—Wait —said Aric—, something doesn't add up.

  The Basiligon looked at Aric in surprise.

  The group looked at each other confused and turned their gazes back to Aric.

  —The previous group had to face this beast. Assuming they answered all the questions correctly, something must have gone wrong after that —Aric deduced, confident.

  —Time, Darkness, Dead Lions —in this case "Death"—, Love, and The Present. There must be a hidden connection in all of this, something we're overlooking.

  The beast looked at Aric with satisfaction, who was contemplating this hidden riddle.

  —Time is what allows us to be alive, darkness is merely the absence of light, death is just a step in life, love is a state that living beings experience, and the present is what holds this experience together —Aric said, standing confidently before the Basiligon—. The hidden answer is Experience. Everything is connected with our lived experiences and the way we experience being alive.

  —Splendid, young one! —the Basiligon congratulated him—. You have uncovered the true riddle. As proof of your high intellect, I will grant you my blessing. Come closer without fear.

  Aric nodded and approached the Basiligon, who puffed out its chest and released a breath over Aric's entire body. A mist covered him and began to orbit around him, entering through every one of his pores.

  —In addition to the blessing, I have given you a special gift —the Basiligon told him as it withdrew—. You will discover it when it is needed. I will take this opportunity to tell you that the door that was previously closed is now open again.

  —Thank you, great beast —Aric thanked after receiving his blessings.

  —You deserve this, young warrior, for seeing beyond the truth —it concluded, looking at our young man with respect.

  After saying that, the beast ran off without leaving a trace.

  —We should go back to the first floor —said Sulfias—. The others must be worried.

  —You heard the leader —said Valerian—. Let's go. After we regroup, we'll head towards the sixth floor.

  —Aric —said Sulfias, approaching the young man—. This boss wasn't the one you had told us about before. I imagine that took you by surprise too.

  —That's right, boss. There was supposed to be some sort of minotaur, or at least that's what I heard in the rumors —Aric replied.

  —We must inform the guild leader about this too —said Sulfias—. Something very strange is happening in this labyrinth.

  After returning to the first floor, the team took the bloodstone from the altar. It was almost completely consumed. The door to the first floor opened, and they were able to leave the small room.

  Once outside, their group members were on guard by the door. Gobhiria was the first to stand up.

  —Leader —she spoke relieved to Sulfias—, what happened in there?

  —We cleared the fifth floor —Sulfias responded.

  The other adventurers nearby who overheard became excited.

  —Did you hear that? —they murmured—. The reconnaissance team cleared the fifth floor, that's incredible.

  More murmurs around.

  —Aren't you hurt? —Kaenia asked—. How did you defeat the boss?

  —Let's talk about this in the guild hall. There are too many ears here. Aric, you will come with us this time.

  —As you command, boss —Aric nodded obediently—. Serpensq’i, return to the inn. I'll meet with you when I finish my business.

  Serpensq’i looked at him and nodded silently. When Sulfias passed near him, she handed him the blood gem. His face, which had initially been happy, turned to astonishment and finally to unease.

  —I need you to study the condition of this gem —he asked the orc—. I’m sorry to ask you such troublesome things.

  —Not at all, leader —Serpensq’i replied—. No problem, after all, you’re my leader.

  —What a charming orc —she said with laughter and flirtatious looks—. Young Aric, if I’m not mistaken, we’re in the specialization season. Naas’ center is usually very crowded during these periods, but since you’re backed by the reconnaissance corps, you should be able to specialize earlier than expected.

  —Leader, I really appreciate your support —Aric said with a slight bow—. I’m still not very sure which path I should take.

  —If you're having doubts choosing your specialization, we’ll go to a friend who will help reveal your latent potential. That way, you won’t waste years figuring out what you're most attuned to —she said simply and casually—. Lucien, you and your friends will also take the specialization, but before that, we’ll have some training sessions.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Lucien’s face turned pale, but she knew Sulfias only wanted to help her improve, so, reluctantly, she accepted her fate.

  —Miss Lysandra, you, as a dragon slayer, who carries a direct line of dragon blood, will need some additional elements for your specialization —Sulfias told her while orbiting her like a satellite.

  —I’d like to specialize in the Bloodline itself —Lysandra said, very confident in her decision.

  —Do you understand that, the purer the Bloodline, the less human you will be? —Sulfias saw a hint of hesitation in Lysandra’s expression. Her certainty was just a facade—. I think you need more time to make your decision. As your leader, I forbid you from taking the specialization until you prove your determination to me.

  Lysandra looked down, caught, and clenched her fists in frustration.

  —Calm down, Lys. I know you have a lot of pressure on your shoulders. It would be unwise to act based on that —Aric said, trying to calm her—. Leader, is it possible for Lysandra to accompany us to her acquaintance?

  —You have a kind heart, Aric. Fine —Sulfias nodded—. Lys, go clear your head. Aric and I will report the situation. After that, we’ll come for you at the inn.

  After giving all the instructions, the group dispersed in their designated directions. Sulfias, Valerian, and Aric headed to the Naas guild’s war room, where Thandor and Kardeniam were discussing various matters.

  —The leader of the reconnaissance corps greets you —Sulfias said elegantly.

  —Forget the formalities, Sulfias. I see you brought one of the newbies. Who’s this little one? —asked Thandor, curious.

  —This is Aric, a High Human. He knows how to use a sword, an axe, and has great affinity with magic. He was the key to overcoming the fifth floor —she said proudly.

  —Ho... hello, noble elders —Aric said nervously in front of the guild leaders.

  —You can relax, kid. So, a High Human? I imagine you haven’t been long in the Naas capital —Thandor said while stroking his beard—. So, how did you manage to overcome the fifth floor?

  Aric looked at Sulfias, who smiled and signaled for him to respond.

  While the group sat down, Aric told the story, omitting the details about the mysterious man who had given him the clues. What he didn’t know was that Kardeniam was carrying an item with a passive ability that prevented people in the area from lying or omitting information.

  When the item began to glow, Thandor shifted his gaze toward it and released an immense pressure on Aric, who trembled and instinctively took a defensive stance, reaching for the sword’s hilt. However, before he could reach it, Sulfias released an even greater pressure on Thandor.

  On the first floor of the guild, regular adventurers felt the immense pressure and weakened; some fainted, others vomited while kneeling, and most couldn’t withstand the clash of such tremendous forces.

  —Miss Sulfias! —Valerian shouted, a bit uncomfortable. Despite being able to resist the energy clash, it still affected him—. Please stop!

  —This little weakling! —Thandor roared—. Dare you lie in front of these elders?!

  —I’m sorry, venerables! —Aric yelled, protected by Sulfias’ aura—. There are things I can’t reveal! Nothing I said is a lie!

  The item stopped glowing, indicating that Aric wasn’t lying in his statement. Thandor and Sulfias stopped their clash of energies.

  —So, that’s how things are —Thandor said with a relaxed tone—. Ha, ha, ha! Alright, kid, let’s put the misunderstanding behind us. So, in short, in your homeland, a person born with the gift of clairvoyance told you that you had to face a minotaur and pointed out its weak spot.

  —More or less. He was very specific in telling me that I needed to bring a group of people with me and tell them that I knew how to defeat the boss on the fifth floor —Aric said, trying to remember the clairvoyant but only managing to recall a caricatured face covered with a hood—. He told me the minotaur would appear on the fifth floor and that I should “see beyond the truth.”

  Aric stayed thinking while that phrase repeated in his thoughts.

  —Mmm... I think I'm starting to understand —Sulfias said, meditatively—. Wasn't that exactly what the Great Beast told you?

  —That's true, young Aric —Valerian said, joining the conversation—. After giving you the blessings, she told you that you deserved them for "seeing beyond the truth."

  —I understand now. If we had tried to advance to the sixth floor after the Basiligon riddles, it probably would have changed into a high-level Minotaur, which we would have had to fight to the death —Sulfias concluded—. It makes the most sense to me.

  —Well, now that the key to passing the sixth floor has been revealed, only the reconnaissance corps will be able to pass. It won't be long before the method becomes known to many. If no one is able to solve the Basiligon riddles, I'm afraid we will lose many young prospects —Kardeniam reflected—. Thandor, I think we should make a public announcement.

  —You're right, old friend. We can't afford such a great loss at the hands of that powerful beast. Now we know why no team has returned with the method after so many failed attempts —Thandor quickly responded to Kardeniam—. I understand that the specialization season is about to begin, in a couple of days we will seal the entrance to the labyrinth until the season ends.

  —As you command, Great Elder —Sulfias replied with a bow.

  —You clever little rascal! Don't come with your formalities after being so rebellious with me —Thandor said begrudgingly—. Aaahh... —he sighed—. I don't know why I bother, you've always been this way with you and that boy Valerian. At least he knows how to behave... For the reconnaissance corps, the mission will be different. Since the seal we will use is bidirectional, you will have to stay inside the labyrinth for the entire week it is sealed. This time, since it's an unofficial request, the guild will cover all food expenses, and we will have everything ready for the closure. You can begin your additional preparations.

  —As you command, Great Elder —Valerian said—. Let's go, kid.

  —Ah, one more thing —Thandor interrupted, getting up from his seat—. Young Aric, Sulfias mentioned you have a good affinity with magic.

  —That's right, Great Elder —Aric replied, a little unsure.

  —Come closer, kid. This elder will share a little of his wisdom with you —he said, raising his hands toward Aric.

  An immense pressure crushed Aric, who tried to resist it. However, unable to, he had to kneel. His nose and ears began to bleed.

  —Hey, crazy old man! Are you trying to kill the kid? —Sulfias yelled—. What kind of power are you giving him?

  —I'm fine! —Aric shouted, coughing up blood.

  —Of course not! —exclaimed Valerian—. Great Elder, if this continues, the kid will end up seriously injured!

  —He hasn't asked me to stop —Kardeniam intervened.

  Sulfias, anxious, lunged at Thandor to stop him, but was repelled by Kardeniam.

  —Don't you trust the next generations? —Kardeniam yelled at her, creating a powerful barrier around Aric and Thandor, preventing any interference.

  —Thandor! —Sulfias yelled—. Stop!

  —I'm fine! —Aric shouted again. With great difficulty, he got back on his feet. Resisting the immense pressure exerted by Thandor's power transfer, he received the elder's energy.

  Seconds later, the transfer was completed. Aric, barely standing, lost his balance in front of Thandor.

  —Hoho... this young man is more resilient than he seems —said the elder, holding the staggering boy—. I think you're fit enough to be my apprentice.

  —In your dreams, you crazy old man! You as his master would probably end up killing him! —Sulfias shouted, pulling Aric away from him—. We'd better leave.

  Valerian helped Aric walk. Feeling the support, the young man relaxed so much that he lost consciousness.

  —Two days —Thandor concluded—. Give him two days with me and let him make a decision for himself.

  Without responding, the trio left the war room only to find curious stares from the regular adventurers. They quickly left the guild headquarters and headed for the inn.