Three days later, following two more lessons with Professor Jurg and an intense session with Professor Jessica the day before, anticipation had been steadily building for today's lesson. She had hinted that today's lesson would involve a "special challenge," but no one had any idea what to expect. Isaki and Ray, leaving their dorms, crossed paths in the early morning light. They exchanged a quick greeting, each aware that something unusual awaited them. Together, they made their way toward the academy, wondering about the day ahead.

As they approached the academy entrance, they noticed a large crowd of students gathered outside. Isaki scanned the group and quickly spotted Marie among them. He nudged Ray, and the two walked over to her.

"Hey, Marie," Isaki greeted her. "Do you know why everyone's waiting outside?"

Marie shrugged, her face lit with a hint of excitement. "Professor Jessica told us to wait here for a moment. She said today's test would be different, so I guess she's setting something up inside."

As she finished speaking, the doors to the academy opened, and Professor Jessica stepped out, her expression composed but with a hint of mystery in her eyes. She addressed the students with a confident smile.

"Thank you all for your patience," she said. "I know you're curious, and yes, as I mentioned yesterday, today's challenge is something truly unique. Now that everything is ready, follow me inside."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked back into the academy, the students eagerly following her lead. As they walked, whispers filled the hallway as students speculated on what the trial could be. Isaki, always competitive, exchanged ideas with Marie, wondering aloud if it might be a test of endurance, strategy, or even combat. Ray listened quietly, taking in the energy of the group, his mind already churning through possible scenarios.

Jessica led them down winding corridors until they finally stopped in front of an imposing, heavy door that seemed to pulse with an energy of its own. She turned to face the group, her face serious and eyes sharp, commanding the attention of each student.

"Behind this door lies your challenge," she announced. "The room you're about to enter has a name, but I'll reveal it only once your trial is complete. What you need to know for now is that this door leads to a magical space—a vast realm crafted through magic."

The students leaned in, their curiosity piqued as Jessica continued. "For today, I've teamed up with another professor to create a labyrinth for you. Your mission is to reach the center of the labyrinth, but I must warn you—it won't be easy. Along the way, you'll encounter various traps and creatures meant to test your skills and wits. At the center, you'll find a coin, the key to ending the trial. Once you have the coin, your challenge will be complete."

Jessica's eyes scanned the students, reading their expressions as the weight of her words settled in. "This will be a team-based trial," she added. "There are forty of you in the martial arts department, so I've divided you into eight teams of five. You'll need to work together if you want to succeed."

Jessica began calling out names, organizing the students into their groups. Isaki found himself on a team with Marie and three other students who, judging by their delighted expressions, were thrilled to have Marie on their side. Not only was she known for her beauty, but her skills had also made her one of the strongest in their year. Though Isaki was just as capable, his background from the southern territories made some students overlook him.

Ray, meanwhile, was assigned to a team with Gaus and three other students, who didn't seem particularly happy to be paired with him. His tenth-place finish in military training was a point of irritation for some, and his southern origins didn't help. Gaus, forced to keep his thoughts hidden, felt a mix of resentment and fear toward Ray but kept his face neutral, unwilling to show his discomfort.

Once the teams were set, Jessica addressed them again. "Each team will enter the labyrinth one by one through this door," she explained. She gestured to the heavy wooden door, which loomed dark and foreboding. "Marie's group, you're up first."

Marie took a steadying breath, glancing back at her team before approaching the door. She pushed it open, and they stepped into a world of absolute darkness. The door closed behind them with a resonant thud, leaving them momentarily blind. But as they adjusted to the darkness, soft white lights began to glow from the floor, swirling upward in ethereal patterns mixed with hints of red, blue, and green. In a heartbeat, the space around them transformed.

The darkness peeled away, replaced by towering walls of dense hedges that stretched over ten meters high. They now stood at the entrance of an immense hedge maze, one that loomed with an air of ancient mystery. In front of them was the main entrance, framed by two massive stone pillars connected by an arch overhead. The maze had four separate entrances, each designed to lead a team into different parts of the labyrinthine structure, ensuring that every team faced a unique path and challenges.

Marie's team took a moment to take in the sight. The hedge walls were so high and dense that they blocked all outside noise, creating an isolated, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The entrance beckoned them forward, yet an ominous silence seemed to warn of the hidden dangers within. Just as Marie's team was absorbing the setting, another group appeared beside them—a team of five students, three from Moirai and two returning students, familiar with the academy's trials. It became clear that two teams would start at each of the labyrinth's entrances.

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Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the maze, Ray's team stood at a separate entryway. Ray took in the towering hedges and the eerily quiet atmosphere around him, fully aware that he was about to enter a hostile environment with teammates who weren't thrilled to have him along. Gaus glanced warily at Ray, his thoughts hidden behind a guarded expression, even as he steeled himself for the trial ahead.

As the last groups took their positions at each entry point, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Every student was braced, ready to plunge into the dark corridors of the labyrinth, where only their skills, wits, and teamwork would see them through to the end.

With a final look exchanged between teammates, the students prepared to enter the labyrinth, each team determined to find the center first and claim the coin waiting within. The challenge had begun.

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Outside, Professor Jessica leaned back against the frame, stretching her arms above her head and letting out a satisfied sigh. The eerie silence that replaced the hustle and bustle of students filing into the labyrinth felt like a small victory. Just then, a familiar voice called her name, soft yet commanding.

Jessica turned to find a figure approaching with quiet, measured steps, her expression one of subtle amusement mixed with a hint of exasperation. Selene, a woman in her early forties with large, loose curls of chestnut hair and deep brown eyes, wore a simple yet elegant dress, her look refined but unpretentious. Small earrings glittered on her lobes, and a delicate necklace, adding to her serene aura.

"Oh, Selene! Finally, you're here," Jessica called, her grin wide as her friend approached. "The students are already inside, ready for the trial. I've got to thank you for helping pull this off! How about a lunch in Nyx City to celebrate? My treat."

Selene regarded her with an arched eyebrow, arms folding across her chest in a gesture of familiar reproach. "Oh, so you think you can buy my forgiveness with lunch?" she scoffed, her tone light but pointed. "Classic Jessica. You promised me a week off in return for this favor, yet here I am, working. You know, some of us do value our downtime."

Jessica chuckled, unbothered by Selene's playful scolding. "Believe me, I thought the same! Turns out being the vice-headmistress is more of a curse than a privilege. Just yesterday, the headmistress scolded me for promising you that time off!"

Selene sighed, shaking her head but with a small, resigned smile. "Fine, lunch it is. Just this once."

Jessica beamed, clapping her hands together. Over the years, the two of them had developed a relationship that went beyond mere colleagues; they were confidants, two trusted allies navigating the hectic world of the academy. Selene had always been something of a grounding force, balancing Jessica's spirited, sometimes mischievous approach with her own brand of calm pragmatism.

"Oh, and before I forget," Selene said with a raised eyebrow, "did you mention to the students that the labyrinth is just an illusion? That whatever wounds or discomfort they might face in there will be entirely imaginary?"

Jessica grinned, mischief flashing in her eyes. "Absolutely not! Where's the fun in spoiling the surprise?" She laughed, her voice echoing down the now-empty corridor.

Selene huffed, giving Jessica a reproving look. "They're only first-years, Jessica. Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?"

"You haven't met this year's students," Jessica replied, a glint of pride in her eyes. "They're extraordinary, truly. They're going to need a challenge like this to strengthen their minds and bolster their resilience. And besides," she added, crossing her arms, "I'm curious to see how they handle it—especially the unexpected. Hopefully, they don't let the illusion overwhelm them and manage to complete it within a few hours."

Selene sighed but knew there was no dissuading Jessica once she had made up her mind. Without another word, she turned toward the labyrinth's entrance and placed her hand on the doorknob.

"Wait," Jessica called after her. "Where do you think you're going?"

Selene glanced back over her shoulder, her expression calm but resolved. "To monitor things. If any unforeseen issues arise, I'll be there to handle them."

Jessica nodded, watching as Selene vanished behind the door, stepping into the heart of the illusion. She knew that Selene's calm demeanor hid a fiercely protective streak. Despite her high standards and the rigor with which she challenged her students, Selene always watched over them like a hawk, ready to step in if they needed guidance. Though she had been offered the role of vice-headmistress many times, she had always declined, choosing instead the life of a professor, where she could nurture her passions for gardening, cooking, and a peaceful life far from administrative concerns.

Inside, Selene took her first steps into the labyrinth, where the world around her morphed into tall, ominous walls covered in shadowy ivy, casting the pathways in an eerie, twisting light. But as the mastermind behind the labyrinth's design, Selene knew each twist, turn, and trap. With graceful precision, she moved toward the maze's center, intent on reaching the hub where the challenge would be most intense. Every inch of this labyrinth had been meticulously crafted, each illusion carefully woven to push this year's students to their limits.

This wasn't just an ordinary trial; it was the academy's most difficult illusion to date, with elaborate traps and obstacles designed to test not only physical stamina but also mental resilience and emotional strength. This year's first-years were exceptionally gifted, and Selene had worked alongside Jessica to increase the difficulty of the trial. The illusions were sharper, more immersive, and each corner held a new test of the students' resolve.

As Selene's sure steps guided her swiftly through the labyrinth's dark passages, her eyes scanned the pathways, alert to the presence of any student who might struggle under the weight of the illusion. Though she hoped her intervention would not be needed, Selene remained prepared to step in if any of her students became overwhelmed.

Outside, Jessica leaned back against the wall, stretching once more, her thoughts already drifting toward the promised lunch in Nyx City. She let out a satisfied sigh, grinning as she gave a final, carefree wave in the direction of the labyrinth, her mind buzzing with anticipation.