Finding the Third Path

The maze was composed of incredibly complex paths. On top of that, it was the kind of labyrinth where you could only advance by solving magic-related problems. It was fundamentally different from any ordinary maze. Of course, if that was all there was to it, the test would have been no different from a regular labyrinth—just solve the questions and reach the destination. In that sense, it wasn’t particularly difficult. However, this maze had a unique system built into it. One of its features was that the further you progressed by solving problems on your way to the destination, the higher the overall difficulty of the magic questions became. Therefore, breaking through the maze faster than anyone else was the true core of this test.

But no one knew that. Only I did. After all, the designer of this maze was none other than myself, and the problems had been written by me as well. In short? This second test was going to be far ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more difficult than the first one.

Above all, getting a question wrong would trigger not only various penalties but a barrage of traps aimed directly at the mages. Traps that made the ones from the jungle in the first test look like child’s play.

I let out a quiet chuckle and quickly made my way through the maze. Since I already knew its entire layout, it wasn’t difficult at all. Solving the problems at a rapid pace, I managed to reach the final questions right before the destination in the blink of an eye.

So, was that the end? Of course not. I had raised the difficulty of the problems. Now it was time to raise the difficulty of the test itself.

What should I do…

I immediately spread my mana outward to locate the mages. As I pondered my next move—

“Hmm? Zeon?”

The boy I had already marked as the future slave of my magic tower, along with the two male and female mages who had arrogantly declared the first test too easy, were charging forward at considerable speed. It would still take them quite some time to reach this point, but at their current pace, first place was all but guaranteed. It was impressive, but I wasn’t about to sit back and watch it happen.

The magic tower’s test can’t be allowed to be this easy.

I immediately began manipulating the maze.

Zeon encountered two blue-haired mages while navigating the labyrinth. At first both sides were wary of each other, but they soon decided to join forces. They advanced by rapidly solving the problems blocking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠their path. Zeon stood out the most. After spending several years poring over the Archmage’s theory book—memorizing it, dissecting it, and focusing entirely on understanding it—he could solve the Archmage’s problems almost instinctively.

The male mage, Gelban, clicked his tongue in amazement and asked, “How are you solving such high-level problems so easily? No matter how I look at it, that’s not normal.”

“Ah, I happened to pick up the Archmage’s theory book and taught myself with it. Maybe that’s why, but the problems here follow a similar theory and solution format, so they’re more manageable than I expected.”

At Zeon’s answer, the female mage, Lilia, let out a dry laugh. “Self-taught? With just one book on the Archmage’s theories? And you made it this far? You’re a complete monster.”

“If I had to put it one way, I’m just unusually strong with theory.”

At Zeon’s modest joke, the other two snorted with laughter and pressed forward.

They were advancing quickly by solving one problem after another when suddenly the maze’s structure shifted. A wall that should have been completely blocked opened up. Beyond it stood several other mages. The two groups naturally faced each other and paused, sizing one another up.

Mages could usually tell at a glance whether someone was on the same wavelength as them. In that sense, both parties immediately understood that they viewed each other differently. Yet with the path now altered, they had no choice but to join forces. There was only one route forward, after all.

No words were exchanged, but the groups naturally merged into a single party.

“I’ll solve this one.”

The gray-haired ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠man who seemed to be the leader stepped forward. He examined the problem blocking the passage.

The question was basic, but the demand for an in-depth explanation of all three components and their underlying reasons made it extremely difficult. Yet the gray-haired man answered without a second of hesitation.

“The three components of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠magic are intention, form, and implementation. Intention represents the phenomenon of magic. Form represents its structure. Implementation brings both the phenomenon and structure into reality, forming the three pillars of magic. This is because the origin of all basic magic begins with human desire. Therefore, the caster’s clear will—intention—is the most crucial element. Form gives that intention a precise shape so it can become magic, and implementation serves as the final key that transforms both into an actual phenomenon.”

The words came out like rapid fire, but—

Zeon, watching from behind, couldn’t help but admire him. That’s incredible…

Normally, when people thought of magic’s three components, they thought of form, formula, and circuit. That had been the established common sense. But ever since the Archmage appeared, magic had taken a leap forward. It had drawn closer to the essence of things, and everything had changed. The three components the gray-haired man had just recited were the result of that evolution.

…This person will definitely join the tower.

He didn’t know what the future held, but he had a strong feeling about it.

After safely solving the problem and continuing forward, the group ran into an unexpected situation.

It was a blatantly provocative question designed to sow discord. If they took the straight path, reaching the destination was guaranteed. But if all six of them took the long way around, they might not make it within the time limit.

The problem was very simple.

What would they choose?

Everyone present knew the question was deliberately trying to create conflict, yet the atmosphere grew subtly tense anyway. The original trio and the gray-haired trio split into two groups once more. A sharp standoff continued, the air thick with the possibility of a fight breaking out at any moment.

“We’re going ahead from here.”

At the gray-haired man—Raskal’s—declaration, Lilia’s face twisted fiercely.

“Ha? Who decided that?”

“I’m giving you a chance. A path where we can proceed without pointless conflict. You should know very well that exhausting ourselves for no reason benefits no one.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say.”

“Then are you picking a fight?”

Raskal’s gaze darkened, and his mana suddenly tightened around the space. It was a clear display of his high-level ability, but Gelban, Lilia, and Zeon were not opponents to be underestimated. They immediately raised their own mana in response.

But then—

Thud!

A disturbing sound echoed, and magic circles rose all around them.

The instant he recognized them, Zeon shouted, “Dodge!”

He threw himself aside, but the floating magic circles were not something that could be dismantled so easily. Whatever structure they possessed, the circles constantly shifted shape and poured out new spells without pause.

While dodging the incoming magic, Zeon never took his eyes off the problem.

Is there really no other way?

Only three people could advance from here. Yet there were six of them. Choosing the path for three would let them pass easily, but the remaining three would be forced to take the longer route. On the other hand, if all six chose the detour, reaching the destination within the time limit might become impossible.

It was an utterly unreasonable question designed to create conflict.

Suddenly, a line from the theory book flashed through his mind.

There is no such thing as coincidence in this world. What appears to be coincidence is merely inevitability disguised as chance, woven together by other inevitabilities. Everything in the world has a reason, and magic is no exception.

This test was essentially measuring how much magical knowledge a mage possessed. Would the Archmage really insert a random question whose only purpose was to create conflict?

No. That can’t be it.

They said the Archmage always claimed that everything had a reason. And this maze had been designed by the Archmage himself. There had to be something else besides the two obvious choices.

Zeon was certain of it.

Let’s find it. Look for the other clue.

As time passed, the magic pouring down grew stronger and stronger, its power rising with every second. If things continued like this, they would be overwhelmed with no way out.

Think… I have to think…

He racked his brain and carefully examined the problem and its surroundings. Nothing stood out at first, but as his eyes scanned the message containing the question, a spark lit up in his gaze.

The maze they were in had been designed to prevent any shortcuts. The only way forward was to prove one’s knowledge. But if the question itself had nothing to do with magic, was there any reason to accept it at face value?

He couldn’t be completely sure, but Zeon decided to try.

“I think I’ve found a way for all of us to get through!”

“Is that true?!”

Lilia, who had just blocked a massive lightning bolt with an ice wall, shouted back.

“It’s true! But I need everyone’s help! That includes all of you!”

Zeon called out to the struggling gray-haired group as well.

“…”

Raskal remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his options. But with the pressure mounting, he quickly made his decision.

“I’ll cooperate.”

“Everyone, attack the wall with the strongest magic you can currently use!”

“What?! Are you insane? Shortcuts are impossible here!”

“The whole point of a test is to prove something, isn’t it?! Everything we’ve faced so far has been directly related to magic! Doesn’t it seem strange that a question like this suddenly appears?! In a test that’s supposed to measure magical knowledge, there’s no reason to obediently accept a problem that’s obviously designed to create conflict! Just trust me and attack!”

Even in the urgent situation, Zeon’s intention and voice rang out clearly.

“He has a point.”

Gelban nodded and began preparing his spell.

“Fine, let’s give it a shot.”

Lilia spat out the blood in her mouth and prepared the strongest magic she could currently muster. Artificial wind gathered in Raskal’s hands, while intense fireballs swirled in the palms of his companions. Zeon prepared his own attack spell, checked the timing, and gave the signal.

“Now!!!”

The moment his shout echoed, multiple powerful spells slammed into the blocking wall.

Kwaaaaaaaaang!

The deafening roar nearly burst their eardrums, but Zeon’s eyes remained fixed on the wall. The barrier that had looked utterly indestructible crumbled instantly under their combined assault. Beyond the passage lay a gate leading straight to the destination.

“Run!”

Even as magical bombardment continued to rain down, they poured every ounce of strength into sprinting toward the gate.

On the other side of the gate that they passed through, a familiar face was waiting for them.

It was Riel, the Deputy Tower Master of the Magic Tower and its second-in-command. She spoke to the first arrivals.

“You have successfully arrived within the time limit. You may all rest now.”

At her words, Zeon finally let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed on the spot. Gelban and Lilia beside him did the same. Wiping away the sweat pouring down his face, Zeon burst into loud laughter.

The result of the second test was—

Pass.