…From Tom's POV…
The plant struck again, and I blocked it.
It spat its poisonous saliva, and I quickly tilted my head aside.
By now, I should've already finished the exam—
but because of Hardy and this damn plant, I hadn't.
The announcer's words made me angrier and more afraid.
When he said they had defeated the Sasc and were heading toward the finish line…
I burned with frustration.
I was stuck.
I was falling behind.
And if I didn't finish first…
I wouldn't fulfill the promise I'd made to everyone.
People would judge me harshly.
They wouldn't see my effort.
All this struggle would turn into failure, insults, and judgment.
I felt a lump in my throat.
I wasn't acting with logic anymore—
I was acting with emotion.
And that's why the plant's strike cut my face.
No.
I had to act logically, or I'd lose.
Then my eyes caught the plant's heart—
deep underground, beneath its massive stem.
If I destroyed it, everything would end.
But how?
I understood.
I made the plant think I had surrendered.
It hurled me into the air—several meters high—
planning to slam me down and devour me.
But it was wrong.
As I was thrown upward, I summoned the Death Whirlwind.
I aimed myself toward its heart.
I attacked with everything I had—every emotion, every ounce of strength.
Either I would win and rise with honor…
or I would lose and die.
I struck.
…BOOM.
A massive explosion echoed.
I opened my eyes.
I was dizzy—completely disoriented.
What had I done?
The plant was utterly destroyed—shredded into pieces.
But…
I had also obliterated half the maze.
There was no distance left between me and the other students.
I could see them.
They could see me.
And they could see the finish line.
Everyone stared at me in shock.
But I quickly pulled myself together.
I was exhausted, but I launched myself forward—
toward Dan and Henry, who were fiercely competing.
…From the Narrator's POV…
No one could believe it.
Some watched with fear.
Some with shock.
Some with pride.
Some with caution.
Everyone stared at the destroyed maze.
The spectators said nothing.
They only looked at Tom.
What had that boy done?
How powerful was he, to destroy the maze itself?
Who was he, truly?
King Harold felt both anger and fear.
If Tom's power was like this…
then another "Ziar" existed—
and the Church still had strength.
He clenched his teeth in rage.
He had hoped Tom would be eliminated—
but Tom was far stronger than he had imagined.
And that terrified him.
He no longer paid attention to the High Priest.
He knew only one thing:
Tom had to be eliminated.
At the same time, Ann and Adia stared in shock.
Who was Tom, really?
…From Dan's POV…I couldn't believe it.
I had been forced to cooperate with Henry—
the Church's enemy—
to kill the Sasc.
But it was done.
Only the final five‑kilometer path remained.
I glanced at Henry.
He understood too.
We both sprinted forward.
Whoever reached first would win.
A massive explosion sounded behind us.
I ignored it.
Only the race with Henry mattered.
But suddenly…
I felt someone beside me—
beside Henry.
It was Tom.
…From Henry's POV…
After killing the Sasc, I was racing against Dan.
He didn't understand—
I didn't want a civil war.
I didn't want a war with the Church.
Everyone's beliefs deserved respect.
I only wanted a peaceful life with Denris.
But I had no choice.
I had to finish first for her.
So I gave it everything I had.
An explosion thundered behind us.
I glanced back—
the air was filled with dust.
Then I felt a third presence.
It was Tom.
But how had he reached us?
How?
…From Hardy's POV…
I snapped out of it when the explosion knocked me over.
When I stood up and saw what had happened…
I was terrified—
and furious.
The maze was practically gone.
And the one who caused it was Tom.
I was angry at him.
Why hadn't he done this sooner?
And his power…
How strong was he?
How strong could he be?
I trembled with fear.
…From Adriana's POV…That Tom.
That damn Tom—again.
He had destroyed the wall.
But it worked in my favor.
I could clearly see the finish line now.
I didn't look at my father.
I knew he was happy.
Not because Henry was close to finishing—
not because Henry had defeated the Sasc—
But because Tom had defeated the zombie plant.
I clenched my teeth in anger.
But then I remembered something:
Good.
Tom had survived.
Tom had won.
Because he was going to lose—
to me.
With excitement and the desire to defeat Tom,
I headed toward the finish line.
…From Rez Tarin's POV…
I couldn't believe it.
But it had to be Tom.
The one behind the massive explosion was Tom—
the one who destroyed the zombie plant's heart,
the heart of the maze itself.
The one whose every action, every word, every plan
was always calculated.
He used his intelligence more than his power—
unlike Henry, who always acted emotionally,
and Dan, who acted out of rivalry and religious passion.
Once again, Tom had acted for everyone's benefit.
And I felt warmth in my chest.
I smiled at him—
at his movements, at his confusion.
Then he realized what he had to do
and ran toward the finish line.
I prayed for him.
He deserved to be first.
That chaotic, handsome, clever boy.
…From William's POV…
Tom had done the opposite of everything I expected.
That bastard.
That damned bastard.
Why wouldn't he die?
I trembled with rage.
I had to kill him myself—
as soon as possible.
If I didn't, he would rise from a mere soldier
to a queen‑killing chess piece—
a piece that would checkmate the king.
Me.
He would kill me.
So I had to kill him first.
Either I killed him…
or I died.
…From Tom's POV…
I felt intense pain in my legs.
I had trained nonstop.
I hadn't rested at all.
I sprinted through the pain.
I was close to fainting, but I held myself together.
Henry and Dan had noticed me.
The race was fierce.
They pushed their power higher.
I did too.
The finish line was close.
I gathered my strength once more.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest—
but it didn't matter.
I had to prove myself.
To everyone.
That I was first.
That I deserved the academy.
That I had power.
I was Tom Breach.
So I gave everything I had.
If Dan won, nothing would change.
He'd just feel proud as the Church's representative.
If Henry won, he'd gain more admiration.
Everyone would be happy.
But me?
I'd lose.
I'd be judged.
I'd be humiliated.
Just like my childhood—
but this time not by Lucas,
by everyone.
I'd lose the Church's support—
and that was worse than death.
I would rather die
than not finish first.
I ran.
Ignoring everything.
My emotions.
The judgment.
The Church.
The Court.
Henry and Dan.
I just ran.
I closed my eyes—
so I wouldn't see myself finishing second.
And I crossed the finish line.
A chilling silence fell.
After several seconds,
the crowd began to cheer.
Were they cheering for Dan and Henry?
Tears filled my eyes.
Then the announcer said it:
I was first.
It was true.
I had beaten Dan and Henry.
I couldn't believe it.
I couldn't.
But why shouldn't I?
I was Tom Breach.
I was the first.
Tears streamed down my face—
not from sadness,
but from joy.
I had done it.
All the brutal training,
all the near‑death moments,
all without rest—
It was still only the first stage,
but it mattered.
I had done it.
Now who dared say I wouldn't be first?
Who?
I turned to Dan—disheartened—
and Henry—exhausted.
I said proudly:
"Fir—"
And suddenly my eyes closed.
End of Part 46