CHAPTER 260: THE ROOM OF DESTINY [PART 2]

"This rune, Duraz, means Stone or Foundation," Nessia explained. "It also symbolizes stability, earth, and endurance.

"The tunnel Renard and Charles chose is Kharad. It means War or Battle and is the symbol of valor and strength.

"Azgral means Flame or Forgefire. It also symbolizes creation, heat, and rebirth. Frankly, I feel a strong connection to this tunnel, so this is the path that I will explore later."

Chuck sighed in relief because the tunnel was the same one he wanted to pick.

Although he couldn’t sense anything from it, his gut instinct was telling him that this was the path that he needed to take.

"The next path is Vundain, meaning Wisdom or Lore," Nessia continued. "It is also the symbol of knowledge, secrets, and memory.

"This next tunnel is Zudrim. That is, Greed or Treasure. It also symbolizes wealth, temptation, and risk."

The two seniors’ gaze lingered on the treasure tunnel even as Nessia started talking about the next one. Their hearts were set on exploring this tunnel after she finished her explanation.

"The sixth tunnel has the word, Thurak, which means Shadow or Silence." Nessia frowned. "It symbolizes stealth, death, and the unknown."

The young lady then moved on the seventh tunnel.

"Morgim," Nessia said as she looked pointedly at Alex. "It means Honor or Oath. It’s the symbol of duty, honor, and sacrifice."

Nessia then shifted her attention to the last tunnel.

"Skaldir," Nessia stated. "The rune of Storm and Thunder. It symbolizes chaos, energy, and, strangely enough, power."

After the young lady finished her explanation, she gave Alex another look. She might understand these words, but that didn’t mean she felt confident about everyone going their separate ways.

"This place is a testing site of sorts," Alex began, knowing that he needed to explain the dangers within the ruins so that his club members would be prepared to face anything thrown at them.

"The site wants to know who is worthy of accepting its legacy. Actually, this room is called the Room of Destiny. For only those who are destined to reach its end will gain enlightenment. It is also just the first step of our adventure."

Alex paused for a bit before scanning the faces of his companions.

"I’ll tell you more about it after we clear this site. I believe that once we finish it, we will find ourselves at the exit of this mountain. That will be our meeting place."

Everyone nodded in understanding before taking off.

Alex watched as Nessia and Chuck entered the third tunnel. He bade them goodbye and wished them good luck.

"Mary, do you sense anything from these paths?" Princess Xenia asked.

"I will go wherever the Princess goes," Mary replied with conviction.

"Don’t be like that." Princess Xenia looked at her most trusted aide, who had been with her since she was young. "This is an opportunity for you to become stronger. Use that power to protect me and ensure that I will be able to live a long and happy life."

Mary hesitated because she really didn’t want to leave the princess’s side.

Although she did feel something from one of the tunnels, her priority was the princess’ safety.

"Don’t worry, Mary," Sir Alphonse commented after noticing the young maid’s uncertainty. "I will be with the Princess. I promise to keep her safe, so please listen to her."

"But..." Mary looked conflicted, but the Princess just hugged her and whispered something in her ear.

A minute later, the maid reluctantly nodded.

"Please be careful, Your Highness," Mary said in a serious tone. "If something happens to you, I will not be able to forgive myself."

"Relax. Nothing will happen to me." Princess Xenia patted her chest with confidence. "I’m with my uncle, so I’ll be as safe as I’ll ever be."

After that short talk, Mary looked at the sixth tunnel, whose rune symbolized stealth, death, and the unknown.

Even before Nessia had begun translating the runes, Mary had felt something in that tunnel calling out to her. However, she had deemed that protecting the princess was more important than heeding that call.

After Mary left, Princess Xenia glanced at Alex and waved him goodbye.

She entered the fourth tunnel, which stood for Wisdom or Lore.

Mark and Spencer had already headed to the tunnel that meant Greed or Treasure.

Clearly, they were hoping that they would find some treasures that would make them rich.

After deliberating for a bit, Lavinia tapped Alex’s shoulder and let him know she had made up her mind. She walked into the same tunnel that Mary had chosen earlier.

"How about you, Vaan?" Alex asked. "Where are you going?"

"I don’t really feel anything from any of these tunnels," Vaan replied. "But my father has taught me a trick that will tell me where I need to go."

"Oh?" Alex looked at the pretty boy with great interest. He also wanted to know what kind of teaching Vaan’s father had imparted.

Vaan summoned a magnificent spear that exuded a deadly presence.

A glance was enough to tell Alex that it wasn’t an ordinary weapon.

For a brief moment, he thought that the spear might be sentient because he heard it hum after Vaan touched its handle.

The young man watched as the pretty boy embedded the end of his spear into the spot on the ground that was equal distance from the entrance of each tunnel.

Then, with hands clasped together and eyes closed, the pretty boy recited something.

"O Great Spear of Slightly Better Judgment Than Me,

Point me toward destiny—or at least somewhere interesting.

If peril awaits, let it be dramatic.

If treasure awaits, let it be shiny.

And if monsters await...

Well, at least let me look cool in the fight."

The spear gave a faint hum, almost like it was laughing or sighing in resignation.

A pulse of mana rippled out from it, brushing past the eight tunnels. Then, slowly but surely, the weapon tilted toward the direction of the eighth tunnel—Skaldir, the Rune of Storm and Thunder.

"Ha. Called it." Vaan smirked, his half-lidded eyes glinting with amusement. "Guess chaos does suit me."

"Are you sure about this?" Alex asked, not knowing if he should laugh or cry at the pretty boy’s antics.

"I trust my spear," Vaan said. "It has a better track record than I do when it comes to decisions."

And with a lazy wave, he turned and strolled into the tunnel of thunder, like he was going for a walk in the park and not a potentially deadly Dwarven Trial.

[E/N: To be fair, it’s hard to be worse at decision-making than the guy who surrendered his body to a Demon Worshiper.]

After making sure that his club members had all chosen the path they wished to challenge, Alex entered the seventh tunnel that stood for Honor and Oath.

He didn’t know what would be waiting for him at the end of the tunnel, but one thing was certain.

He would either learn something the easy way or the hard way.