The Astral Labyrinth did not end—it deepened.
The moment Heavenly Blade Academy cleared the final rotating corridor from the previous section, the space ahead unfolded like a living puzzle responding to their presence. The floating cosmic cubes that had once rearranged violently now slowed, their motion deliberate, as though testing not just strength, but judgment. Starlight bled from the seams between stone and void, forming faint constellations beneath their feet that pulsed in quiet intervals.
Zeref Ying stood at the front, breathing steady but heavy, his hand clenched around the hilt of his weapon. Sweat traced lines down his temples, his robes marked by burns and scratches earned from earlier battles.
Behind him, Ren Huoran adjusted his stance, eyes sharp and calculating even in exhaustion. Lin Yuexin leaned lightly against one of the glowing walls, recovering her breath while keeping her senses spread wide. Mei Lian's palms shimmered faintly with healing light as she quietly stabilized everyone's condition.
And Darius Huang—once the source of chaos—now stood silent, focused, his gaze no longer wandering, no longer hostile.
They had changed.
The labyrinth felt it.
A low hum echoed through the chamber as the path ahead divided into three descending bridges, each made of interlocking astral glyphs. Above them hovered a massive rotating sigil—an ancient mechanism etched with symbols of balance, unity, and sacrifice.
Ren stepped forward first. "This isn't a trap," he said calmly. "It's a decision."
Yuexin nodded. "Each path resonates differently. One with strength, one with intellect, one with spirit."
Mei Lian frowned slightly. "Then choosing wrong may not kill us… but it could delay us."
Darius clenched his fists. "We don't have time for delays."
Zeref closed his eyes.
For a brief moment, the whispers of the labyrinth brushed the edges of his consciousness—not voices, not commands, but impressions. Cooperation. Harmony. Shared burden.
He opened his eyes and spoke without hesitation. "We split."
Everyone turned to him.
"Not fully," Zeref continued. "Two paths, but we stay connected. Ren and Yuexin take the intellect bridge. Mei Lian supports them. Darius and I take the spirit path. Strength alone won't solve what's ahead."
There was no argument.
That alone felt surreal.
The moment they stepped onto their chosen paths, the labyrinth reacted. The bridges solidified, glyphs flaring beneath their feet. As the groups advanced, challenges manifested—not beasts, but trials shaped by intent.
On Ren's path, massive star-locked doors barred the way, each inscribed with rotating constellation riddles. Yuexin deciphered patterns while Ren manipulated the shifting mechanisms with precise energy control. When illusions attempted to fracture their concentration, Mei Lian anchored them, her calm presence acting as a stabilizing force.
On Zeref's path, the air thickened with pressure. Ethereal figures emerged—not enemies, but reflections formed from lingering doubt and suppressed emotion. Darius faltered when he saw his own shadow turn against him, mirroring every mistake he had made during the earlier trials.
He nearly lost footing.
Zeref caught him.
Not with words—but with action.
He placed a hand on Darius's shoulder and stood beside him as the pressure intensified. "You're not alone anymore," Zeref said quietly. "Fight with us, not against yourself."
The shadow shattered.
Darius exhaled sharply, then nodded. "I won't fail again."
When the two paths reconnected, the final chamber revealed itself.
The Astral Core.
A vast spherical chamber floated at the heart of the labyrinth, its center occupied by a radiant crystal pillar surrounded by orbiting runes. Three teams were required to reach this place to claim success. Already, two banners shimmered near the core—Crimson Ember Institute and Skyforge Academy had arrived first, their teams standing wary, exhausted, but victorious.
Heavenly Blade Academy emerged moments later.
Third.
The moment their banner manifested beside the others, the chamber trembled, signaling the trial's conclusion. The remaining teams were expelled gently but firmly from the labyrinth, their failure sealed.
Silence followed.
Then applause.
From the stands far above, the gathered elders, masters, and disciples watched as the rankings recalibrated. Astral screens ignited across the arena, calculating performance based on speed, teamwork, adaptability, and survival efficiency.
Miss Lin stood among the observers, her expression controlled—but her eyes softened when she saw Zeref standing tall with his team, no longer isolated, no longer burdened alone.
Elder Shufen's voice echoed through the arena. "The Trial of the Astral Labyrinth concludes. Three teams have succeeded."
The scoreboard shifted.
Rankings realigned.
1. Crimson Ember Institute
2. Skyforge Academy
3. Iron Phoenix Fortress
4. Moonshadow Temple
5. Heavenly Blade Academy
6. Cloudsong Sect
7. Jade Serpent Pavilion
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Heavenly Blade Academy—once mocked, once doubted—had climbed again.
Fifth place.
Not dominance.
But recognition.
That night, the atmosphere at the grand hall was different.
No longer whispers of ridicule followed them. Conversations paused when they passed—not out of disdain, but curiosity. Respect. Even Darius noticed it, his posture stiff at first, then gradually easing as he realized the weight he had carried was no longer his alone.
At their table, laughter returned.
Ren raised a cup. "To teamwork," he said.
Yuexin smiled softly. "To growth."
Mei Lian added, "And to not giving up when it matters most."
Zeref looked at Darius.
Darius hesitated—then lifted his cup as well. "To… us."
High above, unseen by all but the stars, the Astral Labyrinth faded back into silence.
But something had changed.
The championship was no longer just a test.
It had become a crucible.
And Heavenly Blade Academy was no longer at the bottom of it.
The stars were watching now.
To be continued...