Disagreement

Sense finished speaking.

The air in front of the rock face fell still for a moment.

Lichta crossed her arms, her deadpan eyes sweeping over the four identical archways side by side.

There are several entrances.

Duncan also raised his cloudy eyes and carefully examined the ancient patterns above the entrance. He spoke slowly, his voice steady and carrying a sense of certainty born of experience.

"Judging from its shape and patterns... it's undoubtedly a labyrinth from the period of the Unified Dynasty. Labyrinths of that era were mostly designed with several entrances, but each one led to the deepest part."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and subconsciously began to make arrangements, his tone so natural as if it were a matter of course.

"If we split up and investigate each entrance separately, we should soon be able to figure out the general structure of the entire maze. So, let's all split up and then—"

"Etc."

A voice interrupted him.

Ton, a handsome young mage with neat short gray hair and an innate arrogance, stepped forward. He crossed his arms, his brows slightly furrowed, making no attempt to hide the distrust in his eyes as he stared directly at Duncan.

Why are we working as a team again?

Duncan looked at him, his brown eyebrows slightly raised.

"There's no competition in this exam. Exploring mazes, especially ancient ones like this, is much more efficient and safer when done collectively and with information shared. It's the most logical strategy."

"That's just wishful thinking on your part," Ton retorted bluntly. "Unlike the first exam, this time the passing condition doesn't include 'teammates must survive.' Even if you temporarily form a team, no one is obligated to help anyone else in a critical moment. On the contrary, you're more likely to be used as exploratory pawns by some 'experienced' individuals."

His gaze swept meaningfully over Duncan, then over the others.

"There are quite a few students from the Continental United Academy here, and perhaps you know each other and have some kind of 'trust' between you. But unfortunately, although I am one of them, I don't know any of you here."

He stared at Duncan, his tone becoming more forceful.

"Especially someone like you who seems to know the maze inside and out, and who has climbed to the position of Court Mage... I doubt the methods you used to rise to such a high position were entirely clean. I don't trust you. I want to challenge the maze myself. This is a test, and I want to rely on my own strength."

After he finished speaking, he stopped looking at anyone's reaction, turned around, and walked straight to the leftmost entrance.

The figure quickly disappeared into the thick darkness, the footsteps fading into the distance until they finally vanished.

A brief silence.

Kanne remarked, "How aloof."

"Yes." Rabiñe, unusually, did not refute.

"Haa..."

Elder yawned deeply and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He glanced at the Ton had disappeared, then at the remaining people, his face clearly saying, "What a hassle."

"Being alone... it seems quite peaceful."

He muttered to himself and staggered toward the second entrance. His dark gray-blue skin blended almost seamlessly into the rock in the dim light.

As soon as he stepped inside, a tall, slender figure silently followed.

Adonis the blond man flashed briefly at the edge of the shadows at the entrance before disappearing into the darkness.

Lanto adjusted his glasses, didn't speak to anyone, and walked straight towards the third entrance. His steps were steady, his goal clear.

However, light footsteps immediately sounded behind him.

Ubel smiled and followed in a few steps, her green ponytail swaying gently.

"Hey Glasses Guy, wait for me!"

Lanto kept walking without turning his head.

"Don't follow me. That man was right, I don't trust any of you in a place like this."

Ubel's smile remained unchanged, her tone light. "I have exams too. Besides, it's so boring being alone; having two people means you can keep each other company."

"I don't need it."

But I need it.

"You need a hammer. You're just lusting after her 'Shadow Clone,' or maybe she's lusting after her body," Lowell thought to himself.

The remaining candidates looked at each other.

Duncan's gaze swept over the people who remained.

Frieren was fiddling with the glass bottle containing the escape Golem in her hand. Fern stood quietly beside her. Kanne and Rabiñe huddled together, whispering something, clearly preparing to follow Frieren. Länge and Methode stood gracefully to the side, their expressions calm. Edel and her two teammates, Bly and Dunster, seemed to have no objections. Lichta and Laufen were his old teammates; Lichta was always one to say one thing but do another.

Finally, his gaze fell on the Wirbel squad.

Wirbel grinned, revealing his usual, slightly wild smile. He glanced at Ehre and Scharf beside him and shrugged.

"Don't let my appearance fool you," he said in a loud voice, "I really care about my juniors in my college. Although there was a little friction during the first exam... it's nothing serious. What do you think?"

Although he was the leader of the three, he also consulted the opinions of the other two.

Ehre nodded slightly. Scharf also hummed in agreement.

Lichta crossed her arms and looked at Duncan: "Although a few people left, there are more left. At least among these people, there aren't any idiots who would Mimic and get trapped. That's enough, isn't it, Duncan?"

Duncan glanced at him too. "At this point, how could there still be such an idiot?"

Frieren lowered her head guiltily, Fern watched Frieren without saying a word.

Duncan thought he had it all figured out. He cleared his throat, and his aged but steady voice rang out again.

"It seems that only a minority have chosen to act alone. The fact that there are more people remaining is a good thing. So, if no one objects, how about I temporarily lead the team and coordinate the operations during the maze exploration?"

He paused, then looked specifically at Frieren.

"Of course, Frieren, if you want to be the team leader, I have absolutely no objection and will fully cooperate."

Frieren lifted her eyes from the glass bottle, blinked her emerald green eyes, and spoke in a flat tone.

"No, it's fine as long as you come, I'll help."

Very decisively, it's clear that Old Fu is a slacker and doesn't like the idea of being a leader.

Duncan nodded, no longer offering any pleasantries.

"Very good. Well then, before we enter, given that some members of the team may not have explored this type of ancient labyrinth in depth, I will briefly explain some basic information and precautions."

He put his hands behind his back, like an old professor lecturing at a college, and began a long, methodical discourse.

From the architectural features of labyrinths during the Unified Dynasty era, to common trap types, to areas where Gargoyles might appear and attack, and finally to what unusual magical flows in certain places might mean, the presentation is clear, organized, and detailed—truly befitting of an experienced Court Mage.

The crowd listened quietly, with some occasionally nodding slightly.

"... In conclusion," Duncan concluded, "While theoretically exploring different entrances separately would be the most efficient, considering the infamous reputation of the Ruined King's Tomb and our relatively ample time, I suggest we concentrate our efforts and enter through the same entrance for now. The overall progress might be slower, but it will minimize risk and avoid unnecessary casualties. We still have almost a full day, enough for a steady exploration."

He looked around at the crowd.

What do you all think?

Methode nodded slightly. "Precaution is paramount."

Wirbel grinned. "I'm fine."

Edel yawned. "Alright, alright, let's go in quickly, standing is so tiring."

Frieren had already resumed her examination of her glass bottle, clearly acquiescing.

With the team leaders agreeing, the rest naturally had no objections.

"Then, let's go in through the rightmost entrance." Duncan pointed to the last archway that no one had chosen yet.

"I'll go in with you."

Sense had somehow already walked to the side of the line. Her eyes were droopy, but her tone was calm.

"It will also save some effort."

Frieren looked away from the glass bottle and glanced at her.

"Don't cause us any trouble."

Sense's expression remained unchanged.

"No. I won't cause trouble, nor will I offer help."

Rabiñe looked at the towering rock walls and muttered to Kanne beside him, "Actually, my brother and the others were on a preliminary expedition to the Ruined King's Tomb. They'd been planning it for ages. But because of my important year-end assessment at the Continental United Academy, they all came to cheer me on... and the expedition was canceled."

"Later I heard that the advance team... was completely wiped out inside. Not a single one came out."

Should I be grateful for that assessment?

Kanne patted her on the shoulder.

"Perhaps, but your brothers are all excellent. If they participated, I believe they would come out alive. Besides, this time we have Frieren, and excellent mages like Duncan. With so many people, there shouldn't be any problem. Let us help your brothers solve this Ruined King's Tomb!"

"Too."

Duncan looked at everyone one last time.

"Let's go this way then. Everyone, stay alert, let's move out."

He took the first step, heading towards the dark archway that seemed capable of swallowing everything.

Lichta and Laufen followed. Länge and Methode entered gracefully. Wirbel walked in with an air of indifference, followed by Ehre and Scharf. Edel was escorted in by Bly and Dunster, one on each side.

Frieren casually tucked the glass bottle into her bosom and walked in alongside Fern. Kanne and Rabiñe followed closely behind.

Sense walked at the back of the group with droopy eyes, his long light brown hair almost touching the ground, making him look like a silent shadow in the dim light.

As the last figure was swallowed by darkness, the clearing in front of the rock wall returned to its ancient silence.

There are only four pitch-black entrances, still silently gaping wide, waiting for the next batch of adventurers, or perhaps, devouring this batch.