[Raul PoV]
Yesterday, the second stage exam had ended. Of course, we were the first to reach the finish line. That was because most of the participants were trapped for a long time in that illusion labyrinth.
Currently, the participants are in Kota Tarakat to rest before leaving for the location of the third stage exam. Only 50 participants remain who have passed through to the third stage exam, an exam that is famous for always having casualties every time it is held.
Before that, I had met with one of the syndicates operating in this city to buy Aliya and Umaya. They are the last remnants of the El-Arami dynasty still surviving.
Why am I doing this?
That is because I see an opportunity to fix the State of Kuwalid, which is currently in a bad condition. If this continues, then when the great disaster arrives, that state will not have the strength to prevent the demons from taking over their territory.
I have to change that state to become stronger, even though there will be a lot of bloodshed to do that, but this is for the good of their own state. There is no struggle without any sacrifice at all.
My plan is to quietly try to plant seeds of hatred among the people towards the corrupt government of the current State of Kuwalid, then bring forth Umaya as a new leader and spread the truth regarding the slander thrown at the El-Arami dynasty.
With the financial and military assistance that my organization provides, it is not impossible for Umaya to succeed. If my plan goes smoothly, then indirectly, I can control a state from behind the scenes.
However, reality will not be as smooth as the plans and high hopes that appear in the mind alone. There will be many obstacles and constraints in every action we take later. For that, we must prepare everything before executing our plan.
Umaya has a strong desire to avenge his family, but Aliya, the older sister, seems to only want to live without bringing bigger problems. Without moral support from her, Umaya, the younger brother's resolve will not be strongly formed to carry out this coup.
"It is better if I give them a little time first to adapt to my organization."
Currently, my main focus is to face the third stage exam, which will be held in the monster forest located in the Hernand Duchy. I still remember the letter I received from one of the professional assassin organizations on the second day of my transfer to this world.
They will target Brian during the survival exam, and this is the right time for them to move.
"Time to meet the instructors."
Exiting the inn, I walk towards the place where the instructors are.
This city is quite crowded; this territory also used to be part of the territory under the control of the State of Kuwalid. However, unlike Kota Edessa, which was abandoned, this city is not only inhabited by native people, so it still lives when they migrate to their home state.
Not long after, I have arrived at a building rented by the instructors to stay in. I go to the second floor and see my two subordinates guarding a door where the briefing is being held.
"Captain, the instructors and the other Student Council members are already present," said one of them.
It seems I am a bit late because I held a meeting with Aliya and Umaya earlier.
"Alright, I will go in."
After my subordinate opens the door, I enter the room and see the instructors and the Student Council have already started the briefing activity. I then sit on an empty bench right next to a woman with blonde hair.
"As usual, you are always late at meetings like this, Raul," she whispered to me.
"Sorry, President. There was a sudden call of nature," I said with a fabricated excuse.
Currently, Instructor Torun is explaining the security for the implementation of the Third Stage Exam.
"We will create a third-level Barrier to prevent other people from entering the Monster Forest," said Instructor Torun. "This barrier will prevent and detect intruders who enter from the air, the surface, or underground."
That's right, this Barrier is better than Valeria's. However, this barrier will not be enough to stop a group of professional assassins. They have their own ways to penetrate it.
"Instructor, what if there is a professional assassin who can penetrate our Barrier?" I asked him.
"No problem, the moment he enters the Barrier, we can detect their location and number and then immediately send instructors to deal with them," answered Instructor Torun clearly. "We will protect the participants from threats originating from outside the exam area."
Even though the Instructor has said that, I am not convinced that his words will match the situation that will occur later. I think I have to do something when the exam starts later.
However, if I use that mask too often, then the Masquerade group will definitely come and recruit me to join their group.
But, from the very beginning, I did plan to join that group.
The advantage of joining them and becoming one of the performers is getting additional unique magic for me to fight and survive. The disadvantage is that I will be hunted by the Inquisitors and Holy Knights of the Temple of Diana's teachings for being involved with one of the Heretic groups.
Well ... I can overcome their detection if I am not facing Vicar Lorentius—the Leader of the Temple of Diana's teachings.
Alright, let's do this plan well.
---
[Ariel PoV]
In the gathering room of the inn, the remaining participants are chatting about the third stage exam. Brian and I are also listening to them to get useful information for the implementation of the exam later.
"Hey, is it true that the third stage exam always claims casualties?"
"That's right, just last year, eleven people did not survive after taking that exam."
The participants are discussing how terrifying the third stage exam is.
Honestly, I still cannot fully erase the horror of someone's death. The cries of sorrow from the people they left behind really make my heart uncomfortable.
Even though I have thrown away my naive thoughts about violence, that has not completely thrown away the horror of the loss of a person's life. I cannot imagine what it would be like to see someone killed directly.
Suddenly, I feel the warmth of another person's hand. A man with blonde hair sitting next to me touches my hand.
"Brian ...?"
He then smiles and squeezes my hand tightly. "Don't worry, Ariel. I will always protect you wherever you are."
Hearing him say that to me makes me feel a little relieved. I thought the burden on my mind that I am receiving as I face this final exam was quite heavy.
"Umm, thank you, Brian."
---
[Brian PoV]
The next day, we depart to go to the location of the third exam, which is in the Monster Forest.
Yesterday, Ariel looked very scared. I have to be able to protect her later in there; I have to find her quickly before something unwanted happens like during the first stage exam.
Even though I have just received new magic, I still have to practice and reduce the activation time of the magic. If I am not mistaken, its name is Profound Codex, right? I have no idea what that means at all.
That is why I visited Pendragon again in the Soul Room that I possess.
Currently, I am in a room filled with bookshelves and weapon racks. I know all of this is not real and still do not understand why this can materialize.
Not long after, a middle-aged man appears along with a blinding light.
"Ah, Brian. You have come again," he greeted me. "How was the magic I gave you before? Amazing, isn't it?"
"Of course, Master. I defeated that monster with the magic you taught me."
"Good," said Master Pendragon, nodding his head. "So, what do you need this time?"
Hearing Master's question, I then told him the reason for my return here. "Master, I know the magic you gave me is very strong, but its activation process takes quite a long time."
After hearing my complaint, Master's smile disappeared. "Brian, there is no such thing as perfect magic in this world," he said seriously. "It is true, you can shorten its activation time, but you must strengthen your Codex's Mentality first."
Mentality Codex? What does that mean? I think these terms are not taught at the academy, or is it because I am forgetful and do not understand those confusing theories?
"Codex is a dream or goal, an oath, or a Legacy left behind by someone, Brian," said Master, beginning to explain it to me. "That is why the Codex of noble family members always has the same theme, because usually, noble families have a vision or motto that must be followed by all their family members."
Ughhh ... I do not understand at all the words explained by Master.
"Mentality Codex is a person's knowledge and understanding of the theme of the Codex they possess," said Master, explaining again. "For example, a person who has a Codex with the theme Handsome and Brave, if he does not understand what it means to be handsome and brave, then he has no Mentality Codex at all, which makes him weaker when using his Profound Codex."
It seems I understand a little of what Master said earlier.
"In short, I will become weaker if I do not follow my dream and give up, right?" I asked Master to confirm.
"Not, Brian, following a dream and understanding what that dream of yours is are two different things," answered Master, correcting my conclusion. "Ughhh ... It seems it will take a long time to teach you about this."
Hearing his sarcasm, I could only scratch my head, which was not itchy, out of embarrassment.
"I will give you another example," said Master, who never tired of teaching me. "An elephant is given 10 kilos of food, and a monkey is only given one kilo; in your opinion, is this fair?"
"Of course not! The elephant gets more food than the monkey!" I exclaimed confidently.
"That means you have no Mentality Codex regarding Justice at all," said Master, again correcting my answer. "The elephant's stomach is 10 times bigger than the monkey's, so it is fair for it to be given 10 times more food than the monkey."
"Ah, I finally understand! Thank you, Master!"
Hearing my words, Master smiled again. "No need to thank me, I am your Guider. Understand your dream so that you can become stronger, Brian."
---
[Raul PoV]
Currently, I am far from the resting place of the horse-drawn carriage convoy carrying the participants. That is because I want to visit the Soul Room and activate one of the Profound Codexes that I possess.
Sitting under a tree to avoid the scorching sun, I begin to take a deep breath in and then release it slowly. After that, I focus the flow of mana to my heart and also my brain.
Closing my eyes, I begin to feel a unique sensation that indicates my consciousness is already in the Soul Room that I possess.
Opening my eyes, I see a dark and empty place as far as the eye can see. A black-haired man is seen walking here from a distance.
"Raul de Garcia ... " I murmured, seeing that familiar figure.
"Yo, how does it feel to have fun with my body out there?"
That's right, my Guider is the real Raul de Garcia.