"Absolutely not! I refuse!" Anya's voice escalated sharply, soaring several decibels higher.

  "Anya!" Fess, too, appeared deeply concerned as he advanced a step closer to her. "Anya, I'm well aware of your unwavering dedication and hard work. However, the trial labyrinth is no trivial or leisurely undertaking. We could retreat for now, make the necessary readjustments, and return to face the challenge when the trial labyrinth reopens. The outcome will be just as meaningful then."

  "Fess! You're attempting to dissuade me as well?" Anya's tone betrayed a hint of indignation.

  "Do you harbor doubts about my capabilities to successfully complete the trial?"

  Fess parted his lips, yet words eluded him. Although Anya wasn't his childhood companion in the traditional sense, their bond was even more profound than that of typical childhood friends.

  "Anya, I'm not casting aspersions on your abilities. I know that even within the academy, your academic achievements were exemplary, ranking among the very top. But this situation is distinct. Just moments ago, it was patently evident that your resolve wavered," Fess furrowed his brow, his concern for Anya's mental state palpable.

  "So, you are still doubting me! Fess, you're my dearest friend. How could you act in such a manner? Please, have faith in me. I've endured so much to reach this point. How can you expect me to abandon my quest now?" Anya vigorously shook her head, clearly irked by the concern regarding her condition.

  Tek interjected at this juncture. "Anya, I believe I now grasp Mr. Kenley's intention. Take a look here..." With that, Tek gestured towards Anya's arm.

  To their astonishment, a dark, ominous handprint marred Anya's left arm.

  "What on earth is that?" Due to the angle, Fess had failed to notice it earlier. But now, guided by Tek's indication, he spotted it immediately.

  Anya recoiled, instinctively covering the handprint with her right hand. "It's... it's nothing..." she stammered.

  "You're speaking hesitantly. Anya, did you come into contact with those illusions?" Fess surmised, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

  "I merely caught a glimpse of my mother," Anya replied, taking a step backward and averting her gaze.

  "Damn it..." Fess scowled. He was aware of Anya's tragic loss of her mother during childhood, and thus, her mother represented Anya's most formidable inner demon. Although the exact consequences of interacting with the illusions in this place remained uncertain, it was abundantly clear that Anya was ill-suited to proceed with the final trial.

  "Anya, it's time to turn back," Fess implored.

  "No! I won't!" Anya's tone was resolute, as if she had steeled her determination.

  "Anya, life is precious and irreplaceable!" Fess's anxiety escalated.

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  "Please, trust me, Fess. I'm confident in my abilities," Anya pleaded.

  A profound silence descended upon the group, and they exchanged anxious glances. Anya's state of mind was undeniably a cause for great concern.

  Just then, Kenley broke the silence. "Anya, are you absolutely certain you wish to proceed?"

  "Yes, Captain Kenley!" Anya responded with unwavering conviction.

  "Very well. Then, how confident are you of success?"

  Anya was momentarily taken aback by the question, but her gaze soon hardened. "Completely confident! One hundred percent!" she declared.

  "You're lying!" Fess's voice carried a note of anger.

  "No, I'm not! Fess, please believe me. Do you recall our promise on the Day of Summer Flowers?" Anya's gaze grew steadfast.

  "The Day of Summer Flowers..." Fess mouthed the words, his mind seemingly transported back in time. For a moment, he was rendered speechless.

  "What's the matter?" Kenley inquired, a hint of confusion in his voice.

  "It's nothing, just some memories from the past," Fess replied, shaking his head with a tinge of sadness etched on his face.

  "Alright, I trust you, Anya," Fess sighed, his tone resigned.

  The group fell silent once more, taken aback by Fess's sudden change of heart. It seemed that the Day of Summer Flowers held a special significance, a shared memory between Fess and Anya.

  "Thank you, Fess. You've always been the best," Anya said, releasing her grip on the handprint.

  "I'm still unsure if this decision is right or wrong," Fess muttered, averting his gaze, unsure of what else to say.

  Just then, Anya bounded up to Kenley, her eyes shining with excitement. "Kenley, this adventure with you has been an eye-opening experience for me. If we make it back safely, please promise to be my mentor. I'm eager to learn from you, to absorb all that you have to teach..."

  Her gaze was dreamy, and Kenley could sense the depth of her longing. Glancing at Tia and receiving no objection, he replied, "I'm not sure I'm worthy of being called a teacher, but I'd be more than happy to take you on adventures."

  "Really?!" Anya's face lit up with elation.

  "Mhm," Kenley nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face.

  "Great! Then I'll open the door!" Anya exclaimed.

  "Mr. Kenley, I'm eagerly anticipating the day when you become my teacher!" With that, Anya approached the trial door and pushed it open, disappearing into the darkness beyond.

  Kenley, sensing something amiss, widened his eyes in alarm. "Wait..." he began, but his words were swallowed by the darkness as Anya vanished.

  A heavy silence settled over the group.

  "Let's go in," someone murmured, and one by one, they stepped through the final trial door.

  "Master," Tia remained by Kenley's side, her loyalty unwavering.

  Kenley gently stroked Tia's head. "Tia, I..." But suddenly, a searing pain shot through his chest, gripping his heart like a vice.

  What's happening? Kenley's heart skipped a beat. He stared intently at the dark doorway, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

  Turning to Tia with a look of urgency, he said, "Tia, remember this: no matter what lies beyond that door, don't trust it easily."

  No sooner had the words left his lips than a chilling sensation crept up Kenley's spine. Was this the gaze of the gods? Kenley shuddered, realizing that the legends might hold some truth after all.

  However, his words had been somewhat vague, not a clear violation. It seemed that the divine punishment had been averted. Relieved, Kenley smiled. "Tia, do you understand?"

  "Yes, Master! I'll remember every word you said," Tia replied, her smile radiant.

  Kenley nodded. "Then, let's go in."

  As they entered the door, an invisible force suddenly separated Kenley and Tia. Tia faded from his sight, disappearing like an inkblot spreading and dissipating.

  "Tia?" Kenley called out, his voice echoing in the empty space. But there was no response, only the hollow sound of his own voice bouncing back at him.

  A wave of loneliness crashed over Kenley, as if he had been abruptly transported from a bustling town to a desolate wasteland. The emptiness was palpable, sending a shiver down his spine.

  "You've finally arrived, my true self," a voice whispered from the darkness, and a figure identical to Kenley's emerged from the shadows.