We stood before the gate.
Six divisions lined up in perfect symmetry across the field, the morning air tense with anticipation and fear. The labyrinth loomed ahead; a colossal structure of steel and stone, veined with shifting lines of glowing runes that pulsed like a mechanical heartbeat. Magic and science fused in grotesque harmony.
The head examiner's voice echoed across the field through invisible speakers.
"Each division will enter the labyrinth. You have one hour. Survival, cooperation, and intellect will be tested. Failure is fatal. Good luck."
The air shimmered as six archways lit up, each corresponding to a division. I watched as Division A entered first, efficient, focused, each step synchronized. Led by Lucien Crowe, the student president.
He barked a single command, and the formation tightened immediately. Division B followed, just as organized, Kael Draven at the lead, his presence quiet but commanding. The system inside me stirred faintly at the sight of him.
[Warning. High-energy anomaly detected. Avoid proximity.]
"Like I needed the reminder," I muttered.
Division C and D went next, moving like practiced units. Division E hesitated, then stumbled forward, nothing perfect, but at least functional. And then, as expected, Division F.
Ren Ito fidgeted nervously with his glasses, trying to rally the group with a quivering voice. "Okay everyone, let's… try to stay together. Remember, teamwork is…"
A loud crash cut him off as Jin tripped over Lara's bag, cursing loudly. Kira was arguing with Alec about the map, and someone, I didn't care who, was already panicking. The chaos was almost impressive in its inevitability.
I stayed at the back, hands in my pockets, feeling the cold seep from my veins to my skin. The system's monotone hummed in my ear.
[Labyrinth analysis: 0.2% complete. Entry recommended. Remaining time: 59:58.]
The bell chimed once. Sharp, metallic. The sound made my stomach drop.
"Move," I said, my voice colder than usual. "Before we die standing here." Of course I would rather not speak, but at this point, someone had to. Not sure why I cared though.
Ren blinked at me, startled, but he nodded quickly, grateful for someone else to make decisions. The gate flared open with a hiss, and we stepped into the maze.
It was worse than I imagined.
The labyrinth's walls shifted constantly, smooth steel turning into molten glass, glass into black stone etched with golden circuitry. The floor vibrated beneath our boots, alive with energy. Strange mechanical creatures crawled from the walls, scanning us with burning eyes before darting away.
I could already hear Division D somewhere ahead, coordinated footsteps, controlled shouts, the occasional clash of energy blasts.
Meanwhile, Division F stumbled over each other.
"This way!" Lara yelled, holding up the map upside down, her eyes wide and determined behind her glasses. But I could only wonder who thought it was a good idea to give her the map.
"Are you sure?" Kira frowned, hands on her hips. "The markings are reversed…"
"Both of you shut up!" Jin barked, kicking at a vine that had started to move on its own.
I resisted the urge to walk straight into a trap and let it end there. But the system wouldn't let me.
[Critical survival probability: 7%. Assistance advised.]
"Unbelievable," I muttered. I had to help them? I thought the system was not interested in the trials. "Fine."
I brushed past them and turned down a narrow passage glowing with faint blue runes. My system's interface flickered in the air before me, mapping the layout faster than human eyes could track. The corridors were rearranging themselves, the labyrinth was learning us. Testing reactions.
Behind me, Ren was shouting, trying to keep order. His voice cracked when he called my name. "Kairo! Wait! Do you, do you know where you're going?"
"Forward," I said simply, not turning around.
Another bell rang, louder this time.
[Time remaining: 40 minutes.]
Then the floor opened up.
Kira screamed as the tiles beneath her split apart, revealing a chasm filled with spinning blades and electric arcs. Without thinking, I reached out, catching her wrist before she fell. My system flared instantly, calculating every variable in a millisecond.
[Stability: 23%. Enhanced grip activated.]
The shock of her warm skin against my frost made me hiss, but I pulled her up with one swift motion. She landed roughly against my chest, breathless and wide-eyed. I know she had almost died, but I did not hesitate to push her off me.
"Watch your step," I said flatly.
"T-thank you…" she whispered, voice trembling.
Behind us, Jin whooped like it was entertainment. "Kairo, our knight in shining ice! Who knew you had it in you?"
Nervous laughter echoed around us, but the tension in the air could not be doused by Jin's absurdity.
I ignored him.
Another metallic chime echoed through the maze, followed by an automated voice that made my blood boil.
"Congratulations, Division A. Exit achieved. Remaining divisions: five."
Ren's shoulders slumped. "They're already out?"
Pathetic.
We pressed on, and I quietly rerouted us, every turn guided by system data that only I could see. The walls began to hum louder, and beams of light shot across the passage, forming an intricate trap grid. The others froze in panic, but what startled me the most were the scared, yet hopeful gazes directed at me.
"Move when I move," I ordered, stepping forward.
"Kairo, what are…"
"Do it."
They obeyed. I weaved through the lasers effortlessly, letting the system feed patterns into my muscles. Each shift was perfect, each breath timed. Behind me, I heard the others following, clumsier but alive. When the last one crossed safely, I heard Lara whisper something under her breath, disbelief or awe, I couldn't tell.
Then the bell tolled again.
[Time remaining: 10 minutes.]
We broke into a clearing where five metallic gates stood, each glowing a different color. Only one was real. The rest led to instant collapse.
Ren stared at them helplessly. "Which one.."
A series of terrified chatter rose up. We had never gotten to this level in the game before.
"The second from the left," I decided. Jin turned to stare at me with raised brows.
"How do you…?"
"Just move."
They ran through it. The walls shook violently, but the passage stabilized, light flaring white and gold. The automated voice returned, echoing across the labyrinth.
"Congratulations, Division F. Exit achieved. Remaining time: 00:42."
They collapsed to the ground outside, gasping, laughing, alive. Ren turned to me, glasses fogged. "Kairo, how did you do that?"
"Luck," I said.
They exchanged looks, then Lara lunged for a hug. I had already anticipated her moves, so I slipped free before she could reach me.
Kira's brown eyes lingered on me, sharp and knowing. Ren too, though his look was quieter, grateful.
"Luck does not calculate laser frequencies." Jin muttered, staring at me with rare clarity in his gaze.
As the victory cheers rang faintly from other divisions, I turned my gaze to the labyrinth one last time. Its walls pulsed faintly, almost as if watching me back.
[Note: Hidden metrics updated. Core stability increasing.]
The chaos in my core lessened significantly. So passing these trials helps me level up, and leveling up helps regulate my chaos. Interesting.