A shiver ran down Catty's spine, and she clung to R.I.'s horns. 'So, uh… no rushing ahead, got it.'

'Well, that's one way to die horribly,' he answered.

Josassod tilted his head, his smirk returning. "Lesson learned. One down."

Kára's pegasus snorted as it pawed the ground nervously. "We can't take it alone," she said firmly. "We'll need to work together."

"Fine. Just don't get in my way," Josassod gave a short laugh.

Catty glanced at Kára, "We hit it all at once?"

Kára nodded, "Let's give him hell!"

And the valkyrie spurred her pegasus forward. The mount leaped into the air, wings beating powerfully as it soared toward the lich. The Boss stirred, its skeletal fingers curling tightly around the staff. The flames in its eyes flared, and it raised the staff high. Magic erupted in a sharp burst, and a wave of dark energy rippled toward Kára.

She veered to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast. "Is that all you've got?" she shouted. The pegasus circled the lich out of range, and the valkyrie showered the Boss with glittering arrows.

Josassod followed her close. His phoenix glided low, attacking the lich's legs. Its fiery feathers cast streaks of light on the stone floor. The lich lashed out with its staff, and Josassod barely dodged.

Catty and R.I. surged the Boss from behind.

"No solo act this time!" Catty yelled, gripping the dragon's horns as he launched into the air. R.I.'s wings spread wide, and he roared a challenge that echoed across the chamber.

Kára tried to tangle the lich, her pegasus weaving to keep a safe distance. The lich turned toward her, its skeletal frame moving with eerie precision.

"Keep it distracted!" Catty called out, guiding R.I. closer to the lich.

The Boss lashed out with its staff, sending a wave of energy that forced Kára's pegasus to veer sharply. R.I. roared in response, a burst of flame erupting from his jaws to block the lich's next strike. Catty ducked low as the wave passed over her head.

Kára's pegasus darted in close, hooves connecting with the lich's staff in a ringing blow. The Boss staggered slightly. For a brief moment, the valkyrie felt a flicker of hope—then the lich's flames erupted toward her.

Flames erupted from its palm, engulfing the pegasus's flank. The mount screamed, its wings faltering as it crashed to the ground. Kára hit the stone hard, rolling to her back. Her crystal glowed in her hand, but before she could cast, the lich was on her. It loomed over her as it raised the staff high, striking down with a burst of dark energy.

Kára cried out once, then went still. Her pegasus let out a weak whinny before their bodies dissolved into shimmering light.

Catty's breath caught in her throat, "Kára…"

Josassod seized the moment. The phoenix sharply turned around and darted between the lich's legs toward the pedestal with their order.

"Stay out of my way," the djinn muttered. His phoenix shot forward, talons outstretched, and grabbed the glowing key from the pedestal.

The djinn laughed triumphantly, but as they turned to flee, the lich extended its skeletal hand, flames coiling around its bone fingers, and grabbed the phoenix's tail mid-flight.

The creature shrieked, and Josassod shouted in panic, "Help me! I'm burning alive!" The flames engulfed his robes, and he struggled against the lich's grip.

Suddenly, time seemed to freeze as the chaos around Catty blurred into silence. The flames coiling around the lich's hand, Josassod's desperate cries, and the glow of the keys all faded into the edges of her vision. Her hand brushed against her pocket, finding the small, smooth pebble nestled there. The memory rushed back unbidden: the Lord of Dragons towering above her, his eyes burning with ageless wisdom. "This gift is for when all other paths fail. Use it wisely." His voice echoed in her mind as if he were standing beside her now. Catty's grip tightened around the pebble, fixing her eyes on the lich.

"Guess now's the time," the girl muttered, pulling the pebble from the pocket.

"You better work!" and she threw it toward the lich with all her might.

The pebble struck its hand, shattering in a burst of light. The lich recoiled, its grip breaking as the magic gripped its body.

Paralyzed, the Boss froze.

> Magic Level: 80

Josassod didn't wait. He kicked his phoenix forward, the creature soaring into the air. As he reached the chamber's exit, he glanced back at Catty, his grin returning.

"Thanks, girl! But we never burn!" His laughter echoed as he disappeared into the corridor, the key clutched tightly in his hand.

Stunned, Catty's shock quickly turned to fury.

"You lying coward!" she shouted after him, her voice echoing in the chamber, and she slapped her hand against R.I.'s scales. "We're going after him. Now!"

R.I. growled in agreement, his eyes burning as they locked on the lich. 'Finish this first,' he rumbled, his tail lashing against the stone.

The Boss recovered slowly, and its limbs began to move again. The chamber felt colder, the air heavy with the promise of another fight.

"Great," the girl sighed, readying herself. "Now it's just us."

Her eyes flicked between the lich and the chamber's exit. R.I. growled low, anticipating her command.

"Alright," Catty muttered, her grip tightening on his horns. "Let's finish this."

The lich's movements were slow, its skeletal frame creaking as it tried to lift its staff. The dragon's wings flared open, sending a gust of wind through the chamber. They launched into the air with a single powerful beat, arcing directly toward the Boss.

The lich struck first, sweeping its staff downward and unleashing a wave of dark energy that surged across the floor. R.I. dove sharply to the side, his claws scraping the stone as he twisted to avoid the blast.

The energy smashed into a nearby wall, sending shards of rock cascading to the ground. Catty barely held on, her knuckles white as she tried to stay on the dragon's back.

R.I. roared, his powerful legs propelling him forth as the lich's skeletal frame moved toward him. Another strike followed, a column of flame erupting where they had stood moments before. The heat licked at Catty's back, but the dragon was already airborne.

"Now!" Catty yelled. R.I. lunged, his claws slashing at the lich's staff. The impact sent a shower of sparks into the air, but the lich protected with a shield, forcing R.I. back. The dragon snarled, his tail lashing against the floor, sending a thunderous noise through the chamber.

The lich advanced, its movements slow but deliberate, the flames in its eyes flickering as it calculated its next strike. Catty's mind raced. The lich's magic was relentless, but its movements were predictable.

"Rip head off!!" Catty yelled, her voice cutting through the chamber.

With a powerful beat of his wings, R.I. propelled himself directly at the lich. The skeletal figure raised its staff, but the motion was too slow. R.I.'s claws clamped down on its shoulders, pinning the lich in place with a bone-crushing grip. Its skeletal arms flailed as the Boss tried to shake the dragon off.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

R.I. snarled, his jaws opening wide. The lich twisted, its flames flickering wildly, but its weakened state left it helpless. With a fierce growl, R.I. snapped his neck forward, his claws tightening for leverage, and clamped his jaws around the lich's head. Bone cracked under the force as R.I. jerked upward, tearing the head clean from the body.

The flames in the lich's eye sockets sputtered and died instantly. The skeletal frame collapsed, the staff clattering uselessly to the ground as the magic animating the creature dissipated. R.I. spat the skull aside with a snort, his wings beating steadily to keep them aloft as he turned toward Catty.

'Is it… dead?' she asked, her voice shaky. R.I. rumbled, his tail flicking in satisfaction. 'I suppose so.'

> Magic Level: 95

> Mount Bond: 90

> Stamina: 80

The chamber seemed to exhale. The glowing runes dimmed, leaving the room bathed in a quiet stillness. Catty exhaled slowly, rubbing her face.

'Good job, big guy,' she said, patting R.I.'s neck.

The dragon landed heavily near the pedestal with their order. Catty slid off R.I.'s back, her legs trembling slightly as she stepped toward the pedestal.

The Enchanted Key still floated above it, untouched by the chaos. The girl reached out cautiously, half-expecting the lich's magic to strike again. The moment she lifted it, the pedestal dimmed, and a low hum resonated through the chamber, signaling her success.

> Satisfaction: 80

> Performance: 85

'You know, this isn't over,' she said, holding the key tightly as she climbed back onto R.I.'s back. 'We have to win!'

With a final look at the remains of the lich, they turned toward the chamber's exit. R.I. bounded forward, and they soared through the corridor.

Catty clung tightly to the dragon's neck when they raced through the narrow passage. Ahead, the faint glow of flames flickered against the walls, marking Jossasod's path.

The dragon growled, his wings tucked tightly to his sides to avoid scraping the jagged walls.

'Don't let that jerk win!'

The corridor opened slightly, allowing the dragon to spread his wings. He launched himself into the air, the powerful beat of his wings propelling them forward. The fiery trail of Jossasod's phoenix grew brighter and closer, the echoes of its flight bouncing through the cavernous space.

"Сatching up!"

R.I.'s growl deepened, his claws flexing as he prepared to pounce. The phoenix swerved sharply, its flames flaring as it darted into another corridor. R.I. twisted mid-air, following with a burst of speed that left Catty clutching his horns tighter to stay balanced.

The finish line came into view—a shimmering portal at the end of the passage, its light pulsating like a heartbeat. Jossasod glanced over his shoulder, his grin as sharp as ever.

"Nice try, girl!" he called. "But you're too late!"

"We'll see about that!" Catty shouted, her voice rising over the rush of air. R.I. roared in response, his muscles coiling as he pushed harder, closing the distance between them.

> Speed: 80

> Stamina: 90

The phoenix veered again, trailing dangerously close to the walls. R.I. followed, his jaws snapping as he lunged. For a split second, Catty thought they had him—R.I.'s nose reached out, inches from the phoenix's tail feathers. But with a sudden burst of speed, the phoenix shot forward, its flames brightening as it streaked toward the finish.

The portal's light flared, and Jossasod and his phoenix vanished into it, his triumphant laughter echoing in their wake.

The portal shimmered ahead, its pulsating light casting gleams on the walls. "Go!" Catty urged, her voice sharp. The dragon wheezed, his wings folding tightly as they dove toward the finish. The moment they crossed the threshold, the portal flared, its light swallowing them whole.

They flew into the portal, and the space shifted instantly as ribbons of spiraling light surrounded them. For a brief moment, Catty felt weightless—almost serene—until the colors shattered, scattering like glass into flashes of infinite worlds. Then, just as quickly, they flew into the vast, echoing hall.

The deafening silence hit Catty like a wave. The hall where they started the exam stretched endlessly before them, its arching columns and polished walls so starkly different from the chaos they had just escaped. R.I. landed with a heavy thud, his claws skidding on the smooth floor as the portal closed behind them.

Catty blinked, trying to adjust to the bright light. Ahead, Jossasod was already standing in the center of the hall, his phoenix perched beside him. He held his key high, his grin smug as he faced the jury.

"Done," he announced, his voice echoing through the space. "The first to finish."

Catty slid off R.I.'s back, clutching the Enchanted Key tightly. She strode forward, her steps tired and unhurried. "We're done too," she said, her voice steady despite her chest still heaving from the chase. The pink dragon stood tall behind her, folding his wings back.

THE JURY

The jury, cloaked in their ceremonial garments, observed silently from the far end of the hall. Their expressions were unreadable, and only the faint hum of the pulsing walls filled the space.

Morvena stepped forward. "The exam is complete," she said, her words carrying through the vast hall. "Both orders have been delivered, and the winner has been determined."

Catty clenched her jaw, her gaze flicking to Jossasod, whose grin only widened. Her hand tightened around the key, its magical energy warm against her skin. She straightened her back and met the jury's eyes.

"That's it," she muttered, her voice low but sharp. "He finished first."

R.I. growled softly beside her, his tail twitching, 'We still made it.'

'And what does that get us? Second place? A pat on the head and ‘better luck next time’?' Her voice cracked slightly on the last word.

'You fought well.'

Her lips pressed into a thin line. 'Yeah, and we still lost.' She glanced at the key in her hand, the shimmering surface now feeling cold and useless. 'It doesn't matter how well we fought. All that mattered was crossing the finish line first.'

The anticipation grew more tense with each passing second. Catty exhaled sharply, forcing herself to stand straighter.

'We came up short,' she said bitterly, her gaze narrowing at Jossasod. 'And he gets to walk out of here like he earned it.'

'He won, but that doesn't mean he's better.'

Catty didn't answer. She stood silently, clutching the Enchanted Key in her trembling hand, and waited.

Morvena held up a hand, and a shimmering screen of light appeared, displaying the final stats.

"Let's look at the results," she said.

The table flickered into view. The room seemed to hold its breath as the numbers settled into place. Jossasod's phoenix flared its wings slightly as if already celebrating. Catty glanced at the screen, her breath catching.

A B C D E F G 1. Catty / Dragon 100 100 100 90 100 80 95 2. Jossasod / Phoenix 100 90 90 100 85 90 70

> Driver Stats:

> A - Satisfaction, B - Performance, C - Magic Level, D - Luck.

> Mount Stats:

> E - Mount Bond, F - Speed, G - Stamina.

Morvena's eyebrows rose slightly as she studied the table. "Well," she began, "it seems we have an extraordinary outcome."

"Extraordinary is putting it mildly," Krabelli cut in, his voice sharp with disbelief. "The djinn finished first. How is this even possible?"

"The exam doesn't measure speed alone," Morvena replied calmly. "It measures performance across all tasks. Catty's chaotic but effective methods gave her the edge." She turned to the jury, her gaze flicking between them. "You can't argue with the numbers."

Krabelli scowled, leaning back in his seat. "Numbers can't measure recklessness."

"That so-called recklessness got her through obstacles no one else could have handled," Morvena shot back. "She adapted, took risks, and overcame every challenge thrown her way. That's exactly what the service needs."

"Her bond with her dragon is remarkable," Ganzor said with admiration. "Few contestants have shown such synergy with their mounts, especially under extreme pressure."

Krabelli grunted, crossing his arms. "And the djinn? He finished first, despite everything. Shouldn't that count for something?"

"Finishing first doesn't make him the best candidate," Morvena said. She gestured toward the screen. "Look at his stats. His strategy relied on manipulation and shortcuts. It worked, but it exposed a lack of endurance and reliability."

Ganzor nodded. "It's clear who's more prepared for the challenges of the Magical Delivery System. The stats don't lie."

Morvena turned toward Catty and Jossasod, her expression impassive but her eyes sharp. "The final score leaves no room for debate."

Krabelli frowned but said nothing.

Morvena's voice rang out across the hall, "The winner of this year's exam is Catty."

Catty froze. For a moment, the words didn't register. She stared at Morvena, then at the glowing screen. R.I. let out a low growl of satisfaction, his tail flicking against the ground.

'Guess we just signed up for a lifetime of nuthouse.'

THE CELESTIALS

"Well, there it is," the first voice declared, sharp with triumph. "The djinn finished first. Efficient, cunning, and in control the whole way. My choice was obvious from the start."

The second voice rumbled low, steady like shifting earth. "And yet, he didn't win."

"Details. Technicalities. Winning the race matters most."

"Apparently, it doesn't. She outscored him. Against all odds."

A chuckle rippled, light and airy like a soft breeze. "Didn't I tell you? The wild card. She's more than you gave her credit for."

"Bah," the first voice retorted, frustration creeping into its tone. "One lucky victory. She'll burn out soon enough."

"Perhaps. But perhaps not. A wild card, after all, is unpredictable," the third voice said; it was calm, unshaken. "What were our bets?"