Heaven's Greatest Professor

Warden searched through the crowds to find Captain Agnes's silent figure. She stood next to the Imperial Prince, who meditated in the middle of his group.

Agnes's sixth sense picked up on it. She met his gaze, though didn't acknowledge it, as they had planned. The woman next to her, however, wasn't the same.

Jenni's health seemed to have improved significantly, as she stood without any visible injuries. Her expression brightened too, as she waved her hand in his direction.

Warden didn't reply. She snorted and asked permission from the captain before making her way in their direction. She found Lady Cassandra first, the person who had taken her into the subspace. However, Cassandra didn't even see her as she made her way towards where Tayl Alebson rested.

"What's this about?" Jenni asked the other women from Azalea Garden. They told her to be silent.

She trudged her way to him and repeated the question.

"Just listen," Warden whispered.

Lady Cassandra glared up at Tayl Alebson, capturing all his attention.

"I hope you have played everything through in your head before you decided to abandon the fight."

Tayl Alebson stood up, towering a head taller than her. "I have not abandoned any fight," he barked. "I won it."

Lady Cassandra stared at him unblinkingly. "Wow," she said, incredulous, finding no falsehood in his voice. "You must be completely delusional to believe that."

"Your tricks won't work on me, witch," he said, spitting next to Cassandra's feet. "From the first day, you came into my camp, you tried to control me, nudging me in the direction where I would have to resort to underhanded schemes and flee from battle. No! That is not my way. I face my enemy head-on and let them meet the tyranny of my spear. You won't find me a good enemy, Azalea witch."

Saying that, he went back to rest without caring what Lady Cassandra had to say.

Warden stared at the man, a frown creeping across his brows. It was very possible for this guy to be delusional, but he wasn't stupid. Not completely. However, he was immensely immature, petty, and delusional enough to believe everything revolved around him.

Tayl Alebson wasn't necessarily evil, but he was the type of brat who would make rash decisions without considering what the consequences might be for others. The consideration of others never crossed the minds of people like him.

"Really, what did the guy do?" Jenni whispered from next to him. "You're looking at him as if you're watching a dead man."

Warden shook his head.

The Imperial Prince stood up at that time, awakening from his meditation. He rubbed his forehead and seemed to know what it was all about after looking around a little. He turned to Lady Cassandra and Tayl Alebson. "No infighting until we get out of this place."

Cassandra nodded, showing no visible sign of disagreement. She turned to Tayl Alebson. "I hope you can remain with your delusional conviction till the end of it."

With that, she returned to finally meet up with Jenni. Warden left them to talk and joined his crew. Marcus was about to explain how the second layer was playing out. Captain Agnes had already relayed most of what she knew to him, so he didn't need any further information. However, since the team leader called, he had no choice but to comply.

"There are various types of trials present," Marcus said. "No matter your class, there's something to challenge your expertise. However, the trials aren't solely for individuals. There are trials we can attempt in groups too. Also, one can only participate in three trials, other than the final trial, which we all must attempt together to get a chance to enter the next layer."

"How many layers are there?" May asked. Marcus's group had entered a day earlier; it was likely they knew more about this inheritance space than her.

"Most likely, three," Marcus said. "We do not know for sure. Anyway, the individual trials depend on the participant's qualities. You cannot know for sure what you'll encounter until you enter."

"So if I enter, what kind of trial should I expect?" May asked.

"You're a healer, so it's likely something healing-related," Pierce said. "Remember, your life is at stake here... Many who entered have not returned. So, don't hesitate to give up."

Warden wondered what kind of trial he would have. Something to improve his racial gift would be most welcome, though he didn't think this place had any connection to the celestial ways.

"You don't have to tell me that," May snorted. "Anyway, did you guys take part in it?"

Marcus nodded. "I had to fend off demonic creatures to save a village on my own. It was the toughest seven days for me. But considering the rewards, it was worth it."

"Seven days?"

"The time dilation inside the trials is significant," Pierce said. "I actually spent close to a month on my attempt."

"What kind of trial did you have that required a month?"

"It involved strategising," Pierce said, heaving a sigh. "Very complicated politicking stuff in some ancient kingdom, which I had no knowledge of prior to entering the trial. Even though I failed, it was fascinating. All of it felt so real..."

"You failed?" May couldn't help but grin.

"Shut up," Pierce snorted. "You have no idea what I went through. Fighting is one thing, but that... I still get goosebumps thinking about how it ended."

"Is there any news on the essence vein?" Warden asked. "I mean, is it like a reward in the trial?"

It was Marcus who answered. "Actually, yes. I was given three options for rewards, and six hours of meditation in an essence-rich pool was one of them."

"You didn't take that, did you?" May said, more of a statement than a question.

"Obviously not," Marcus said. "All my attributes have been saturated; any help from the essence vein is of little help to me."

"Anyway, enough talking..." Pierce said. "You guys should prepare to meet your nightmares."