DIVINE STAR

High above the sky, where the high-tech noble city, Oasis, floats among the clouds, Gaia stands by the window of one of the towering cyber structures, gazing down at the vast cities below on planet Isha. Her golden eyes reflect the sprawling metropolis beneath her, a world so distant yet ever present in her thoughts.

A soft knock echoes through the quiet room before her butler steps inside. "Lady Gaia, your break is almost over. Your next class is about to begin," he informs her in a calm, practiced tone.

Gaia(29) doesn't turn away from the window. Instead, she keeps her gaze fixed on the world below. "I wonder how he's doing down there," she muses softly before finally stepping away and making her way down the long, lavish hallway. The red carpet beneath her feet muffles her footsteps as she heads toward her next class.

Inside the grand lecture hall, a hundred noble students sit at their designated seats, their hands moving swiftly in front of digital screens, dragging units across complex simulations and reading through intricate descriptions. However, one by one, many students fail, their screens flashing red as their strategies fall apart. Digital errors mark their failures, crossing out their attempts.

Gaia takes her seat and observes for a moment, unimpressed by their struggles. With a composed breath, she presses a button on her table, and a translucent screen materializes in front of her, displaying a variety of strategic units. Her golden eyes scan the descriptions rapidly before her fingers move with precision, selecting and positioning the right units.

One by one, her correct choices cause the screen to flash green. The surrounding students, defeated and frustrated by their own failures, shift their attention toward her. They watch in quiet amazement as Gaia's hands move with practiced grace, executing every command flawlessly. Her pace never falters, her confidence never wavers.

With the final placement of her last unit, the entire screen erupts in a brilliant gold light before shattering into sparkling dust. A triumphant message appears in bold letters: "You've ascended!"

The room erupts into polite applause as Gaia rises from her seat and offers a small, composed bow. Without a word, she strides out of the class, her butler already waiting for her with a small digital screen displayed on his wrist device.

"What did I place?" Gaia asks, her voice steady and indifferent.

Her butler scrolls through the leaderboard before responding, "You've placed third. Had you not been two minutes late for class, you might have secured second place. Currently, Lars Platinumgrey holds second, while Gilga Rubyfire remains in first."

Gaia opens the doors to her grand chamber and steps inside, making her way toward the bed. As she lays down, the butler's wrist device glows in gold, displaying an urgent notification: "Ascension starting in eight hours."

The butler clears his throat slightly. "Lady Gaia, the final test is scheduled to begin in eight hours."

Gaia, unfazed, turns onto her side, her expression unreadable. "Then I shall spend six hours resting and two hours preparing."

The butler nods in understanding before silently closing the doors behind him, leaving Gaia alone in the dim glow of her lavish chamber.

The butler makes his way to the first floor, where the front desk robot processes his payment. With a nod of acknowledgment, he exits the cyber tower and steps into his sleek vehicle. As he starts the engine, the car's four wheels glow with a pulsating blue light, shifting sideways before releasing an energy pulse that lifts the vehicle off the ground.

Navigating through the towering skyline, the butler takes an exit marked "OASIS EXIT 15." His car glides along a digital pathway, descending from the floating noble city of Oasis. His long drive leads him toward a commoner city—one that, while more advanced than most, still pales in comparison to the opulence of Oasis.

At a checkpoint, noble soldiers halt his approach, scanning his ID before allowing him through. Eventually, he arrives at his modest home, where his wife and daughter eagerly rush to greet him. His wife embraces him tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"You're home," she whispers, her voice shaking.

The butler gently strokes her hair, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm here," he says softly as they step inside together.

During dinner, his daughter glances up at the digital screen floating above the table. The leaderboard is displayed prominently. She gasps. "Gaia… Daddy, you're in third place."

Her words make the wife break down into heavier sobs. The butler pulls her into another embrace and smiles despite the sorrow in his eyes. "Yes, darling. Daddy is going into the Star Games," he confirms. "So please, cheer for me all the way."

His daughter nods with a determined smile before wrapping her arms around him.

After a moment, the butler presses a few buttons on his wrist device, causing the floating screen to shift. It now displays an extensive list of commoner profiles. His gaze hardens as he swipes through them. "Don't worry, honey," he murmurs. "I've already chosen the perfect replacement for me when I'm gone… someone who will take care of you both far better than I ever could."

Despite the smile he wears, a deep sadness lingers in his expression.

Later that night, he enters his office. At the touch of his wrist device, dozens of digital screens materialize around him. His eyes scan the rulebook, the first page displaying its ominous title: "The Noble Sacrifice."

As the night deepens, the butler makes his way back up to Oasis, returning to Gaia's chambers. The moment he steps inside, he is met with the sight of Gaia flipping through the air, executing a flawless high kick. Her foot connects with a digital training bag, which shatters into glowing fragments upon impact.

Gaia lands effortlessly and turns to her butler.

"Thirty minutes before the final test begins," he reminds her. "You can't afford to be late for this one, Lady Gaia, so please get ready now."

She nods and swipes a few floating screens, summoning a digital wardrobe before her. Flicking through a selection of outfits, she finally settles on one. At her command, the wardrobe opens, materializing the chosen attire in shimmering pixels.

With a graceful leap, Gaia positions herself over her bath as the floor shifts beneath her. The tub rises up, and digital curtains envelop her mid-air. The moment her body touches the soapy water, her previous attire dissolves into code. Showerheads emerge from the ceiling, raining warm water as a floating interface appears before her. With a tap, a digital microphone materializes in her hand, along with a selection of songs. As music begins to play, she closes her eyes and starts singing.

From outside, the butler clears his throat. "A short shower, please, Lady Gaia," he reminds her. "According to section 4.68 of the rulebook, failure to arrive on time for the final test results in punishment—not just for you, but for your entire department."

Before he can finish, the tub and curtains dissolve into a mist of digital smoke, obscuring Gaia's figure. A glowing bubble forms around her, allowing her to continue her bath while floating lazily around her chambers.

With a sigh, the butler presses a few commands on his wrist device. A dining table materializes beside him, the surface glowing as food appears in elegant arrangement.

Meanwhile, across the room, a swirling vortex of data suddenly manifests. It rushes toward Gaia's floating bubble, colliding with it and causing the barrier to burst. The gust instantly dries her off, while her new outfit seamlessly forms over her body. As if on cue, a digital chair slides beneath her, propelling her toward the dining table.

Gaia elegantly picks up her fork, slices a piece of steak, and takes a bite with perfect poise. "I'm full," she declares after a single taste.

As the meal and table vanish into thin air, the butler gathers every floating screen in the room, compiling Gaia's study notes into a single glowing data sphere.

Standing tall, Gaia rolls her shoulders. "I'm ready. Let's go."

Without hesitation, the butler tosses the data sphere directly at Gaia's forehead. It bursts on impact, scattering into thousands of golden fragments. Instantly, her eyes flash with brilliance as the information floods her mind. Every lesson, every test, and every piece of knowledge she's accumulated in her lifetime replays in an instant. Her body lifts off the ground, glowing with energy.

The butler quickly pulls up the rulebook one last time on his digital screen, conducting a final review. His gaze flickers to the countdown—five minutes remain.

Wasting no time, he activates his wrist device, opening a shimmering golden portal. A heavy silence lingers as Gaia remains still, savoring a final moment of calm. Taking a deep breath, she stands and walks forward.

Then, with a fearless grin, she dives headfirst into the portal.

The digital realm stretches endlessly around her as she skydives through streams of golden data. As she lands, thousands of nobles descend around her—over 1,000 competitors now standing at the threshold of the final test.

Suddenly, a grand stage materializes high above, adorned with numerous throne chairs. As portals open across the space, the heads of each noble family step out, taking their seats. Gaia's eyes land on her mother, Terra Frostsliver, seated regally on her throne as the head of their noble family.

Terra's voice rings out, firm and proud. "Gaia, this is what you've been training for your entire life!"

Gaia shakes her head, sighing. "Of course, Mother would be the first one to speak."

Cheers erupt from the noble heads as they proudly encourage their offspring. Suddenly, spotlights flicker randomly across the thrones before focusing on Terra's. Above her head, glowing text appears: "Spokesperson of the Star Year."

Applause fills the air as Terra rises gracefully, bowing before a data microphone materializes in her hand, accompanied by a floating digital screen of notes. She begins to speak.

"The Star Year has come! The time when all noble families select their best offspring to become Stars and compete in the upcoming Star Games!"

In an instant, hundreds of thousands of digital screens illuminate across the vast digital world, broadcasting the moment. More noble families appear on the screens, watching intently, their applause and cheers echoing through the space.

Terra continues, her voice commanding attention. "If you are here, then you are among the top 1,000 of the noble school society! This is your final trial to become a Star! The trial will divide the 1,000 nobles into ten groups of 100. Each group will include at least one of the top ten!"

Ten spotlights pierce through the gathering, highlighting select competitors. Terra raises her fist as she announces, "Ranking number ten, Nell Overdiamond!"(32)

A single spotlight focuses on Nell, who stands tall with unwavering confidence. As 99 more spotlights shine throughout the competitors, they are pulled together into a newly formed group.

Terra raises her voice once more. "Number nine is Camala Emeraldstrove."(24)

Another group of 100 is selected as a spotlight shines on Camala.

"Number eight is Jayo Silverlake,"(35) she announces.

Another group forms.

"Number seven is Misa Saphineblue."(30)

Once again, 100 nobles are grouped together.

"Number six is Rin Boombronze,"(27) Terra continues.

Another group is formed.

"Number five is Ashly Goldlight."(33)

A new set of competitors steps forward.

"Number four is Rose Diamondfuel." (34)

Another group is established.

"Number three is Gaia Frostsilver."(29)

Gaia steps forward as 99 others are assigned to her group.

"Number two is Lars Platinumgrey."(25)

Another group of 100 gathers together.

"And finally, number one is Gilga Rubyfire."(30)

With that, the final group is formed.

At that moment, all the heads of the noble families rise from their thrones, raising their hands as streams of glowing data flow from their palms. The data converges in the air, forming a massive data cube hovering above the ten groups of competitors.

Suddenly, sleek VR headsets materialize on each competitor. Terra looks over the crowd and speaks. "Each group will participate in different servers but will play the same game. To become Stars, your group must exorcise four ghosts from the asylum before time runs out or before everyone in your group is eliminated, I wish you all the best of luck."

Suddenly, a ten-minute countdown begins. Terra's voice echoes across the data world. "Once your prep is over, the trial will start!"

Immediately, the voices of the competitors erupt in a chaotic mix, overlapping each other.

Gaia glances over at Nell's group, watching as they gather around each other, but with everyone talking at once, which causes confusion to spread throughout their group.

She then shifts her focus to Rose's group, where arguments break out over who should take the lead, causing the team to divide into multiple factions.

Her eyes then move to Lars's group. Unlike the others, they remain silent, dropping to one knee as they allow only Lars to speak, showing the deep respect he has earned in the Oasis.

She then looks at Gilga's group, who does the same, honoring him as their undisputed leader.

Gaia finally turns her gaze to her own group. A few competitors isolate themselves while a cluster of twenty gathers around her. A noble student steps forward and introduces himself. "I am Ortis Goldenbell(38). We should all will follow your orders to have the best chance of becoming Stars."

Gaia steps forward, scanning the faces not within her group of twenty. "And those who think they're better than me—form your own group and do your own thing. Your efforts will only help ours."

As the final seconds tick down, the ten-minute timer reaches zero. A massive hole opens beneath the glowing data cube. The competitors activate their headsets, and in an instant, their bodies transform into streams of data, entering the cube.

Moments later, Gaia opens her eyes to find herself standing in a vast parking lot filled with cars. In the distance, a towering asylum looms under the darkness of night. Around her, the other 99 competitors materialize.

At the front of the parking lot, a man wearing glasses is sitting in a workshop filled with computers, he pulls out a microphone and says. "Hello, I am your data guide, the one who will help you all pass this trial. If you have any questions, just ask through your headset's private or open guide channel. There's also an open channel for all competitors, and you can create your own private channels."

He adjusts his glasses before continuing. "However, at this moment, I have no information. So it is up to you guys to gather knowledge, and only then will I be able to provide the right answers. Each of you has your own knowledge to gain, and it's up to you to decide whether to share it with the others. Some answers will only be available to those who possess specific knowledge."

The data guide rises and says. "Now, go collect knowledge and exorcise those ghosts. Your eight-hour timer starts now!"