Mixarnt was currently free-falling.

He hadn't expected this. Sure, he needed to reach the lower levels, but he never thought the maze would shift like that—twisting paths, sudden drops, and now, this endless fall.

“This is terrifying,” he muttered, a nervous twitch flickering at his brow. The abyss yawned beneath him, an endless void swallowing all light. How deep does this go?

He pushed his mana outward in a desperate pulse, forging a two-meter detection field around himself—a fragile lifeline to sense the ground before impact. His fall was erratic: moments of weightless drifting, then sudden lurches of speed, as if the darkness itself toyed with his descent.

After ten long minutes, he finally saw something—crystalline walls shimmering in the dim light. He had fallen into an underground cavern, vast and ancient, filled with colossal machinery and glowing runes. At its center stood a massive, dormant golem. With a desperate slash, he unleashed a burst of mana downward—the force of it slowing his fall just enough to land safely. His boots hit the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up dust.

“Woah… I really fell too deep this time. Where even am I?” he said, scratching his head as he looked back up at the hole he came from. 

A voice echoed through the cavern.

"You have reached the deepest floor—the 2,336th basement level. This is the Void Threshold, past the Hadopelagic Zone. We are 70,000 meters below the surface, beneath the seabed before reaching the true depths of the Void."

Mixarnt spun around, eyes widening as the golem’s massive form stirred. Its ancient eyes glowed to life.

"I am Merlin's final creation. Guardian of his last great work."

“I-I see… Haha… uh… yeah,” Mixarnt stammered. He had only come to the Aether Maze to complete the third trial. He never expected to stumble into the labyrinth’s final, deepest chamber.

“So… what is this place? And how was it even built?” Mixarnt asked, still taking in his surroundings.

"This is a manifestation of Lord Merlin's Zone and Ideal," the golem answered.

"Zone and Ideal?" Mixarnt echoed, confused.

"All will be revealed—if you have the right to inherit her knowledge. If you are the successor she has been waiting for."

The golem’s eyes glowed brighter, as if testing Mixarnt’s worth.

"Uh... okay," Mixarnt said, his voice tinged with nervous laughter. "So, I’m guessing this isn’t part of the trial, huh?"

The golem’s deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber. "This is not a trial. This is a test of worthiness. You have stumbled upon the final floor of the labyrinth, a place reserved for those who possess the potential to inherit Lord Merlin’s knowledge. Few have reached this far, and fewer still have proven themselves worthy."

Mixarnt blinked, his mind racing. "Wait, so... you’re saying I’m here because I might be worthy? What does that even mean?"

The golem’s eyes glowed brighter, and its voice took on a more solemn tone. "Lord Merlin’s Zone and Ideal are not mere concepts. They are the culmination of her life’s work—a fusion of magic, science, and philosophy that transcends the boundaries of this world. To inherit her knowledge is to bear the responsibility of shaping the future. But first, you must prove that you are capable of understanding and wielding such power."

Mixarnt’s brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the golem’s words. "Zone and Ideal... you mentioned that earlier. What exactly are they?"

The golem paused, as if considering how to explain. "A Zone is a manifestation of one’s innermost self—a realm where their thoughts, emotions, and willpower take physical form. It is a reflection of one’s soul. An Ideal, on the other hand, is the guiding principle that defines one’s purpose and actions. Together, they form the foundation of true power."

Mixarnt’s eyes widened. "So, you’re saying Merlin’s Zone and Ideal are here? In this place?"

The golem nodded. "Indeed. This cavern is a manifestation of Lord Merlin’s Zone, rather, the whole maze itself is her "Ideal Zone". To inherit her knowledge, you must first understand her Ideal and prove that your own aligns with it."

Mixarnt crossed his arms, his expression turning serious. "Alright, so what do I have to do? Solve a puzzle? Fight you? What’s the test?"

The golem’s eyes flickered, and the cavern began to shift. The crystalline walls shimmered, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. "The test is simple, yet profound. You must confront the essence of Lord Merlin’s Ideal and demonstrate that you are worthy of carrying it forward. To do so, you will face a series of challenges that will test your resolve, your wisdom, and your heart."

Before Mixarnt could respond, the ground beneath him began to glow, and a series of runes lit up, forming a intricate pattern. The air around him seemed to vibrate, and he felt a strange pull, as if the very fabric of reality was shifting.

"Prepare yourself, challenger," the golem intoned. "The trial begins now."

The First Challenge: The Mirror of Truth

The cavern transformed into a hall of mirrors, each one reflecting a different version of Mixarnt. Some showed him as a hero, others as a failure. One mirror even showed him as a tyrant, his eyes cold and merciless. A voice echoed through the hall, deep and resonant.

"Who are you, truly? Look into these mirrors and confront the truths they reveal. Only by understanding yourself can you hope to understand Lord Merlin’s Ideal."

Mixarnt stepped forward, his heart pounding. He approached the first mirror, which showed him as a child, full of dreams but burdened by fear. The image shifted, showing him as he was now—determined, but still unsure of his path. He moved to the next mirror, which showed him as a leader, inspiring others with his courage. But the third mirror showed him as a broken man, defeated by his own doubts.

"This... this is me," Mixarnt whispered, his voice trembling. "All of it. The good, the bad, the uncertain. But I’m not just one of these—I’m all of them. And I’ll keep moving forward, no matter what."

The mirrors shattered, and the hall dissolved, leaving Mixarnt standing in the cavern once more. The golem’s voice echoed approvingly. "You have faced the Mirror of Truth and emerged with clarity. The first challenge is complete."

The Second Challenge: The Trial of Sacrifice

The cavern shifted again, this time into a desolate battlefield. Mixarnt found himself standing before a group of people—his friends, his family, and even strangers. A voice boomed from above.

"To inherit Lord Merlin’s Ideal, you must understand the weight of sacrifice. Choose one among these to save, but know that the others will perish."

Mixarnt’s heart sank as he looked at the faces before him. Sunshine, Eclipse, Helia, Arabella, and even strangers he had never met. His fists clenched as he struggled with the impossible choice.

"I... I can’t," Mixarnt said, his voice breaking. "I won’t choose. There has to be another way."

The voice grew stern. "You must choose. Sacrifice is inevitable."

Mixarnt’s eyes hardened, and he stepped forward. "No. I’ll find another way. I’ll protect them all, even if it costs me everything."

The battlefield dissolved, and the golem’s voice echoed once more. "You have chosen the path of selflessness. The second challenge is complete."

The Final Challenge: The Essence of Merlin

The cavern returned to its original state, but now a figure stood before Mixarnt—a spectral image of Merlin herself. Her eyes were kind but piercing, and her voice was soft yet commanding.

"Mixarnt, you have proven your resolve and your heart. But to inherit my Ideal, you must answer one final question: What is the purpose of power?"

Mixarnt thought for a moment, his mind racing. Then, he looked Merlin in the eye and answered firmly. "The purpose of power is to protect and uplift others. It’s not about control or dominance—it’s about using what you have to make the world a better place."

Merlin smiled, and the cavern began to glow with a radiant light. "You have answered wisely. Although your ideals are naive, you are worthy."

The golem’s voice echoed one last time. "The trial is complete. You have proven yourself, Mixarnt. Lord Merlin’s knowledge is now yours to inherit."

As the light engulfed him, Mixarnt felt a surge of energy and understanding flood his mind. He had passed the final test, unlocking the secrets of Merlin’s Zone and Ideal. But as the glow faded, he knew this was just the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead—wielding this newfound knowledge to shape the future and honor the legacy of the greatest mage in history.

"Heh… now I think I’m stron—ugh!" Mixarnt collapsed to his knees as a sharp pain pierced his head.