Trafalgar's footsteps echoed softly against the stone, the labyrinth stretching endlessly ahead. The silence pressed down on him, broken only by his own breathing and the faint hum of mana that lingered in the air. He had long since lost track of how many twists and turns he had taken, but the steady glow along the walls told him he was still on the right path.
'Could the Veiled Woman really be my mother?' The thought came uninvited, souring his mood. 'No… her tone wasn't that of a mother speaking to her son. If she were my mother, she wouldn't have acted like that.' He exhaled through his nose, dismissing the thought with effort. 'Whatever the truth is, I'll find out eventually. But right now, I can't afford distractions. The trial's not over yet.'
He paused briefly, glancing upward. Somewhere, hidden from sight, he knew the academy's directors were still watching. Every move, every choice—they were being recorded. Six hours had passed. Only two remained.
