Ray got teleported to the new place after crushing the talisman. A brief flash of light wrapped around him, fading just as quickly. And just like Ray, all the children are also teleported, and they see that they are in the world of the maze. After listening to the principal asking them to crush the token they were given, they were teleported here.
Ray and the children looked confused when all of a sudden they could hear the principal speaking. "Children, this is our first time creating such a platform; it is a maze that will show us your intelligence, instinct, agility, strategy to survive, and analytical skills under stress, and we have limited all of it according to your levels. One delayed decision might cost you your life; your vulnerability is the last thing you want to have when you are in a life-and-death situation. Just so you know, we will rank you.
"You will have to solve this maze, and there might be or might not be obstacles in your way. Take the best route to solve the maze. If you want to give up, just say 'give up,' and then someone will come and pick you up.
"Now then, remember the seven exams that I talked about earlier? This maze will lead you to each of the exam halls, and there the instructors will be waiting and will take those exams as well. I hope you strive to achieve a top ranking. You may begin. Good luck!"
They all looked up to see that there is a flying camera around them with a speaker attached to it below. The small device hovered steadily, its crystal lens glinting as it watched over them. And it is where the principal voice is coming from. This is how the children know that they are being watched and not doing anything to cheat.
On the outside of the maze there is a screen behind the principal. There are multiple screens there that are showing each of their children. The parents leaned forward slightly, watching the glowing images with mixed excitement and worry. The principal then starts to talk to the parents, the kings and queens of the continent Elarion. "Well, as you have seen and heard through the screen behind me, your children are undergoing an academy test. You can see your children's performance through here. Our academy was the first to get ahold of these cameras, and crystal vision from the Inventor Guild of the Richard kingdom. The network got started today, and we were given the honor to show the people the work of art of the inventor that has created it. I hope you enjoy watching your children perform.
Inside the maze, Ray looked left and right and could already see many runes here and there. Soft glows flickered from the carved symbols, hinting at layered formations hidden beneath the stone. Clearly this maze was created with formation. It is his specialty; hopefully he won't get in trouble. Before he moves forward, he starts to check his message. He got a notification before he left, so he wants to see who it came from.
The message was from Robert that says, "You have been observed by the principal a couple of times. Be careful; that old man is a prankster. It seems that old man who has lived for a few centuries got bored and started to get a new target for his prank. And it seems the next target is probably you. So beware of pranks coming your way."
Ray read the message and then wondered, 'Why would he be targeting me, I wonder?' A puzzled frown tugged at his eyebrows. Then in the message he read few centuries. All of a sudden he connected all the dots when he thought of Granny Theresa being here. The principal gives off the aura of the people from the Vaelen village. And not only that, but the way he talks is also like the people from the village. Suddenly he had the feeling that the principal is the grandfather of Arisa. And that could be the only reason the principal wants to play a prank on him.
Ray felt like he was having a headache. The realization made him sigh helplessly. He hasn't entered the school yet and is already being bullied, and that too not by a fellow student or a senior student. It is not even from a teacher but from a principal. He feels like not going to the academy anymore.
Ray chuckled after reading the message and thought of something. Since the principal wants to do a prank, he would do something that will frustrate the principal. A small spark of mischief lightened his mood. He started to bring out the spirits from his storage and told them to find him the easiest way to the hall, and if there are any pranks or trouble on his way, tell him ahead of time. The spirits fluttered eagerly, happy to receive a task. They got the message and happily flew their way to find an easy exit for Ray. He didn't want to cheat, but the principal has forced him to do this.
In the outside maze, Diana asked Robert, "What did you message Ray? And why is Ray staring at his wristwatch and not moving after reading your message?"
Robert chuckled and said, "It seems Ray has been targeted by the principal to start his pranking on. Trust me, I have seen that look when I was in the academy. Although I didn't face any of his pranks, I have seen many of my friends getting caught in his pranks. And believe me, I know that look; it is telling me that Ray has got locked on. Therefore, I warned Ray. It seems our son is analyzing now; he will start moving soon."
Diana and Selene, hearing this, felt a little worried. Their expressions tightened slightly as they stared at Ray's screen. They hope that Ray could still get a good rank, but the principal getting involved might give Ray a little bit of trouble.
Robert looked at his wife being worried, laughed, and said with confidence, "Do not worry, I have trained him well in the forest. He has become way stronger than you think. As long as the enemy is not above the Qi stage cultivator, nothing will happen to him. And besides the last few months, he didn't stop cultivating; he has finally reached the 7 Qi stage cultivator. He is our son; even if you don't know it, he is a very hardworking and clever little guy. Watch how he finishes this trial easily."
Hearing Robert, Diana and Selene got their hopes and confidence up and started to watch what was going to happen.
Ray waited one minute and saw all the spirits return. Their tiny lights circled him, signaling they had completed their search. His eyes sparkled, and he started to take his first step. The maze ahead seemed to welcome and challenge him at the same time. Here it all begins.