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“Yes, Adept Calton?”
“What if we meet other adepts inside the maze?” Kaely asks. “What are the rules for interacting with peers?”
I clench my jaw. I have little doubt she is wondering whether the two of us will cross paths. And if we do, whether she will be permitted to strike me.
A few adepts murmur at Kaely’s words. But they’re probably more concerned about what it means for their trial, rather than if it allows them to attack their rivals.
“That is a good question,” Lorette says. “Though you will each start from different entrances, many of the tunnels overlap, and it is inevitable some of you will meet each other inside the maze. As this is a Mage Trial, the usual rules of the Arcanium do not apply. Whether you choose to see a fellow adept as a friend or as a foe is entirely your discretion.”
Wonderful. Not only do I need to worry about the magical obstacles scattered throughout the maze, but also Kaely, who will look for every opportunity to attack me and to ensure I don’t pass this trial.
The corners of Kaely’s lips curl with vicious satisfaction.
I do my best to ignore her murderous expression, but a terrifying thought snakes through my mind.
If the Arcanium’s rules don’t apply on this trial, then does that mean Kaely wouldn’t be punished if she killed me?
Nausea sweeps over me. Today, failure isn’t my only concern, but also death.
“Are there any other questions?”
No one speaks or raises their hand.
“Good,” Archmage Gidston says. “Then we will begin.”
Her indigo sleeve flutters as she gestures to the exit on the far right. “Reyna Ashbourne, Lorea Bayford, Keion Bridwell, Kaely Calton, and Myron Dalston. The five of you are to follow me to your starting positions. The rest of you are to wait here.” With that, she turns and marches into the tunnel.
“Good luck,” Eliya whispers.
“You too,” I say with a brief smile and then hurry after Archmage Gidston and the other four adepts.
The passage is narrow, like the stairs. Since there are no aether crystals in here, Archmage Gidston murmursiluminosand conjures an orb of dazzling light. Though it’s bright enough to light our path, the uneven ground remains shadowed. I take each step with great care, careful not to crash into Myron, who’s in front of me.
“Feeling nervous?” Lorea hisses from behind.
“Yeah,” I reply, glancing back at her. “A bit. You?”
“Just a little.”
We soon arrive at another chamber, this one smaller than the previous. Five more tunnels surround us. All are shielded with aether. The humming barriers are so thick I can’t see the path beyond.
“Reyna Ashbourne,” Archmage Gidston says, pointing to the first tunnel on our left. “You will start here. Please take your position.”
I do as she instructs and make my way over to the first tunnel. The barrier’s surface ripples and swirls, bursting with magic. Even this close, the path ahead is obscured.
“Lorea Bayford.” Archmage Gidston gestures to the next tunnel, and she continues to work clockwise until she has allocated everyone else’s starting positions.
“A thunderclap will mark the start of the trial,” she says, once we are all waiting before our designated tunnels, “and the aether barriers will fall. Your hour will begin at that precise moment. I wish you all the best of luck on this second trial.”
With that, she heads back into the main chamber.
“Good luck, Ashbourne,” Kaely sneers when Archmage Gidston is gone. “You’re going to need it.”
More focused on passing the Trial of Mind, I ignore Kaely and don’t bother with a retort. As I stare at the aether barrier ahead of me, I feel her glare burning into me, but she says nothing else.
Archmage Gidston’s voice echoes from down the tunnel as she leads the next group to their starting locations. I can’t decipher the names since she’s muffled by the cavernous stone walls, but I know Eliya can’t be among them. Her surname is Whiteford, so she will be in the last group, along with Koby.
Another moment passes.
