniture. A little girl, perhaps six or seven years old, lay beside him, clutching his hand tightly even in her sleep.

An old man, seated in a chair, snored softly, his hand resting protectively on the girl's shoulder.

Adrian's mind raced. He had no memory of how he got here, and the sudden shift from the ruins to this peaceful setting was jarring. But he knew better than to trust his senses completely—this was another illusion, another test.

He carefully extricated his hand from the girl's grasp and sat up. The movement caused the old man to stir. The man's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled warmly at Adrian.

"Ah, you're awake," the old man said in a kindly voice. "You've been out for a while. How are you feeling?"

"I'm... fine, thank you," Adrian replied cautiously, his mind working to discern the nature of this trial. "Where am I?"

The old man chuckled. "You're in our home. You collapsed just outside the village. My granddaughter and I brought you in and tended to your wounds. You've been feverish, but it seems you've recovered."

Adrian nodded, taking in the information. He had to think quickly and assess the situation. If this illusion was testing his intelligence, there had to be a puzzle or challenge hidden within this seemingly benign scenario.

He looked around the room, his eyes scanning for any clues. The walls were adorned with simple decorations—family photos, handmade crafts, and a calendar with dates marked off. He noticed a peculiar detail: a round calendar had a date circled in red, just three days from now, with the words "Festival of Renewal" written in bold letters.

"Thank you for taking care of me," Adrian repeated, slowly standing up. "But I must confess, I can't remember much. Can you tell me where I am? And what is this 'Festival of Renewal'?"

The old man nodded, his expression turning somber. "You're in the village of Eldergrove. It's a small, ancient place under the protection of the Sacred Spirit. The Festival of Renewal is our way of honoring the spirit and ensuring its continued blessing on our village. It's a time of celebration and remembrance."

'Is it possible that...'

Just then, the little girl stirred and woke up. She looked up at Adrian with wide, innocent eyes and called out, "Brother!" before throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. Adrian, though confused, patted her head gently, his heart stirring at the palpable sadness in her voice.

The old man sighed, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding. "Her name is Lily. We lost her brother last year, and you resemble him. She's been looking for him ever since."

Adrian nodded, his mind racing with thoughts. This illusion was testing not only his intelligence but also his empathy and understanding. He had to navigate this scenario carefully, looking for clues while also honoring the emotions and experiences of the villagers.

Time passed, and Adrian found himself outside, walking through the village with Lily by his side. The villagers were busy preparing for the Festival of Renewal, decorating their homes with colorful banners and arranging tables laden with food. Adrian scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs or clues that might help him pass this trial.

As they walked, Lily chattered excitedly about the festival, pointing out various decorations and explaining their significance. Adrian listened patiently, his mind still working to discern the hidden meaning behind this illusion.

Despite his best efforts, he found no useful information. The villagers were focused solely on the festival preparations, and nothing seemed to hint at a way to pass the trial. Adrian's frustration grew, but he kept it hidden, maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanor for Lily's sake.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, Adrian and Lily returned to the old man's home. The little girl was visibly tired, her earlier excitement giving way to exhaustion. Adrian tucked her into bed, her small form curled up under the blankets.

The old man watched from the doorway, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for being so kind to her. She misses her brother terribly."

Adrian nodded, his thoughts racing. "I wish I could do more," he said softly.

The old man smiled, his face creasing with age. "You've done more than you know. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is simply being there for someone in their time of need."

"...Yes, you are right..."

As the night settled over Eldergrove, Adrian sat by the window, gazing out at the village bathed in moonlight. He felt a sense of peace, but also a lingering uncertainty. This illusion was different from the others—it might not be just a test of his abilities, but also a test of his heart.

'I hope this festival isn't the type of festival I think it is...'