"Good day, all newly Awakened," the woman began calmly, her fingers tracing along her face as she arranged her hair behind her ears with practiced elegance. "I am Yuri Bennett, a Two-Sigil Awakened." Raising her forearm, she revealed the two glowing sigils etched into her skin before continuing. "And I will be briefing you all on the entirety of your situation here."

"As many of you know, you are all Half-Awakened, and for many of us, we have been here in the First Sanctuary accumulating strength and knowledge for the journey into the First Realm for quite a while now. I will be doing a more detailed briefing for both you and the newcomers in our midst."

With that, she fell silent for a moment, allowing her words to linger heavily in the air, pressing into the minds of both the veteran and newly arrived Half-Awakened alike. She wanted their full attention, no distractions, nor misunderstandings, because ignorance here was often paid for in blood.

"The Realm of Entry, as we all know, is the realm every Awakened must clear to gain their first sigil, their sponsors, and access to the Sanctuary." Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp undertone beneath it. "In the Sanctuary, Half-Awakened can only spend six hours per day before your Stamina runs dry and you are automatically expelled back into the real world."

She paused briefly before continuing, her eyes sweeping over the crowd.

"For Fully Awakened, however, we can remain here indefinitely. This is because the first sigil grants power, while the second sigil allows control and growth of that power. Without a second sigil, the first will eventually lose balance, and the Awakened will begin to lose their mind, slowly at first, until madness sets in, followed inevitably by death."

Steven nodded, absorbing the explanation, his eyes instinctively trailing down to the faint sigil etched into his own arm. His brow furrowed as he repeated quietly under his breath, "madness and death."

"So you might be asking; what exactly is the Sanctuary?" Yuri continued. "To me, the easiest way to explain it is this: think of it like a game. A safe zone within the Realms where we can stay, grow stronger gradually, learn, and rest without the constant threat of immediate death."

Her lips curved faintly. "Many Awakened flee to the Realms when the real world becomes unbearable, but the most common use of the Sanctuary is its function as an easy passage to the Realms."

Confusion rippled across the students’ faces, murmurs spreading like quiet static through the crowd as they exchanged looks, trying to decipher what she meant by easy passage.

Yuri expected this and didn’t hesitate to clarify. "When I say easy passage, I don’t mean the Realms themselves become easier. In your case, entering the First Realm directly through your system, you will appear naked and defenseless, just as you entered this world."

A few sharp intakes of breath followed.

"But through the Sanctuary," she continued evenly, "any equipment or armor you are wearing here will be carried over with you into the Realm."

She paused again, gauging their reactions. Most were following now, eyes sharper, attention fully locked onto her words. Satisfied, she continued.

Pacing slowly across the marbled floor, standing still clearly having grown tiresome, them she spoke again. "There are different types of Awakened, and knowing which type you are is crucial if you wish to survive the Realms."

"There are three types. The first, and least complicated, are Gladons. Like games, they are thrown into colosseums where they fight people or battle creatures, often Shadow Eaters until one side is dead. The reason this is ranked the lowest difficulty is simple: to clear the Realm, all you need to do is defeat someone or something." Her eyes glinted faintly. "They are often called the Gladiators of the gods."

Steven, hearing this, could almost swear he was a Gladon. But as memories of the Fated Colosseum resurfaced, he shook the thought away. The Realm of Entry hadn’t been just about fighting, at least not for him.

Yuri continued, "The next type are the Peoton. These individuals are sent to specific locations within a Realm, sometimes perilous and sometimes deceptively calm, to uncover certain poetry, records, or information vital to that world. Once their task is complete, they may escape the Realm."

She exhaled lightly. "Unlike Gladons, who often clear their Realms quickly, Peoton may take years. Searching for fragments of poetry or critical information across an entire world is far more difficult than it sounds."

Steven doubted this described him either. His experience had been far too brutal, far too personal. The final category would likely fit him better.

"Historians," Yuri said, her tone darkening slightly, "are the last and most perilous type. These Awakened are sent directly into pivotal historical moments, calamities that define the Realm itself. The only way to escape is by surviving powerful foes and uncovering crucial truths from that era."

"As you can see, Historians combine both Peoton and Gladon trials. So if you belong to this group," she mused lightly, "pray for your safety."

Uneasy expressions spread across the students’ faces.

"Many of you may not yet know which group you belong to based solely on the Realm of Entry," Yuri added. "But in the First Realm, things will become much clearer."

An Awakened at the front raised his hand, catching Yuri’s attention. She gestured for him to speak.

"Ma, how can we best prepare for all these possibilities?" he asked.

It was a good question, one that echoed in the minds of every Half-Awakened present. Steven felt it keenly. After surviving the Realm of Entry by sheer luck, he had no desire to repeat that gamble.

Yuri sighed calmly. "I was coming to that. There is no single best way to prepare, only your way."

She gestured broadly around them. "The Sanctuary contains multiple sections dedicated to training Awakened. If you lack physical strength, find a martial arts section. If your Talents are weak, seek training there. There are no restrictions on how many disciplines you can learn, but you must decide how best to equip yourself for this dreadful journey."

"The Military has also implemented several methods this year to increase survival rates." Her voice sharpened slightly. "In the next three months, all of you will enter the Realm. With the sheer number of participants, the chances of encountering someone you know will be much higher and cooperation increases survival."

Steven’s gaze drifted across the faces of the other Awakened. Many looked calm, relieved, even... Comforted by the idea of familiar allies in the Realm.

Steven felt none of that comfort, Drake’s face flashed briefly in his mind. Still...

’I guess socializing is inescapable,’ he thought bitterly.

{Your sponsor mocks you}

Steven scowled. ’Stupid Sponsor.’

Yuri’s lips spread into a wide smile as she threw both hands open. "Explore the Sanctuary. Use your key cards as maps. Spend the credits you’ve been given. Enroll in classes."

Her smile sharpened. "Because in the end, you are the only one to blame if you die in the First Realm."

Steven’s face tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. He already knew exactly what he would do over the next five months.

No matter what happened—

He would not repeat the mistakes he made in the First Realm.