Two days passed before Kain finally stepped out of the cave. But unlike the others that came from the proper entrance, Kain just stepped out of a deep crevice as if he was taking a stroll. He looked east and saw the trial takers camp, a couple kilometers down from the hill where he resurfaced.

  A couple of trial takers that saw him come out of the crevice looked at him while frowning. As soon as he started walking towards the camp they went to check the crevice. It was a vertical shaft with smooth walls and nowhere to grip in sight. A very demanding climbing route even with the proper equipment, which Kain didn’t have with him. And Kain didn’t look tired at all.

  Kain could see their reactions through one of his rifts. Kain smiled and took slow yet confident steps towards the trial takers camp. To the commander’s tent to be precise. He had to set things straight with the man as soon as possible to avoid getting into trouble. He had a lot of things to do now.

  He was taking four trials at once.

  And he isn’t exactly looking great in the stats department.

  Slow is his current maximum speed.

  His resilience was gone when he grafted the rift onto himself.

  His endurance was next as he grafted his two remaining rifts into one another. Merging them.

  Then, he considered his options, and decided to keep vitality, since he wanted to be able to recover, and dexterity to be able to actually harvest valuable stuff using the rifts. Sure, he will suck at combat for a while, perhaps a long time, but that’s not the main point for now.

  So, his strength and nimbleness were gone as he got the ‘double rift’ grafted into ‘grafter’ itself, which indeed make ‘grafter’ be classified as innate and then he grafted ‘grafter with double rift’ into his ‘soulbound rift’, and into himself, and he was finally done. But his stats were a mess.

  As it turns out, his health is set as twenty times his resilience plus five times his vitality and five times his endurance. And his stamina is ten times his endurance plus five times his vitality. Maybe that will be useful later on, but he is not really bothered by it. That, and he no longer has mana.

  Also, it seems everyone starts with thirty stat points, three to each and every stat, at level one. Then you go up a level when the sum of all stats is increased by five. Which is sort of the opposite of what Kain was expecting. You don’t gain stats when you level up, you have to increase stats in order to level up. But that’s another thing he won’t bother exploring as of now.

  His whole strategy for now is to remain in the safe zone, in the trial takers camp, right beside the tent of the commander and work from there. Safe. There was a reason for him to go all in on the rifts.

  Especially when Kain, with a grand total of thirty two stats, hasn’t even broken into level two yet, needing at least thirty five stats in total, and can be seen as a weakling by anyone with some sort of inspection skill. Someone like the commander, which could arguably make it a little challenging to convince the man willing to be his backer, but most likely won’t. Not with his current capabilities.

  Fortunately, it seems the lower limit for physical stats is one measly point, unlike magic who dropped all the way to zero. It sort of makes sense, he is weak as he can be, but he can still do things. Albeit slowly, weakly and getting tired oftenly.

  The walk towards the center of the camp took him almost half an hour and left him rather winded to his own surprise. “A single point in endurance will do that to you.”

  There were almost five thousand people on these particular trial grounds. All people from his rather small nation. Apparently each nation gets its own trial grounds, or so his memories tell him. To avoid unnecessary conflict, perhaps. Kain isn’t sure because his predecessor didn’t really care about such topics, the warrying fool. Only interested in advancing quickly and returning to his territory and family to aid in their struggles. A bit narrow minded.

  Standing in front of the tent, Kain checked his status one last time. To keep himself in check. To prevent himself from biting more than he can chew regardless of how overpowered his single ability is. But he couldn’t help but smile and check his ability panel again. “Abilities”.

  A single, sole, concise and weird ability. “More than enough. And it's not like a bogey`s at all.”

  Kain took a deep breath and prepared himself for a talk that would either make or break the plans he intended to set in motion and which he spent the last two days testing to ensure he could actually pull it off with his meager stats. Time to talk with the commander.

  Kain pushed aside the heavy canvas flap of the command tent, stepping into a space that exuded an air of quiet efficiency. The tent was surprisingly spacious, its interior organized and clean, despite the seemingly chaotic setting of the camp as a whole and the rugged landscape outside.

  The air within was warm and carried a faint, pleasant scent of spiced tea and freshly baked biscuits which made Kain salivate. The emergency rations he consumed the last two days weren’t exactly a fine meal.

  Good lighting illuminated the space, casting a soft glow on the polished wooden surfaces and neatly arranged equipment. The tent had two layers of heavy canvas as ceiling, promoting both lighting and air circulation, held together by four tick poles positioned at the corners of the central table.

  Three small tables were positioned along one side of the tent, each bearing a stack of neatly organized parchments, writing implements, and small, sealed containers that likely held ink or other supplies. They appeared to be workstations, each dedicated to a specific task.

  One table held a collection of meticulously kept ledgers, their pages filled with columns of numbers and carefully written notes. Another table was covered with maps, smaller and more detailed than the large map that dominated the center of the tent. The third table seemed to be a repository for messages, with a small pile of sealed letters and a larger stack of unbound parchments, some bearing official seals.

  The focal point of the tent, however, was the large, central table, a sturdy piece of furniture crafted from a dark, polished wood. Spread across its surface was a massive map of the surrounding territory, its vast expanse dotted with blank spaces and a smattering of detailed notes, stitched onto the map with colored thread.

  The notes, written in a clear, concise hand, described key geographical features, resource locations, and monster activity. A collection of pins, some plain, some adorned with small flags or symbols, lay scattered on the table’s edge, a few already piercing the map, marking specific points of interest.

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  Some of the pins were clustered near the detailed notes, suggesting an obvious correlation between the marked locations and the written information. Others were scattered more randomly, perhaps indicating areas of ongoing exploration or potential future interest. If not adventuring parties.

  Three individuals occupied the tent, each engaged in their respective tasks.

  The first, and most imposing, was the commander himself, Gladius Kintser. He sat at the head of the central table, his broad shoulders and powerful frame radiating an aura of authority. He was a man of middle age, his face weathered and lined. The man has been on the trial grounds for years. His hair, thick and dark, was pulled back from his face, revealing a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He wore a simple but functional tunic of dark leather, adorned with the insignia of his rank. He was studying the large map, his brow furrowed in concentration, occasionally reaching for a pin to mark a new location or adjust an existing one. Kain dare not interrupt him.

  To the commander's right sat his second-in-command, Hagul Borg. He was a lean and wiry man with a sharp, intelligent gaze. His movements were quick and precise, his mind clearly working at a rapid pace. He appears to be meticulously reviewing the ledgers on one of the smaller tables, occasionally making notes on a separate piece of parchment. He wore a similar tunic to the commander, but his was made of a lighter material, perhaps more suited to the warmer climate within the tent. His hair, a sandy blonde, was cropped short, emphasizing the sharpness of his features.

  The third individual, James J. Johoulk, the commander's secretary, sat at the remaining small table, diligently sorting through the stack of messages. He was a younger man, with a classic scholarly appearance. He wore a simple, unadorned tunic, his hair neatly combed and his spectacles perched on his nose. He worked with a quiet efficiency, barely moving, as he read each message carefully, making a small note on a separate piece of paper before placing the message in one of the many piles of notes in front of him. He seemed to be responsible for organizing and disseminating information, ensuring that important messages reached the appropriate individuals.

  A small tea set, complete with a steaming pot and a plate of freshly baked biscuits, sat on a low table near the entrance of the tent, an indication of the commander's hospitality. The aroma of the spiced tea mingled with the scent of the wood and leather, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

  The tent as a whole was impeccably clean and tidy, exuding the discipline and order that prevailed within its canvas walls. Every item had its place, every task its importance. This was a space of focused activity, a place where decisions were made and strategies were formulated. It was the heart of the trial grounds’ operations, and Kain was now stepping into its midst. And he liked what he saw. He could imagine himself working in such a place. Or at least eating some biscuits.

  It took a moment for James, the secretary, to register Kain's presence. Engrossed in his task of sorting through the incoming messages, he hadn't noticed the newcomer slip inside the tent. He glanced up, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Kain's appearance. He quickly consulted a small list of names and appointments, a frown creasing his brow.

  Kain understood the secretary's reaction. He wasn't on the schedule, he wasn't part of the day's planned activities. He had simply received an instruction from the system, a directive to meet with the commander.

  Whether the commander was aware of this impending visit was another matter entirely. It seemed odd that the system would prompt Kain to seek out the commander without informing the commander of Kain's arrival. But then again, Kain wasn't an expert on the inner workings of the trial grounds. He was just a participant, navigating the complex system as best he could.

  He approached James, keeping his voice low to avoid disturbing the two other men, who were clearly deep in concentration. "Excuse me," he said softly, "I'm Kain Ledgheim. I was instructed by the system to meet with the commander."

  James blinked, his eyes flickering back to the list in his hand. "Ledgheim," he murmured, scanning the page. "No, I don't see your name here. Are you sure you have the correct time?"

  "I'm certain I am meant to talk with the commander," Kain replied, his voice calm and steady. "The instructions were quite clear. It's possible the commander isn't expecting me, but I was told to come nonetheless."

  James hesitated, his gaze shifting towards Gladius, who was still deeply engrossed in studying the map. He clearly didn't want to interrupt him, but he also couldn't simply dismiss Kain's request. "Is this perhaps a last-minute matter?" He said, his voice hushed. "Something that arose due to some changes, did you attempt to shift trials, perhaps?"

  "It's possible," Kain said, nodding slowly, but not really confirming it. "I also have a package to retrieve. A conquest package. Which is, as expected, meant to be given to me directly by the commander."

  James's eyebrows rose. "The conquest package? That's… unusual. I heard of changing trials to easier ones, but never to harder ones, I didn’t even know it was possible… That’s why the conquest packages are only distributed upon entry into the trial grounds. Also, only the commander is aware of who is taking it, so you shouldn’t talk about it so openly."

  "I'm aware," Kain said, his voice even. "But my situation is… a little different."

  He didn't elaborate, keeping the details of his multiple trials to himself for now. It was a matter between him and the commander, a piece of information he wasn't ready to share with anyone else.

  James considered this, his gaze thoughtful. He was clearly trying to reconcile the unexpected visit, the missing appointment, and the unusual request for the conquest package. "I suppose… I should inform the commander," he said finally. "It might be best to clarify the situation."

  He took a deep breath and turned towards Gladius, who was now leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if contemplating some complex problem. "Commander," James said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Gladius didn't respond. He seemed lost in his thoughts, his mind apparently occupied with matters of great importance.

  James tried again, his voice slightly louder this time. "Commander," he repeated, "there's someone here to see you. He says he was instructed by the system to meet with you."

  Gladius blinked, his gaze slowly focusing on James. He seemed slightly disoriented, as if he had been pulled from a deep reverie. "Ledgheim?" he murmured, his brow furrowed.

  James frowned a little. “Yes. A Kain Ledgheim. Regarding a… conquest package…”

  Gladius's eyes widened, a flicker of amusing dawning in his gaze. "Ah, yes."

  Gladius turned to his two subordinates, his gaze firm and decisive. "James, Hagul," he said, his voice carrying an air of authority. "I'll need some privacy for a while. Please step outside. I'll send for you when I'm finished with young Ledgheim."

  The two men nodded, their expressions neutral, and promptly exited the tent, leaving Gladius and Kain alone. Gladius gestured towards a seat opposite him, a small smile playing on his lips. "Please, sit down, Ledgheim," he said. "Your situation, it seems, is rather… unique."

  Kain took the offered seat, his gaze meeting Gladius’. "Indeed, Commander," he replied. "I am not trying to keep it a secret or anything, but you should be the one to decide who should know about it or not. Not me."

  Gladius nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Smart. I agree. Also… The system does things like it judges best. It's best not to speculate too much."

  He paused, his gaze searching Kain's face. "So, Ledgheim," he began, "what brings you to my tent? I suspect there’s more to it than a second conquest package."

  "I'm here to clarify a few things, Commander," Kain said, his voice calm and steady. "And to be honest, I am not sure if the information I know is something useful or detrimental to the camp as a whole. It might lead to nothing. Or it might make quite a mess. Sir."

  "I am inclined to believe it would be the second," Gladius admitted. "I checked everyone’s task as soon as your name came up… a second time. But it wasn’t just a second time, was it?"

  "Like you said and is probably fully aware, commander, my situation is… unique," Kain said. "I'm currently undergoing four trials, sir."

  Gladius's eyebrows rose, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "I knew you became eligible for them, I saw the notes, but… to undergo all of them? Really? That's unprecedented."

  "I'm aware," Kain said. "I never had any intention to deceive anyone. It’s not a secret or the system would’ve most likely told me. And it’s no ruse or else the system would most likely tell you something like that."

  “Most likely, yes.” The commander agreed while nodding and taking a sip of his tea.

  Kain, seeing that the man was waiting for him to actually clarify things like he said he would, took a deep breath and lay back on the chair.

  "Getting eligible to the four trials isn’t as complicated as it might seem," Kain said. "Anyone can do it, Commander. It simply requires a specific… and rather stupid… process."

  Kain paused, despite deciding to go with honesty there was no reason for him to share specifics if he himself isn’t aware if the damn thing could be replicated. It’s not like people would be willing to die to call forth souls from other worlds to take their places.

  “It involves attuning your abilities to your mana core, like everyone does” Kain explained. "And then, contrary to what any sane person would consider… destroying the mana core.”

  The commander elegantly spit his fine tea in a formidable spray of fragrant mist.