Chapter 468 First Step of the Phoenix Trial
The trial was not something Arthur expected. He never imagined his current power wouldn't matter inside of it, but that did not discourage him, no.
He was a person who reached his current status by hard work and skill — a bit of luck too — so there was no way he would back down on trying.
'This trial may have the answer I am looking for. Also, dying inside has no penalties as well.'
"So, do you want to go there tomorrow morning to try out? We can spend the night here," Myla said.
She had cleaned her cottage because of that, and there was no need to rush. The trial would remain there for who knows how long.
"Fine," Arthur said as he got up from his chair. "Is there something for us to eat or should I get something?"
Myla shook her head. "There's nothing... But you can stay here and let me get it. It is not good for an older man to go out so late."
Of course she was kidding. Even if that appearance was the one Arthur had for good, he wouldn't get sick by going outside! A powerful mage did not need to concern himself about these types of things.
"Funny. Wait here." n/)0velb1n
Arthur was surprised that she could joke about him. Maybe Myla felt safe, thinking that Arthur wouldn't try to hurt her after the time they spent together. A bold thought.
Anyway, they needed food, and it was Arthur, the one who went to get it. The task wasn't a difficult one — the island was untouched by man, meaning the fauna and flora were abundant — so Arthur got a few fish and some unknown fruits.
'This view is incredible,' Arthur thought, staring at the ocean shining with the moonlight.
He sat there on a massive rock on the island's coast, seeing the full moon and the fishes jumping in and out of the water. It was a moment of peace, one that he rarely had with everything happening.
'I should return.'
"What did you get us? Fish and fruits? Ah, not the best, but it will do," Myla said.
"If you complain too much, then you will get nothing and will starve."
"Fine, calm down. I was just kidding."
Arthur raised his aura slightly, yet it was more than enough to make Myla shiver, afraid of the older man before her. He had been quiet during the journey, and the last time Myla witnessed his power was two days prior to that.
She kind of forgot how powerful he was. Arthur kept his powers hidden and seemed like a harmless older man.
But she was wrong!
'I should be careful with him, or else I could die...' Myla thought as she went to the kitchen to prepare the fishes.
They eat their dinner around a campfire to warm themselves — it was cold, but not that Arthur needed any of that. Hell, he did not even need to eat, but did it because it tasted good?
After that, they went to bed. The cottage Myla built only had one room as it was meant for her only, so Arthur had to sleep on the couch.
"Are you sure? You can use the bed and I use the couch," Myla said.
"No need, thanks. Rest well for tomorrow," Arthur said.
"You too."
They turned off all the lights and went to bed. Arthur also slept that night because he wanted the time to pass faster, and in no time, birds were singing outside.
"Let's go!"
The first thing they did in the morning was to leave for the trial, which was on the other side of the island, but not something that would take them too much time; it was a small island and both of them were powerful mages that could travel between points at a fast pace.
A massive door of fire with a seal on it with the image of a Phoenix. It was hidden inside the depths of a cave, with nothing around it, not even bugs! The animals couldn't get near it as the temperature was too high.
Arthur felt the heat the moment they stepped inside the cave. Not only the heat, but something inside of him called.
'Is it my bloodline resonating with the door?' he thought.
"This is the place. All you have to do is touch the seal on the door, and it will automatically teleport you to the trial area," Myla said.
She knew all of that because it was not the first time she was trying it. Myla was like a veteran of the trial, yet despite many tries, she never succeeded it.
"Alright. Let's touch the seal together," Arthur suggested.
Myla nodded, and both of them walked toward the massive door made of fire. It was hot there, but not something powerful mages couldn't withstand, especially the two who had incredible fire affinity.
They moved their hands together, touching the seal, and the moment it happened, their bodies stopped in place, and their eyes closed.
Their bodies remained inside the cave, touching the seal, but their minds were elsewhere.
"Where are we?" Arthur asked.
He scanned around and found himself inside a small house in an unfamiliar place, somewhere he had never seen before.
The only familiar thing was Myla, who was right beside him.
"Based on what I know, the trial is like memories, and this one is the first we have to pass."
"And what happens in this memory?" Arthur said.
"You will see in three seconds."
Arthur waited for the three second mark, and sure thing, the roof of the house they were staying got demolished by a creature, and the village was in chaos.
It was a beast attack, and both Myla's and Arthur's goal was to survive it. That wouldn't be a hard task if Arthur had his powers.
"Damn it. I am too weak right now!" Arthur said after realizing his body was as weak as a rank 1 Official Mage.
"Stop complaining and let's move!" Myla yelled.