The Ruined King's Tomb
The Ruined King's Tombs of the Northern Countries.
The towering gray rock walls pierce the sky almost vertically, their surfaces marked by the erosion of wind and rain. At the base of the walls, four identical entrances stand silently open.
Each entrance is arched with ornate edges, and its interior is pitch black and bottomless. Ancient characters, long since blurred, are carved above the entrances.
The examinees stood in the open space in front of the rock wall, looking up at the unsolved maze, the air filled with the smell of dust and rocks.
Sense stood before the crowd.
She was still wearing that white dress and dark blue cape, her long, light brown hair fluttering in the cool morning breeze. Her eyes were downcast, her deep blue gaze calmly sweeping over the twenty examinees present.
"Well then," her voice was steady and flat, "I'll explain the detailed rules for the second exam."
She paused.
"It's simple. You'll be exploring this Ruined King's Tomb."
"There's only one requirement: reaching the deepest part of the Ruined King's Tomb."
Her gaze swept over the crowd.
"I'm a pacifist and don't like competition. So, as long as I get there, I'm satisfied."
The bald mage, Bly, frowned and couldn't help but speak.
"Wait a minute," his voice laced with skepticism, "This Ruined King's Tomb contains countless unsolved labyrinths where adventurers have never returned. Are you planning to disqualify everyone again?"
Sense shifted his gaze to him, his expression unchanged.
What are you talking about?
Her tone remained calm.
"The title of 'First-Class Mage' represents the pinnacle of magic. Only those who can turn the impossible into the possible deserve to be called First-Class Mages."
She paused.
"Whether no one has ever succeeded or no one has ever reached the destination, just keep overcoming the difficulties and moving forward."
Bly was about to say something, but Dunster him aside and shook his head.
Bly shut his mouth and stopped talking.
Länge looked up at the four deep entrances, her pale pink eyes widening slightly, her face showing a mixture of amazement and caution.
Methode stood beside her, her posture elegant. She looked at Sense and asked in a gentle voice.
"So, how do we prove we've reached the deepest point? Is it by bringing back the treasure from the deepest part?"
Sense shook his head.
No proof is needed. I will also go to the deepest part.
She added.
"Of course, I won't offer you any help."
Her gaze swept over the crowd again.
"Also, I'm going to distribute this bottle to everyone now."
As she finished speaking, her long, light brown hair began to dance silently. Dozens of strands of hair deftly rolled up small glass bottles and precisely delivered them to each examinee.
The bottle is transparent and about the size of a palm. Inside is a small wooden figure sitting curled up with its knees drawn up to its chest. The figure is carved rather roughly, but you can tell it is quite sturdy, a strong man, though not very elegant, as it is only wearing shorts.
Sense's voice rang out again.
"This is Golem developed by the First-Class Mage, Lairen. Simply break the bottle, and the Golem will appear and lead you out of the maze."
She paused.
"Thanks to the help of the Star-Torch Corridor of the Continental Magic Academy, this thing is already quite successful. Although using it will result in failing the exam, please use it without hesitation in case of danger."
Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
"I will not allow promising people to die here."
Kanne took the bottle, curiously held it up to his eyes, and examined it against the light.
"This examiner seems pretty good; he even has something to save his life."
Rabiñe also held his own bottle, his fingers tracing the cool glass surface.
"Indeed. However, it also shows that it's indeed very difficult to get through inside."
Not far away, Frieren took the bottle and casually played with it in her hand, her emerald eyes fixed on the little wooden figure inside, and she blinked.
Fern stood quietly beside her, his pale purple eyes calmly fixed on the bottle in his hand, without saying a word.
A miniature Lowell lay inside Frieren's hood, using her magical perception to watch the plot unfold.
Duncan tucked the bottle into his pocket, his expression unchanged. Lichta, on the other hand, casually stuffed the bottle into her pocket.
Wirbel grinned and hung the bottle on his belt. Ehre carefully placed the bottle into her small pouch. Scharf also put the bottle away.
Ubel held the bottle, twirling it between his fingers, a familiar faint smile on his face. Lanto adjusted his glasses and carefully put the bottle away.
Edel took the bottle, glanced at it, and casually handed it to Bly, Bly accepted it.
Länge held the bottle with both hands and bowed slightly to Sense: "Thank you very much."
Methode elegantly put the bottle away and nodded to Sense.
Ton took the bottle, pursed his lips, but still put it away. Adonis remained calm and put the bottle in his pocket. Elder, on the other hand, looked sleepy and almost dropped the bottle. After clumsily grabbing it, he yawned and casually stuffed the bottle into his mouth.
Sense added a final note.
"One more thing. The bottle will shatter automatically at dawn tomorrow. That will be the end of the second exam."
"The Golem will automatically bring you out. This will also be convenient if any examinees lose consciousness and encounter danger."
After she finished speaking, she took a step back, making way for the four entrances.
"So--"
Her voice carried clearly throughout the open space.
"The exam has begun."