The massive crowd of Neers surged forward like an ocean of people, all heading directly toward the Neers Hall.


    Among them was a white-haired figure with his bag behind him.


    He could be easily identified because he was wearing the bag, unlike the majority of others who were not.


    They all arrived before the Neers Hall, where the Instructors were already waiting.


    Quickly, the Instructors began asking for names and checking them off the list.


    When it was Nn''s turn, his eyes shed as he noticed that some names on the list were marked with the word "absent."


    Itt seemed that whoever those students were, they had chosen not to partake in this test, which surprised Nn a bit.


    However, he gave his name, and the Instructor found it in the long list of names before allowing him entry into the hall.


    It was just as Nn remembered it—there wasn''t a single difference from how it had felt yesterday.


    He made his way to his seat and brought out his small shit of notes.


    Today, Nn noticed that the students were much more silent.


    While the test had seemed so simple to Nn, because he was strong, to the other students, it was worse than hell, and that had humbled them.


    The majority of them had been thrown out of the test and weren''t even able toplete it.


    They had no idea how tough this new test would be, but still, not many were in the mood to talk, and each simply kept to themselves, save for a minority.


    At the very least, it gave Nn some peace of mind as he reviewed his notes, quickly rounding them up.


    Even after he was done reading quite a few of his notes and packed them back inside his bag, he noticed that the Ascendants were still nowhere to be found.


    And so, he used the opportunity to close his eyes and rx a little.


    But less than 10 minutes had passed when he snapped his eyes open and turned to look up at the tform, finding the three Ascendants already there.


    "Without further ado, let''s all immediately move into the next test of the day."


    "Completing this quest will add points to your previous score."


    "So, whether you did well or poorly in yourst test, you should definitely try your hardest in this one too."


    "Don''t regret failing to put in your best effort and losing out by just one more point," the Ascendant said as he slowly brought out another cube.


    It was just like the first cube that had been brought out the previous day, but instead of it being bathed in a mysterious light, this cube emitted a milky white glow.


    Quickly, the air around the cube began to brighten with brilliant light before, instantly—


    BOOOOOOOOM


    Just like before, the cube exploded outward with a fury of light that sprinkled over all the students, causing them to drop their heads and settle into a deep unconsciousness.


    Once more, the notification appeared before Nn''s vision, asking if he wanted to refuse the operation of the artifact.


    But Nn turned it down, and again he felt himself getting transported to a far distance.


    Soon, Nn''s head also dropped unconscious, his eyes shutting tightly.


    But this time, someone''s gaze settled on his unconscious body.


    "Hmm, am I the only one who noticed that he takes a few seconds longer to fall unconsciouspared to the other students...?"


    ---


    Once more, the entire world revolved faster and faster, throwing Nn around until he felt everythinge to a still, and then...


    His eyes snapped open and he found himself crouched on the ground.


    The coldness of the marble floor helped him awaken his senses, and slowly, he rose to his feet, looking around the room.


    It was a foggy area, the ends of which exceeded his gaze, and the fog further obstructed his view.


    Unconsciously, Nn''s hand moved as he shrugged to warm himself.


    Only now did he notice his actions, and he realized the truth. The room was freezing cold.


    Frigid cold, even for a person like him, and it definitely raised an eyebrow.


    The cold marble beneath him rang with every one of his steps as he stared hard, trying to make out anything in the fog.


    In the next moment, the usual voice rang out.


    [Wee, Neer, to the Second Phase of the Ascension Exam.]


    [Your mission is simple: Free the Chained Faeries.]


    [Your test has been divided into three mini-phases.]


    [First phase: Reach the end of the Labyrinth in 10 minutes!]


    [Rules: You can use everything at your disposal!]


    The voice rang out as Nn immediately frowned.


    "Labyrinth?" he asked as he stepped forward and in the next instant, he stopped.


    In the next instant, his face massively changed as Nn hurriedly ducked his head downward.


    SHRRRING!


    The sound of a de violently tearing through the air resounded as Nn narrowly avoided the enormous edge of an axe that shed past his head, shocking him to the bone.


    He took a step back to where he had firmly stood.


    "It''s not just anybyrinth... it''s abyrinth filled with traps," Nn muttered, his expression darkening.


    He could see the marble beneath his feet pressing down once he stepped in it and then he felt a strange mechanism activating prompting the axe to cleave by his face.


    And the sharpness of it that Nn sensed, it wasn''t something he could ignore.


    It would most likely have been able to cut through his face muscles.


    But Nn''s eyebrows furrowed as he rised his step once more andnded his feet In the exact same ce where he had currently ced it, but this time nothin happened.


    "So once a trap is released, stepping on it the second time is safe."


    "I just need to be alert and I should be able to weave through the attack..."


    "Still, I can''t see to far into the distance. But if this is abyrinth, I expect my exit to be forward..."