The Demon Queen's Contract

Chapter 96: A Test

The next morning, the first light of dawn gently nudged me awake. Seraphina was still peacefully sleeping beside me, her breathing soft and even.

For a moment, I simply watched her, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for her presence in my life. Eventually, the need to prepare for the day stirred me, and I lightly kissed her forehead.

"Time to get up," I whispered, giving her shoulder a gentle shake.

Seraphina stirred, opening her eyes slowly. "Mmm, morning already?"

"Afraid so," I replied with a smile. "We've got a lot to do today."

She stretched languidly, her movements cat-like and graceful. "Alright, let's get started then."

We made our way to the bathhouse once more, the morning light streaming through the windows and casting a warm glow over the marble tiles.

The hot water was a welcome balm against the lingering drowsiness, and we took our time, savoring the soothing sensation. I washed Seraphina's hair, my fingers working through the silky strands with gentle care, and she did the same for me.

After we were both clean and refreshed, we dressed and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. The castle staff had prepared a sumptuous spread: fresh fruits, warm pastries, eggs, and slices of savory ham. We sat down to eat, the conversation light and filled with laughter as we enjoyed the meal.

"What do you think we'll find at the university?" Seraphina asked, biting into a ripe apple.

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "But I have a feeling it's going to be interesting."

With breakfast finished, we made our way to the university, the anticipation building with each step. However, when we arrived at the location where the university was supposed to be, we were met with an empty field. I frowned, looking around in confusion.

"This is the right place, isn't it?" Seraphina asked, her brow furrowed.

"It should be," I replied, double-checking the map. "But there's nothing here."

As we stood there, puzzled, a shimmering magic circle suddenly appeared on the ground beneath us. The air crackled with energy, and a disembodied voice echoed around us.

The voice announced, "To see the university, you must pass a test," its tone both authoritative and enigmatic.

I exchanged a glance with Seraphina. "A test? What kind of test?"

The voice didn't answer. Instead, the magic circle began to glow brighter, and the scenery around us shifted. We found ourselves in a labyrinthine maze, the walls high and seemingly made of thick hedges.

"Great, a maze," Seraphina muttered. "Why does it always have to be a maze?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, at least it's not a bottomless pit or a dragon's lair. Let's get through this."

We started navigating the maze, our steps careful and deliberate. The path twisted and turned, sometimes leading to dead ends, other times opening up to more confusing junctions. Every now and then, we'd encounter strange obstacles. The maze was designed to test more than our physical endurance; it was a trial of intellect, patience, and unity.

The first challenge was a riddle inscribed on a stone tablet that blocked our path. The stone was ancient, with moss creeping into the crevices of the engraved letters.

"What has keys but can't open locks?" I read aloud, scratching my head.

"A piano," Seraphina answered promptly, grinning.

The stone tablet shuddered, then slowly moved aside to reveal a hidden door. Beyond the door, the maze seemed to darken, as if warning us of the trials to come.

The next part of the maze tested our coordination. A narrow passage led to a chamber with a floor covered in tiles, each marked with a different symbol. A pattern had to be deciphered to cross without triggering traps. Seraphina and I deliberated, each step taken with the utmost caution. Our teamwork shone as we moved in sync, avoiding pitfalls and activating safe tiles to create a safe passage.

Further in, we encountered a massive boulder blocking the path. It was too heavy to move with sheer strength, so we searched for clues. After a tense few minutes, we found inscriptions on the walls detailing the positions of levers that controlled the boulder. We worked together to manipulate the levers, a process requiring precise timing and coordination.

When the boulder finally rolled aside, the sense of accomplishment bolstered our spirits.

As we ventured deeper into the maze, the air grew colder, and an eerie mist rolled in. At one juncture, we stumbled upon a small fountain that emitted an otherworldly glow. The water had a shimmering quality, and upon closer inspection, we found an inscription hinting at a purification ritual.

We deduced that the fountain water had to be used to cleanse a nearby statue of its tarnish to unlock the next passage. The ritual was intricate, requiring the water to be applied in a specific sequence to elements carved into the statue.

The maze seemed endless, and fatigue began to set in. But every challenge we overcame strengthened our resolve and honed our teamwork. One particularly tricky part required us to solve a complex series of lever combinations to unlock a gate. The levers had to be pulled in a precise order, each one corresponding to a different rune etched above the gate.

Seraphina and I worked methodically, using trial and error to decipher the sequence. Each incorrect attempt triggered minor setbacks—walls closing in slightly, or sections of the floor becoming unstable—adding pressure to get it right.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we reached a clearing at the center of the maze. In the middle stood a pedestal with a shimmering crystal orb. As we approached, the disembodied voice spoke again.

"Well done. One final challenge remains."

The ground beneath us trembled, and the walls of the maze began to close in. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm.

"Think, Elara, think," I muttered to myself.

Seraphina grabbed my hand. "We'll figure it out together."

I looked around, noticing a series of symbols etched into the ground around the pedestal. They seemed to correspond to the elements: fire, water, earth, and air. An idea struck me.

"We need to activate the symbols in the right order," I said. "Start with air, then water, earth, and finally fire."

Seraphina nodded, and we quickly moved to each symbol, using a small spark of magic to activate them. As the last symbol lit up, the closing walls halted, and the crystal orb on the pedestal began to glow brightly.

The maze dissolved around us, and we found ourselves back in the field. Before us stood the university, its grand façade gleaming in the sunlight. I let out a sigh of relief, a triumphant smile spreading across my face.

"We did it," I said, turning to Seraphina.

She grinned back at me. "Of course we did. We make a pretty good team."

As we stood there, catching our breath and taking in the sight of the newly revealed university, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

The challenges we had faced had only strengthened our bond and our determination. Whatever lay ahead, I knew we could handle it together.

The grand entrance of the university beckoned us, the intricate carvings on the massive wooden doors telling tales of ancient knowledge and hidden secrets. We exchanged one last glance, a silent promise that we would face whatever came next side by side, and stepped forward into the unknown.