As the participants dashed into the Aether Maze, the labyrinth immediately began to show its treacherous nature. Walls shifted, pathways twisted, and routes that seemed clear moments ago were suddenly blocked, forcing the adventurers to adapt on the fly. Some who had been leading the pack found themselves abruptly cut off as the maze reconfigured itself, leaving them disoriented and scrambling to find a new path. The ever-changing nature of the maze kept everyone on edge, and even the most experienced participants were caught off guard by its unpredictability.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a voice echoed through the maze, calm yet commanding. "Participants. This is Former General Leoric. I was invited to observe everyone near the camp outside the maze. You might be wondering how you can hear me. This is part of my abilities, but that's not important right now." The voice paused, allowing the words to sink in. "I have scattered some pouches inside the maze. Find them, and you will receive a ring of communication. With that, you can contact a cleric knight to help you if you decide to explore deeper into the dungeon. This wasn’t announced earlier, as I am the current WILD CARD of this event." Leoric’s tone was filled with pride, his grin almost audible through his words.

In the private viewing box, the former Generals exchanged surprised glances. None of them had expected Leoric to intervene in such a way. Xavier sighed, shaking his head. "That man... I guess he’s worried about the participants in his own way."

Lancelot nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Still, he told them they could ask for a cleric knight’s help. That’s only going to encourage them to explore the lower levels."

Eclipse, however, remained unfazed. Her small smile didn’t falter as she watched the screen. While she hadn’t anticipated this twist, she found it intriguing. The trial was meant to test the participants’ courage, resourcefulness, and ability to adapt. Leoric’s intervention added another layer of complexity, and Eclipse was curious to see how the participants would respond.

Meanwhile, in the throne room next to the viewing box, Sunshine was far less amused. "That old man is insane!" she exclaimed, her frustration evident. She and Eclipse had meticulously planned the event, carefully balancing the risks to discourage participants from venturing too deep. Leoric’s announcement had thrown a wrench into their plans, potentially encouraging reckless behavior.

Althea, standing nearby, tried to calm her down. "C-calm down, General Sunshine," she said awkwardly, understanding Sunshine’s frustration but also recognizing that there was little they could do now. "I’m sure things will work out."

The other current Generals shared Sunshine’s concern. Kalavan, in particular, was visibly annoyed. "Tch. This is why I hate the old goats. They’re so unpredictable," he muttered, standing up abruptly and heading for the door.

Percival raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going, Kalavan?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Kalavan replied, his tone sharp. "I’ll go there and lend a hand if things get nasty." With that, he quick-stepped out of the room, his determination clear.

Back in the maze, the participants had already begun searching for the pouches Leoric had mentioned. The promise of a communication ring and the potential for backup gave some of them a renewed sense of confidence. However, the ever-changing nature of the maze meant that finding the pouches was no easy task. The labyrinth continued to shift, its walls and pathways rearranging themselves at random intervals, keeping everyone on their toes.

Mixarnt, navigating the maze with his usual determination, couldn’t help but grin as he heard Leoric’s announcement. "A wild card, huh? This just got more interesting," he muttered to himself. He knew the risks of going deeper into the maze, but the challenge only fueled his resolve. If he could find one of those pouches, it might give him the edge he needed to push further than anyone else.

As the trial progressed, the tension in both the maze and the viewing areas continued to rise. The participants’ every move was watched closely, their decisions scrutinized by the Generals, former Generals, and the royal family. Eclipse’s smile remained steady, her confidence unwavering. She had faith in the participants—and in the trial itself. No matter how unpredictable the maze or the circumstances, the Aether Knight trials were designed to reveal true strength and character. And she had no doubt that this year’s trial would be one for the history books.

Kalavan stormed into the large tent where Leoric, Xacion, and Isolde were gathered, his frustration evident. The tent was filled with the glow of magical screens displaying the Aether Maze and the participants' progress. Without wasting a moment, Kalavan directed his ire at Leoric. "Old man, what the hell are you doing? That wasn’t part of the event, nor were you given permission to be a wild card!" he snapped, his voice sharp with annoyance.

Xacion, the Holy Sword Hero and one of the current Generals, leaned back in his chair with a carefree grin. "Hahaha! Lighten up, Kalavan! This only makes things more interesting. If it were such a big deal, Eclipse would be here by now," he said, his tone dismissive.

Kalavan shot Xacion a glare. "Tsk! I knew something was up. You didn’t show yourself during the other trials, not even at the ceremony. And now, you have the audacity to change things in the trial?" His annoyance only grew as he spoke.

Isolde, ever calm and composed, interjected softly. "Don’t worry, my Cleric Knights are stationed all over the area to help." Her voice was gentle, but her eyes lacked their usual warmth. They had been that way ever since she had condemned her lover, Tristan Chronos, a decision that had left her emotionally distant.

Leoric, the former General and the source of Kalavan’s frustration, remained unbothered. He turned to Kalavan with a reassuring smile. "Relax, Kalavan. I wouldn’t have suggested this if I thought it would make things more difficult for the participants. This way, they can gain more experience if they decide to explore beyond the 30th floor. It’s an opportunity for growth, not a hindrance."

Kalavan crossed his arms, his expression still skeptical. "You’re making it sound like this is some kind of training exercise. This is the Aether Knight trials, not a playground. The maze is dangerous, and you’re encouraging them to take unnecessary risks."

Leoric’s smile didn’t waver. "The maze is dangerous, yes, but so is the world they’ll face as knights. If they can’t handle the challenges of the maze with a little guidance, how will they handle the threats outside of it? This is about preparing them for the real world, not coddling them."

Xacion chuckled, clearly enjoying the debate. "See? Leoric’s got a point. Besides, it’s not like we’re throwing them to the wolves. Isolde’s Cleric Knights are there to help, and if things get out of hand, we can always step in."

Kalavan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if this backfires, don’t come crying to me. I’ll be keeping an eye on things, just in case."

Leoric nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "That’s all I ask. We’re all here to ensure the participants’ safety and growth. This is just another way to test their limits and see who has what it takes to become true Aether Knights."

As the conversation settled, Kalavan turned his attention to the magical screens, his sharp eyes scanning the participants’ progress. Despite his initial frustration, he couldn’t deny that Leoric’s intervention had added an unexpected twist to the trial. Whether it would lead to success or disaster remained to be seen, but one thing was certain: the Aether Knight trials were never predictable.

Meanwhile...

"Okay, I should go right this time. They said it's the safest route if you don’t know where you're going," Mixarnt muttered. But as he turned, the corridor shifted. A wall suddenly blocked his path, and the floor beneath him moved. It spun, flipping him toward the left, where another section of the maze rotated. Instead of landing on solid ground, he fell straight into a hole.

The shadow soldier following him froze in confusion—Mixarnt had just vanished. It spotted the hole, but before it could react, the maze shifted again, cutting off any chance of pursuit. This also severed the magical observers’ connection, leaving everyone in Aetherlight unaware of what was happening to Mixarnt.

Only a few noticed his panel disappearing from the magical screen. Sunshine and Eclipse were among them, but they didn’t interfere. They trusted him—just as they had during the first two trials.