"Escape from this desert and that would be the end of it woof~"

"You're crazy." Rika who has been silent for the whole time speaks out.

"Hahaha, I might be but I'm not that crazy to give you an impossible task. These aren't genuine Nirvana Flames. They're much weaker than the real thing woof~"

"What's the point of it being here?"

"As I said, it can't be extinguished. If you want to get out of this place alive, you can and must control the flames. Don't worry unlike the real thing, this is adjusted to your level woof~"

He said those things but it didn't bring any type of comfort for us. The flame moving closer wasn't helping either. From the looks of it, there seems to be a time limit before we would be engulfed by the flames if we don't do anything.

Cujo who was having fun seeing us panic moved a step backward and made a path through the flames.

"Don't forget, no one is still allowed to use any different magic. Well, it won't help you here anyway woof~"

He left us in the middle of these flames. Some mages even tried to follow the path Cujo created but it closed immediately after he passed through it.

There was fear in everyone's eyes. Although it didn't last for the mages who I felt were the most capable among the group.

The fire foot guy charged headfirst into the flames without any hesitation. I haven't felt panic from him that led him to do it. At the surface, it looks like he was crazy for running into the Nirvana Flames. When the flame crawls on to his body, there was no scream or any signs of pain coming from him. He continues and runs until he went out of our sights.

"Woah, that guy is crazy. He just went in there and die like that." Subaru said surprisingly.

"He didn't die. He's the first one to succeed among us."

"How do you know?"

"The flames don't seem to affect him or at least hurt him that much."

"What! Damn, I wish I could do the same. So what are we going to do now?"

I didn't answer him. I observed the other mages if they have any plans. Unfortunately, no one was doing anything until Rika began saying something.

"Hey, I've got a plan for us to get out of here alive but I need everyone's cooperation for it to work," Rika said loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.

"What is it?"

"Let us hear it"

"I'm already in."

It was already clear unanimous support even without even hearing it yet. Her words were the only hope in this situation so it was without a doubt that everyone would follow her.

Subaru also jumped in the boat immediately and took the chance to move closer to Rika. I don't know if his intention was listening to her or taking this advantage to see her up close.

With everyone's ears with her, I have no choice but to listen to whatever she was going to say since my position was the same as them. I can't think of any ways to escape this place. So why not let her good will help us before the time is up.

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"Listen closely since we don't have much time. Admiral Cujo has told us that these flames aren't the real thing. You guys haven't tried it yet because it's the Nirvana Flames but I tried and it's possible to control these flames using our fire magic."

"What!? It is as simple as that?" One of the mages cries out.

"It won't be a test if it was that easy. Try manipulating the flames and you will understand the problem."

The mage did so while the others weren't going to sit idly and did the same.

"It's true, I can feel the flames within my control."

"I can control it but why does it consume almost all of my mana just to move a small portion of it."

They shared their discovery after attempting it. Everyone has agreed that it was possible yet difficult to control the Nirvana Flame.

There were visible changes in the flames. They were able to change the direction the tail of the blaze in a certain direction but that's about it.

Seeing their efforts result in something so little, the crowd was downcast disheartened again. It was then Rika who observed the whole time began stating her plan.

"See what I'm talking about. It would be pointless if we handle this situation individually. That's why we need to focus our mana in one single point."

"That's a reasonable way to do it, but how can you be so sure that this would work."

There were still some mages who were having doubts especially after experiencing the strain one took when controlling the flame.

I don't blame them since there were many problems with her plan. Although these people were already swayed on her side because the time was ticking. Also, no one has any other plans.

After a brief discussion among the group, the final verdict was to follow the initial plan Rika has. It was better than doing nothing at this point.

Everyone was in their position to start initiating the path for escape. I was on the side because I told them that I wasn't capable of controlling the fire.

Ever since I said that their eyes on me were full of disdain. I couldn't help it because I was useless in the situation. The only person who hasn't give up on me was Subaru. He tried to cheer me up even though I don't need any and I'm grateful for that.

Nonetheless, Subaru was still among the line that would begin the first step.

The plan goes like this...

For the first step, five mages, including Subaru, were assigned to create a hole through the wall of black flames that would show how far it goes.

When Rika can determine the length of how far the flames go, the next batch of mages will go in and create the path. If the flames were thicker than the number of mages here could handle, then it would be the end of us. That's why we're all hoping it wouldn't be the case.

Finally, if a path was successfully created, Rika will run to the end of the road and stop the flames from closing in for us to pass through. She said with her high mana capacity, she would be able to handle if it because it was easier to stop the flames when it was already influenced by other people's mana.

That was the gist of the plan that would commence now.

'I don't know much about this Nirvana Flames but there seems to be something wrong with her plan.'

I was having doubts but I can't share my opinion because she got everyone's support and they were starting now.

As instructed, the assigned mages began to focus and pour every mana they could to create the first phase of the plan.

Even with the uncertainty from everyone, they were able to shrug it off and successfully do their task. The black flames were parted on the side and a hole was created.

Rika didn't waste any time and used her magic to visioned the length that they would be needing to pass through. Everyone was anticipating her answer.

"Good news. I saw the exit not far away from here. We can easily pave a path with our mages here."

The mages wanted to celebrate the news that they heard but they understood that it was too soon. The next batch went to their position immediately and started to control the flames on their part. One by one, a pathway was slowly being paved with every mage that would follow the next.

When it was the last person's turn, I could see the horizon of the vast desert. If I run towards the end of the road, I would escape this prison of fire. But I doubt anyone here would let me not even Subaru.

Rika finally went ahead and ran towards the exit. Everything was going as planned. She was even saying "Good work" to everyone she passes through.

They respond with a smile since they've done their job and would past the test. The only thing remaining was Rika's task.

The anticipation for becoming an Asmodai scholar has begun to fill the minds of the mages. Some even almost lost their grasp on their flames because of their emotions.

However, Rika didn't turn back and went on her way.

"Excuse me? When will you hold the path?" The mage who was closest to the exit asked Rika.

"Huh? Do you really think I can handle a blaze of Nirvana Flames?"

The polite voice that Rika has a while ago was gone.

"I don't want to use my mana for useless stuff. It's too bothersome."

"What about your part of the plan, you won't leave us here, right?"

"I will do just that. Thank you again, guys. I won't let your deaths be in vain."

Rika skipped away and never looked back again. Everyone was dumbfounded by her actions. It's like she was a completely different person than before.

It took seconds before it process to some mages' mind but when it did, all hell breaks loose.

The person who was closest to the exit tried jumping out of the flames. But unfortunately, he got caught up by it and only his painful screams followed.

This created more panic for the people left behind especially those who were in the middle of controlling the flame. Like dominoes, they left their positions and got eaten up by the flames one after the other.

The people left alive were me and the five mages who were assigned at the beginning. No one survived outside the initial spot. Yet, our situation wasn't any better either. The flames have closed on us at a faster rate like it was triggered by the number of mages it ate.

With the time running out, someone from the group hurriedly cast an earth spell and made a tunnel underground. It was a desperate attempt to stay alive for losing the chance to pass the test.

'I guess it is better than being burned alive.'

Subaru and I have decided to follow him in the tunnel that he created to escape from this place but was stopped when the first two people who went in it screamed.

"Damn it, it looks like the flames penetrate underground," Subaru exclaimed.

That's bad news. All escapes routes are blocked if that was the case. The flames have already covered up to the point that jumping over it is impossible if it was possible in the first place.

The last person besides both of us began kneeling on the ground and prayed. Even he seems to have given up completely in this situation.

"Is there any other way? Is this it?"