'Who am I?'
The question echoed in Orion's mind, repeating endlessly like a loop of words.
Orion lay on his back, staring at the sky, his eyes and expression lost in confusion.
He couldn't comprehend how his ntal state had weakened so abruptly, as if a dam within him had cracked, letting all the negativity he had suppressed rush in. Every day, he fought fiercely against the dark emotions birthed from the Curse Transformation, battling thoughts of despair, anger, and fear.
He refused to give in, convinced that as long as he held strong, nothing could bring him down. He believed he had fortified his mind through relentless effort, tempering his will with every ntal struggle by practicing in the state of Curse Transformation.
The constant battles had made him feel invincible, as if no darkness could penetrate his defenses. He had faced so many challenges, always believing he'd co out stronger.
Despite all his efforts, the shadows seed to close in, leaving him exposed, vulnerable, and confused. He had no idea how this weakness had slipped through the cracks in his once-unshakeable resolve.
And only now, he could see how wrong he had been.
All those efforts, all the endless hours of ntal fortification, the grueling monts spent strengthening his will, had crumbled when it truly mattered. All the training, the discipline, the ntal fortitude he'd built—none of it had prepared him for this overwhelming collapse. His mind had betrayed him when he needed it most.
Still, he knew he had to be stronger than this. After everything he'd endured, breaking now would make all those struggles aningless—just because of an identity crisis, just because he couldn't understand who he truly was, just because he didn't know his real self.
No, he wouldn't allow himself to falter. He had overco too much to let this be the mont of his downfall. But before he could move forward, he needed clarity. He had to understand how it all started—what had triggered this crisis?
'How did this happen?'
Orion was sure he had been fine—until he saw the life of Orion Stark. Everything went downhill after that.
Your next journey awaits at empire
'Why did I get affected by seeing his life?'
Orion knew it wasn't real. The real Orion Stark was him. Yet, he couldn't understand why those scenes affected him so much if they weren't real.
'Let's forget about it. The mories of Orion Darkwood and Orion Stark are still inside , making technically both of them. What I need to figure out is who I really am.'
Orion sighed, standing up. He had cald down since his initial breakdown and could now think more clearly.
'But it won't be that easy. I need to find the one person who transmigrated all those humans from Earth into the world of the three domains.'
Orion's resolve hardened as he set a goal: to find the person who had transmigrated him. Only that person would know his true identity.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed aside the identity crisis and focused on the task at hand—the trial of heart. Turning his attention to the old man who was still watching him, Orion said, "I was sad that I failed the exam. Really, really sad. And then I died and ca to this magical world. But if you ask if I'm truly happy... I don't know.
I don't understand what it ans to be happy. Is it a happy ending? A happy life? Is it our life experiences? I guess I'll figure it out eventually, but right now, I don't have an answer."
The old man nodded and smiled mysteriously. "You're tougher than I thought. I tried to play with you, to break you ntally by using your one weakness, hoping to bring out the best version of you. But now it seems I was wrong the whole ti. You've proven wrong. You're not ready yet, still lacking in many aspects.
Ray Wiser, Orion Darkwood, or Orion Stark? Which na do you prefer?"
Orion's eyes widened in shock. "Who are you? Are you the one who transmigrated into this world? Tell !" he shouted anxiously.
"Who am I, you ask? That's a foolish question. Don't you know who I really am, Orion?" the old man replied with a light smile.
Orion frowned. He didn't understand what the old man was getting at. "I know you aren't , so drop the act."
"Huh, you've gotten smarter," the old man said with a soft smile. "You're right, I'm not you. What I am doesn't matter in this world, both materially and subjectively."
"Are you the one responsible for transmigrating and many other humans?" Orion asked again.
The old man didn't respond and instead looked out the window. "Tell , are you happy?"
"Heh? I asked if you were the one who transmigrated us. Answer —why did you do it? Who am I?" Orion shouted, stepping closer.
The old man turned back to Orion. "Did you find the blank pages, Orion?"
Orion narrowed his eyes. "So, it was you who told to find those blank pages?"
He continued, "Who are you really? What do you want from ? I have so many questions about myself, about this world. Answer !"
The old man's expression turned serious. "The blank pages hold a power no one can imagine. You must find them before they fall into the wrong hands. Otherwise, this world will be dood—even the three heroes may not be able to save it."
"Blank pages? Three heroes?" Orion understood the first part but was completely lost on the second. "Old man, what are you talking about?"
At that mont, the old man's figure began to blur. "It seems I must go now," the old man said, turning to Orion. "Until next ti." He smiled before disappearing.
"No! Answer ! Who are you? Please tell !" Orion shouted, but the old man was gone, vanished into nothingness.
Just as the old man disappeared the world shattered like a broken mirror, and suddenly Orion found himself standing among the other participants in the hall.
[Participant Ray Wiser has passed the first test of the Trial of Heart—Test of Will. You may proceed with the second test.]
A notification appeared in his vision, but Orion wasn't in the mood to acknowledge it.
'Damn it! Who was that man? How did he know my real na? What does he want with ? Was he the one who transmigrated us?'
So many questions raced through his mind, but he had no answers. He felt like a blank canvas, filled only with doubt and uncertainty.
'He told to find the blank pages and said they were dangerous if they fell into the wrong hands. Does that an if I collect them all, I'll have a chance to et him again?'
Orion wondered, desperate for answers. This was the only clue, the only way he could think of to et that old man again.
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