After Chase and Ava defeated the water golem, a wave of water enveloped them, like a powerful tidal surge washing over their bodies. As they stood there, soaked from the splashing water, something extraordinary happened. The magic essence within the water caused both Chase and Ava to reveal their true forms beneath their drenched clothes, like a magical unveiling of their inner selves.
"You possess an awe-inspiring physique," Ava exclaimed, astonished as she gazed at Chase's chiseled muscles, clearly defined through his wet shirt, like a sculpture brought to life by the rain.
Ava's eyes traveled up to meet Chase's gaze, only to realize that he, too, was looking at her intently, specifically at her chest, like a moment of vulnerability exposed between them.
"Look away!" Ava cried out, her face flushing with embarrassment as she instinctively shielded her chest with her arms, like a shy flower seeking to preserve its delicate petals.
Respecting Ava's wishes, Chase immediately turned his gaze elsewhere, his expression apologetic. "I apologize, it wasn't my intention," he said, injecting a touch of sarcasm into his voice
"That doesn't matter; you shouldn't have been looking," Ava retorted, her voice tinged with annoyance
"Very well, let's focus on finding a way out of this labyrinth," Chase suggested, his gaze scanning the room in search of an exit,.
Chase and Ava began to explore their surroundings, determined to discover a way out. However, their search yielded no results, and frustration started to creep in.
"Is there no way out of here?" Chase asked, irritation evident in his tone as their efforts proved futile, like a caged bird yearning for freedom.
"Look at what's happening!" Ava suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward a swirling vortex of air in the distance, like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.
Chase and Ava instantly realized the significance of the phenomenon before them. "A new portal is being opened," Ava declared, her voice filled with a mix of awe.
"Let's go," Chase said decisively.
Without hesitation, Chase and Ava stepped into the portal, transporting themselves back to the training grounds of the Blue Eagle, where their fellow classmates had already assembled. Some wore expressions of elation and excitement, while others seemed sad and apprehensive, like a sea of emotions converging in one place.
As Chase pondered the illusory nature of their previous location, a voice broke through his thoughts. "Well, some have passed the Trial of Laydbirth," Freya declared, her voice filled with pride, like a teacher praising her accomplished students. "And some did not."
Some of the students who had succeeded basked in Freya's praise, while those who had failed wore expressions of disappointment, like stars shining brightly or dimming in the night sky. However, a sudden commotion diverted everyone's attention.
"Grr!"
A low growl reverberated through the air, prompting everyone to turn towards its source, like a primal instinct drawing them to a looming danger.
"Help!" one of the students cried out, his eyes turning pitch black, seems like a sinister transformation overtaking him, like a soul consumed by darkness.
"What's happening to him?!" another student exclaimed, shock etched on their face, like witnesses to a mysterious and terrifying phenomenon.
Veins darkened across the affected student's face and hands, a foreboding change taking place, like the manifestation of a malevolent force.
"Oh, he's transforming," Freya said, her voice filled with panic.
Freya moved forward, but the master of time magic, Lane, halted her with a raised staff, shielding her from the impending danger, like a shield protecting a precious gem.
"I will handle this," Master Lane declared with confidence, like a sage taking charge of an arcane situation.
"Are you sure?" Freya asked, uncertainty lacing her voice as she observed Master Lane's determined stance.
Master Lane didn't respond, merely pointing his staff towards the transformed student, who now writhed and growled on the ground.
"Protection Ball," Master Lane murmured softly, and a pulsating sphere of blue energy materialized around the student.
The students watched in amazement as the transformed student futilely attacked the protective barrier, unable to penetrate its resilient shield, like a beast trying to break free from an invisible cage.
"Thank you once again, Master Lane," Freya expressed her gratitude, mixed with an apology for doubting his abilities, like a grateful student recognizing a teacher's wisdom.
"It's my duty," Master Lane replied cryptically, his gaze unwavering as he maintained his hold on the protective sphere.
"What just happened?" a student inquired, confusion evident in their voice, like a curious mind seeking to understand the enigmatic event.
"Didn't you hear him? He created a protection ball," another student explained, their curiosity piqued.
"Not that's what just happened to our classmate," Freya finally explained, her voice filled with a somber gravity.
"A demon?" the students echoed, their voices a chorus of disbelief, like a collective gasp in response to an ominous revelation.
The notion of encountering a demon sent shockwaves through their ranks. Though they had read about such creatures in academy books, the experience was entirely foreign to them, like a forbidden legend coming to life.
"Yes, a demon. It is one of the many ways to become a demon, and this one is an inner demon that can consume their mind and soul," Freya revealed, her tone tinged with a sense of dread.
The memory of their encounter with the mirror of illusions flashed in the minds of the students, intensifying their fear, like haunting echoes from a past ordeal.
"Could that happen to us too?" a student asked, their voice trembling with terror, like a trembling leaf in the face of an approaching storm.
"No, it is rare for anyone to succumb to becoming a demon during the trials," Freya reassured them, offering a glimmer of relief.
"Now, you have three days until the Trial of Shadows," Freya announced, her voice laced with darkness, like a shadow looming over their future.
"The Trial of Shadows?" the students exclaimed in unison, their apprehension mounting.
After each student returned to their respective dormitories to prepare for the upcoming Trial of Shadows, Chase took a moment to assess his progress. He checked his stats and discovered that his strength, agility, and will had each increased by three points, a testament to his growth for the Labyrinth, like a rising phoenix reborn from the trials.