Chapter 11: Trials of the Mind and Spirit
Location: Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu
Date: March 3, 2007
The morning bell of Kamar-Taj rang like a low gong through the air, reverberating with ancient weight. It wasn't loud, but it shook Adam to the bone. He shot up from his bedding, his body aching in places he didn't even know could ache.
Kamar-Taj didn't have alarm clocks. It had centuries-old spiritual pressure that expected you to be awake before it demanded you to be.
"Okay," Adam grumbled, sitting up and rubbing his temples. "Note to self—get a perk that blocks bone-deep exhaustion.i need to make fun of someone to get a good laugh and forget this pain"
He wasn't alone in the room anymore. A new figure sat cross-legged in the corner, meditating quietly. Young, maybe mid-20s, Indian-American, with close-cropped hair and a monk's robe slightly looser than everyone else's.
The guy opened one eye and glanced at Adam.
"You're late."
"You're already annoying," Adam countered, rolling his neck. "Are you here to spiritually enlighten me or just give me passive-aggressive life coaching?"
The guy smirked, stood up, and offered his hand. "Ravi. Initiate, like you. Welcome to the real crash course."
Adam stared at the hand for a second before shaking it. The system didn't ping for anything emotional.Damm you monks and your Neutral personalities. Guess I'll have to work for it.
The Courtyard – 30 Minutes Later
Master Wansu stood before a half-dozen initiates, Adam among them. The courtyard of Kamar-Taj was surrounded by candles, statues of forgotten deities, and stone archways that shimmered faintly with spells of protection and silence.
"You are not warriors. Not yet," she said. "You are not scholars. Not yet. You are… seeds. What grows depends on your roots—and what you feed yourselves with."
With a simple motion, she created a circle of sigils around them. Adam could feel pressure in the air. Not wind. Not heat.
Intent.
"Trial One: Mental Discipline," Wansu announced. "Hold your focus for 10 minutes in the Circle of Pressure."
Someone scoffed.
That someone was Adam.
"How hard could this be?" he muttered, stepping forward.
[System Notification: Mild Arrogance Detected – Ravi]
Reward: +$50
Skill Fragment: Confidence Manipulation (3%)
Well, that's new, Adam thought. Even ego earns rewards here. Noted.
Minute 1:
Nothing happened.
Adam stood still, eyes forward, feeling smug. A faint wind tickled his skin.
Minute 3:
His knees started to wobble. Pressure coiled around his skull like invisible hands trying to squeeze thought out of him.
Minute 6:
He felt like he was being crushed by invisible chains. Breath short. Knees shaking.
One of the initiates next to him collapsed. Another screamed and ran from the circle.
[System Alert:
Incoming Magical Influence Detected]
Will Save Check: 17 – Success
Mental Resistance Strengthened
Skill Gained: Willpower Control (Unlocked – 100%)
Adam clenched his fists. One more minute…
Minute 10:
The circle dissipated.
Only Adam and Ravi remained standing.
Wansu walked up, studying him silently.
"You're more stubborn than wise," she said.
He grinned, panting. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
She didn't smile. But her eyes sparkled faintly. "Let's test that."
Trial Two: Mirror of the Self
A room of illusions. A hall of reflection. One by one, initiates were sent into the chamber. Most exited screaming. Others refused to speak. One came out in tears.
Adam stepped inside.
At first, it was silent.
Then—reflections bloomed all around him. Not just mirrors. Versions of him.
One was dead. On the street. Blood pooling under his head.
One was in a cubicle. Balding. Miserable. Forgotten.
One wore armor—but his eyes were hollow.
Another stood over a body. Wanda's. Crying.
"No," Adam whispered.
"You are all of these," a voice said from the dark. "And you could be none."
He turned. Himself stood in front of him. Taller. Calmer. Eyes glowing gold with runes.
"You want to win. But you don't want to lose. That's your weakness."
Adam's jaw tightened. "I won't lose. I can't."
The illusion stepped forward.
"Then pay the price."
Pain lashed across Adam's chest. He dropped to his knees.
[System Notification:
Magical Ego Clash Detected]
Resonance: 73%
You have faced yourself. Rewarding trait: "Clarity of Desire"
Trait Gained: Clarity of DesireIn moments of doubt, gain brief stat boost to Intelligence and Charisma (+2 for 1 minute once/day)
The illusion faded.
Adam stumbled out, soaked in sweat."hot weather isnt it"adam said sarcasticly
Wansu nodded from the entrance.
"You are… annoying," she said. "But you will learn."
That Evening – Temple Archives
Adam sat cross-legged by candlelight, pouring over mystical diagrams and ancient texts. Ravi joined him, dropping a scroll beside him.
"You survived both trials. Impressive."
"Because I cheat," Adam said.
Ravi raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I have a system that gives me magic powers based on how much people love or hate me. haha"
Ravi chuckled. "Funny."
"Yeah," Adam replied dryly. "Hilarious. "
"Oh, the game just changed."
Stats:
Strength: 13
Intelligence: 20 (Progress: 0/2)
Stamina: 12
Charisma: 13
Luck: 1 (Progress: 0/10)
💡 Full Skills Gained:
Willpower Control(NEW)
✨ Traits & Perks:
Basic Emotional Insight
Fractured Sight
Clarity of Desire (NEW)
📚 Talent Fragments:
Astrophysics – 12%
Cooking – 1%
Negotiation – 7%
Intimidation – 4%
Advanced Engineering – 3%
Urban Combat – 4%
Lie Detection Resistance – 6%
Prototype Design – 5%
Miniaturized Tech Design – 8%
Strategic Thinking – 8%
Reflex Engineering – 6%
Bioengineering – 6%
Biochemical Weaponry – 6%
Eastern Philosophy – 2%
Confidence Manipulation – 3%
Dimensional Awareness – 4%
🎁 Items Gained:
Pathstone of the Hidden Gate
Mystic Compression Bead (NEW)