In the previous chapter, Solomon and Eric hurriedly left the library, eager to uncover the source of the commotion. Before this, Solomon had spent some time immersing himself in the magical academy's unique atmosphere and resources. Under its nurturing environment, his mastery of magic had grown rapidly, his understanding and control reaching unprecedented heights. Yet, he was acutely aware that his true pursuit lay in the endless mysteries of the Sacred Arcana. The academy's headmaster, a white-haired elder with eyes as profound as the sea, had once spoken to him with solemnity, warning that to truly access the core of the Sacred Arcana's power, he must undertake a gruelling magical trial.
"Young man," the headmaster began, his piercing gaze fixed on Solomon. "The magical trial is the ultimate test of this academy, passed down through generations. Only those who succeed can earn the academy's full recognition and its richest rewards. This trial is no easy feat—it will test your magical prowess, wisdom, and courage in every way. Do you have the resolve to take on this challenge?"
Without hesitation, Solomon stood tall, his eyes unwavering as if carved from stone. "Headmaster, I've made my decision. No matter what dangers lie ahead, I'll give it my all and face this trial!"
The trial was to take place in an enormous and mysterious maze. Legend held that the maze was created by an ancient and powerful mage to challenge future generations. Within its depths lingered an aura of foreboding; its walls shimmered with eerie runes, glowing intermittently with a ghostly blue light, as if whispering warnings from ancient times. Magical traps lay hidden like venomous vipers, ready to strike without mercy. Mighty beasts roamed its corridors—hulking creatures with blazing eyes, breathing fire or exhaling icy gales that could freeze bone. Solomon's task was to survive three full days and nights within the labyrinth and retrieve the sacred artefact hidden deep within.
The moment Solomon stepped into the maze, an invisible pressure pressed down on him. Each step was taken with meticulous caution, his heightened senses scanning his surroundings like a hawk. Suddenly, from the shadows, a massive fiery beast lunged forward. Towering like a mountain, its body was wreathed in roaring flames, and its gaping maw revealed fangs as sharp as blades. With an earth-shaking roar, it charged at Solomon.
Reacting swiftly, Solomon conjured a shimmering ice wall in front of him. The fiery beast collided with it, sending sparks and steam into the air as fire clashed against ice. Cracks began to spread across the ice wall, but Solomon seized the moment. With a quick incantation, he summoned a lightning bolt that shot straight into the beast's blazing eyes. The creature howled in pain, thrashing violently. Solomon darted around its massive form, striking at its weaknesses with precision. After an intense battle, he finally managed to drive the beast away, his robes scorched but his spirit unbroken.
The labyrinth, however, was far from forgiving. Beyond the beasts lurked deadly traps. At one point, Solomon stepped onto what seemed to be an ordinary patch of ground, only to feel a sudden shift in the air. He froze, his instincts screaming danger. Scanning the area, he spotted faintly glowing runes etched into the floor. Recognising the sigils, he realised he had nearly triggered a magical trap that would unleash a hail of magical arrows from every direction. With steady breaths and careful movements, he manoeuvred around the trap and pressed forward.
Time flowed like a slow-moving stream, each moment heavy with tension. On the third day, at the critical hour, Solomon finally arrived at the heart of the labyrinth. There, suspended in the air, was the artefact he had sought—a crystal sphere radiating a mesmerising glow. It floated gently, as if cradled by invisible hands, emanating a soft, otherworldly light. It seemed less like an object and more like a fragment of a distant star.
When Solomon reached out and grasped the crystal, an immense surge of power coursed through him, so potent it made him tremble. He felt his sacred energy swelling within him, becoming as boundless and torrential as a mighty river. His affinity with magic grew exponentially, as if an invisible bridge now connected him directly to the essence of magic itself. The crystal's energy seemed to resonate with the Sacred Arcana, acting as a key to unlock deeper understanding within him. In that moment, new doors of comprehension swung open in his mind, revealing tantalising glimpses of truths previously beyond his reach.
Yet just as Solomon's heart swelled with triumph, danger crept closer. A group of shadowy figures emerged silently from the darkness, cloaked in black robes that concealed their faces. Their presence was like an oppressive storm, the air thick with malice and sinister intent. The magical energy radiating from them was dark and turbulent, filling the atmosphere with a sense of foreboding.
"Hand over the crystal," one of them growled in a low, rasping voice, "or this day will be your last."
Solomon's grip on the crystal tightened, his gaze unflinching. "Never! This crystal is too important to me. I won't let you take it!"
Before he could say more, the shadowy figures unleashed their attack. Tendrils of dark magic surged towards him, writhing like serpents. The spells distorted the air around them, the space trembling under their destructive force. Solomon swiftly conjured a radiant shield of magic to protect himself. The shield flickered and cracked under the relentless assault, threatening to shatter.
Solomon retaliated with a powerful spell—the Celestial Arcana Strike. A blinding wave of energy erupted from his hands, surging towards his enemies like a shooting star. The shadowy figures scattered, narrowly evading the attack. They regrouped almost instantly, their dark magic striking with renewed ferocity. The maze became a battlefield, magical light flashing and colliding in an awe-inspiring display of power. The walls trembled with each impact, the air ringing with the roar of clashing spells.
As the battle raged on, Solomon began to sense that his adversaries were not ordinary mages. Their strength, coordination, and unyielding pursuit suggested they were part of a larger, more sinister organisation. He realised this encounter was no mere coincidence—it was a calculated ambush.
The stakes were higher than ever. To protect the crystal, uncover the identities of his assailants, and escape the labyrinth alive, Solomon would need every ounce of his strength and cunning. But would he succeed? And what dark secrets lay behind the shadowy figures' relentless pursuit of the crystal? The answers awaited him, shrouded in the darkness of their conspiracy.