The Labyrinth of Knowledge

In the enchanted forest...

<Notice:>

- You can summon your servant again once you have unlocked the second tier skill Shadow Summoning

"I see, I can turn my opponents to servants but can't summon them unless I've unlocked the second tier," Kael said as he looked at the screen.

Kael then places Leopold's body next to Renatus and sneaks the spear under Arthur's hand.

"That should do it, now I won't be suspect. I know this Prince won't say anything thanks to using Fear Incarnate on him," Kael added. "Shadow Spawn or Fear Incarnate can only work if my opponent is ranked lower than me or has low willpower. He was a high rank so if his willpower was high too, I would've lost."

Kael senses people approaching his location.

"Now, time to go."

He teleports away. The other applicants arrive at the scene Kael was in.

"There were so many explosions coming from here," one of the applicants said.

"Prince Arthur!" the female applicant called out.

"Did they have a falling out?" the male applicant questioned.

"Knowing his huge ego, I'm sure they did," the first male applicant replied.

"The Prince is still alive. Let's get him treated," the female applicant said.

The two male applicants pick Arthur up and walk away while Kael is up in the tree branch looking down on them. The arena shifts to normal and all the applicants are returned to the arena. Kael places his hands in his pockets and looks away. Xander notices Renatus and Leopold's corpse, and everyone is shocked.

"... The second phase of the entrance exam is complete. The scoreboard is as follows, Lucille Gallagher places first, Ada Heiliger places second, Elara Moore places third, Arthur Armstrong places fourth, Kael Voss places fifth, and Eve Wilson places sixth. The rest you'll see in your stats screen," Xander dictated. He added, "Ten applicants and 110 applicants out of 320 have failed, leaving only 200 for the next two phases. We'll be seeing the 200 tomorrow."

Eve looks through the crowd and watches Kael walk away. Kael looks at his hand and thinks to himself...

(I spent three months killing Ashenfiends so I thought I wouldn't feel anything. But to think I actually killed humans.)

Kael stops at the entrance and clenches his fist. He thinks to himself with his eye glowing purple, (That won't bring anything. I won't hesitate to take a life if they're trying to take my freedom away.)

Later on in the Headquarters of the Astral Magus Association in the State of Durnholde. One of the Magi hands Maeve a stack of papers.

"Those are the results of the first two phases. Your younger sister was able to go through," the Magi said.

"... How was the outcast able to make it?" Maeve questioned as she placed the papers on her desk.

"Well, eyewitnesses from the Secon-in-Command all reported he was just strong. His attack was equal to a B Tier and so was his speed. We know nothing more," the Magi said.

"... Very well. You just keep observing," Maeve ordered.

"Yes ma'am."

The following day, the 200 applicants gather before the entrance of a labyrinth.

"The third phase of the entrance exam is called The Labyrinth of Knowledge. You'll solve puzzles and riddles to navigate a magical labyrinth. You'll enter a sprawling, ever-shifting labyrinth infused with magic. The maze contains riddles, puzzles, and challenges that test your intellect, creativity, and problem-solving abilities," Xander dictated.

The doors of the labyrinth open and a guts of magic comes rushing out the doors.

(What an intense amount of mana. It's not equal to an E Tier gate so I'm sure it's higher.)

"The challenges include logic puzzles, spells that must be countered or modified to progress, illusions, and traps designed to confuse or mislead. The rules are you must navigate the labyrinth alone, any use of destructive spells to bypass challenges leads to penalties."

(Is Dispel okay?)

"A time limit of 60 minutes is enforced. The scoring criteria are the speed and efficiency in solving puzzles and, the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure. Bonus points are awarded for finding hidden artifacts or secret paths. Now let's see what the future Astral Magi can do. Begin," Xander dictated.

All the 200 applicants walk through the doors of the labyrinth. All the participants find themselves on different paths of the labyrinth. Kael finds himself standing before a stone golem.

"We were separated from the beginning. To think they placed a teleportation spell right at the entrance. Well, they did say to navigate it alone," Kael said as he took steps forward with his hands in his pockets.

He stands before the golem with black sparks leaving with his eye while the golem remains in position.

"It's not moving?"

A window screen pops up before Kael. It shows him the labyrinth's riddle which reads, 'I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?'

"A riddle? Is this necessary? I don't know," Kael replied.

'Wrong answer!'

The Golem gains life and swings at Kael but Kael catches its attack. It swings another attack at Kael and Kael moves back. Kael reaches back and pulls out a scythe. The Golem charges in for him but he swings the scythe and splits in half.

"Wait, was I supposed to kill it?"

The Golem puts itself together and connects a hook to the side, sending Kael flying. Kael balances and releases a purple aura.

"This damn stone," Kael said with an intense gaze.

<Notice:>

- You have two attempts remaining

"I have two attempts remaining, but I still know nothing about this riddle."

The Golem swings a hook at Kael but Kael slashes off its arm, he then hits the Golem with the scythe's guard, sending it flying back.

<Notice:>

- You have one attempt remaining

"Damn, to think I'd fail this phase when it has just started. Wait, I read this book once when I was a shut-in in my middle school second year. The answer is probably Echo," Kael replied.

The Golem is about to punch Kael but it stops moving.

<Notice:>

- The answer was correct

A path where the Golem was first standing is created.

"I forgot how much of a nerd I was. It's just been three months."

Kael resumes his journey to explore the labyrinth. He's opening each door he sees and finds nothing inside. He continues by climbing the stairs. He arrives at a passageway on the second floor and sees a door surrounded by runes at the end of it.

He approaches the door and the door reacts, sending out a fire blast at Kael but a dense shadow aura appears around Lael, absorbing the attack.

"Another riddle?"

<Notice:>

- Activate the runes in the correct order to unlock the gate. The correct sequence to dispel the runes must be determined based on a clue nearby.

"I have to find a clue. There are currently three rune stones protecting the door, a lightning rune stone, a fire rune stone, and a water rune stone. I never was good with these puzzle things," Kael said with his hands on his hips.

Kael starts looking around to find the clue. He finds text transcribed on the wall which reads, 'From ashes reborn, quenched by the tides, electrified to the light the way.'

"Gah, damn it. Can't I just punch some bad guy's butt or something?"

Kael places his hand on his chin, signifying deep thought. He jolts and walks towards the door.

"I think I have my answer."

Kael repositions the rune stones, making the firestone go first, following it is the Waterstone, and lastly the lightning stone.

<Correct: The logic is that fire symbolizes rebirth, water quenches fire, and lightning illuminates the way>

The ruins glow and the door opens. "I'm shocked I knew that," Kael said to himself. Kael enters the room and the entire room is filled with darkness. The door behind him closes, but he's not fazed. He looks forward and sees a purple glow. He heads towards the glow and sees his middle schooler self.

<Notice:>

- You must remain focused and not waver

"I see, they're testing me with myself from three months ago. Yes, I would be scared. Because I've gained the power to put the arrogant folks in their place and end discrimination, but lose it all and return to that shameful self. But anything that eats away at me,"

A colossal purple serpent appears behind Kael.

"I'll just swallow it and send it to the abyss."

The serpent swallows Kael's past self.

"Veil Breaker."

Kael disables all the illusions in the room. He sees two doors before him: one that looks like an ordinary door and the other that looks magical. He lets off a grin, enters the ordinary one, and finds a treasure-filled room.

"A hidden path. So this is what they were talking about. Bonus points are awarded for finding rare artifacts."

Kael takes steps forward and as he arrives at the center of the room, a knight statue swings an axe at him. The dust clears and he's standing at the blade of the axe. Kael grins and slashes the statue to pieces with his scythe. The other statues come charging in for Kael and Kael spins his scythe around and starts slashing every statue.

"This is what being a Magus is all about. Bring it on, scums."

He slashes all of them rapidly. The archer knights fire arrows at him, but he dodges all of them and slashes the knight.

(Right now I currently have two titles. The Lone Reaper which allows me to go on a one-man massacre, and the Shadow Sovereign which grants me total dominion over every shadow whether it's created by me or natural.)

<You have activated the title Lone Reaper>

- Attack will be increased to 120%

- Speed will be increased to 80%

Kael rapidly slashes all the remaining knights in the room. It's all down to the boss who is guarding the artifacts. The boss lets out a roar, pushing Kael back.

<Switching title from The Lone Reaper to The Shadow Sovereign>

"With the Shadows within the room, I don't have to worry about mana depletion. Shadow Spawn."

Kael brings together all the shadows in the room and they all latch on to the boss. The boss tries to fight the shadows, but the shadows spread and consume him. The Boss of the Labyrinth has been turned into a living shadow servant.

<Notice:>

- You possess one S Tier Servant and One D Tier Servant

- Need 1000 EXP points and a mana of 150 to unlock the second tier.

"Interesting."

Kael heads up to the treasure chest at the center and sees it filled with swords, maces, daggers, and many other weapons.

"All the items are rare rank. So this is what we give to the examiners. But, I'll be taking the gold with me to give Ms. Jiwoo."

Kael absorbs all the gold and stores it in inventory.

"Now, shall we complete this labyrinth?"

The 60 minutes was complete and all applicants found themselves arriving at the arena. Kael comes walking out with a bag in hand, and every other applicant keeps glaring at him.

"I see, he managed to find the secret path and gather the rare artifacts. That Kael Voss truly is something else," Xander said.