Lilith, Rin, and Lily had straightforward tests.
They had to fight brutal battles that challenged their wills and pushed them to their limits.
If their will weakened and even a faint thought of giving up occurred in the dreamscape, they would fail.
That was how most of the people failed.
This test was not a gamble with death to acquire a fortune. No.
This test was there was for people to pass with absolute conviction and capabilities that would borne out of their choices and resolve.
If they harbored a doubt of failure, that doubt would result in the truth.
But Erix and others never harbored any doubts of losing or considered themselves weaker when it came to their resolve and will.
The test continued as it wasn't going to be over any time soon.
Even if they weren't doing anything, their spiritual power was passively increasing while they floated in the pool and exerted their will in the test to pass.
Aria and Amu just observed Erix and his journey as time passed.
Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes into hours.
One day soon passed by while only a few maids tried to find Aria.
The news never reached the king because they knew Aria would return on her own like usual, and other family members didn't care about her.
...
"Yey!! He killed those evil demons!"
Aria was getting excited as she watched Erix's journey.
"Amu, I want to watch more, but I have to go now," Aria pouted.
"Eh? It's fine. The test will finish in fifteen years more, which means one more day here," Amu nonchalantly said. "Your father is busy anyway, so he wouldn't know skipped some training."
"Hehe, okie. Then I will watch more. I want to see him kill all those bad people in his father's kingdom who were plotting against him."
Amu floated above Lily.
"Something deep in her mind will fail her, but it was my fault since I gave her the test without reading her memories," Amu said, it's voice honest and apologetic.
Lilith raised her eyebrows, a hint of shock in her eyes. "Did you manage to read my memories too?"
"Of course," Amu carefreely answered before continuing. "This Lily girl's past is very tragic. Although her willpower is strong because of her past and she should pass the test, some obstacles I added in the test would prevent her."
Rin and Lilith frowned.
"We don't want her to die if she is worthy of this pool's benefit, and she is," Rin sharply said with narrowed eyes. "Don't overestimate yourself."
"I know," Amu nodded, not getting offended at Rin's remark because she had proved to be worthy enough. "I changed the test a bit and will mend the slightly broken parts of her soul that were not fixed yet. She will roughly take the same time as this guy if both pass the test."
Lilith's eyes flickered, and she smiled, "Thank you very much for that."
After saying that, Lilith asked, "Does Erix also have a modified test?"
"Yes. I give different tests to men and women," Amu nodded. "He has a relatively harder test for my satisfaction and requirement due to a certain reason."
Rin swam behind Erix's head and caressed it while grinning, "he will not fail, no matter what."
...
Almost half a day passed before Erix and Lily were nearing the end of their test.
Aria was filled with nervousness, tension, and various emotions while watching Erix at his final phase.
"Do you want to meet with him and others before leaving?" Amu asked.
"Yes!" Aria eagerly nodded while following Erix on his journey. Her hands were clenched, and her expression varied as she watched. "The calamity is coming..."
Amu was amused looking at Aria but also happy that Aria was having fun in a way.
On the other hand, Princess Runia had a romantic visitor.
"Princess Runia. Mr. Hamsimp wants to visit you."
In her private garden filled with empowering flowers and plants that aided in training, Princess Runia was meditating when her maid arrived and informed her.