Alex, with every other participant, got teleported to a random place in the massive illusion labyrinth with his mana and strength completely sealed, which didn't change much for him as he was already experiencing 80% de-buff.
The inside of the Illusion Labyrinth was vast and dimly lit, with walls that reached attached to the hundreds of feet high ceiling and carious opening every few meters leading to a new twisted passage.
The air was filled with an eerie silence, and feeling One's strength getting sapped from their body and inability to utilize Mana, any individual will feel afraid with no means of defense.
The labyrinth was designed to create a harrowing atmosphere to test participant's minds, pushing the limits of their resilience and mental fortitude, and with no reliance on magic or physical prowess, it was their wits, instincts, and sheer determination that would guide them through the treacherous maze of illusions.
As Alex ventured deeper into the labyrinth, illusionary mist appeared in his surroundings, making it impossible to see past a few feets.
'It's time to see if my eyes could help or if I need to complete the labyrinth the intended way,' Alex thought, using his eyes of the Ancient.
Alex's vision turned colorless, and instantly all the smoke vanished while also making him see through the massive wall for hundreds of feet, helping him create a mental map to progress forward.
The illusion labyrinth stretched for hundreds of meters, having thousands of paths, with a minority of them that led forward while every other route just led one in circles, and with no dead ends and thick fog blinding the vision, it was challenging to create a map.
It was common knowledge that no marking could be left on the walls of the illusion labyrinth as they healed instantly, and with every passage and wall looking the same, there were no preparations one could make to have an easy time.
Alex progressed forward, sprinting through the passages and, every few seconds, using his magical eyes to discern the illusions from reality, allowing him to navigate the labyrinth with relative ease.
However, Alex knew that this labyrinth's illusions were designed to pose a challenge even to someone with his abilities, which he faced after traveling a few hundred feet in the form of seeing his sister getting attacked by rat-like creatures.
Alex ignored the illusion and continued on his path, and as he progressed further, the illusions became more vivid and convincing that even with his magical eyes, he failed to see through them and got trapped for seconds to tens of minutes.
Alex encountered illusions of loved ones in distress, tempting offers of power and wealth, and even terrifying monsters ready to attack, but he remained focused, relying on his heightened senses to see through the illusions and stay on track.
Minutes turned to hours as Alex continued his journey through the Illusion Labyrinth before reaching an open space when he faced the worst of the illusion, getting trapped in a pitch-dark field.
Alex's heart raced with frustration and unease as he found himself trapped in the pitch-dark field of the Illusion Labyrinth, and despite his best efforts to rely on his Eyes of the Ancient, he could see nothing but an impenetrable darkness that seemed to swallow every trace of light.
Alex's sense of disorientation grew with each passing minute, and every step he took felt uncertain, as if he were traversing an endless void while The darkness seemed to press against him, a suffocating weight on his shoulders.
Alex focused on his hearing, straining to detect any sound that might guide him, and In the silence, all he could hear was his own breath, shallow and rapid, echoing through the vast darkness, and every footstep he took seemed to reverberate, amplifying the sense of isolation.
Alex could feel his focus getting chipped away as his frustration and unease grew stronger, but the more he tried to calm down, the more his emotions became unstable.
Alex sat down after struggling to do anything, knowing the more he struggled, the easier he would lose his mind.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours, and still, Alex found no respite from the darkness, and as of now, doubts had started to creep into his mind, whispering the possibility of eternal confinement within this illusion, but he refused to succumb to despair.
After what felt like an eternity, Alex had already forgotten he was in an illusion, and his mind was on the verge of collapse when he heard a clapping sound.
Alex opened his unfocussed eyes and saw the darkness was gone, and standing before him was a towering figure adorned in golden armor, a figure who looked to be a golem with his hollow energy eyes emanating an aura of power and wisdom.
It took a moment for Alex to regain his senses, feeling relieved knowing the illusion was over but a bit frustrated about how the labyrinth's masterful illusions took him to a dark place to test his resolve and mentality while still happy that he triumphed over the test.
Alex quickly stood up, dusting himself off, and faced the golem figure with a mixture of gratitude and annoyance but not showing any of it, knowing he stood before the Labyrinth Guardian.
"Congratulations, Adventurer, You have completed the final trial earning yourself a reward. So What is it that you want?" The Guardian spoke with a deep voice that resonated through the chamber.
'The available items are as good as the rumors made it be,' Alex thought as he scrolled through the long list of items available as a reward.
There were many valuable items with tens of legendary weapons, Magic Artifacts, high-Rank magic scrolls, and other various items.
"I want the Whispering Codex," Alex said after spending a few minutes checking the items to see if there was anything of great value.
The Guardian raised his hand, and a shimmering book that had a captivating and enigmatic appearance materialized on it, which he handed to Alex.
The magic grimoire was bound in a cover of aged, richly textured leather, weathered by time, hinting at its age and the wisdom contained within its pages. Intricate golden filigree adorned the edges, forming intricate patterns that seemed to dance and shift as if alive.
Alex placed the grimoire in his safe inventory, and instantly, his sight turned dark, and when it returned to normal, he was standing in an open area outside the illusion labyrinth with various individuals appearing one after the other around him.
'Let's go to the Royal Library and get the second grimoire,' Alex thought, quickly leaving for his second destination.
After a few minutes, Alex reached the royal library that stood as a majestic architectural marvel, symbolizing knowledge and regal elegance.
The library was housed in a sprawling building, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, boasting a blend of architectural styles, with the exterior showcased ornate stonework, intricate carvings, and exquisite detailing reflecting the influence of different eras and the evolving tastes of the kingdom's old history.
'Let's hope the Old Elf only asks me riddles that are not too hard,' Alex thought as he entered the royal library.
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