I, The Villainess, Will Seduce All The Heroines Instead
Chapter 153: The Trial (12)

Chapter 153: The Trial (12)

The void trembled.

As the fractured reflections crumbled into stardust, the once-cold realm began to shift. The broken platforms aligned, forming a spiraling bridge that glowed with constellations beneath their feet. It led upward—toward a towering celestial gate suspended in the cosmos like a doorway to the heavens themselves.

[TRIAL COMPLETE.]

Affection Milestone Reached: Evelyn - MAXED.

New Ability Unlocked: Dreamtide Synchrony.

Vivienne can now synchronize her illusions with an ally’s emotional state for amplified effect.

A soft chime echoed in the air, and Vivienne blinked.

"Oh," she said faintly. "That... that actually felt kind of nice."

Isolde gave her a long look. "You just unlocked a power-up by having a breakdown. This world is weird."

"Welcome to my life," Verena muttered, rubbing her face. She still felt a little emotionally bruised, but lighter too—like some invisible burden had unhooked itself from her chest. "So... do we get a break, or is the next trauma gauntlet ready and waiting?"

Before anyone could answer, the celestial gate opened on its own.

What lay beyond wasn’t another trial, not in the physical sense. It was an observatory-like chamber, ringed with glowing spheres and revolving maps of stars. Everything pulsed with quiet, divine magic. At the center stood a plinth, atop which hovered a silver medallion inscribed with ancient zodiac runes.

[ASCENSION KEY OBTAINED.]

Team Compatibility Level: S.

Final Trial Cleared. Exit Portal Unlocked.

The medallion floated toward Verena, settling in her hands with surprising warmth. It shimmered briefly, then sank into her palm like light absorbed by skin.

"Whoa," she breathed. "Okay, that was cool."

Vivienne was still gazing around in awe, eyes wide as galaxies reflected in her irises. "This place feels... sacred. Like something ancient is still watching."

"Let’s hope it’s the good kind of watching," Isolde replied, stretching. "Also, if we’re done here, I vote we never speak of our emotional clones again."

"I second that," Verena said.

Vivienne smiled faintly. "But thank you... both of you. For letting me come."

Verena gave her a look. "Letting you? Girl, you carried me through half the damn thing with emotional aromatherapy. You’re in."

Vivienne turned pink. "That’s not what it’s called..."

"Shh. It is now."

As they stepped into the shimmering portal at the end of the chamber, the trial realm faded behind them, like a dream melting at sunrise. The transition back to Irasios Academy was gentle—soft wind, rustling trees, the faint scent of parchment and alchemy in the air.

They were home.

Exhausted. Humbled. And stronger.

"...So," Isolde said as they walked toward the dormitories. "Same time next semester?"

Verena laughed—really laughed this time. "Let’s survive the week first."

From behind, Vivienne whispered, "My lap’s still available if you need another nap."

Verena groaned. "You’re never going to let that go, are you?"

Vivienne grinned. "Not a chance."

The group walked through the familiar halls of Irasios Academy, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floors. The grand windows cast golden streams of sunlight, as if welcoming them back from the depths of the Labyrinth’s unforgiving trials. Verena still cradled the Ascension Key in her palm, its faint warmth pulsing like a heartbeat—an ever-present reminder of what they’d endured, and the power now coursing through her veins.

Isolde stretched lazily, her confident smirk never leaving her face. "You know," she began, eyes gleaming with mischief, "I’m pretty sure we owe the academy a detailed report on how many emotional breakdowns and awkward moments occurred in that trial."

Vivienne blushed but held her head high. "I wouldn’t call them awkward. More... strategic emotional warfare."

Verena snorted, shaking her head. "Only you could turn a nightmare maze into some kind of therapy session."

The trio approached the common room where a few students lounged, curious eyes turning their way. Rumors about the Trial Two completion had spread like wildfire, and the presence of Vivienne alongside Verena caused even the bravest to whisper. After all, Vivienne wasn’t just any student—her reputation as the forgetful, clumsy heroine had preceded her.

But now, walking beside Verena and Isolde, something had shifted. She looked less like the comic relief and more like someone who had earned her place here. Maybe even... someone worth watching.

Verena caught the glances and gave a quick nod to Vivienne. "See? You’re already climbing the social ladder without even trying."

Vivienne offered a shy smile, her Dreamtide Magic faintly shimmering around her fingertips—a subtle aura of calm that seemed to soothe the lingering tension in the room.

Isolde’s eyes flicked toward Verena. "So, what now? We’ve got the key, the affection points, the whole emotional rollercoaster... What’s next on your grand plan?"

Verena sighed, fingers tightening around the Ascension Key. "Now? We prepare. Trial Three will be worse, I’m sure. The Labyrinth doesn’t just hand out trophies for feelings and teamwork."

Vivienne tilted her head. "Do you think my Dreamtide Magic could help? Maybe ease the stress next time before it even starts?"

Verena smirked, then glanced sideways at Isolde, who gave a rare nod of approval. "You might be onto something. If your illusions can mess with emotions, maybe we can get ahead of whatever mental traps they throw at us."

"Just don’t make me the emotional punching bag again," Isolde warned, crossing her arms but grinning.

The common room’s door swung open suddenly, and a messenger burst in, breathless. "Verena! The Headmaster requests your presence immediately. Something about the Ascension Key."

Verena exchanged a look with her team, the sudden tension snapping the fragile calm like a brittle thread.

"Well, looks like our break is over," she muttered.

Vivienne stepped forward, determination shining in her eyes. "We’ll face it together. No more solo struggles."

Isolde smirked. "Agreed. Though I’m still keeping score on who has the most dramatic meltdowns."

Verena laughed despite the creeping anxiety. For the first time in a long while, she felt something close to hope—not just for the trials, but for the strange, unpredictable bonds forming around her.

As they headed toward the Headmaster’s chamber, the Ascension Key pulsed brighter, a silent promise that whatever lay ahead, they were no longer just players in someone else’s story. They were becoming the authors of their own.

The heavy wooden doors of the Headmaster’s chamber creaked open, revealing a room bathed in soft candlelight and lined with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes. The air smelled faintly of parchment and incense — a stark contrast to the cold, oppressive atmosphere of the Labyrinth they had just escaped. Headmaster Alaric sat behind a grand oak desk, his silver hair catching the flickering light as he gestured for them to enter.

"Verena," he said, voice calm but edged with urgency, "I’ve been monitoring your progress. You’ve passed the first two trials with impressive teamwork and resilience." His gaze flicked briefly to Vivienne and Isolde. "And you brought Vivienne along. An unexpected choice."

Verena swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. "She’s more capable than she appears, sir. And besides, she’s part of my team now."

The Headmaster nodded thoughtfully. "Good. You’ll need every ally you can get. Trial Three is unlike the others. It tests not only your physical strength and cunning but your very resolve—your ability to confront truths about yourselves."

Isolde snorted softly. "Sounds like a therapy session with more monsters."

"More than that," Alaric replied, steepling his fingers. "The Trial will expose your deepest fears and insecurities. It will try to break you from within. That’s why the Ascension Key is vital. It will help you unlock hidden potential but also binds you to the Labyrinth’s will."

Vivienne’s fingers twitched, her Dreamtide Magic faintly shimmering as if responding to the Headmaster’s words. "So, it’s going to be emotional and mental warfare?"

"Exactly," Verena said grimly. "Looks like we’re not just fighting beasts anymore."

Alaric stood, his robes flowing as he moved toward a tall, rune-etched mirror on the wall. "Trial Three begins the moment you step through this portal." The glass shimmered and rippled like water. "Prepare yourselves. The Labyrinth will show you your nightmares made real."

Verena exchanged a glance with her team. Isolde smirked confidently, but Vivienne’s usual nervous energy flickered in her eyes. Still, she stood tall, determination brimming beneath her gentle exterior.

"We’re ready," Verena declared, stepping forward. The mirror’s surface pulsed as if breathing, then parted like liquid glass, revealing a swirling vortex of shadows.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the air shifted—thick with tension and silent whispers brushing against their minds. The familiar stone walls disappeared, replaced by a dense forest shrouded in mist. Trees twisted unnaturally, their branches clawing at the sky, and shadows flitted just beyond sight.

Vivienne’s Dreamtide Magic stirred, weaving delicate illusions to calm the rising unease in their hearts. "Stay close," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the eerie stillness.

Suddenly, the forest around them warped. Nightmares took form—twisted visions of their fears. Isolde faced ghostly echoes of failure, Verena’s path littered with whispers of self-doubt, and Vivienne’s own illusions trembled as memories of abandonment flickered.

Verena gritted her teeth. "This is it. The Labyrinth’s trying to break us."

But with Vivienne’s calming waves of Dreamtide Magic and Isolde’s fierce resolve, they pushed forward—each step a battle of mind and spirit. Together, they weren’t just surviving. They were fighting to reclaim their strength.

Trial Three had begun. And they would face it, side by side.

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