I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 149: The Trial (8)

Chapter 149: The Trial (8)

[Novel is undergoing editing]

Verena narrowed her eyes at the illusion-Evelyn, whose sorrowful expression belonged in a tragic romance cover.

"Look," she said, crossing her arms. "You’re not real. You’re just the Maze with mascara."

"But I represent what you fear," illusion-Evelyn replied, wind still dramatically fluttering her hair as if they were in a wind tunnel of emotion. "Your inability to connect. To trust. To be—vulnerable."

Verena deadpanned. "I’ve trusted people before. It didn’t go well. I got stabbed. Emotionally. And once literally."

Illusion-Evelyn reached out again with a glowing hand, like she was offering both love and a discount therapy session. "Verena, you push everyone away. Even when they’re right in front of you."

"I don’t push people away," Verena snapped, then paused. "I just... gently redirect them. To the far side of the room. With a few snarky remarks. And sometimes a metaphorical dagger."

The illusion stepped closer. "Why won’t you let yourself be loved?"

Verena backed up until her heel hit a glowing root and she nearly fell on her ass. "Okay. Time out. I didn’t sign up for a magical intervention."

Meanwhile, in another bubble of magical misery, Isolde faced the illusion-Verena, who smiled too softly to be real.

"You’ll never be chosen first," illusion-Verena whispered. "Because being perfect makes you forgettable. No one thinks to protect the strong ones."

Isolde’s eye twitched. "That’s... not even a good illusion. Verena and I don’t even do vulnerable."

"Then why does it hurt?" the illusion asked, smile faltering.

Back in Vivienne’s bubble, she was still sitting in front of her illusion-self, who kept sniffling.

"You’re useless. Deadweight. A burden."

Vivienne bit her lip. "You forgot ’too sensitive’ and ’emotionally exhausting.’"

"Also those."

Vivienne stood up. For once, her shoulders didn’t slouch. "You know what? I am sensitive. I cry a lot. I trip over air. And I sometimes walk into danger because I want to prove myself even if I’m scared half to death."

Her illusion-self blinked.

"But guess what?" Vivienne continued. "I’m still trying. I still stand up. I’m still here."

Her Dreamtide magic swirled around her, soft pastel hues lighting the space as if responding to her defiance. Her illusion shattered like fragile glass, a whisper fading in the wind.

One down.

In Verena’s trial, she sighed, finally squaring her shoulders. "Fine. You want vulnerability? Here it is. I’m terrified of feeling things because once I do, I fall hard. And this world loves nothing more than to stomp on hope and call it growth."

The illusion-Evelyn nodded solemnly. Then faded.

Outside the trials, one by one, the girls blinked as they reappeared in the center of the glade.

"Ugh," Isolde muttered. "That was emotionally exhausting. Never again."

Vivienne gave a small smile. "I think we passed."

Verena looked around warily. "Or the Maze just got bored of roasting us."

A glowing door appeared at the far end, humming with soft light.

Trial Two—complete.

Onward.

Verena clenched her fists, glaring at the illusion-Evelyn like she was an annoying mosquito buzzing in her personal space. "Oh, honey, I’ve got enough emotional baggage to fill a fleet of ships, but I’m not here for a pity party."

The illusion tilted her head, eyes glowing brighter. "Then why do you hide behind sarcasm and cold walls? Why don’t you let anyone in?"

Verena opened her mouth, but no words came. Because the mirror of her own self-doubt was harsh—too harsh, in fact. She gritted her teeth and crossed her arms. "Maybe because real feelings get you stabbed in the back."

A soft breeze stirred the glade, carrying faint whispers of forgotten fears and past betrayals. The ground beneath Verena trembled slightly, as if the maze itself was feeding off her hesitation.

Meanwhile, Isolde stared down her own spectral Verena, the one who walked away with cold indifference. "You think I want to compete? I’m just tired of being compared," she whispered fiercely. "I’m not here to

Trial Two wasn’t just another obstacle—it was a labyrinth of memories and doubts, a twisted reflection of each participant’s deepest insecurities. As soon as Verena, Vivienne, and Isolde stepped through the glowing archway, the air thickened, heavy with whispers that tugged at their nerves.

The world around them morphed into a misty forest, shadows flickering between the trees like half-forgotten regrets. The ground was soft underfoot, but every step felt like wading through quicksand. The maze was alive—feeding on their fears, twisting their thoughts, turning every doubt into a tangible foe.

"Great," Verena muttered, cracking her knuckles. "It’s like the universe’s worst therapy session, only without the nice couch."

Vivienne’s Dreamtide magic shimmered gently, casting soft waves of calming light to ease the tension. "We just have to stay calm and—"

A sharp cry interrupted her. From the shadows stepped illusion-versions of themselves—warped, exaggerated caricatures reflecting their worst traits.

Isolde’s illusion was a sneering, ruthless warrior, whispering venomous lies about failure and worthlessness. "You’ll never be enough," it hissed, "no matter how many swords you swing."

Isolde growled, tightening her grip on her blade. "Try me."

Verena’s illusion was a cold, mocking figure, arms folded with an amused smirk. "Look at you, trying to be tough. But you’re scared. You push everyone away because you think that’s safer."

Verena shot back, "Better to be alone than betrayed."

Vivienne’s illusion trembled, tears falling freely. "You’re weak. Everyone hates you. You don’t belong."

Vivienne’s breath caught, but she squared her shoulders. "Maybe I’m sensitive. But that doesn’t make me useless."

The illusions lunged, forcing each girl to fight—not with swords or spells, but with resolve and self-acceptance.

Verena’s strikes shattered the mocking sneer, her words slicing through the illusion’s taunts. "I’m not scared. I’m cautious. And that’s smart."

Isolde danced through the shadows, slashing doubt with every parry. "I fight because I refuse to break."

Vivienne’s Dreamtide magic wove around her, dissolving tears into waves of gentle light. "I’m more than my fears."

Together, they faced their illusions, their own insecurities made manifest. It was exhausting and humbling—but slowly, the maze began to change. The dark mist lifted, replaced by warm sunlight filtering through golden leaves.

When the illusions finally faded, the trio collapsed in a heap, breathless but triumphant.

Verena chuckled shakily. "Who knew self-doubt could be such a pain in the ass?"

Isolde smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. "Next time, remind me to bring emotional armor."

Vivienne smiled softly. "Thank you, both of you. I think... I think we’re stronger now."

At the maze’s heart, a massive door inscribed with celestial runes slowly opened, revealing a shimmering pathway forward.

A system notification chimed brightly in the air:

"Trial Two Complete! Emotional resilience and team cohesion greatly improved. Prepare for the next challenge."

Verena stood, brushing dirt off her sleeves. "Alright, ladies. Let’s see what Trial Three has in store. Whatever it is, we’re ready."

Together, they stepped forward—united by struggle, bolstered by trust, and ready to face whatever the labyrinth threw at them next.

As the celestial door clicked shut behind them, the air shifted once more. The warm sunlight of Trial Two faded into a crisp, almost sterile brightness. Trial Three awaited—its challenge less about self-doubt and more about cooperation. The space they entered was a massive circular chamber with a floor made of shifting tiles, each etched with complex zodiac symbols glowing faintly beneath their feet.

Verena eyed the floor warily. "Great. Puzzle time."

Vivienne’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, despite the tension. "Looks like we need to activate these tiles in the right order... but stepping on the wrong one might trigger something nasty."

Isolde knelt, examining the runes closely. "It’s not just about the order, either. See these constellations? They correspond to our Natal Affinities. Maybe we need to coordinate using our zodiac strengths."

Verena smirked. "Finally, some teamwork. Let’s see if this lot can actually work together."

The team began stepping cautiously, testing the tiles. Each wrong step set off bursts of elemental magic—flames, gusts of wind, sudden chills—that forced them to scramble back. Vivienne’s Dreamtide magic flickered, attempting to cloak their presence to avoid traps, but the labyrinth wasn’t having any of it.

"Okay," Isolde said, "Pisces, that’s Vivienne, right? Try stepping on the water and illusion tiles first. I’ll cover fire and earth." She pointed out her own zodiac marks as Leo, her fiery mane practically flaring with anticipation.

Verena groaned, tapping her wrist where her Aries symbol glowed faintly. "Guess I’m the wild card here. Just don’t get in my way."

With Vivienne’s guidance, they carefully activated tiles in sequence—water, illusion, then fire, earth, air. Each successful step caused the chamber to pulse with approving light, the floor’s shifting slowing.

Suddenly, the tiles began to glow all at once, and the floor tilted beneath them.

"Whoa, hold steady!" Verena grabbed Vivienne’s hand to keep her from slipping.

They barely managed to stay upright as the floor rotated, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downward.

Isolde laughed, breathless. "That was a ride! Let’s keep moving before this puzzle tries to kill us."

Together, they descended, the air growing cooler, the faint scent of starlight and magic leading them onward.

Trial Three was far from over—and it was only getting trickier.