The Final Moment Before Impact

That was within one-tenth of a second.

Was there still time?

'Not yet.'

His thought process accelerated further.

One-hundredth of a second.

The internal structure of the Dragon's Maze reconstructed itself in his mind, initiating an escape route simulation.

One-thousandth of a second.

There were six branching paths. To escape, he needed to execute nine precise teleportations in succession.

'No, that won't work.'

It was possible if he were alone, but there wasn't enough space to escape together with Mark.

'I need another route…'

Before Shirone could start a new simulation, the Dragon's Maze swallowed them both whole.

Many students turned their heads away, some of the girls even screamed.

Seriel's scream was the loudest.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

The sound of impact reverberating in the enclosed space resembled the shattering of life itself.

One ten-thousandth of a second.

Within a fraction of time so small it was imperceptible, Shirone executed the teleportation sequence precisely as planned.

A streak of light shot through the Dragon's Maze, piercing through to the finish line.

While the other students stood frozen in shock, Shirone landed on the ground, immediately dropping to his knees and curling up.

"Ughhhh…!"

His entire body ached, every fiber overloaded beyond its limit.

"Huff… Huff…"

Only then did Shirone finally exhale, but no one dared to speak to him.

Everyone looked as if they had just seen a ghost. Etella took off toward the engine room in search of Shina.

Moments later, the mechanical device came to a halt, and a voice echoed across the training field.

"The mechanism of the Impassable Bridge has been deactivated. Level 0. Level 0."

As the dull mechanical voice faded, the twisted, vine-like iron bars sank into a horizontal position.

The seniors from the advanced class were the first to break the silence.

"What the hell? Was that even possible?"

"No way. That was a Level 10 trial! And he went through the Dragon's Maze?!"

Snapping out of his daze, Shirone finally glanced around.

All eyes were on him, everyone watching with an expression that said they wouldn't miss a single word he spoke.

Shirone tried to piece together what had happened.

'Did… Did I make it?'

Most of his memory was blank. The only thing he was sure of was that he was still breathing.

With a heavy thud, he plopped onto his rear and muttered in disbelief.

"Hah… I thought I was gonna die."

The students, who had expected some grand declaration from the one who had rewritten history, were left utterly speechless.

But Amy understood.

'This isn't about being impressive.'

Moving forward…

'It means being terrified, being in pain, wanting to give up… yet still struggling forward.'

True achievements were never made for the sake of boasting.

Seriel threw her arms around Amy and screamed.

"Shirone did it! Your boyfriend actually did it!"

She could have done without the 'boyfriend' part, but seeing the sincerity in her teary-eyed friend, Amy let it slide just this once.

Before Shirone could react, the senior students swarmed around him.

"Congratulations! That was insane!"

"So, does this mean you're getting promoted to Class Five now? Haha! The Class Six kids are gonna be fuming!"

Meanwhile, the three instructors and Maria arrived via teleportation from the engine room.

Shina immediately searched for Shirone.

Even after hearing the news from Etella, she hadn't been able to believe it. But now, seeing it with her own eyes…

'He really made it through the Dragon's Maze? How? Even graduating students struggle with that trial!'

Regretful that she had missed such a historic moment, she shot a glare at Sade.

Sade shrugged. "As you know—or maybe you don't—I did my best."

Letting out a deep sigh, Shina turned to Alpheas.

It was unlikely, but with both Shirone and Mark arriving together, it was best to confirm things now to prevent any disputes later.

"Headmaster, regarding the successful candidates…"

However, she noticed something unusual.

The wise and ever-perceptive Alpheas wore an expression clouded with sorrow.

'Why does he look like that?'

Sade quickly stepped forward.

"I'll explain. He seems lost in thought right now."

"Lost in thought? The Headmaster personally oversaw the trial, and everything concluded without injuries, did it not?"

"Well, yes, but…"

Sade hesitated.

As someone who knew Alpheas's past—not just as a subordinate, but as a student—he understood his mentor's feelings.

Watching Shirone's brilliance must have reminded Alpheas of his own youth.

'Don't blame yourself. This isn't anyone's fault.'

The Radiance of the Mirhi Family.

Alpheas had made a name for himself by redefining the very nature of photons.

It was an outdated theory now, but at the time, it was groundbreaking enough to earn him the Gold Circle Award, bestowed personally by the Emperor.

Yet, that very brilliance had led young Alpheas into the depths of despair.

'If only that incident had never happened…'

Perhaps Alpheas would have been a great archmage recorded in history.

Sade forced a cheerful expression.

"Headmaster, please say a few words. A talent who could brighten the future of our school has emerged."

"Hm? Oh, hoho! Yes, indeed! Look at me losing myself in thought."

With a warm smile, Alpheas turned to the students.

"The successful candidate of this trial is Rian Shirone. Though only one has passed, I wish to commend every student who participated. The courage you displayed today will serve as the foundation for shaping the world ahead. I hope you will continue to strive for excellence."

A wave of applause erupted from the students.

Having rewritten the school's history, there was no room left to argue against an early promotion.

Mark, too, accepted the reality.

'I was wrong.'

Shirone might not realize it, but Mark vividly remembered the moment they escaped the Dragon's Maze.

'If it were me, I wouldn't have even tried.'

But Shirone had charged forward.

Even in an impossible situation, he refused to give up, taking just one more step.

'Perhaps… that alone is talent.'