NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73: Rules.
(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)
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(P.S Considering most just skip the A/N, I had to put it here. This chapter is just about the rules of the trial, and yes I had some assistance (AI) in putting together what I had in mind and making it easier to understand for the readers. If you still have any questions, feel free to comment and ask. Ciao)
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"The name of this year's trial is SIGIL CONVERGENCE," He stated.
The crowd held their breath waiting for him to continue, and as though aware of their nerves, he waited a bit before continuing.
"That is all I will say; you have the rest of the allotted time to read and understand." He said before vanishing.
In his place appeared a large screen, wide enough for everyone to view with clarity, but it was the content that drew attention.
<<SIGIL CONVERGENCE>>
->Commencement and General Overview
The trial shall take place within the Spatial Arena, a magically constructed field divided into multiple interlinked zones. Each zone is a fragment of artificially generated terrain that will gradually compress toward the central point of convergence as the trial progresses.
Every participant will be transported randomly into one of these zones at the moment of initiation. Communication and teleportation across zones are restricted until the boundaries merge.
->The Sigil Stone System
Each participant will be provided with a single Sigil Stone, personalised and attuned to their mana signature.
The Sigil Stone represents both the candidate's identity and life status within the trial. The stone is responsible for recording points, location tracking, and maintaining the participant's presence within the arena.
Rules governing Sigil Stones are as follows:
>>Each Sigil Stone begins with one (1) Sigil Point at the start of the trial.
>>Sigil Stones may be merged with others to increase total points.
>>A merge can only occur under two valid conditions:
+The owner of the Sigil voluntarily consents to the merger.
+The owner of the Sigil is rendered unconscious.
>>Forced merges without satisfying either condition are forbidden and will trigger a stun backlash lasting ten (10) minutes, rendering the offender unable to move or use mana. Additionally, their Sigil Stone becomes inert for the duration of the stun and cannot perform merges.
>>During the stun period, the inert Sigil will automatically donate one (1) point per minute to the nearest active Sigil within a thirty (30) meter radius. If no valid Sigil exists within range, the point is lost permanently until the stun expires.
->Shrine Mechanics
Throughout the Expanse are Sigil Shrines — ancient altars glowing with stabilising runes.
They offer safe territory and steady point gain, but at high risk.
Shrine Rules:
>>Single Occupant Rule: Only one participant may control a shrine at a time.
>>To activate, place your Sigil Stone on the altar; remain within 3 meters.
>>While active, the shrine generates +1 Sigil Point per minute.
>>Leaving the 3-meter radius or removing your Sigil halts accumulation.
>>Visibility: Your Sigil remains fully exposed on the altar.
>>Others may attempt to steal it; standard Sigil rules apply.
>>Attempting forceful merging on a shrine-bound Sigil triggers full penalties (paralysis, inert state, and point bleed).
>>Shrines outside Safe Zones automatically deactivate, draining 1 point per minute from any Sigil still placed upon them.
>>After a Sigil is removed, the shrine enters a 10-second cooldown before reuse.
>>Shrines are limited in number — use them wisely.
->Loss and Recovery Conditions
If a participant loses possession of their Sigil Stone, a timer of thirty (30) minutes will immediately begin.
The participant must retrieve their Sigil Stone within that timeframe to remain in the trial. Failure to do so will result in automatic ejection and disqualification.
Ejected participants will be safely teleported out of the arena and barred from reentry.
-> Safe Zone and Boundary Compression
The arena is subject to continuous spatial compression, designed to ensure escalating conflict and test participants' adaptability.
At regulated intervals, the active boundary will contract toward the centre of the field.
Participants located outside the designated safe zone during contraction phases will incur the following penalties:
>>Their Sigil Stone will become inert, preventing merges or point accumulation.
>>The inert Sigil will begin to drain one (1) point per minute until the participant re-enters the safe zone.
>>Participants reduced to zero (0) points will be forcibly ejected from the trial.
A visual and auditory signal will announce each boundary contraction one (1) minute prior to commencement, giving all participants sufficient time to relocate.
->Victory and Qualification Criteria
The trial will continue until the allotted time has elapsed or until only five thousand (5,000) active Sigils remain within the field.
Final rankings will be determined by the total Sigil Points accumulated.
>>The top five thousand (5,000) participants will advance to the next academic phase.
>>All other participants will be safely extracted upon termination of the event.
->Conduct and Restrictions
>>The use of lethal force is strictly prohibited. The Spatial Arena's regulatory field is equipped with life-preservation wards designed to prevent fatal injuries; however, deliberate attempts to bypass these wards will result in permanent expulsion.
>>Participants may not carry external artefacts, weapons, or tools not issued or approved by the academy. Any detected interference items will be nullified upon entry.
>>Alliances are permitted but are considered temporary and non-binding. Should multiple participants remain allied at the conclusion of the trial, Sigil rankings will still be determined individually.
->Assistance and Monitoring
The entire trial will be monitored in real time by Academy Overseers stationed within the Observation Hall.
Each participant's condition will be tracked to ensure safety and fair enforcement of regulations.
Should a candidate's vitals drop below safe thresholds, the academy's automatic extraction system will forcibly remove them from the arena.
-> Scoring Transparency and Post-Trial Review
At the conclusion of the event, point tallies and top-performer records will be publicly displayed in the Hall of Merit.
Any disputes regarding results must be submitted to the Trial Arbitration Board within one (1) hour of the official announcement.
-> Final Advisory
The Elimination Trial is not designed solely to reward strength. It is intended to measure judgment, restraint, adaptability, and clarity under chaos — the qualities that define the future of the Chronos lineage.
Remember that each decision made within the field reflects upon your discipline, family, and heritage.