Chapter 277 - 275 : Sacrifice

Chapter 277: Chapter 275 : Sacrifice

Inside the enchanted chamber, the remaining academy teams stood before the Guardian of Knowledge, waiting for the next question. The pressure had become far heavier than before. This was no longer a simple competition for points.

Every participant understood the truth now. Failure did not simply mean losing a match. Failure meant one of them could be chosen as a sacrifice—one of their own teammates could die.

The Guardian of Knowledge raised the glowing crystal in its stone hand, causing a golden light to spread across the chamber. A new question appeared on the floating screens before every remaining team.

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[ Next Question ]

According to legend, in the ancient kingdom of Draconia, there exists a powerful artifact that allows a mortal to wield the power of the Heart of the Dragon.

It is said that whoever possesses the Dragon Heart will gain immense power and control over the elements.

However, the Dragon Heart is guarded by a fearsome dragon that cannot be defeated by conventional means.

How does one defeat this dragon and claim the Dragon Heart?

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Silence filled the chamber as Diana, Liana, Clarice, Aegon, and Riley stared at the question. The name Draconia was familiar—a legendary ancient kingdom connected to dragons, old magical artifacts, and dangerous myths—but the exact legend was not something most students studied. Liana looked at her teammates, desperately trying to recall anything that might help them.

"So... does anyone have an idea about this—"

Buzz!

The loud sound of the buzzer suddenly echoed through the chamber, causing everyone to turn toward its source. Clarice had pressed it. She stood before the buzzer with her hands shaking slightly, but unlike the others, her eyes were focused. Liana stared at her in surprise.

"Senior, you—"

Clarice raised one hand, signaling her to wait, before stepping forward. "To defeat the dragon and claim the Dragon Heart, one must use a special artifact known as the Heartbreaker." Her voice was initially hesitant, but as she continued, it gradually became steadier. "The Heartbreaker is an artifact capable of breaking through the dragon’s impenetrable scales. It can shatter the shell protecting the dragon’s heart, killing it."

The floating screens reflected in Clarice’s glasses as she continued explaining. "However, the Heartbreaker can only be used by someone with pure intentions and a heart free from darkness. Once the dragon is defeated, the person holding the Heartbreaker can claim the Dragon Heart."

Clarice finished her answer.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Her teammates watched her anxiously, unsure whether she had made the right choice. Then the Guardian of Knowledge suddenly began to laugh.

"Hohoho."

Its stone eyes glowed brightly as it looked toward Clarice.

"Correct."

Clarice’s shoulders immediately relaxed, and a small breath escaped her lips. The Guardian raised the golden crystal in its hand. "Well done, Team Celestias Academy. You have earned the right to proceed to the next round."

The other academy teams looked toward Celestias Academy with despair. Some had not even finished discussing the question, while others had desperately searched through their memories but found nothing. Celestias Academy had answered first.

Golden light surrounded Diana, Liana, Clarice, Aegon, and Riley, and in the next instant, they vanished from their platform.

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They reappeared in front of a massive door.

The door was made from dark blue stone and covered with an intricate glowing pattern. Ancient symbols formed spirals across its surface, some resembling waves, others resembling stars, while several looked like broken runes from a long-forgotten language. The pattern was incomplete, with several sections clearly shifted out of place.

Diana walked closer and examined the strange arrangement. "It looks like this is the next challenge."

Liana stepped beside her and studied the door as well. "Do you know how to solve that pattern?"

"The pattern itself does not seem too difficult to decipher," Diana replied after examining the inscriptions for a few moments. "So I do not think this is the actual challenge."

Her fingers traced several of the glowing symbols before she began moving the rune-shaped pieces. One by one, the symbols slid into place—a wave, a moon, a star, a trident, and finally a spiral.

Click.

The final piece locked into position.

The entire door immediately began glowing as a bright, pulsing light spread across its surface. Diana stepped back just as an ethereal voice echoed through the chamber.

"Pass through me, seeker."

Diana froze.

"But first, you must prove your wit."

The voice continued, its words reverberating through the enormous chamber.

"Answer me this. I am a treasure of the mermaid’s realm. A jewel that can dazzle and overwhelm. I am buried deep beneath the waves and fiercely guarded by creatures with razor-sharp blades. What am I?"

Diana, Liana, Clarice, Aegon, and Riley gathered together and began discussing the riddle. Liana was the first to offer an answer. "I think it is a pearl." She explained that mermaids were often associated with pearls and that pearls were considered valuable treasures. Aegon nodded in agreement, adding that pearls could certainly dazzle and overwhelm with their beauty.

Riley still looked uncertain. "But how can we know it is buried beneath the waves?"

Clarice adjusted her glasses as she considered the riddle. "Mermaids are known to live in the ocean. It makes sense that their most valuable treasure would be kept there."

Diana thought about the final clue before adding, "And creatures with razor-sharp blades likely refers to the dangers of the ocean. Perhaps clams, razor fish, or other creatures guarding a pearl."

The team exchanged glances. The answer seemed to fit every clue.

Liana stepped forward and looked toward the glowing door. "We believe the answer is a pearl."

Silence followed.

Then the ethereal voice spoke again.

"Correct."

The symbols on the door glowed brightly.

"You have proven yourselves worthy to pass."

The massive door slowly began to open.

"Enter if you dare."

The team took a deep breath before stepping through.

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Beyond the door was a massive hall, far larger than any of the previous rooms. At its center stood a long black table covered with numerous objects: an old silver key, a broken crystal orb, a wooden wand, a golden coin, a small glass vial containing blue liquid, a black feather, a rusty dagger, a tiny dragon statue, a silver mirror, and several other unfamiliar objects.

At the far end of the room stood a locked chest. Beside it was a stone pedestal with a glowing white orb resting on top.

As the team approached, a hologram appeared above the pedestal. It was the same old wizard from the first round.

"Welcome, adventurers."

The wizard’s illusion bowed slightly. "I am the Keeper of this Chamber. I present to you Challenge Three: The Puzzle Round."

The hologram pointed toward the locked chest, and several glowing slots suddenly appeared along the front of the table. Each slot carried a different symbol—a flame, a moon, a blade, a feather, a wave, a crown, and a dragon.

"To unlock the chest, you must correctly place the objects on the table into their corresponding slots."

The wizard’s voice became more serious.

"But be warned. There are decoys among the objects."

The students exchanged glances.

"Choose incorrectly, and the chest will remain sealed. You must work together and choose wisely."

A faint smile appeared on the wizard’s face.

"Unlock the chest, earn your next clue, and advance."

With those words, the hologram disappeared.

The third round had begun.