While Varian passed the test and entered the Prince's Throne Hall, others were still struggling.
But there were some who weren't struggling at all.
It wasn't that they had it too easy. But that they had it so hard that they didn't even try.
"…I'm already lucky to have made it here. I don't want to risk my life anymore." A woman with a pale complexion wrapped her arms around her shoulders and said. Anyone who saw her pitiful expression would feel an urge to protect her.
…And that's how she managed to come so far.
Outside the valley, a friend of hers found an extra key for her.
In the valley, she followed behind the people her family knew.
In the royal garden, she used an attack talisman she got as a birthday gift.
But now…
"I can't." Looking at the giant door, she bit her lip.
Somehow, she got a better sense of this trial or the so-called meeting than others.
These trials weren't there to select the right people, but to eliminate the wrong ones.
She was the wrong candidate.
With a sigh, she reached the other end of the corridor and found a familiar blue vortex.
The exit back to the royal garden.
'Even though I'll be labeled as a coward…' Her brows furrowed, but she didn't hesitate.
She rather preferred to be a living coward than a dead brave.
Whiish!
With the twisting of space, she appeared in the royal garden.
Out of the fifty level 7s, she was the only one who forfeited.
Of course, that didn't mean the rest could clear the test.
But as level 7s, they had relatively less responsibility and more appetite for risk.
Level 8s were more cautious but still decided the risk was worth it.
Because if they manage to get some treasure and skyrocket to level 9, then they'd genuinely have a shot at reaching the Sovereign state.
As peak level 8s, these members, now in their fifties and sixties were also worried about being stuck.
Only a small percentage of peak level 8s reach level 9 while the majority get stuck.
So, all twenty level 8s also picked one of the three gates.
However, the story changed when it came to level 9s.
Level 9s were the backbone of the federation. They held immense responsibilities wherever they worked.
A planetoid's fate depended on level 9s. Thus, if one of these people died, then there's a good chance that humanity would have to pay a hefty price to just retain that planetoid.
The possibility of the planetoid being lost completely couldn't be ruled out either.
So, only twenty level 9s entered the valley in the first place.
Out of them, five gave up midway and only fifteen reached the royal garden.
This was where things really turned for the worse.
Like its level 7 and level 8 counterparts, the level 9 royal garden was also filled with peak level 9 beasts.
The problem, however, was that only two of the fifteen who made it to the royal garden were peak level 9s.
In the first place, there were only a very low number of peak level 9s in the entire federation.
Moreover, each of them was tasked with heavy responsibilities.
Most of them didn't have time for the ruins. The ones that did were reluctant to risk their lives.
A very important factor affecting their decision was treasures—Unlike level 7s and even level 8s, they didn't have suitable attack talisman.
After all, an item that could project attacks of a peak level 9 was insanely rare and strategic.
But they didn't give up. Putting aside their differences, they cooperated and managed to slay four beasts.
Thus, two peak level 9s and two high level 9s entered the corridor and were introduced to the giant doors by a purple-robed old man.
But unlike the level 7s and level 8s, a peak level 9 asked the old man a crucial question.
"What are my odds of survival?"
The old man in purple gazed at the hooded level 9 from head to toe.
As the 'protector' of Charles, the hooded man did his best so far. But he couldn't risk his life so easily.
His life was not his, but the Xanders'.
"Your odds for mind gate is 0, strength gate is 20, strength & wit gate is 10." The old man answered with a smile.
"…"
The hooded man fell silent as the sound of heavy breathing filled the air. Clenching his fists tightly, he seriously considered his decision.
"You have a considerable chance of meeting the prince. Go ahead." The old man beckoned.
"…" The hooded man stayed silent for a few moments before loosening his fists and sighing. "I quit."
"…Too bad." The old man sighed but he didn't stop. Instead, he pointed to the entrance of the corridor that they started from and said. "There you go."
The hooded man reached the blue vortex but didn't exit just yet. Instead, his gaze focused on the remaining three level 9s.
Those three belonged to different factions and were supporting one prince or another.
If they entered, then he'd be forced to enter to support Charles, despite the risks.
Even though there was news that their levels would be suppressed inside, a level 9 had a lot of experience compared to level 7s.
If Charles and the team faced these old guys, they'd be at a huge disadvantage.
That's why the ideal solution was…
"What about my odds?" The other peak level 9 asked and received a similar response.
With a sigh, he too walked to the blue vortex. The remaining two did the same and the four level 9s finally quit.
Inwardly, they were all relieved.
If they all entered together, they'd end up fighting and the situation could spiral out of control. But now…there were only level 7s and level 8s inside.
With a rather jovial atmosphere, the hooded man returned to the royal garden.
"Roaa!"
Before the beast even finished its roar, the four jumped into the blue vortex and returned to the valley.
Level 9s were, after all, veterans.