BOLDVORN SYSTEM: THE ADVENT

TRIAL

CHAPTER 02

A dull ache spread through Luke's body as consciousness slowly returned, his eyelids felt unusually heavy. When he finally forced them open, a bright fluorescent light hanging from the white ceiling greeted him, causing him to squint.

Everything around him was blurry.

The faint scent of disinfectant filled his nose, while the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment echoed quietly through the room.

A hospital...? Luke slowly turned his head.

Two nurses stood beside his bed, one appeared to be in her late forties with neatly tied black hair, while the other was much younger, her shoulder-length red hair tucked beneath a nurse's cap.

The younger nurse gasped. "Oh, my goodness..."

"He's awake."

The older nurse immediately stepped closer, relief washing over her face. "You've given us quite a scare."

Luke blinked several times, trying to clear his vision, his throat felt dry.

"What..." His voice came out weak and hoarse.

"...happened?"

"You've been unconscious for quite some time," the older nurse replied gently, she picked up a small flashlight and briefly checked his eyes before setting it aside.

"It's honestly a miracle you survived."

Fragments of memory flashed through Luke's mind, flames, smoke, his mother's body, the cloaked figure.

His breathing suddenly became uneven. "My family..."

He attempted to sit upright, a sharp pain shot through his back, forcing him to stop.

"Please don't move." The younger nurse quickly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Your burns haven't fully healed yet."

Luke ignored the pain. "Where are they?"

"My mother, Moses, Gena..." His voice trembled.

"Did you save them?" He inquired.

The room fell silent, the two nurses exchanged uneasy glances.

Neither of them answered immediately.

Luke's heart sank, his eyes searched their faces, desperately hoping one of them would smile and tell him everything would be okay.

Instead, the younger nurse lowered her gaze. "We're... sorry."

Luke's fingers slowly tightened around the bedsheet.

"When the firefighters entered the house, they recovered two bodies."

The words struck him harder than any blade.

"Your mother..." She hesitated before continuing. "...and your younger brother."

Silence filled the room.

So... it wasn't a nightmare. Luke stared blankly at the ceiling, his left hand, wrapped in clean white bandages, slowly covered his face.

Warm tears slipped through the gaps between his fingers, he had hoped even after everything he had seen...

A part of him still believed he would wake up and discover it had all been a terrible dream, but reality was far crueler.

The younger nurse remained quietly beside him, unsure whether to comfort him or simply let him grieve.

Several moments passed before Luke spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"...You said.... two bodies."

The nurses looked at him.

Luke slowly lowered his hand, his reddened eyes locked onto theirs.

"What about Gena?"

Neither nurse answered immediately.

The older nurse sighed softly, "We searched the entire house, there was no sign of her."

Luke frowned. "What do you mean?"

"We couldn't find her body."

No body! His heartbeat quickened.

The younger nurse nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry."

"No..." Luke looked away; he shook his head; "You don't have to apologize."

"It wasn't your fault." His voice cracked; another tear rolled down his cheek.

If Gena's body wasn't there... then where did she go? The question refused to leave his mind, it echoed over and over until it drowned out every other thought.

After a long silence, Luke finally spoke again.

"...How did I survive?"

The younger nurse gently folded her hands together.

"When the firefighters found you, you were unconscious inside the house, the doctors believe you inhaled too much smoke." She glanced at the bandages covering his arms.

"You also suffered severe burns across your hands, back, and shoulders."

Luke remained silent.

"You've been in a coma..." She paused for a moment. "...for three months."

"Three..." Luke's eyes widened slightly. "...months?"

The older nurse offered him a sympathetic smile. "Your recovery has been remarkable, you were lucky."

Luke wasn't sure he believed in luck anymore. If he truly had been lucky, his family would still be alive.

The older nurse looked toward the younger one before quietly nodding.

"We should let him get some rest."

The younger nurse smiled gently. "If you need anything, just press the call button."

She stopped at the doorway and glanced back. "It's good to have you back, Luke."

The two nurses quietly left the room, the door clicked shut.

Silence settled over the hospital room once more.

Luke slowly turned his head toward the window, beyond the glass, the afternoon sky stretched endlessly above the city.

His reflection stared back at him_ pale, exhausted and broken.

Mom...Moses... His chest tightened.

If their bodies were found, then where is Gena?

The image of the cloaked figure suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

"Gena never existed to begin with." Luke clenched the bedsheet.

"No..." He whispered to himself. "I know what I saw, I know she was real."

Outside, a cold breeze brushed against the hospital window, for some reason, it sent a chill down his spine.

***One Week Later

Gray clouds blanketed the sky as a cold wind swept across the cemetery, the funeral had been arranged with the assistance of the hospital, as Luke had no relatives capable of organizing it themselves.

Two coffins rested side by side beneath a white canopy, one belonged to his mother, the other to Moses.

Luke stood before them in silence, dark circles hung beneath his eyes from nights spent without sleep. His face had grown pale, and the bandages beneath his black suit remained hidden from everyone around him.

He hadn't spoken a single word since the ceremony began.

The priest finished his final prayer.

People slowly approached the graves to pay their respects before quietly stepping away.

Luke never moved, he simply stared at the freshly dug earth.

Mom, Moses...I'm sorry.

A distant rumble echoed overhead; the wind grew stronger.

Moments later, rain began to fall; at first it was only a drizzle, then the heavens opened.

Guests hurried to open their umbrellas while others rushed toward their vehicles, within seconds, Luke was completely soaked.

Yet he remained standing.

The cold rain didn't bother him_ Nothing did.

Footsteps approached from behind, a young man with neatly combed blond hair stopped beside him and raised an umbrella over both of them, he wore a fitted black suit, polished shoes, and a pair of thin-framed glasses.

"My condolences, Mr. Asvigard." His voice was calm and respectful.

Luke didn't look at him. "I appreciate it."

The man studied him for a brief moment. "You shouldn't carry this burden alone."

Luke gave a bitter smile. "I miss them." His voice cracked.

Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks, disappearing into the rainwater running across his face.

The stranger gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand, I've lost people I cared about too.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the rain filled the silence between them.

Finally, the man reached into his coat pocket and produced a small black card, he held it out.

"My name is Philip Clarren."

Luke accepted the card, the silver E.A.F.K. emblem was engraved across its surface.

"I serve under General Steven as one of his representatives, if you ever find yourself needing assistance, don't hesitate to contact me."

Luke quietly slipped the card into his pocket. "Thank you and please give General Steven my regards."

"I will." Philip nodded.

He hesitated before handing Luke the umbrella.

"Keep this, you'll catch a cold otherwise."

Luke looked down at it. "...Thanks."

Philip smiled faintly before turning away. "Take care of yourself, Luke."

As the last of the mourners disappeared beyond the cemetery gates, silence returned, only the sound of falling rain remained.

Luke slowly walked toward the graves, he knelt before them. His fingers dug into the damp soil, for several long moments, he said nothing.

Then he clenched his fists.

"I swear..." His voice trembled with grief and anger.

"I'll find whoever did this. "He lowered his head. "And I'll find Gena, no matter where she is."

A sudden pulse of silver light flashed before his eyes; Luke instinctively stepped backward.

A translucent rectangular screen materialized in the air, words slowly formed across its surface.

— SYSTEM INITIALIZING —

Welcome...

Welcome to the System.

Luke stared at it. "...What?"

He reached toward the floating screen, his fingers passed straight through it.

"I'm seeing things..."

Another notification appeared immediately.

— System Notification —

Candidate has fulfilled the preliminary requirements.

You have been deemed worthy of becoming a Fyrgen.

Proceed to the Altar to begin the Awakening Process.

A System...? Luke's eyes narrowed. Is this... a System Link?

As though responding to his thoughts, another window appeared.

— System Notification —

Affirmative.

Stage One of the Fyrgen Initiation Process has begun.

Designation: System Link.

Your Conviction has satisfied the minimum qualification required for selection.

Luke frowned. "Conviction?"

He let out a dry laugh. "So, all this happened because I refused to give up?"

The screen remained silent; a final notification appeared.

— System Notification —

Registration Required.

Do you wish to accept your qualification as a Fyrgen?

Please make your selection.

Two glowing icons appeared beneath the message.

[ ACCEPT]

[ REJECT]

Luke stared at them for several seconds, then he pressed REJECT.

The System paused; another notification immediately replaced the previous one.

— System Notification —

Registration Declined.

Grace Period Remaining: Six Months.

Failure to register before the next recruitment period will result in penalties.

The floating windows dissolved into countless particles of light before disappearing completely.

Luke stood silently in the rain; his hands slowly curled into fists.

"Like hell..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "...I'd accept power now."

His gaze returned to the two graves before him.

"I couldn't even protect the people I loved, what right do I have to wield that kind of strength?"

Without another word, Luke turned his back on the cemetery, the rain continued to fall behind him.

For the first time, the System remained silent.

~PRESENT DAY~

So... the System wasn't lying after all. Luke walked through the registration hall with both hands tucked into his pockets.

Because I rejected the System Link six months ago, my deadline was extended by another two weeks as a penalty. He let out a quiet sigh.

Looks like it really intends to keep its promise.

The mechanical announcement echoed through the massive hall once more.

"Attention, all applicants. Assessment Phase One will begin in thirty minutes. Kindly proceed to the registration desks to verify your identity and have your examination cards stamped before heading to your assigned examination halls."

The bustling crowd immediately became more organized as applicants formed long queues; Luke quietly joined one of them.

After several minutes, he finally reached the registration desk, a young attendant looked up from behind a large computer terminal.

"Your name, please."

"Luke Asvigard."

The attendant nodded and began typing.

A few seconds later, Luke's information appeared on the monitor.

"Found you." He picked up a white identification card and scanned it before handing it over.

"Luke Asvigard."

"Examination Code: EAFK-1209."

"Seat Number: 105."

"Venue: E-Level Examination Hall."

"Best of luck."

Luke accepted the card with a small nod. "Thank you."

He slipped the identification card into his pocket before heading toward the examination wing.

The corridors inside the E.A.F.K. headquarters looked as magnificent as ever; polished marble floors reflected the golden chandeliers hanging from the crystal ceiling, while portraits of legendary Fyrgen lined the walls.

What caught Luke's attention, however, wasn't the architecture, it was the security.

Military Platoon soldiers stood every few meters, each wearing gray combat uniforms and carrying electrified staffs, more patrols than usual moved through the corridors.

Luke frowned.

That's strange... Security is much tighter than the previous recruitment exams.

Did something happen? The thought lingered in his mind as he arrived outside the E-Level Examination Hall.

He pushed the large doors open; the classroom was already beginning to fill.

Applicants quietly chatted among themselves while searching for their assigned seats.

Luke quickly located Seat 105 near the center of the room and sat down.

He had barely settled into his chair when a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Luke."

He turned; a smile appeared on his face.

"Lyra."

She walked toward him, slightly out of breath, an examination card clutched tightly in her hand.

"I finally found the room."

Luke chuckled. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost."

"I almost did." She laughed softly before checking the number on her card.

Her eyes widened. "No way..."

She looked back at Luke.

"We're in the same examination hall."

Luke smiled.

"Looks like we are."

"What are the odds?"

"Maybe luck is finally on our side."

Lyra grinned. "I'll take that as a good sign."

Before Luke could reply, the classroom doors opened once again, the room instantly fell silent.

Two instructors entered side by side, both dressed in crisp white ceremonial uniforms with silver insignias stitched onto their sleeves, several armed soldiers followed behind them before taking positions along the walls.

Luke immediately noticed the tension in the room.

Even inside the examination hall... they're guarding the place.

One of the instructors stepped forward; his calm voice carried effortlessly throughout the classroom.

"Good morning, applicants, Assessment Phase One will begin shortly. Please locate your assigned seats immediately and note that no communication will be permitted once the examination begins."

The room erupted into quiet movement as students hurried toward their respective desks.

Lyra stood and smiled at Luke.

"My seat's over there." She pointed a few rows away.

"I guess this is where we part for now." Luke nodded.

"Good luck."

"You too."

She walked away and settled into her assigned seat.

Luke watched her for a moment before facing the front of the room, his fingers tightened slightly around the edge of his desk.

The memories of every previous failure resurfaced, the rejection, hospital, funeral, System_ everything had led to this moment.

Luke took a slow, steady breath.

No matter what happens...I won't fail again.

The lead instructor placed a sealed examination envelope on the podium.

"Assessment Phase One..."

He glanced around the silent classroom.

"...will now begin.”