"Who are you?"
Azriel questioned.
If whatever 'Ithania' has told him is true and this world indeed runs with his own imagination, then there is no way 'Ithania' who is supposed to act like how he thinks she should act and talk this way.
It makes no sense.
The only logical conclusion Azriel could come up with is that this Ithania is someone who created this illusion and was using her body to talk to him.
Well, since he has already appeared in front of him through Ithania, he should introduce himself as well.
Right?
Wrong.
Contrary to Azriel's expectations, Ithania just smiled and turned, her body and Azriel's surrounding started turning into white Mist.
"Hey! At least tell me who you are!?"
Azriel sensed that this Second Step was about to end, therefore, he questioned again.
However, Ithania just smiled at him again and then, she disappeared.
"Why the fuck did you even appear in front of me!?
This makes no fucking sense!"
Azriel cursed repeatedly.
Then, he appeared inside a room.
He then looked around and noticed that this room was the one that burst apart he was sent back to Yrniel.
He then found the door and moved out.
Seeing him coming out, the Four Winged World Fairy frowned.
"Why are you out? Don't you want to take the Second Step?"
She questioned in confusion.
Azriel frowned,
"But I completed it already?"
The Fairy frowned as well,
"What are you talking about, it hasn't even been a second since you entered that room. How did you complete that Trial?"
Azriel frowned, the fairy frowned and more and more confusion spread all over the area.
As if sensing that confusion, something happened,
[Congratulations to Azriel Ruinous for completing the Second Step of the Trial]
[You will now be taken to the Third and the Final Step in 10 seconds,]
[10]
[9]
"H-Huh? What is happening here?" The Fairy opened her eyes in shock.
"Huh? You are the Fairy who has lived here for so long? Don't you know it?" Azriel questioned.
"Do you think I would be so shocked if this happened before?
Also, even if you cleared the Second Step, shouldn't you get a 10-day rest before you go take the Third Step?"
"Umm… why the hell are you asking all this from me? You think I would know better than you?" Azriel frowned.
'Why is the World's Core interfering?'
The fairy wondered inwardly.
[3]
[2]
The fairy's eyes widened in surprise when she noticed the countdown.
She didn't have the time to think about all these useless things!
"Azriel, listen! I don't know if Lady Crown will tell you something or not, so here's the tip for the Third Step."
[1]
"Don't lose-"
[0]
[Wish you luck]
"-yourself!"
However, before the fairy could complete her sentence, Azriel disappeared.
The Fairy then raised her head and her eyes fell on the highest island.
That is where the Third Step will be taken.
Inside that big, grand mansion.
The fairy then joined her hands and closed her eyes.
She hoped that Azriel completes the Third Step and doesn't end up like the rest of the Trial Takers who are in half dead, half alive state.
…
On the other side, Azriel appeared in another place and frowned.
"Huh… 'Don't lose', What kind of tip is that?
Did she think I was going to come here and lose intentionally?"
Azriel shook his head and sighed.
These fairies are really weird.
Especially that Four Winged World Fairy who guides him.
Azriel then decided to stop thinking about all this nonsense and looked around, his eyes then fell on the large mansion in front of him.
Honestly, things didn't look much different from the ground floor.
However, once you walk toward the edge, you will see the clouds below the Island.
Yes, right now, Azriel was standing at a level where he was above the clouds.
"Be careful, you might fall,"
Azriel then heard a very calming and soothing voice.
He turned around and his eyes fell on a beautiful woman that gave off an otherworldly aura.
With a nigh perfect face and temper, she had a calm smile on her face, golden hair, golden eyes, light pink lips, a small nose and a body with perfect proportions, the woman looked unbearably beautiful.
However, what stood out the most for her was her wings.
Unlike the other Fairies, who had white feathered wings, her wings were golden coloured and she had 6 of them. Her winger gave her a pure and noble feeling.
She was Crown, the only Six Winged World Fairy and the Queen of all the Fairies. (Picture in para comments)
"It is pleasant to meet you, Azriel Ruinous."
Crown smiled.
"Ahh, yes. Nice to meet you as well." Azriel answered.
"Are you ready to take the Third Step?" Crown questioned.
"I have some questions."
"What are they?" Crown smiled.
"Who are you?"
"I am Crown, you can say that I am the leader of all the Fairies here."
Hearing that, Azriel narrowed her eyes,
"Are you saying you are the Queen of this World's Core?"
Crown shook her head,
"No,"
"Why? Aren't the Fairies the only race living here? Since you are their leader, doesn't that mean that this World's Core is yours as well?"
Crown shook her head again,
"No, the World is not anyone's.
Let's say you bring back the Vampires and place them at the top of the Food Chain after defeating all other races and now you have rule over all other races in Yrniel.
However, that won't mean Yrniel is yours, the World is a separate identity."
Crown explained.
"Got it." Azriel nodded and after thinking for a little while, he questioned,
"So did you see what happened in the Second Step?"
"Yes, you entered and came out and World's Core's Commandments appeared."
"Fairy Fer told me that this was unusual, do you know why it happened?" Azriel questioned.
Crown looked at Azriel and didn't answer.
"I was told that I would need to study in the Second Step, however, nothing like that happened. Something is wrong here, right? Can you tell me what happened?
Can you tell me how the Trial changed?"
Azriel shot a few more questions.
Crown glanced at Azriel and then, she sighed.
"The World's Core took over your Trial."
"Huh?" Azriel frowned.
"As I said, Yrniel and the World's Core, they are independent Identity that belongs to no one.
Although there are several restrictions on Yrniel, the World's Core is different.
It has less restriction since the Area of control is smaller."
Crown explained, however, most of the things went above Azriel's head.
Crown noticed that and sighed again,
"In simple words, although it is not exactly correct, you can treat the World's Core as an independent entity, a living being.
And that living being decided to interfere with your Trial. That is the reason why everything happened the way it happened."
This time, Azriel understood things a little.
"So this 'living being', is he the one who gives powers to all you Fairies?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"And those messages that appear in the Sky out of nowhere,"
"The World's Core's commandments, yes, they are the messages from that living being."
Crown nodded and Azriel nodded his head in understanding.
"But why is that being interfering with my Trial?" Azriel questioned in confusion.
"You cleared the entry Trial will SSS rank completion rating, Azriel. You are different from all others.
The best that has ever been done was A rank, you are 3 ranks above him."
Crown answered.
"Hmm? What is the highest Rank one can achieve?" Azriel questioned with curiosity.
"As I said, your performance was the best.
The Rank, 'SSS' was formed solely for you."
"Huh?" Azriel's eyes widened in surprise.
"Does that mean SSS rank is the highest?"
"As long as no one does a better job than you, then yes.
It isn't exactly hard for the World's Core to add another S and make an SSSS rank,
There are endless ways."
Crown answered and Azriel nodded in understanding.
There was no specific highest rank, it all depends on the person who cleared it.
"Then why didn't the World's Core give me S rank? Doesn't that make it easier?" Azriel questioned.
"Do you know what the A rank did?" Crown questioned.
"Of course not."
"He, as a Grand Master Stage Cultivator, survived against 6-Star Beast for a Month. A good performance.
You, on the other hand, defeated the 6-Star Beast within an hour.
Your performance far surpassed any other being in this world."
Azriel understood.
"Alright, are you ready to take the Third Step now?" Crown questioned.
"One last question."
"…alright ask."
"Will the World's Core interfere with the Third Step as well?" Azriel questioned with a serious look on his face.
Crown shook her head,
"The Third Step cannot be changed,
Even by the World's Core."
"Alright," Azriel nodded in understanding.
"I will take the Third Step now."
…
A/N: Pictures of other Fairies.
Four Winged World Fairy.
Two Winged World Fairy.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr𝒆e(w)𝒆bnovel