Page 468 of Axis of Fire

So that was how I could tell I'd reached the correct location.

I needed to pay closer attention to the details.

"What is the trial at Point I?"

No answer.

With a quiet sigh, I began studying my surroundings, searching for anything unusual.

The ground looked perfectly ordinary.

And that thought made me lift my head.

Directly above me floated a small violet balloon.

Around it hung four transparent tubes, each about the same width as the balloon itself. They twisted around one another, weaving between several trees and forming something that looked remarkably like one of those elaborate hamster playgrounds.

At the far end stood a mirror.

Because the tubes crossed over one another so many times, there was no way to tell which one actually led to it.

Was I supposed to rely on intuition this time?

I glanced at the unhelpful map once more before looking back at the balloon.

It floated perfectly centered between the tubes.

I couldn't tell whether something physical was holding it in place...

or whether it was suspended by magic alone.

But how was I supposed to move it without being an air mage?

If I used fire, I'd burn it instantly.

And there was no way I could reach it by hand.

How would a mental mage solve something like this?

Every trial had supposedly been designed for every type of magic.

One last glance at the balloon...

Then my eyes dropped to the ground, searching for anything that might help.

They settled on a cluster of short trees with long, bare branches.

Perfect.

At least for what I had in mind.

I looked closer.

Several branches ended in dry, withered twigs.

Choosing one of them, I snapped it off—

silently hoping that trees in the magical realms weren't capable of feeling pain,