My God domain is the endless abyss Chapter 1: Graduation

"I’m so nervous. My graduation project is finally starting. I truly hope I can pass this time."

"Yeah, this year I just want to design a Transcendent-level world for my domain. If I succeed, I’ll be set for life."

"Come on, be serious. Very few people manage that each year."

"I know, but if I create just an average world, I’ll end up with a regular job after graduation. I want more than that, so I’m going all in."

"Damn, your standards are impossibly high. I just want to graduate without failing."

"Haha, haven’t you been delaying your graduation for like five years now? Honestly, I think you only stayed for the cafeteria's food."

"Shut up!"

At the training grounds of Grimstone University, a group of seniors in their twenties were engaged in conversation while awaiting the commencement of the most pivotal project of their lives.

Among them, one individual stood out: Cillian Carter.

In contrast to the others, he displayed no signs of nervousness. He wasn't fidgeting or appearing anxious. He simply stood there, serene and silent, much like an observer watching from the periphery.

Cillian mused internally, "It's hard to believe it’s already been four years since I arrived in this world."

Four years prior, for reasons he still didn't fully comprehend, Cillian found himself transported to this unfamiliar realm. During this time, he diligently strove to grasp the intricacies of how things operated here.

The most significant realization he attained?

This world revolved around the pursuit of godhood. Everyone, irrespective of their background, possessed the latent potential to ignite their Divine Fire and establish their own Domain of Divinity—a unique world meticulously crafted by each individual.

One's strength, standing, and future prosperity were all intrinsically linked to the caliber of the divine world they constructed. Achieving a Transcendent world virtually guaranteed a position among the elite. However, a world of merely average quality inevitably led to an equally unremarkable existence.

And this was precisely the focus of their graduation project. Designing and manifesting their own divine world was the ultimate prerequisite for graduation.

While the chatter amongst the students continued, a resonant voice suddenly boomed across the field.

"Students, quiet down!"

A hush fell over the assembly as all eyes turned toward the elevated stage.

Occupying the stage was a middle-aged man with piercing eyes and an aura of authority. He was Vice Principal Warren, a distinguished god-king at the university.

He surveyed the assembled students with a slight frown. "After four years of study, and for some of you, more than four..." he remarked, his gaze briefly falling upon a cluster of repeat students, "you have finally reached this juncture."

A nervous ripple of laughter went through the students, some lowering their heads in bashful acknowledgment.

"You have absorbed the theories. You have honed the techniques. And now, all your dedicated efforts will be put to the ultimate test."

The students stirred with anticipation, their eyes alight with rekindled excitement.

"The moment has arrived," Warren declared, "for you to ignite your divine fire. To transcend the mundane world and embark on your inaugural step towards godhood."

"From this point forward, each of you shall be granted a fragment of World Origin. Utilizing this, you are tasked with designing a unique world—your Domain of Divinity."

"You will have one month. I anticipate remarkable achievements."

He lifted a hand towards the heavens, and a cascade of golden energy washed over the entirety of the training field.

"Focus your will," he commanded. "Prepare to ignite your fire!"

In a flash, an incandescent surge of power permeated the air. The ground vibrated as energy surged into every recess of the field.

Cillian closed his eyes.

Then, deep within his consciousness, a solitary golden spark flickered into existence. It was a single, luminous point—yet it began to push back the encroaching darkness within his spiritual sea. Gradually, it intensified, casting its illumination upon a small segment of his awareness.

The divine fire had been kindled.

Cillian drew a deep, slow breath. "It has finally begun."

Upon igniting one's fire, they were no longer considered part of the ordinary world. From that moment onward, they became something more, something significantly more potent.

However, fire alone was insufficient. To augment his power, Cillian needed to construct something substantial—a fully realized divine world. The more intricate, perilous, and complete his creation, the more intensely his fire would blaze.

These two components, the fire and the world, were interdependent. The superior the world, the more formidable his divine path would become.

Warren's voice resonated once more. "Now, all students who have successfully ignited their fire, please proceed to the registration office. There, you shall receive your World Origin Fragment."

"However, prior to receiving it, you must declare the specific type of world you intend to construct."

"Dismissed!"

With those words, Warren departed from the stage, leaving behind hundreds of exhilarated seniors still reveling in the sensation of their newly ignited inner flames.

"Wow, I actually did it... the fire is real!"

"The next step is selecting the world type. I'm considering a low-magic fantasy realm, perhaps I'll even strive for Transcendent status."

In a world where magic was scarce, pursuing a Transcendent reality presented fewer obstacles. The proper channeling of World Origin, coupled with the natural magical evolution of one's creatures, could pave the way for greater power.

However, not everyone shared this conventional approach.

"Transcending isn't my primary concern. I'm still weighing my options between a technologically advanced world or one teeming with mutated beasts."

Civilizations driven by technology and realms inhabited by alien beasts were more familiar territory, often simpler to establish. With judicious use of World Origin, either to accelerate scientific breakthroughs or foster beast evolution, these worlds typically met the required standards for graduation.

Amidst the animated discussions of the group, a student directed a question toward Cillian. "And you, Carter? Do you have any thoughts on the world you intend to create?"

Cillian offered a smile.

His decision had been made for a long time.

"I won't be pursuing magic, nor technology, nor anything of that nature."

"I plan to conceptualize something entirely unique."

"A novel category of divine world. I shall name it the Endless Abyss."

"The Endless Abyss? That certainly sounds... formidable," a student murmured.

Cillian confirmed with a nod. "My intention is to craft a brutal environment, one where every inhabitant is potential prey."

His peers regarded him for a moment, uncertain if his words were meant in jest.

Cillian offered no further explanation.

He simply turned and walked towards the registration office, the moment to ascend to godhood having arrived.