The third challenge was a strategic puzzle designed to test the students decision making skills.

We were taken to a vast, enchanted maze filled with traps and negative Arcane creatures, and illusions.

The objective was to find a hidden artifact at the center of the maze within a time limit.

As I took in my surroundings, I couldn't help but marvel at the intricate design of the maze.

The walls, made of twisting vines and shimmering crystals, seemed to pulse with a life of their own, almost as if the maze were breathing.

Professor Fiona, who was overseeing the challenge, explained with a serious tone;

"Each team will be given a map with misleading markings. You must rely on your wits and senses coupled with teamwork to navigate this maze successfully. Remember, the path will change as you move through it… pay attention to details, and trust your instincts."

My team still remained with those of whom I was paired with during the previous test.

Kareeck, always impulsive and strong headed, seemed eager to plunge into the maze, while another girl named Arianna was calm and focused with an expression that suggested a steady demeanor, radiating a sense of quiet competence.

I felt a sense of reassurance with the like of Arianna on the team; her skills in magic were valuable considering the fact that she was a Terramancer and her abilities could be used as an attack and defensive tool to guarantee success.

As we entered the maze, I noticed the way the walls shimmered and shifted, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Every few steps, I could feel the maze adjusting around us, the path ahead twisting and turning unpredictably. It was as if the maze itself was testing us, watching to see who would falter first.

"Stay close and keep your eyes peeled for traps," I advised, my voice steady but alert.

I was well known as the prince of cindralock because of my parents legacy and coupled with the fact that I was seen as someone with mysterious powers and a well rounded students, my teammates instinctively took me as the unelected or unappointed leader of the squad. All except one though— Kareeck.

Every step had to be calculated, every move deliberate.

Kareeck scoffed, brushing off my caution. "We'll definitely be fine. don't act mighty in front of me… lets just charge ahead!" he took off, leading the way without waiting for input from the rest of his teammates.

This guy wants to get himself killed or something?

His overconfidence was almost palpable, and while I respected his bravery, I knew that such recklessness could spell disaster.

I let out a huge sigh of disappointment but ultimately decided to follow, knowing that we all had to stick together as a team and more importantly, if we don't cover up that boy would be dead in a few minutes- im sure of it.

As we maneuvered through the twisting paths, I kept my senses sharp, using my intelligence to identify subtle clues about the maze's layout.

I observed faint symbols and sigils etched onto the walls, marks that seemed to indicate potential paths or hidden traps.

I made this knowledge known to my teammates, thoough Kareeck often ignored them.

Suddenly, we stumbled into a large chamber where an Anti-arcane Shadow creature hovered with its massive insect-like body.

The creature emitted a soft, haunting light, casting a pale glow across the chamber, like a firefly.

For the great majority of its appearance and demeanor, it appeared peaceful, floating gently in the air, but I sensed the underlying danger that all shadow creature possess.

There was something about the creature's aura that felt off, as if it was concealing a hidden threat beneath it tranquil appearance.

As we approached, the creature emitted a burst of light from its rear, revealing a hidden trap on the ground.

"Wait!! get back!!" I shouted, my voice filled with urgency.

But Kareeck, always too quick to seize an opportunity to prove himself, ignored the warning.

He charged forward at the Shadow creature, thinking he could capture the thing and gain an advantage for the team.

The creature retaliated instantly, realeasing a shockwave of energy that sent the boy flying back against the wall.

He hit the stone with a loud thud, momentarily stunned. I rushed forward, with my heart pounding, fraustration and concern mingling as I helped the foolish boy up to his feet.

"Didn't I not tell you to be careful!!" I yelled angrily into his ear, my eyes flashing with disappointment.

Kareeck's reckless behaviour was putting all of us at risk more likely than not, and I could not afford to lose any team member in this dangerous exercise.

Arianna, who had been silent until now, finally stepped up.

Her eyes focused and she raised her hand, summoning a protective barrier of rock around the team to shielf us from the the creature's next attacks.

"We need to work together! Focus on it weaknesses!" she urged, her voice calm but still very much commanding.

I took a moment to use the Divine Thread skill, gather my thoughts and formulate a plan.

"Come Forth… Cryo"

~Ding!

~You have summoned your Arcane pet >Elemental Dogs: Cryo<~

~Level: Grade three [Intermidiate]~

Ding!

~Cryo has granted you its skills~

I channeled my elemental magic, drawing ice from the arcane mutt and formed a torrent of heavy ice bombadment, attempting to douse the creatures energy.

The creature recoiled slightly, its glow dimming as the ice struck it.

Arianna followed my lead, combing her Teramancy magic with my Cryomancy to create a powerful attack.

She broke off a massive boulder from the thick walls of the maze and fused it with my ice, amplifying the effect.

Arianna was way better than kareeck. She also knows the importance of team work. She knew how to act properly in tough and unknown situation.

Together, we unleashed a torrent of ice and earth attack that overwhelmed the enemy, weakning it until it flickered and faded into a harmless spark, allowing another member of the team to finish it off and retrieve the magic stone.

With combined team efforts, we managed to subdue the shadow creature, allowing us to pass through the chamber and continue our search for the artifact.

After navigating more traps and puzzles, we finally reached the center of the maze.

In the heart of the chamber, the artifact; a shimmering crystal orb sat on a pedestal.

The orb pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, as if holding a vast reservior of energy within its depths.

I felt unneccesarily drawn to it, sensing the immense power it contained. But just as I reached out to grab it, another team burst into the chamber.

At the forefront, leading the charge was a face I recognized from the academy's magic tournament— Shawn Ferrel.

She was still sharp minded and ruthless as ever with her ambition, and her intense gaze spoke volumes about her determination to win at all costs especially against me that humiliated her during the tournament.

"looks like you're a bit late to the party, Prince Levi," Shawn taunted, a smirk playing on her lips. "Unlike last time, this prize belongs to me!"

Without waiting for response, she lunged for the orb. I instinctively reacted, stepping in front of her and blocking her path.

"You can't just take it. We earned this, we were here first!!" I declared, my voice steady and defieant.

Shawn laughed maniacly with palpable arrogance. "This isn't a game of fairness, Levi… you should know that by now…" she said, and almost immediately she unleashed a wave of Arcane energy from within in a attempt to initmidate me.

The entire chamber crackled with tension as the two of us faced off, an ancient rivalry that begun form the school smagic tournament.

She was right, this exercise isn't fair and so were the participant, so why do I have to play by the unwritten rule of teamwork and gameplay. I could very much take down every opposing student by myself without breaking a sweat, I am the on

e and only Mythic Class Awakened in the world— This is absurd to have this chap oppose me, especially after coming this far.

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