Chapter 39:The Final Trial of the Second Event

The sun hung high over the Arunachal Pradesh Academy, casting long shadows over the colossal Labyrinth of Shadows—the final test of the second event.

Headmaster Dhruv Jomoh's voice boomed across the arena.

> "The final task is simple. Escape the labyrinth before time runs out."

A holographic countdown appeared above them. Three hours.

The labyrinth was said to be filled with illusions, traps, and creatures born of aura.

Only the smartest and strongest would make it out.

The gates opened.

> "BEGIN!"

Mri, Ayang, Jasmine, Tanuja, and Shahid rushed in, their eyes sharp, their auras pulsing.

The Labyrinth's Tricks

The stone walls stretched endlessly, shifting unnaturally, making it impossible to rely on memory.

> "It's moving," Ayang muttered. "This place isn't normal."

Jasmine placed a hand on the wall, feeling the pulse of energy beneath it.

> "It's alive," she whispered. "It's sensing our movements."

Suddenly—

BAM!

A wall shot up, separating Mri from the others.

> "Tch. Not good." Mri took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Guess I'll do this my way."

Mri's Path—A Battle of Will

As he moved forward, shadows flickered along the walls.

> "Illusions," he realized. "They're testing my mind, not my strength."

A figure appeared in front of him—his father.

> "Mri… why do you fight?"

Mri's eyes widened. He clenched his fists.

> "You're not real."

The illusion of his father smiled sadly before vanishing.

The walls shifted again, revealing a mirror—and within it, his dark clone from before.

> "Back so soon?" the clone sneered.

> "I already beat you," Mri growled.

> "Did you?"

The mirror shattered, and the path ahead opened.

Mri exhaled, stepping forward. "This place is trying to break us."

But he wouldn't be broken.

The Others—A Race Against Time

Ayang and Shahid relied on brute strength, smashing through traps and illusions.

Jasmine and Tanuja, using their wits, found hidden clues within the labyrinth's energy.

One by one, they reunited near the exit.

> "Where's Mri?" Tanuja asked, concern in her voice.

Just as she spoke—

BOOM!

A massive section of the labyrinth collapsed—and from the dust, Mri emerged, his yellow aura flickering.

> "Took you long enough," Ayang smirked.

Mri rolled his shoulders. "Let's finish this."

The Final Test—The Guardian

Just before the exit, a massive stone beast blocked their way.

Its red eyes glowed, its body cracked with energy.

A hologram appeared:

> FINAL CHALLENGE: DEFEAT THE GUARDIAN

Mri smirked. "Time to go all out."

The battle was swift but brutal.

The beast was powerful—but it wasn't fast enough.

With a final burst of golden aura, Mri shattered its core.

The guardian crumbled—and the path opened.

Victory

The team stepped out of the labyrinth just as the timer hit zero.

The crowd roared.

Headmaster Dhruv nodded in approval.

> "Well done. The second event is complete."

Mri and his team exchanged glances, exhausted but victorious.

One more step toward the Strongest Academy Title.

But the real battles were only beginning.