Beyond the forgotten gates

The enormous eyes watched Ren from the sky.

He instinctively took a step back.

"...Who's there?"

The clouds slowly parted.

An ancient dragon, larger than a mountain, descended from the heavens. Its silver scales reflected the stars, and its golden eyes carried the wisdom of countless ages.

Ren froze.

The dragon lowered its head.

"You... are the new Gate Walker."

Lumi bowed respectfully.

"Master Aurelius."

The dragon looked at Ren for several seconds before speaking again.

"You are weak."

Ren frowned.

"I know."

"But..."

"You possess something no one else has."

The dragon raised one claw, and hundreds of glowing gates appeared around them.

"The World Gate."

"Most believe it is only a portal."

"They are wrong."

"It is the key that connects every realm, every civilization, and every forgotten form of knowledge."

Ren looked at the floating gates in amazement.

"So... I can learn from every world?"

Aurelius smiled.

"If you are worthy."

Suddenly, another blue screen appeared before Ren.

《WORLD GATE SYSTEM》

Special Tutorial Quest

Complete the Trial of Resolve.

Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆

Reward:

Beginner Mana Control

Skill Slot ×1

World Travel Permission (Rank F)

Failure:

Return to the Forsaken Valley.

Ren accepted without hesitation.

The world around him changed.

He found himself standing in a circular stone arena surrounded by ancient statues.

A calm voice echoed through the arena.

"Power begins with control."

"Control begins with patience."

Hundreds of glowing mana orbs floated into the air.

Ren reached for them, but they scattered.

Again.

And again.

Hours passed.

Then days.

He failed more times than he could count.

Frustration built inside him.

"I can't even control one..."

Lumi jumped onto his shoulder.

"You've stopped trying to understand them."

Ren blinked.

"...Understand?"

"Mana isn't your servant."

"It's your partner."

Ren closed his eyes.

He slowed his breathing.

Instead of forcing the mana toward him...

He let it come to him.

One tiny orb floated into his hand.

Then another.

Then ten.

The entire arena glowed.

Quest Complete!

Rewards Obtained:

✔ Beginner Mana Control

✔ Skill Slot ×1

✔ Infinite Storage upgraded to Level 2

✔ New Title: The Patient One

Aurelius nodded proudly.

"Many seek power."

"Very few seek understanding."

Ren smiled for the first time since his exile.

"I'll become stronger."

"Not so they fear me..."

He looked toward the distant sky where his kingdom lay beyond the mountains.

"...But so no one can ever decide my fate again."

Hidden in the shadows, another figure silently watched the training.

A woman wearing a silver mask whispered,

"So... the next Gate Walker has finally awakened."

She disappeared before Ren noticed.

Far away, in another part of the continent...

A 14-year-old girl with long black hair streaked with blue gently held out her hand.

A wounded wolf approached her without fear.

The wolf lowered its head.

Moments later, dozens of birds landed around her.

Then deer.

Then foxes.

Then magical creatures that ordinary people had never even seen.

The girl smiled softly.

"I don't know why..."

"...but I feel like someone important has arrived in this world."

For the first time...

The paths of Ren and Yoshi had begun moving toward each other.

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