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"Looks like it," I murmured, eyeing the artifact. It was a crystalline orb, swirling with colors that seemed to dance and shift but held no power.

\'Well, What do I expect from a dummy artifact used for Academy Trial? Hehe~\'

I picked it up and again started walking toward the exit leading to my teams.

\'It looks like, We passed!\'

While walking and playing with the crystal which seemed to awaken Nyxara\'s feline instinct, As her eyes followed the crystal I toss to air and back.

Nyxara\'s small, sleek form leaned forward on my shoulder, her molten eyes following the crystalline orb as I tossed it lightly into the air. Each time the light from the artifact reflected in her gaze, she seemed utterly captivated, her predatory instincts subtly surfacing despite her now-cute appearance.

"Hah, you really are a cat at heart, aren\'t you?" I chuckled, watching as her eyes tracked the crystal\'s movement. It was a far cry from her earlier fierce display as the Shadow King Panther. Now, she was more like an adorable companion who, despite her formidable power, still found joy in simple things.

As we approached the labyrinth\'s exit, the oppressive shadows parted easily, almost eagerly guiding us toward the opening. It felt as though the labyrinth itself had acknowledged my passage, my victory, and my newfound connection with Nyxara.

I could sense my team nearby, their presence just beyond the veil of the labyrinth\'s exit. No doubt, they were waiting, possibly worried that I\'d taken too long. I hadn\'t exactly made it a habit of keeping them in the loop—sometimes, these little detours were necessary to keep the journey interesting.

As we stepped through the exit, the dim, ethereal glow of the labyrinth gave way to the warm light of the outside. My team, scattered around a small clearing just outside the maze, spotted me instantly.

"Hey look! Samael is back!" Alina shouted as she sprinted at me with a toothy silly grin on her face.

Erik seemed to be the most stressed, as he released a sigh of relief as his gaze saw me unscathed.

Even Zara\'s eyes seemed to soften a bit seeing me back in one piece.

"Samael, Are you okay? Anyway, who\'s this? and that crystal?" My eyebrow twitched at Alina\'s lack of restraint as she bombarded me with questions right away, her curiosity overwhelming her usual decorum. I couldn\'t help but smirk at her energetic nature, which was a welcome contrast to the suffocating tension of the labyrinth.

"I\'m fine, Alina," I said, patting her head lightly to calm her down, "and this little one here is Nyxara. She\'s... well, let\'s just say we had an unexpected bonding moment."

Nyxara, still perched on my shoulder in her smaller form, let out a soft purr as Alina\'s wide-eyed gaze fixated on her.

"Awww, she\'s adorable!" Alina squealed, reaching out as if to pet her, but Nyxara tilted her head slightly, maintaining her regal composure.

"Adorable, sure," Erik muttered, folding his arms. "But something tells me that cute exterior hides something a lot more dangerous." His eyes darted toward the crystal in my hand. "And that crystal? Did you finish the trial?"

I twirled the crystal between my fingers with a grin. "This? Just a dummy artifact used to pass the academy\'s trial." Tossing it into the air playfully, I caught it again, much to Nyxara\'s continued fascination.

"Dummy artifact or not, it means we passed, right?" Zara finally spoke up, her voice steady but relieved. She glanced at the exit behind me, almost expecting something else to emerge. "No surprises following you out?"

"No surprises," I assured her, shaking my head. "The labyrinth has conceded. It was a test of power and will, but we\'re done here. Time to move on."

Erik looked skeptical. "It seemed like you were in there longer than expected. What took so long?"

I shrugged casually. "Just had a little chat with the labyrinth\'s guardian. It was... enlightening."

Erik raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with my vague answer, but before he could press further, Nyxara stretched her tiny form and leaped gracefully from my shoulder to the ground. She transformed mid-air back into her larger, more formidable form, startling the others momentarily.

"Woah!" Alina jumped back, eyes wide. "She can change size?"

"She\'s full of surprises," I said, amused by their reactions. "But don\'t worry, Nyxara\'s on our side now. A valuable new ally."

I continued as I tossed the crystal to Zara, "Here, See if this can take us back to the Academy trial sight."

"Okay, Give me just a second," Zara said as she caught the crystal and began examining it closely. Her fingers danced over the surface of the orb, and faint runes etched into the crystalline structure started to glow under her touch. She closed her eyes briefly, concentrating on the magic within.

"Got it," Zara muttered after a moment, her voice calm and assured. "This will create a portal to take us directly back to the academy\'s trial grounds. I just need a bit of time to activate it properly."

As she focused on her task, Erik moved closer to me, his expression still skeptical but more curious now. "So... this Nyxara, how did you manage to \'bond\' with her? She\'s not exactly a pet, is she?"

I smirked. "Not a pet, Erik. She is now my familiar-"

"WHAT!!! YOU GOT YOUR OWN FAMILIAR?!!! WHERE\'S MINE!!!" Alina who was still buzzing with excitement interrupted, her eyes practically sparkling with envy.

I chuckled, enjoying the moment. "Calm down, Alina. Familiars aren\'t something you just pick up at the store. It\'s a special bond that forms under unique circumstances."

"But still! You\'re so lucky!" she pouted, crossing her arms. "I want one too!"

"Maybe you need to face a labyrinth first," Erik teased, smirking at her. "Or at least have a life-threatening encounter."

"Hey!" Alina shot back, mock-hurt. "I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much!"

Zara, still focused on the crystal, chimed in, "You have to earn a familiar\'s trust. It\'s not about luck; it\'s about compatibility. Right, Samael?"

"Exactly," I replied, glancing at Nyxara, who was now lounging comfortably in her larger form. "It requires a deep connection and understanding."

"Just wait till I get my own," Alina declared, determination lighting her eyes. "I\'ll train it to be the cutest, most powerful familiar ever!"

As we bantered, Zara finally opened her eyes, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "Alright, the portal is ready! Everyone, gather around."

We formed a circle around Zara as she held the crystal aloft. The runes glowed brighter, and a shimmering portal began to materialize in front of us, swirling with colors reminiscent of Nyxara\'s orb.

"After you, brave adventurers!" Erik gestured grandly, earning an eye roll from Zara.

With a grin, I stepped forward first, Nyxara following closely behind. The familiar presence of my teammates filled me with a sense of camaraderie. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we were in this together.

As we stepped through the portal, the familiar surroundings of the academy greeted us, sunlight streaming through the expansive walls. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as the instructors and the senior instructor stood at the helm of the Arena.

"Congratulations, You passed. Please stand aside other participants are yet to come." One of the instructors stepped forward and led us to the resting area.

Alina who can\'t keep her mouth closed, "Excuse me sir, How many participants are left to complete the trial? We didn\'t see anyone else in the labyrinth!"

The instructor looked at her with a slight smile, clearly amused by her enthusiasm. "You\'re not alone in your concerns. The trials can be unpredictable, and some candidates are taking longer than expected. But worry not; they will emerge in due time."

As we settled into the resting area, I could feel the palpable excitement and anxiety among the other participants. The academy\'s trials were notorious, and each contestant\'s performance could determine their future. It was a time of testing, not just of skill, but of resolve and character.

"Hey, Samael," Erik said, leaning closer. "What do you think the others encountered? I heard rumors of the labyrinth shifting and changing based on each person\'s fears."

I shrugged, contemplating my own experience. "It wouldn\'t surprise me. The labyrinth seems to feed off the challenges we face. My trial felt more about overcoming personal limits than fighting monsters."

Zara, still adjusting to the surroundings, chimed in, "That makes sense. Each of us has different strengths and weaknesses. It\'s likely the labyrinth tailored its challenges accordingly."

I watched Nyxara doze off, her little body rising and falling gently as she nestled against my neck. It was a stark contrast to the intensity of the labyrinth. The thought of her shifting back to her powerful form at a moment\'s notice made me smile; she was an embodiment of both danger and comfort.

Alina leaned closer, her curiosity piqued once again. "What kind of challenges do you think the others faced, then? I mean, if yours was all about personal limits, what about someone who\'s always scared of failing?"

"That\'s the beauty of the labyrinth," I replied, running a hand through my hair. "It knows you. It could force someone to confront their deepest fears, or maybe even challenge their skills in ways they never expected."

Erik crossed his arms, deep in thought. "It\'s a double-edged sword. Overcoming those fears could either make or break a person. What happens if someone fails?"

"They might not emerge at all," Zara said quietly, her voice heavy with concern. "Or they could be forever changed, marked by their failure."

"Cheerful thoughts," Alina muttered, trying to lighten the mood. "But we\'re not going to fail, right? We\'re all going to make it out stronger."

"Right, You guys lounge here. I have to look for my companions and see if they are out of trial or not." I said as I stood up, scanning the crowd of participants. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and I could see other groups reuniting, faces flushed with relief or disappointment.

"Let\'s meet back here in a bit," I suggested, turning to my team. "I want to check on some of the others and see how they fared."

"Be careful," Erik warned, his brows furrowing slightly. "You never know what might still be lurking around here."

I nodded, appreciating his concern. "I will. Just stay put and don\'t cause too much trouble."

***

"S-Samael... s-save m-me." A soft voice echoed in a dark alley of the Academy trial grounds.

"Kekeke! You as a human! HOW DARE YOU ASSOCIATE WITH A WORTHLESS DRAGON AND DISGUSTING DEMON NO LESS!!!"

Growl!

"... Life is too cheap~"

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[To Be Continued]

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