Chapter 12: The First Trial

The air was still as Eunha and Minho stood at the entrance of the maze, tall hedges towering above them on all sides. A faint, mechanical whirring echoed in the distance likely the first of many traps.

"Stick close," Eunha said, her voice calm but firm. "This isn't about brute force. If we waste time breaking through walls or tripping traps, we'll fall behind."

Minho frowned, flexing his fingers. "What's the plan, then? Stand around and hope the maze solves itself?"

"Hardly," Eunha replied, her Scholar System glowing faintly as it processed the maze's layout. Lines and probabilities overlaid her vision, potential paths narrowing with each second. "The maze isn't random it's designed to funnel us toward traps. If we follow the low-risk paths, we'll make it through faster and without unnecessary risks."

Minho grunted. "Fine, you lead. But if something jumps out at us, I'm smashing it."

Eunha smirked. "Deal."

In another part of the academy grounds, Seojun and Jiyeon were navigating a dark, narrow corridor. The faint glow of emergency lights illuminated their path, casting eerie shadows along the walls.

Seojun's Scholar System pinged softly.

[Caution: Motion detected ahead. Probable hazard. Recommend alternate route.]

"We're not alone," Seojun said, his tone measured.

Jiyeon glanced at him, her Charisma System humming faintly as she scanned the surroundings. "You think it's a trap?"

"Almost certainly."

They moved cautiously, Seojun's system mapping possible escape routes while Jiyeon analyzed the situation for potential social leverage. When they turned a corner, they found a group of three students huddled near a glowing console.

"Looks like they're trying to bypass the obstacle," Jiyeon whispered.

The students jumped at the sound of her voice, turning to face them. One of them, a lanky boy with a green-tinted aura, stepped forward defensively. "Stay back. We found this route first."

Jiyeon stepped forward with a disarming smile. "Relax. We're not here to take anything from you." Her system pulsed faintly, enhancing her calming presence. "In fact, maybe we can help each other. What's the situation?"

The boy hesitated, then gestured to the console. "The door ahead won't open unless we disable the lock. It's some kind of puzzle."

Seojun moved to the console, his Scholar System immediately breaking down the symbols and mechanisms displayed on the screen. "It's a logic grid," he said, his fingers flying over the controls. "The key is to match the sequences without triggering the failsafe."

Within moments, the console emitted a soft chime, and the door ahead slid open.

"There," Seojun said, stepping back. "The path is clear."

The students looked at him in surprise, then quickly nodded their thanks before moving ahead. Jiyeon gave Seojun a sidelong glance. "Always the hero, aren't you?"

"I'm not interested in slowing down to argue," Seojun replied, already moving forward. "Let's go."

Meanwhile, Eunha and Minho were deep in the maze, weaving through narrow paths and sharp turns. Eunha's Scholar System pinged again, a faint overlay of probabilities flickering in her vision.

"Stop," she said abruptly, holding out her hand.

Minho froze, following her gaze. Ahead, the path looked clear, but Eunha's system flagged it as high-risk.

"There's a pressure plate hidden under the dirt," she said. "Step on it, and it'll trigger something nasty."

Minho crouched, brushing some dirt aside to reveal a faint metallic glint. "Not bad. How do we get past it?"

Eunha's mind worked quickly, her system analyzing the layout of the trap. "The trigger is directional. If we shift the plate without applying direct pressure, it won't activate."

Minho nodded, grabbing a long stick from nearby and carefully sliding it under the plate. With a quick flick, he shifted it aside, revealing a hidden spike trap beneath.

"Your system's useful," he admitted, standing back up.

Eunha smirked. "I know."

They pressed on, the sound of distant footsteps and shifting hedges keeping them alert.

In a third area, the maze-like environment transitioned to an open field littered with scattered debris. Students moved cautiously through the space, some pairing up to increase their chances of survival.

One pair caught Jiyeon's attention: a muscular girl with a red-tinted aura and a wiry boy whose system glowed faintly yellow. They appeared to be arguing, their voices carrying across the field.

"We don't have time for this!" the girl snapped.

"And I'm telling you, this path is a trap!" the boy shot back.

Seojun observed the scene with interest. His system flagged the boy's behavior as unusually cautious, suggesting he might have a perception-based ability. "What do you think?" he asked Jiyeon.

She tilted her head, her system highlighting subtle cues in the pair's body language. "The boy's nervous, but he's not lying. He sees something she doesn't."

Seojun nodded, approaching the pair. "What's the problem here?"

The girl glared at him. "None of your business."

The boy, however, looked relieved. "This path is dangerous," he said quickly. "There's something buried under the debris. I can feel it."

Jiyeon raised an eyebrow. "Feel it? How?"

"My system," he replied, his voice quieter. "It detects anomalies things that don't belong."

Seojun's Scholar System confirmed the boy's claim. "He's right," Seojun said. "There's a pattern disruption in the terrain. It's subtle, but it's there."

The girl scoffed. "Fine. What do you suggest?"

Seojun studied the field, then pointed to a narrow path along the edge. "That route avoids the anomaly entirely. Take it, and you'll save time and avoid whatever's buried there."

The pair exchanged a glance, then reluctantly followed Seojun's suggestion. Jiyeon smirked. "You really can't help yourself, can you?"

Seojun shrugged. "Efficiency is everything."

Elsewhere in the maze, Eunha and Minho finally reached a clearing. In the center stood a tall gate, its ornate design pulsing with faint blue light. A console was embedded in the gate's frame, its interface flashing with symbols.

"This is it," Eunha said, stepping forward.

Minho examined the gate warily. "What's the catch?"

Eunha's system pinged as she analyzed the console. "The lock requires three separate sequences to open. But each sequence increases the probability of triggering a trap. If we make a mistake, we'll have to fight whatever's guarding this gate."

Minho cracked his knuckles. "Let's hope you're as good as you say."

Eunha smirked. "I'm better."

Her hands moved swiftly over the console, her Scholar System mapping out the safest input paths. The first sequence completed with a soft chime, but the second triggered a faint vibration in the ground.

"Brace yourself," Eunha said, her voice tight.

A loud screech echoed through the clearing as the ground split open, revealing a mechanical beast with glowing red eyes.

Minho grinned. "Finally, something to hit."

The trial wasn't over yet.