The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the assessment grounds. A gentle breeze carried the scent of anticipation and nerves as Neno, Leora, and Cyrus stood to the side, observing the proceedings with keen interest.

"This is not a good idea," Leora murmured, her brow furrowed with concern.

Cyrus met her gaze, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Might be, but Eldor said we could use any method," he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Earlier.....

As the last rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, the Assessment began promptly. The first part unfolded with surprising speed, a testament to the years of preparation these young candidates had endured since birth. A series of jumping obstacles stretched before them, a gauntlet designed to test their physical prowess and agility.

The air filled with the sounds of exertion as the children sprang into action. They ran with purpose, their small bodies performing feats of acrobatics that defied their tender years. Sliding under low-hanging barriers, leaping over towering walls, and scaling rope ladders with the grace of seasoned climbers, they moved as one fluid entity.

Cyrus found himself gasping, a twinge of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. These kids, barely more than toddlers in his eyes, seemed fitter and more agile than he could ever hope to be. Their raw potential was both awe-inspiring and humbling.

Time ticked by slowly, each second stretching into eternity as the young candidates navigated the course. Yet, almost before Cyrus could blink, they had all reached the final obstacle with smooth efficiency. Most hadn't even broken a sweat, their faces flushed with exertion but beaming with pride. For them, this opening salvo was little more than a basic warm-up, a mere taste of the challenges that lay ahead.

Curiosity piqued, Cyrus found himself drawn to the centerpiece of the assessment area. A massive, floating cube dominated the space, its surface rippling with intricate patterns of blue circuits. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, seeming almost alive in its constant, subtle movements.

Cautiously, Cyrus approached the structure, circling it with wide-eyed wonder. He reached out a tentative hand, his fingers barely grazing the surface. To his amazement, the cube responded to his touch, its form undulating and shifting beneath his palm. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced – soft yet unyielding, cool yet somehow warm with latent energy.

Neno's reaction to the cube was even more pronounced. His eyes widened to saucers, and he rushed forward with uncharacteristic eagerness. Cyrus watched in fascination as his usually reserved companion moved back and forth around the structure, drinking in every detail with the fervor of a scholar discovering a long-lost tome.

Finally, Neno lifted a trembling hand to caress the cube's surface. The effect was immediate and startling. The entire structure rippled and shifted, its component parts rearranging themselves like a giant, ethereal Rubik's Cube. The myriad smaller boxes that made up its form aggregated and separated in a hypnotic dance, eventually settling back into a singular, massive form.

"What is this box?" Cyrus asked, his curiosity piqued by Neno's intense reaction. It was rare to see his friend so animated about anything.

Neno's voice quivered with barely contained excitement as he replied, "No, no, not a box. It's... it's the Myriad Cube Transformation." His words tumbled out in a rush, each syllable dripping with reverence and awe. "In the ancient texts, we speak of a magical artifact capable of modeling the entire world within a small container. It was used to train the greatest mages of old."

Neno's eyes gleamed as he continued, his usual hesitancy forgotten in the face of such wonder. "This, Cyrus, is a true jewel – the epitome of the fusion between magic and technology. It's in a constant state of flux, ever-changing and fluctuating. One can never predict what lies within its depths. Hence the name: Myriad Cube Transformation."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Cyrus felt his jaw drop as the full weight of Neno's explanation sank in. What he had dismissed as an intriguing but ultimately mundane object suddenly took on new significance. His mind raced back to their earlier encounter with the Nightmare Vogel, another awe-inspiring fusion of magic and technology. A shiver ran down his spine as he contemplated what other marvels – and terrors – might exist in this world where the arcane and the scientific intertwined so seamlessly.

Leora's voice cut through his musings, cool and matter-of-fact. "According to the rules, they have to find the exit once inside," she explained, twirling her umbrella idly. "It's one of the reasons why Eldor's magic school stands empty now."

The children's faces fell at her words, a collective shadow of apprehension descending upon them. Cyrus felt a pang of sympathy for these young hopefuls, facing a challenge that had apparently bested many before them.

A small figure stepped forward, her chin lifted in determination despite the fear evident in her eyes. "I will go first," she announced. "Wish me good luck, big brother."

Cyrus recognized her as Jelly, a name that never failed to bring a smile to his face as he pondered the thought process behind it. He reached out to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Luck isn't going to be enough, Jelly," he said gently, his tone serious but kind. "But I know you will handle it."

He didn't sugarcoat the truth; there was no point in false reassurances. These children understood all too well that while luck might play a part, it would not be the deciding factor in their success or failure.

The Myriad Cube hummed to life, suffusing the area with a soft, radiant glow. A small doorway materialized on its surface, beckoning Jelly forward. The young girl took a deep breath, squaring her tiny shoulders before stepping into the unknown. As soon as she crossed the threshold, the entrance vanished, leaving no trace of her passage.

Cyrus found himself holding his breath, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The cube began to move, floating serenely in the void. Its motion soon became more erratic – left, right, up, down – each shift accompanied by a rhythmic sound that seemed to echo the pounding of Cyrus's heart. The haphazard, discontinuous movement reminded him of a child absently fiddling with a puzzle, unaware of the life-altering challenge taking place within.

Minutes ticked by, feeling like hours to the anxious onlookers. Suddenly, the cube flashed, and the entrance reappeared. A small figure burst forth, hair disheveled and clothes covered in dust. Jelly ran blindly, her head lowered in defeat until she collided with Cyrus's legs.

He knelt down, enfolding her in a comforting embrace. "Hey, Jelly, calm down," he soothed, surprised by the strength in her tiny frame as she clung to him. "What did you see?"

"Big brother, I failed," she sobbed, her voice thick with sorrow. "It was too many... Jelly failed."

Cyrus's heart ached as he gently patted her back, trying to offer what comfort he could. The other children hesitated, their earlier bravado crumbling in the face of Jelly's defeat. One by one, they entered the cube, but the results were invariably the same – crushing failure. Unlike Jelly, who had lasted two minutes, most ran out almost instantly, their faces pale with shock and disappointment.

As the last child emerged, shoulders slumped in defeat, Neno looked close to tears himself. "It's too complicated," he lamented, his earlier excitement replaced by despair. "The Myriad Cube Transformation is an ancient artifact whose magic fluctuates every second, making it unpredictable and impossible to counter. I don't think we'll be able to help them, Cyrus."

Cyrus furrowed his brow, Neno's words sparking a memory. "Wait, what did you just say about the Myriad stuff?"

"It... its magic fluctuates every second?" Neno repeated hesitantly.

"That's it!" Cyrus exclaimed, clapping his hands together as an idea began to form. He turned to Leora, his eyes alight with sudden inspiration. "Do you remember our lesson on magic and technology?"

Leora nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "How could I forget?"

"I think the solution lies in how magic works in Arkania," Cyrus said, his voice filled with newfound determination. "I'm going to give it a try."

Leora shook her head, concern etched across her features. "This is not a good idea," she cautioned.

But Cyrus was already moving towards the cube, his mind made up. "Might be," he conceded, "but Eldor said we could use any method." His strategy was simple, built on the foundation of his recent lessons. If he was right, he would know how to ensure the children's success in this assessment. If he was wrong... he pushed the thought aside, unwilling to contemplate the disappointment that would surely follow.

The Myriad Cube flickered once more, the entrance materializing before him like a challenge made manifest. Cyrus took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. "Here I come," he murmured, more to himself than to his anxious audience.

With one last glance at the worried faces of Neno, Leora, and the children, Cyrus stepped forward into the unknown depths of the Myriad Cube Transformation, the fate of the assessment hanging in the balance.