Chapter 15: [Trial] Result

The next day, Claire visited me in the infirmary and saw me sitting up while holding the new bag I created which was still exactly the same as the old one. "Did you rest well?" Claire asked as she brought me some soup. I thanked her and hummed in reply.

Drinking the soup, I sighed and asked "Where's Azazel?"

"He's with Sara, looking around the city. It seems that there was a commotion yesterday and a huge fight happen, with explosions." As Claire said the last sentence she narrowed her eyes at me but I just feigned ignorance and drank the soup. Claire sighed and said "You know, you're not even at a better state yet you're already doing reckless things. What about if we finally leave this [Trial], then what would happen to you? Hm?" Hearing this I scratched my ears and said "You know, you talk as if you were a mother"

Claire blushed and said "I'm not! I'm just worried!" I patted her shoulder to calm her down and said "Alright alright, I get that" Claire was still angry at my teasing and went out with a loud 'bang!' as she slammed the door shut.

Curling up my lips I thought 'She's a good person', sighing I looked out of the window and was lost in thought, 'What power exactly did that [Judge] gave me?' Without hesitation, I opened my status window and checked my [Skill]s only to be surprised.

[Skill]: Appraisal

----Description: Allows user to see the status window of another person

[Skill]: Mana Depletion

----Description: Whatever weapon the user may hold will deplete the mana of the opponent

[Skill]: Eyes of Time

----Description: Allows user to see the movement of the opponent in slow motion

[Skill]: [Domain: Scales of Justice ]

----Description: The user can open their own [Domain] which is known as [Scales of Justice] . The [Domain] will measure the worth of the host and another entity and whoever has more worth will survive.

The last [Skill] was a new one I'm certain, what's more, after reading it's description, it is a terrible. I lack mana which means my worth is certainly not higher than an average person. Wait, no, what worth exactly is this [Skill] talking about? Power? Knowledge? Why does it not describe that? Does it want me to gamble my life?!

Countless of thoughts flashed in my mind but seeing that I couldn't get the definite answer, I sighed in disappointment. I know that the [Skill] [Domain] are incredibly powerful but my [Domain] is a gamble unlike others.

While I was lost in thought, the [Judge]s were busy talking to themselves. [Judge "Ares" says "I couldn't believe that they passed the [Trial]"]

[Judge "Dionysus" agrees but says in a disappointed tone "Alas, the 'Core of Light' which was the key to the [Trial] was used on the [Defendant] which means they automatically failed"]

..…

Meanwhile on a certain area of the dark city, Sara and Azazel saw an explosion site. It was definitely huge and enveloped the entire area. Sara hummed and couldn't help laughing as she said "This was probably done by Zero, he is the only one who has explosions" Azazel hummed in agreement and they explored the site further more.

…..

The next day everyone was ready to leave and I also made a bag for both Azazel and Claire. They used it and packed some food supplies that Sara gave us.

At the exit of the dark city, i took a deep breath before saying, "Well, looks like this is it, the last time we would be seeing each other" Sara hummed sadly. Claire and Sara hugged each other as they bid their farewell. Then, we finally left.

…..

Passing through the dark forest, the first stage of the [Trial], we easily defeated the monsters thanks to Azazel's strength. As we reached the gate where we first entered, we fell silent.

[Judge "Dionysus" says "Well, looks like this will be the last time we are seeing each other"]

Like I said before, only [Guide]s are able to see the messages of the [Judge]s, that's why I was not bothered much by the [Judge]s when I was still playing the game. Now that I think about it, although some of them did not helped me, I think I will still kinda miss them even though I hate their kind.

Taking a deep breath, we finally exited the [Trial] all together.

..…

As we exited, we found that we are where we begun. The people wearing black robes approached us and asked for the 'Core of Light' and so we told them what happened. Hearing it they sighed in disappointment. I smiled bitterly at their reaction.

Just as we were about to bid farewell, we suddenly heard a voice. "Wait!" Turning around, we saw a chubby person in black robe with glasses running towards us. As soon as he reached us he panted heavily and sweated. Then, he spoke. "Y- You got the 'Core of Light' right?"

Claire, Azazel, and I looked at each other before I said "Yes. But we used it unfortunately. Who are you by the way?" The chubby person fixed himself before saying "I'm an assistant of the Guide Association and a lot of [Judge] complained about not letting us pass you guys, so, the higher ups had decided to pass you guys"

We all widened our eyes and Claire couldn't help asking "So that means-"

"Yes, you guys are now an official [Guide]" He said. Hearing this Claire couldn't help tearing up as she thanked the assistant plenty of times. Azazel also widened his eyes for a moment before going back to his indifferent self. I on the other hand was dumbfounded, I passed? I really passed? It was a truly shocking news

The assistant then took out something from his pocket which was a wand and immediately cast a spell on us. Swish. Suddenly, we felt a sense of sensation in our body before unknowingly our eyes changed. The eyeballs that were white turned black while our pupils remained the same, this was the proof that we are a [Guide]. Only those who are a [Guide] can have this kind of eye which was blessed by the [Judge]s and cannot be copied or faked.

We looked at each other and saw our eyes changed, joy immediately roused in our hearts. The assistant then explained "Now that you are an official [Guide], you can take in disciples and teach them whether they are from different schools or different country, it is possible. Also, when you travel on an airship you won't have to pay."

"Well then, now that I explained everything clearly I shall leave now" As the assistant said that, he turned around and ran back towards the direction he came from.

As soon as he left, all three of us suddenly heard the familiar message of our [Judge]s which remained te same and Claire couldn't help exclaiming "We passed! We really passed! Thank you dear [Judge]s!"

"Hmph" Azazel snorted coldly but we still could see the faint smile in his lips which we did not say out loud. Then, silence came and Claire was the first to break it as she said in a sad voice "Well, I guess it's goodbye now"

Just as I was about to hum in reply Azazel suddenly interrupted and said "I think we all are going to the same airship today though?"

"Huh?" Both Claire and I looked at him before looking at each other and said "It is!"

"Looks like Azazel couldn't bear to be separated from us haha!" Claire teased Azazel and the latter glared at her fiercely but she only laughed even more. Seeing this joyful scene I couldn't help feeling happy, fortunately, we all made it out alive.

…..

The next day we all went to the airship at the same time. Then, the dark skinned woman who I met when I first boarded the airship came and just as I was about to speak, Claire suddenly exclaimed. "eonni!" Hearing this Azazel and I fell into silence…eonnie? You mean she's your sister?

Claire then shoved her towards us and said excitedly "This is my sister!" the woman bowed her head and said with a smile "Lian Anderson, nice to meet you two again" I nodded and shook her hand saying "Zero", the next was Azazel as he hummed but did not say his name.

Claire then said "They are my friends, they helped me pass the [Trial]!" Lian nodded and said "I see. Thank you so much for helping my younger sister" I shook my head and said "It's nothing" Then, after that, we chatted even more.

…..

Going back inside my room I slumped on the bed and sighed refreshingly as I landed on the soft bed. Looking up at the ceiling I took out my notebook and wrote on the next page. [January 21, 19XX

----Today was the end of our [Trial] and I successfully became a [Guide]. Now, I'm one step closer to helping my characters. Just a little bit more time…] After writing this I stared at the ceiling, reaching out my hand I muttered "Just a little more, then, I'll finally be able to see you guys again. Please just wait a little longer"

That day, I, Kim Iseul, known as Zero, officially became a [Guide]. And now, I'm one step closer to seeing my characters that I longed to see for.