The Visage Lord was the most dangerous being Sieg had ever come across.

  However, he didn't feel as though his life was in any immediate danger, but Sieg wondered whether he could even call Mister Knight here if worse came to worst, and he wasn't sure Mister Knight would answer his call, let alone oppose his very lord.

  Sieg's thoughts raced, but the ball around him continued undisturbed.

  The masked figures still danced in slow, elegant circles, and the sound of a violin played throughout the hall.

  For a slum boy like him, the music was unexpectedly pleasant , the best thing he had ever heard in person.

  One of the masked women in white dress leaned closer toward the Visage Lord, whispering something in his ear.

  The two sorcerers remained bowed, waiting patiently for their Lord's decisions.

  And so did Sieg, kneeling beneath the crystal chandelier's light.

  Sieg was still fatigued, but his extreme conditioning under Mister Knight had paid off. Even without a moment's rest, his body was more than capable of handling this kind of stress.

  Whatever awaited him, he had no choice but to persevere.

  The Visage Lord remained silent, then Sieg took a careful glance at his body in a respectful manner.

  The exposed parts of its skin were like obsidian, it was black and reflective.

  Interesting…

  Well, those details were quite obvious, but still, to Sieg, being surrounded by another race with an unknown culture was a jarring experience, he felt out of place.

  After a short exchange between the masked woman and the Visage Lord, a single, casual gesture was enough, he raised one hand, and the entire ballroom was instantly silenced.

  What is happening… Sieg felt an oppressive, invisible weight pressing down on the room, but he forced himself to stay still.

  Calm down. Calm down.

  The dancers froze, then bowed. The violinist stopped mid-note and lowered their head.

  One by one, they slipped out of the hall with measured, graceful steps. Soon, only the throne remained, along with the Visage Lord, the two sorcerers, and Sieg.

  The two sorcerers began to follow, but the masked woman stopped them. "Both of you will stay," she said softly. "The Lord has decided that you will accompany the candidate in his trial."

  Upon hearing this, Sieg felt a wave of relief that he was receiving some kind of help. Yet, in all honesty, his ego was wounded; he had wanted to go alone. Still, for now, it was wiser to seize every opportunity in his path.

  This is unexpected but might as well use them.

  The sorcerers exchanged glances, taken aback. For them, too, this was a golden opportunity.

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  They were Visage Revenants, and aiding a candidate was an honor. No words needed to be spoken: if they successfully guided Sieg into becoming an Ascendant, they would know a promotion awaited them.

  The female and male sorcerers kneeled. "As you wish, milady…" they replied.

  The masked woman then turned her attention to Sieg, her gaze sharp even if her face was obscured.

  "Through the Trial of Shiva, you shall prove yourself worthy of a Visage." she said.

  Sieg listened carefully, He merely nodded, though his mind tangled at the enormity ahead.

  "I understand."

  She continued, her voice remained formal and commanding. "You will have full command over the two sorcerers accompanying you. Their skills, their actions, are now under your direction."

  "Prove yourself in that aspect."

  Sieg's eyes widened. "Me? Command… over these two elite sorcerers?" The idea was both intriguing and shocking. He had survived mostly by instinct, a little luck, and sheer human will.

  But now, he was being entrusted with control over beings far more capable than himself!

  "Do you have any objections? Are you confident you can take on the next trial on your own?" the masked woman asked, her gaze pressing into Sieg like a glacier bearing down on him.

  Taking it alone was basically suicide.

  "Ah… no. I'll manage somehow," Sieg replied, though his voice lacked confidence, mostly because his hormones were acting at the wrong time.

  The masked woman didn't appear impressed with his demeanor, and neither did Sieg.

  He scowled inwardly. He hated how nervous he got around women of near-perfect beauty.

  The immaturity of youth kept surfacing at the worst possible moments, and he hated that it showed.

  He clenched his fists lightly, trying to push the embarrassment aside.

  There were far bigger concerns ahead than fumbling around beautiful, untouchable women out of his league.

  I need to be realistic despite what I'm feeling — they're not that important right now!

  The masked woman regarded Sieg for a moment longer before speaking again. "You will depart immediately," she said. "You have lingered in this domain long enough. Any further delay is unnecessary. You may discuss plans with them once you arrive at the next area."

  "The trial will not wait."

  The male sorcerer gave a slight nod. "We are under your leadership," he said to Sieg.

  The female sorcerer mirrored his gesture, her voice gentle and soft. "Good luck, candidate. We will follow your lead."

  "I-I'll do my best." Sieg swallowed and nodded in return. There was no more time to hesitate. With his fate decided and expectations resting squarely on his shoulders, he turned toward the path ahead — toward the Trial of Shiva and whatever awaited him beyond the domain of the Visage Ones.

  The masked woman stepped forward, positioning herself before them. Behind her, the Visage Lord remained seated upon the obsidian throne, his gaze fixed on the three of them, it was silent and ominous, as if their very existence seemed so low compared to his absolute greatness.

  Slowly, the woman reached up and removed her mask, and Sieg's eyes were blessed.

  Her face was mature, with flawless features and deep, icy eyes that seemed to hold an entire winter within them. They pierced through the slum boy's raging hormones instantly, impossibly captivating.

  What… such beauty shouldn't even be possible, I guess there's more meaning to life.

  For a moment, Sieg forgot how to breathe.

  The chill in the hall deepened, and Sieg suddenly realized, this wasn't just a farewell.

  This was the prelude to something far more dangerous.

  The woman raised her slender hand.

  ? [Ultimate Skill: Domain Authority]

  A luminous circle unfolded beneath their feet, intricate runes forming along its edge as power spanned through the hall. The air distorted, cold pressure bearing down on them as the circle began to glow brighter.

  Sieg instinctively braced himself, as did the two sorcerers beside him. Before the teleportation could take hold, the woman's voice cut through the tension.

  "Your Ascendant Trial begins now."

  Sieg's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Begins… now? Then what the hell have I been doing all this time?!" he asked in an annoyed voice.

  But none of the people around him even heard his complains.

  ? [Congratulations, You are now at the 'Red' trial of the curse of the Sanity's Eclipse, please don't die… as death here is permanent.]

  ? [Remember — at the end, is a reward you will thank yourself for achieving…]

  Sieg's eyes held seriousness.

  Let's get this over with.

  The circle flared violently, and the world folded in on itself.

  Cold light, and silence consumed them as the domain vanished beneath their feet, carrying Sieg headlong into the true beginning of his trial.

  Chapter End.