Winay arrived at the entrance of the Temple of Creation.

  Four disciples stood guard—one from each branch of the First Generation.

  One of them stepped forward.

  “Name?”

  “Winay Hecksopian.”

  The disciple checked the record briefly, then nodded.

  “You are a new awakener who has just entered the Communication Realm. Proceed inside with the others. Once you enter the blessing site, do not make any noise.”

  Winay nodded and headed inside.

  The moment he entered the blessing hall, he froze slightly.

  The architecture was… simple.

  There were no shining golden walls.

  No glowing statues encrusted with jewels.

  No overwhelming display of wealth or power.

  Just smooth stone, open space, and a calm atmosphere.

  I thought there would be radiant walls and golden statues decorated with gems, Winay thought.

  Is simplicity part of their way of life?

  With those thoughts, he moved forward and sat in front of a massive statue as directed by the disciples.

  The instant he raised his head and looked at it, his heart felt strangely light.

  Why… does this feel so hard to describe?

  A deep calm washed over him.

  His breathing slowed.

  His thoughts settled.

  This peace… is this why so many people visit the Temple of Creation?

  He had seen statues of the Goddess of Creation many times before, in cities and halls—but this one felt different.

  This statue didn’t feel lifeless.

  It feels… alive.

  As if she’s watching us.

  A disciple wearing white and blue robes—from the Purity Branch—spoke.

  “Everyone, begin meditation. Clear your minds. Focus on the person or belief you trust the most, and on what you wish to accomplish in the future.”

  Winay closed his eyes.

  Cleaning my mind?

  That’s easy.

  What he believed in was simple—reality as it truly was, without illusion.

  The people he trusted—

  His mother.

  Ayaril.

  As for his future…

  Eliminating corrupted beasts.

  Eradicating the evil spreading from the Yashan Continent.

  He lingered on a thought he didn’t voice, letting it sink into silence.

  A disciple in white and green robes—from the Exto Branch—added,

  “You will meditate for ten minutes. Afterward, you will be called one by one to receive the Goddess’s blessing.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The hall fell silent.

  Nearby, two disciples whispered.

  Helon, wearing white and red robes of the Lavis Branch, leaned toward another.

  “Out of these two hundred and fifty people, how many do you think will receive Mortal-level blessings?”

  Rint of the Lance Branch replied calmly,

  “As always—ninety percent Mortal. About nine-point-nine percent Votary.”

  Helon nodded.

  “Hmm. I think Mortal blessings will reach ninety-five percent this time. Let’s see.”

  Ten minutes passed.

  A disciple from the Exto Branch stepped forward.

  “Now, we will call you by name. When called, step forward, place your hand on the Designer’s Stone Wall, and close your eyes.”

  Before continuing, he activated a screen.

  “I will demonstrate the most essential insight gained from the Goddess’s blessing—something crucial for survival in the outside world.”

  “Roten Hellins. Step forward.”

  Roten obeyed.

  The screen displayed an unfamiliar creature.

  “Tell me what you see,” the disciple said.

  Roten frowned.

  “A green beast… plant-like tendrils… antelope legs… two limbs and two vine-like arms. I’ve never seen this before. Is it a newly discovered beast from a Forbidden Zone?”

  “No,” the disciple replied calmly.

  “It originates from the Yashan Continent.”

  A ripple of shock spread through the hall—including Winay.

  Then why show this now? many wondered.

  “Roten,” the disciple continued, “place your hand on the stone wall.”

  Roten did so.

  A thin ray of light descended, touching his head. It expanded briefly, covering his body before vanishing.

  “Now,” the disciple said, “tell me—what is the beast’s name?”

  Roten stared at the screen.

  “…Verdant Maw.”

  His eyes widened.

  How do I know that?

  The disciple nodded.

  “This is the effect of the blessing. Your insight has increased, granting limited access to the Goddess Records.”

  Understanding dawned across the hall.

  The blessing continued.

  One name after another.

  When Itis Crams stepped forward, the light intensified noticeably.

  “Congratulations,” the disciple announced. “You have received a Votary-level blessing.”

  Gasps followed.

  Out of the two hundred and twenty people who had already received blessings, seven had received Votary-level blessings.

  Then—

  “Winay Hecksopian. Step forward.”

  Winay approached the stone wall and placed his hand upon it.

  He closed his eyes.

  Ten seconds passed.

  Nothing happened.

  Thirty seconds.

  Still nothing.

  One minute.

  Two minutes.

  The crowd began whispering.

  Did he fail?

  But the disciples were silent.

  Not confused.

  Not disappointed.

  Shocked.

  Because in this world, the Goddess of Creation never rejects a blessing.

  No reaction meant only one thing—

  An extremely high probability of a Herald-level blessing.

  Ardo of the Exto Branch turned sharply.

  “Rinnen,” he said, “continue the blessing process for the others.”

  Then he faced Winay.

  “Come with me to the Priest Hall.”

  Winay’s thoughts churned.

  Did I fail because my faith wasn’t strong enough?

  Professor did say blessings vary by belief…

  But he remembered something else Rainor had said.

  There are mysteries of the Temple that even priests don’t fully understand.

  Suppressing his doubts, Winay followed Ardo.

  Ardo led Winay through a secluded passage and into the Priest Hall.

  The moment Ardo crossed the threshold, his posture changed. He bent slightly at the waist and performed a respectful half-bow.

  “I, Ardo—First Generation Disciple and leader of the Exto Branch—greet High Priest Nova and the esteemed priests.”

  The atmosphere inside the hall was vastly different from the blessing hall outside.

  Quiet.

  Heavy.

  Ancient.

  High Priest Nova, seated at the center, slowly opened his eyes.

  “What is it, Ardo?” Nova asked calmly. “Why have you brought someone who is not a disciple of the Temple?”

  Ardo straightened.

  “High Priest Nova, this individual is here to receive a blessing—from the Priest Hall.”

  Nova’s gaze sharpened slightly.

  “Oh?”

  “So you’re saying… he did not receive his blessing in the First Hall?”

  “Yes,” Ardo replied without hesitation.

  High Priest Nova studied Winay for a long moment.

  “…Hmm.”

  Then a faint smile appeared.

  “Ohho. Then bring him forward,” Nova said. “Let us see what he carries.”

  One of the priests beside him—Alson—leaned forward slightly.

  “If he truly receives a Herald-level blessing,” Alson murmured, “that would make him the ninth person this year.”

  Winay listened quietly.

  Why do they look more curious than I am…? he thought.

  Hah… whatever. Let’s just finish this.

  Even though part of him felt anticipation, his doubts about the entire blessing process were only growing.

  High Priest Nova rose slowly from his seat.

  “Winay,” he said, “approach the Designer’s Stone Wall.”

  Winay stepped forward.

  “Place your hand on it,” Nova continued. “The process is the same as the First Hall.”

  Winay nodded, moving closer—unaware that every priest present was now watching him with complete focus.