The Culling Protocol

Introduction

 [Threshold reached universe 38941 integration to multiverse commencing]

[Scanning planets:0%]

[Scanning planets: 32%]

[Scanning planets:66%]

[Scanning planets:98%]

[Scanning planets:100%]

[Error: Insufficient planetary energy detected]

[Planetary index 81943 Classification: Earth]

[Solution: The Culling Protocol]

I curse stumbling, nearly dropping the plates of food I held. After managing not to drop anything, I quickly make my way to the table. "Sorry for the delay, here is your food." It was the dinner rush and I was constantly moving, going from table to table to ensure everyone was as satisfied as possible. On my way to one of his many tables, something odd happened. In my vision, a large black box of text appeared. [Congratulations, you have been selected as a forerunner in the Culling Protocol. Teleportation to initiation commencing in 30 seconds]

I paused, unsure of what was happening as I watched the time tick down. Assuming it was some kind of prank I internally groaned to myself, but I wasn't sure how it could be possible. Looking around I noticed the box following my eyes no matter where I tried to look. A deep sense of dread flooded me before the timer ticked to 0 and his vision went white.

Suddenly I found myself standing in a large grass field. As I looked around there was not a single structure in sight, only grass stretching off into the horizon. A loud chime sounded, echoing through the field. Another text box appeared filling my vision. [Welcome participant 330,459. You are one of 150,000,000 people brought to the initiation zone. Of those 150,000,000 only 50,000,000 will be selected. You will go through a series of trials that determine your strength and mana compatibility. The 50,000,000 that prove themselves worthy will have the essence of the other 100,000,000 participants assimilated into themselves, giving them a boost in power. The amount of power gained will be determined based off of the placement within the 50,000,000, the higher on the leaderboard you are the more power you will gain.]

I blinked, reading the message before him. What the hell is going on? What does any of this mean? Rereading the last few lines something became apparent. Those who were deemed unworthy would not be making it out of this initiation zone. I don't understand why this is happening but I need to survive, no way in hell I can die like this. As my thoughts run away a new text box appears sporting brand new text. [The first test shall be commencing shortly. The first test will have two parts to it: the first opening your body to mana and seeing how much it can store within, and the second is how intuitively you can use mana with little instruction. During the first test your mana pathways will be opened up and pushed to their limit, you will receive a score based off how much mana you can fit within your body. The second test will be one of mana shaping, you will receive a puzzle cube that requires mana shaping to solve, and you will be scored based on how far you get, or if solved the score will be based on the speed at which the cube is figured out.]

My mind freezes as I get overwhelmed by all the information. I stumble, falling backward and landing on the grass. I stare up into the sky, the text box still in front of me, as I try to parse through what is happening. [Test 1: beginning now]

I shoot up suddenly terrified before a heavy pressure befalls me. I scream out in pain as I feel it tear through me. A feeling of something ripping through my body fills me as I lay on the ground thrashing wildly. Eventually, the ripping feeling stops and I tentatively lay still on the ground. What was that? I've never felt pain like that before. [Congratulations, your mana pathways have been opened. Testing mana capacity now.]