The man did not notice the boy''s whispered words. Instead, he began walking back toward the vige, his weathered face shadowed with worry.


    The girl followed closely behind, though her attention was on the boy.


    "You''re always so curious," she said, half-scolding, half-teasing. "What if there''s nothing but wolves and old trees in there?"


    The boy shrugged, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "Then I''ll just meet some wolves and some old trees."


    The girl rolled her eyes, but augh escaped her lips. "You''re impossible."


    As the trio made their way back, the forest behind them seemed to shift subtly in the breeze.


    The trees stood tall and silent, but there was an undeniable weight in the air, a feeling that the forest was watching, waiting.


    For now, the boy''s curiosity was left unanswered, but the spark of wonder in his eyes hinted that the question would not remain dormant for long.


    …


    The road to the city stretched far into the horizon, weaving through dense forests and gently sloping hills awash in the golden hues of the setting sun.


    A group of young vigers made their way along the dirt path, their footsteps light with excitement but tinged with uncertainty.


    At the front, an elderly viger led the way, his cane tapping a steady rhythm against the ground, each step measured and deliberate.


    Among the group was a boy, now grown into a tall and wiry young man of eighteen.


    His steps were full of confidence, his eager energy unmistakable.


    Beside him walked a girl with kind, soft eyes and a calming smile, though today her expression held a hint of worry.


    "Why are you so eager to leave the vige?" she asked suddenly, breaking the peaceful silence.


    The boy turned to her, his grin spreading wide.


    "Why?" he repeated, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "This is our first time going beyond the edge of the vige! How can you not be excited? It''s an adventure!"


    She tilted her head slightly, her smile faint but thoughtful.


    "I suppose I am," she admitted softly. "But still…"


    He frowned, concern crossing his face. "What''s wrong? You''ve been quiet. Do you miss vige already?"


    The girl shook her head, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "No."


    "Then what is it?" he asked gently, nudging her shoulder.


    She hesitated for a moment before answering.


    "It''s just… I have a strange feeling," she murmured. "Like something might go wrong."


    The boy chuckled, the sound hearty and carefree, echoing through the quiet wilderness.


    "You''re worrying over nothing," he said confidently, puffing out his chest. "Once I awaken, I''ll protect you from anything thates our way!"


    A faint smile touched her lips, and for a moment, the unease in her eyes seemed to ease.


    "Oh? Will you now?" she asked, her tone light with teasing.


    "Of course!" he replied, clenching his fist with a flourish. "I can''t wait to see what kind of attribute talent I''ll awaken. It''ll be amazing, I''m sure!"


    The girl smirked, her yful side emerging.


    "But have you been good enoughtely?" she teased. "You might miss the chance to walk on the moon''s path if you haven''t been pure of heart."


    The boy huffed dramatically, cing a hand on his chest.


    "I''m the picture of goodness," he dered. "Just you wait. When the path appears, I''ll walk it in no time!"


    She raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical yet amused. "Didn''t the elders say the path only shows itself to those who are truly worthy?"


    "And I am!" he shot back, grinning. "But what about you? Remember when you used to steal fruits from the vige woods?"


    Her cheeks flushed pink, and she swatted his arm lightly.


    "That was years ago!" she protested. "And don''t forget, I shared those fruits with you, so you''re just as guilty."


    The boyughed, and she couldn''t help but join him. The memory of their mischievous childhood adventures brought a warmth to the cool evening air.


    Theirughter was infectious, drawing smiles from the other vigers walking ahead, who nced back at the pair with knowing looks.


    As theughter subsided, the girl''s expression softened, and she turned to him with a quiet sincerity.


    "If I walk that path," she asked, her voice low, "will you follow me?"


    His grin faded, reced by an earnest look.


    "Of course," he said without hesitation. "I''ll follow you anywhere."


    Her smile brightened, her earlier worries melting away in the glow of his confidence.


    The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the clouds in shades of amber and crimson.


    Ahead, the faint silhouette of the city rose against the horizon, its towering spires shimmering in the fading light.


    As they drew closer, the boy''s excitement grew. His eyes sparkled with the thrill of whaty ahead, but he cast a quick nce at the girl beside him, her face now calm, her steps steady.


    The elderly viger at the front of the group paused for a moment, turning to address the young travelers.


    "The city gates aren''t far now," he said, his voice firm but kind. "Remember, you represent our vige. Walk with pride, but also with humility."


    The boy exchanged a look with the girl, and they both nodded.


    …


    The day of recruitment test,


    The sun zed down on the recruitment grounds, its golden light bathing the crowded square where eager youths stood in an endless line.


    The air buzzed with nervous chatter and anticipation, asionally broken by the heavy silence of failure as candidates left the tform, their dreams dashed.


    Amidst the mass stood the boy and the girl from the vige, their eyes fixed on the testing stage ahead.


    The boy''s excitement was barely contained, but even his enthusiasm faltered each time another hopeful aspirant walked away, their heads low and shoulders slumped.


    The girl stood beside him, her hands sped tightly, her nerves evident in the way she shifted from foot to foot.


    At the head of the line, a white-robed instructor oversaw the process with an air of indifference. His gestures were minimal, his voice monotone as he called out names.


    Candidates stepped forward, one by one, cing their hands on the crystal orb stationed on the tform.


    For most, the orb flickered weakly, signaling mediocre or nonexistent talent.


    A few elicited brighter reactions, earning the right to proceed, but none so far had been exceptional.


    The boy watched intently as his vigepanions took their turns.


    Out of the five who had traveled with them, only one scraped by, the orb lighting up just enough to grant a pass.


    The others shuffled away quietly, their expressions heavy with disappointment.


    When the instructor called her name, the girl''s breath hitched. She nced at the boy, who gave her a reassuring nod.


    Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, her movements hesitant.


    The instructor did not even look up, waving her toward the orb with a flick of his hand.


    "ce your palms on the orb," he instructed tly.


    The girl hesitated for a moment, then reached out.


    As her hands hovered over the smooth surface, the orb began to glow faintly, its light gradually intensifying.


    The brightness soon rivaled the best of those who had passed, and the instructor opened his mouth to speak.


    "Pass-" Before he could finish, the light surged.


    The orb zed with a brilliance that forced the crowd to shield their eyes, its glow enveloping the entire tform.


    A soft hum grew louder, vibrating through the air, and then, with a deafening


    crack


    , the orb shattered.


    Shards of crystal scattered across the tform, their edges glinting in the sunlight.


    Gasps rippled through the crowd as a stunned silence fell over the square.


    The instructor froze, his hand halfway raised, his face a mask of disbelief.


    Before anyone could react further, several figures descended from above, their robes billowing like clouds as they hovered in the air.


    These were the high elders, their presence unmistakable, their auras exuding power and authority.


    The elders exchanged nces, their silent telepathic conversation quick.


    "Could this be the Moon''s Essence Body?"


    "It''s almost certain. Such a rare constitution..."


    "And in a ce like this?"


    "This is unprecedented."


    The crowd below watched in awe, the sight of the hovering elders leaving many speechless.


    Even the boy, who rarely hid his emotions, found himself staring, his amazement tempered by a growing worry for the girl still standing on the tform.


    Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she looked around at the shattered orb and the stunned faces.


    "Did I… fail?" she asked quietly, her voice barely audible.


    One of the elders stepped forward, his gaze calm yet piercing.


    "No," he said, his voice resonating across the square. "You pass. In fact, you are beyond any of the tests we offer here. From this moment on, you are a student of this school."


    The girl blinked, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to process the words.


    Around her, whispers of astonishment spread through the crowd. Her vigepanions beamed with pride, their earlier nerves reced with joy.


    "Rece the crystal and resume the testing," Another elder addressed the instructor.


    The instructor nodded, still visibly shaken, and moved to retrieve another orb.


    The girl, dazed, stepped down from the tform, her movements unsteady as she returned to the boy''s side.


    "That was amazing," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe. "I knew you''d do great, but this… This is something else."


    She didn''t respond immediately, her gaze distant, but she managed a small, uncertain smile.


    The instructor''s voice cut through the murmurs. "Next."


    It was the boy''s turn.


    Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, his nerves battling against his excitement.


    He ced his palms on the newly reced orb, the cool surface smooth under his hands.


    At first, the orb glowed faintly, just enough to suggest average aptitude.


    Hope red in his chest, but it was fleeting. The light began to waver, dimming until it faded entirely.


    The instructor''s voice was t and unfeeling as he announced the results. "No attribute talents. Low aptitude for energy. Weak constituent. You failed."


    ...


    [A/N: Those who''ve read carefully, without skimming, from the beginning must have already connected...]