Christian saw what appeared to be an area full of mirrors, which puzzled him. However, his attention soon shifted to the golden light; it was so close. His intuition told him the team would reach his destination after passing through the last area.

A smile crept onto Christian's mouth as he sighed in relief. "How about we take a small break and eat something?' He did not know what that mirror was about, but it was best to be in the best shape before passing through it.

"That's a good idea," Lucretia said. "I'll get the fire started."

"Xin'er, come get the meat. I need to check on Menes," Christian said before entering his bag with her, returning a few minutes later. He then took the piece of ant leg that Xin'er handed to him, sat down, and bit it. "I hope this is the last trial. I'm getting tired of this place." As he ate, Christian conjured drinking mugs and juices for everybody.

"You can say that again," Kallista nodded. The ever-changing environments and new challenges were a nightmare. She was glad she joined this team, with a competent leader like Christian. While her previous team was capable, their leader was not nearly as versatile in his magic, and the latter looked down on Kallista.

"Can I ask you something?" Christian asked, looking at Kallista with a curious gaze.

"I don't see why not," she nodded.

"You seem like a driven and career-oriented person. Do you have a unique reason you want to join the library?"

Kallista paused. She thought briefly before answering: "My dream, no, my goal, is to become a [Grand Sorcerer], return home, and redeem my family's name."

"Grand Sorcerer?"

"You don't know?" Kallista gave him a strange look.

"It's not odd," Lucretia said. "He might be talented and know everything when it comes to magic, but he's pretty ignorant about everything else."

"That's right. When we met, you didn't even know about the difference between blood and blood crest families."

"Someone, please answer my question," Christian said in embarrassment.

"Grand Sorcerer is the highest title a wizard can receive from the library," Xin'er explained. "At that level, a wizard's skill and mastery of magic is on par with the strongest demigods and even as powerful as some Minor Gods."

Christian frowned. He realized something he had overlooked. These people have been talking as if the Gods were real. 'It can't be, right?' Christian wanted to rule out this absurd idea, but on the other hand, if magic can exist, why can't Gods? However, he did not dare ask since this kind of information is sensitive. It's one thing if he does not know common things, but entirely different if he's not aware of the existence of Gods.

"What happened to your family that you need to be this powerful to clear their names?" Christian immediately felt he had made a mistake after seeing Kallista's body tremble at his question. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up such a painful memory."

"No, it's fine," she reassured. Kallista exhaled to control her emotions. "Believe it or not, I'm from the royal family of the Veela Kingdom."

"You're from the Cambion royal family?" Lucretia asked.

"I'm from a branch, but I'm surprised you know of my family." In Kallista's understanding of humans, a few would care enough to remember the royal family of the Veela Kingdom.

"My father once commented that the Cambion family would have been one of the strongest if not for the fact that they are…well, you know."

"That may have been true when my grandfather was alive. But now," Kallista shook her head. "Back to the topic. About 7 years ago, the Cambion family was competing to elect a new ruler of the kingdom. Unfortunately, someone wanted to eliminate my side of the family. They allowed humans into the palace for an attack while fabricating proof that my family was responsible."

Kallista gritted her teeth. "I still remember that night. As soldiers barged into our mansion, my mother took my sister and me to a secret room, holding a sword in her hand. She said we had only one way to survive: the clan's Redemption Rule."

Kallista's hands trembled as she held tightly to the ant's leg and the drinking cup. "She asked us to kill her and hand her head to the clan." Kallista's voice cracked slightly.

"I couldn't do it. I cried on the floor, but my sister…she held the sword, tears in her eyes and blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, and swung the blade. I still remember the glint on the sword as it cut off her head. I can still feel the stickiness of her blood on my face."

The team was quiet. No one would have thought this girl, whose beauty could make flowers jealous, had such a dark past. The worst part is that it was not over.

"These vile people had no choice but to accept the clan's rules. Now that we had killed the 'traitor', we had redeemed ourselves. However, how could they allow us to grow? Even the newly elected King found our presence an eyesore for some reason.

"So, two years later, they decided to ship my sister away on a political marriage. She was 15 and they married her to a man in his 60s." Kallista gritted her teeth, her eyes shining brighter than a ruby as her anger burned brighter than blood. She once again exhaled to calm down.

"My sister knew I would not survive long without her. So, she did what was necessary to protect us — we ran away. Unfortunately, our efforts were useless. She knew that once we were caught, these people had the perfect excuse to order our execution.

"She…she wanted me to use the same tactic as mother, but I refused. I wanted to die with her, but she couldn't accept my choice. Instead, she sacrificed her life to place a powerful protection around me.

"That protection is why I survived this long. Sadly, it will only last until my 18th birthday. Knowing this, I plot out my revenge. I ran away from home to the library in the hope of using the Curator's protection so I can grow until I'm strong enough to return to avenge my family and clear our name.

'She's so strong. And why do I suddenly feel like she's quite attractive?' Christian thought. 'I don't like what that says about my taste in women. Wait, why am I thinking such a thing now, of all places? Get a grip, Christian.' He used his Legilimency to remove the intrusive thought.

"I'm sorry," Christian said.

"No need to apologize since it's not your fault. Plus, I've gotten used to it by now."

"But you shouldn't need to. No child — no — no one should have to experience such things."

"That's true in a perfect world, but unfortunately, there is no such thing," Kallista shrugged.

"True," Christian sighed in desolation.

"I'm…I'm sorry," Lucretia suddenly said, with tears in the corner of her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I never knew."

"No need to cry," Kallista said as she raised her hand to reassure the latter, but stopped midway. She had never shared her past with anyone, so she wasn't sure what to do in this kind of situation.

"I'm such a terrible person," Lucretia said before starting to bawl her eyes out. Xin'er approached to reassure her, and Kallista looked at Christian with worry, but he only shrugged. He felt that her crying made the situation all about her, but he didn't say anything.

Lucretia took a few minutes to regain her bearings. Kallista decided to change the topic to her. "What about you? What's your motive for participating in this test?"

"I'm interested in this answer as well," Xin'er added. "You've been quite determined to pass this test, and even going to extreme lengths to ensure success."

"Well, how can I answer this?" Christian muttered. "I'm kind of lost. No, to be exact, my family and friends are lost. One day, they suddenly disappeared, and the only clue to finding them is in the library.

"I don't know where they are, how far they are, or how long it will take me to return home. However, I'm prepared to do whatever it takes."

"Why do I feel scared by the way you said that?" Lucretia muttered.

"Me too," Kallista nodded. "All I can picture is some poor guys standing in your way, and you destroy them."

"I thought it suddenly became a little chili," Xin'er added.

"What kind of person do you guys take me for?" Christian said, almost rolling his eyes.

"A dangerous one," Lucretia said.

"Extremely knowledgeable, at least for magic," Xin'er replied.

"Focus and adaptable," Kallista gave her answer.

"In other words, someone who can do whatever he puts his mind to," Lucretia summarized. "I would not want to be your enemy for all the gold in the world."

"Alright, you guys are making me blush and concerned," Christian said as he swallowed his soda. Everybody laughed. The atmosphere was no longer somber, so the team continued their rest before walking to the mirror area.