310 Phantom Chamber

[Ren Hilton POV.]

"What?" I asked, puzzled, as I glanced at Professor Night. What did she mean by that?

It had been two days since the completion of the Chameleon's Maze. I had been filled in on what happened after I went unconscious, and it wasn't... pleasant. In short, Adam Stales had entered the circle while I was fighting the Amphiptere and pulled out the sword from the last circle where it was resting peacefully. After that, I was taken to the nurse while the points were distributed--Imperial Academy gained ten points, Nexus Institute and Luminaries had five each, and the others had none due to their poor performance. And after meeting Aron, I knew for a fact he was under a curse, just like myself.

By the time Adam and his team came back from the elven forest, the curse's impact had reached sixteen percent. But now it was at twenty-five percent, though somehow I didn't feel like it was that different.

"Maybe because you don't interact much with people outside these buffers," Blaze remarked. Maybe he was right.

"Anyways, what I'm saying is that Eldric, I mean Sir Eldric, wants to have a conversation with you."

And here lay the problem.

"But isn't it time for the next challenge? I can't--" I began, feeling her squeezing my arm.

We were currently in the common room provided for us, and it seemed that the transcendent had sent out a message requesting to meet me.

"And what would happen if I say no?" I inquired. I didn't actually want to meet that guy because, from what I already knew, he was bitter and quick to catch onto things that he thought were out of order.

"Don't say that! It'll bring us in a bad light if you do that," Professor Night pleaded.

I sighed, weighing my options. Meeting with Eldric didn't sound like the most appealing prospect, but causing trouble with the higher-ups wouldn't do me any favors either.

"Fine," I relented, "I'll go meet him."

Professor Night visibly relaxed, her grip on my arm loosening. "Thank you, Ren. I'll inform Sir Eldric that you'll be there."

As she hurried off to convey the message, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at me. What could Eldric want to discuss with me? Was it about my performance in the maze, or perhaps something else entirely?

Blaze, sensing my apprehension, nudged my thoughts. "Don't worry too much about it, Ren. Just go with the flow and see what he has to say. It might not be as bad as you're expecting."

I nodded, trying to push aside my concerns. After all, worrying wouldn't change the situation. I needed to face Eldric and whatever conversation awaited me head-on.

Turning to the current topic, the professor questioned, "And now for the next round, how's everyone feeling?"

I stayed silent, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming meeting.

"Not good," Erik added, his voice trembling. "It's going to be the worst one, and it's only the second round!" His face was as white as chalk.

"Calm down," Isolde interjected, attempting to soothe the anxious atmosphere.

"But it's true," Adam chimed in, leaning forward. "They say that this round has left a few students mentally disabled before. It's going to be harder since we don't know what to expect."

Adam's words sent a shiver down my spine. The uncertainty of the challenge ahead loomed over us like a dark cloud.

"Adam is right," Isolde agreed, her tone serious. "I don't know how someone like Erik would handle a situation like this. And on top of that, we can only send four people from the team for the challenge, so I think Erik should sit out this specific round."

The gravity of Isolde's statement hung in the air, casting a shadow over our already apprehensive group.

Vexa glanced around the table before mustering the courage to speak up. "Hmm, I'd like to be removed from the challenge

—"

"Not happening," Adam interjected firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Simultaneously dismissed by both Adam and the professor, Vexa's request was swiftly shut down.

The professor let out a deep sigh, her expression reflecting the weight of the decision ahead. "So, Erik won't be in this challenge—"

Before Professor Night could finish her sentence, Erik leaped out of his seat with a triumphant shout. However, Aron, seated beside him, swiftly grabbed him by the collar and forced him back into his seat.

"Thank you, Prince," the professor acknowledged with a nod, appreciating Aron's quick intervention.

"Anyways, we need another person to be excluded," Professor Night continued, scanning the faces around the table. With me, Vexa, Aron, Adam, and Isolde present, one more person had to sit out.

"It looks like Aron won't be in this round," she declared, noting Aron's lack of protest. It was evident that he wasn't opposed to the decision.

As the decision was made, I couldn't help but empathize with them. The Phantom Chamber was notorious for its mental challenges, tailored to exploit each student's deepest insecurities, fears, and weaknesses. It was no wonder they were eager to avoid it, and I couldn't blame them.

The Phantom Chamber was unlike any other challenge in the academy. It delved deep into the psyche of each participant, testing their resolve, courage, and sanity. The chamber had a way of manifesting the darkest corners of one's mind, bringing to light their deepest fears and insecurities.

What made the Phantom Chamber particularly daunting was the fact that it took place within the confines of the academy itself. Unlike some challenges that required venturing outside the safety of the academy's walls, the Phantom Chamber brought the terror right to the students' doorstep.

Despite its indoor setting, the repercussions of the Phantom Chamber could extend far beyond the academy grounds. The entire ordeal could be broadcasted to the outside world, allowing spectators to witness the mental anguish and struggles of the participants in real-time.

we set off towards the location of the Phantom Chamber, a sense of apprehension hung in the air.