NOVPUBFeeling hisnsciousness rise from the murky waters, Cain perceived the sweet aroma of roasting flesh burrow into his nose.
His stomach growled untrollably.
"Here, have this." His eyes caught sight of a stick of delicious looking pieces of meat dangling right in front of his nose.
He looked up.
Evangeline sat behind him, waving the skewer of meat in front of his nose.
Cain swallowed a mouthful of saliva and reached towards it.
Evangeline moved it away at the last snd.
A smirk appeared on her lips.
"Do you eat laying on your back?"
Cain snorted.
With a tired yawn, he sat up, snatching the meat skewer out of Evangeline's hand,
"Thanks."
She frowned, the sighed,
"You've been asleep for the entire day."
Cain sighed, "What can I say... The last trial was... exhausting."
He raised a brow at her as he stuffed his mouth full,
"Did you get some rest?"
She smirked then shook her head,
"No, didn't need it."
Cain shook his head, "You are very strange, Eva."
Her smile faded away, and her expression became indifferent.
Cain chuckled, "I meant that in a good way."
He stuffed the rest of the meat into his mouth then swallowed. A rush of heat rose from his stomach and into his body.
He frowned, 'I'm still hungry.'
He turned to Evangeline, an expectant look in his eyes.
"Don't look at me." She said, pointing in another direction.
There, he saw the thigh of some mutant creature slow roasting over an open flame produced from a magic circle inscribed into the ground.
Sitting around the flame was Susan, Jenny and Roselle, all threenversing in hushed tones, their expressions rather serious.
His stomach growled again.
Evangeline chuckled then gave him a small wave before sinking into the shadows.
He sighed,
"As elusive as always, huh..."
He stood up and stretched a bit before heading towards the three girls.
They glanced at him, but did nothing more, pretending not to even notice him.
His brows furrowed.
'Could they be talking about the trial?'
Their brows were furrowed and their expressions. They were obviously discussing something serious.
A moment later, he was able to hear bits and pieces of theirnversation,
"It doesn't work that way. The mana doesn't directly break thennective tissue. The flame does."
"If that is so, then how is it that the more mana you pour into the flame, the faster itoks?"
"That's obviously because the intensity of the flame increases!"
"In that case the exterior should burn up intoal before the heat gets inside..."
The serious facadellapsed immediately.
'Ah...'
Susan's brows were furrowed. She turned to Cain and asked,
"What do you think?"
Cain raised his hands, "What? I just got here."
She rolled her eyes,
"Don't give me that."
She pointed at the hunk of roasting Mutant Beast flesh,
"How do you think the meatoks under the flame?"
"This..."
Cain frowned. Upon closer observation, he finally realized the crux of the argument as he observed the chunk of meat.
Jenny smiled wryly,
"I believe the intensity of the flames is whatols the meat. Susan believed the intensity of the mana is whatntrols it."
Roselle put her hand up,
"I'm with Jenny on this one. Magic is amazing, but that doesn't mean it overrides all basic principles."
Susan snorted, "Then tell me. How is itoked evenly throughout?"
Ain suddenly cleared his throat.
He wore a strange smile on his face, as though unsure how to go about solving this dilemma,
"It wouldn't be presumptuous of me to say that you all are wrong, unfortunately."
Susan's eyes narrowed. Crossing her arms, she glared at him,
"Hm? Is that so?"
Cainughed then nodded,
"My answer to your initial question is a bit nuanced."
His expression turned serious,
"How do I think the meatoks under the flame? Is it the flame that is the catalyst, or is it the mana it is powered by? The answer is none, and both at the same time."
His left eye lit up, the rune in its depths glowing as hentinued,
"The answer is not a delicate balance. Instead, the flame is a carrier of the mana. The phenomenon that creates the evenoking is caused by the mana infused flames burrowing past the out layers of flesh."
He stared at the magic circle then asked,
"Who drew this?"
Susan answered, "It is a special rune I got from the system store. The {Hearth Rune}. It produces antrolled flame suitable for small scale tasks."
Cain nodded in understanding,
"I see. That explains it."
Roselleuldn't help but ask,
"Explains what?"
Cain smiled as he pointed at the rune,
"The rune has a single function. Because it isn't a magic circle, it doesn't have any extra parts, meaning no extra steps or instructions. Instead, the mana follows the path the only rune directs, making it rather effective."
Susan's eyes widened in understanding,
"It trades in possible power and output for simplicity and efficiency then."
Cain nodded, his smile growing,
"Quite frankly, it is nothing special. However, it is unique. Most runes are battle oriented. It is rare, getting your hands on hidden treasures like these."
Susan's checks flushed a bit.
Jenny shook her head with a wry smile,
"It's a bit frightening, you know..."
Cain raised a brow, "What is?"
"Your ability to accurately decipher things like this." Susan said with a frown.
"My specialty is Light elemental magic, but I'm forced to believe you might be more knowledgeable than me on it." Susan said.
Cain chuckled dryly,
"I assure you I know nothing about light elemental magic."
He wasn't lying. That was one of the elements he had very little affinity for.
But that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to decipher light elemental magic.
With his current skill, {Beholder's Eye}, he was able to look at the true nature of all things, even down to the most minute details. Hismputational power had also increased by leaps and bounds, making understanding the spells he deciphered not at all difficult.
And by understanding them, his general knowledge on magic would also grow exponentially.
He would be able to evolve his spells and skills even easier than before.
He was curious.
Curious to see what more heuld learn.
Curious to behold the endless possibilities.
He was snapped out of his reverie by a slight vibration in the surrounding mana.
He frowned, "It's starting."
A moment later, the world around them rumbled.
"How did you— nevermind." Roselle tried asking.
Jenny chuckled then stood up. She turned to Cain,
"We've all had something to eat. You should your portion before the trial begins.'
Susan nodded and dismissed the {Hearth Rune}.
Cain picked the huge chunk of Mutant Beast meat. He had no idea what creature it hadme from, but it smelt delicious. Even though there were close to no flavor enhancers on it, the natural flavors in it were too intoxicating not to take a bite out of.
Cain finally had enough and sank his teeth into it.
***
"You are about to embark on your final trial. Once youmplete it, you will be able to move in from here, acquiring the opportunity tomplete the third requirement for passing the Trial of Heaven. Do you have any questions before the trial starts?"
Viden floated above the enormous still lake at the center of the platform.
The bottom of three out of four statues were opened up.
Cain glanced at them, his expression off.
He turned to Viden,
"You said something about this trial being a bit different."
Viden nodded, "Indeed, I did. This trial will have to bempleted individually."
Cain frowned, "Individually?"
Viden hummed,
"Indeed. You will all have to walk your own paths for the final trial. Those who survived will pass. Those who don't, die."
Silence fell.
Cain glanced around.
They didn't seem too affected by his words.
He was pleased.
He then turned back to the Arbitrator,
"We are ready."
Viden chuckled,
"How interesting... Then, in that cas, I wish you fair luck."
The base of the fourth, and final statue groaned open, revealing a dark, hollow entrance way.
The water that pooled beneath it began flowing through the opening.
'This is it, huh...'
Once they passed this trial, they would earn the rights tomplete this face wand go home.
They would ascend and bme Tier 2 beings.
Thinking about it, Cain clenched his fists.
Despite all the hiccups, despite the ups and downs, heuldn't be more ready.
His stats had ballooned.
His skills and abilities were stronger than ever.
Most importantly, his body and mind were well rested. He had even rvered a bit from the horrors he had witnessed in the fog.
He smiled to himself.
Then he walked towards the waters.
The rest followed behind him.
Susanuldn't help but think to herself,
'The final trial is an individual one. I wonder what it will be like, not having to rely on anyone.' A smile tugged at therners of her lips.
Evangeline manifested out of the shadows.
She looked back at the lake of still waters that reflected the endless rolling skies overhead.
Her eye narrowed.
Then she turned around and walked towards the statue as well.
In the blink of an eye, they had all arrived before the statue.
Taking the lead, Cain plunged into theld waters and his body was swallowed whole.
"I'll never get used to this." Jenny muttered to herself as she jumped in.
Without saying anything, Susan jumped in as well, leaving Roselle and Evangeline alone.
The two girls stood in silence for a moment, both staring down at the rippling surface.
"Aren't you going to go in?" Roselle said, after a moment of hesitation.
Therners of Evangeline's lips moved up,
"After you. I insist."
Roselle muttered something before letting out a sigh and jumping into the water.
The moment her body disappeared into the water, Evangeline calmly stepped in.
A moment later, her body was swallowed too.
Silence.
