As I regained consciousness and opened my eyes, I found myself in a room I didn't recognize. A sharp pain throbbed in my chest, echoing the unsettling thoughts and revelations about the 444 trials that plagued my mind. Fatigue weighed heavily upon me, both physically and mentally, and I couldn't shake the unease that had settled within me.
"It must have been another distressing dream," I whispered, my voice tinged with weariness and a touch of anxiety. The mere mention of the 444 trials sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder that there was no escaping the daunting path I had embarked upon. "444 trials... It feels like I'm losing my mind, and there's no turning back."
The magnitude of what lay ahead overwhelmed me, and I felt a growing sense of unease and uncertainty. The trials seemed to taunt me, testing my sanity and resolve. With each passing moment, it felt like I was teetering on the edge, losing my grip on reality.
But deep down, I knew I couldn't succumb to despair. I had come too far to turn back now. The trials represented a pivotal point in my journey, a test of my strength, resilience, and determination. There was no room for doubt or hesitation. I had to push forward, face the unknown, and confront the challenges that awaited me.
Summoning my inner resolve, I pushed myself up from the futon and took a moment to collect my thoughts. I looked around the room, taking in my surroundings. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing heart and calm the swirling thoughts in my mind.
Growl~
As my stomach emitted a loud growl, a wave of embarrassment washed over me, causing my cheeks to flush. I rubbed my tummy and chuckled softly, "I'm starving. I guess I'll go find the kitchen."
I grabbed the clothes that were prepared for me, lying next to my futon. I hastily proceeded to finish dressing, wanting to satiate my hunger as soon as possible. However, just as I was halfway through dressing, the door unexpectedly swung open, and Lady Nozomi entered the room. Caught off guard, I let out a startled scream and frantically adjusted my attire, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
Lady Nozomi smiled mischievously at my reaction, clearly amused by my startle. "Such good lungs you have, young lady Llyne. Master will be pleased."
Still flustered and feeling a bit indignant, I exclaimed, "K-Knock the door before you open it!"
Lady Nozomi pouted and crossed her arms, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, come now. We're all ladies here. What is there to be embarrassed about?"
Disagreeing with her perspective, I replied, "Isn't that basic courtesy? Privacy is important, regardless of the situation."
Lady Nozomi narrowed her eyes, a hint of irritation crossing her features. She placed her hands on her waist and retorted. "Well, I don't feel like it after what happened yesterday."
I asked, feeling a tinge of guilt. "Yesterday?"
Lady Nozomi's expression softened as she remembered the previous day. "You fainted in the guest room, and I had to carry you to your room all by myself."
I looked at Lady Nozomi in shock. "It wasn't just a nightmare?"
Suddenly, her face turned stern, and she clenched her fist, raising it in my direction. "Nightmare? Hmm...?" I quickly backed away, feeling a mix of fear and confusion. "Oui...I mean I'm sorry for all that trouble."
Lady Nozomi went back to her smiling mode. "Oh, it's fine. I was just teasing you."
'Teasing? The face she made just now looks like a tiger ready to eat its prey.' I felt a shiver run down my spine, still unsettled by her previous intimidating expression. "Teasing... right..."
Lady Nozomi clasped her hands together. "So, are you ready for your first trial?"
I stared at Lady Nozomi in confusion. "Eh...? Trial? What kind of trial?"
Lady Nozomi giggled. "Don't worry, it's nothing too dangerous. Just a little test to assess your skills and abilities."
Before I could fully grasp the situation, she grabbed my arms and forcefully dragged me out of my room, and I couldn't help but let out a scream. "Wait, what? Where are we going?! Save me!"
Lady Nozomi chuckled and continued to lead me down the corridor. "You'll find out soon enough. Trust me, it'll be an interesting experience."
I attempted to free myself from her grip, but it was surprisingly firm. 'Why does everyone I encounter seem to have an iron grip?' I wondered, slightly frustrated by my inability to break free.
As I was being pulled along by Lady Nozomi, I couldn't help but notice the remarkable transformation that had taken place. The surroundings were now filled with numerous mikan houses, each displaying unique architectural designs and vibrant colours. The garden had expanded significantly, and at its centre stood a magnificent cherry tree.
The mikan houses formed a picturesque scene, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. The once quaint garden had now transformed into a sprawling landscape, adorned with colourful flowers, winding pathways, and small bridges that crossed over miniature streams.
The cherry tree, standing tall and majestic, was a true spectacle to behold. Its branches were adorned with beautiful pink blossoms, creating a breathtaking canopy that provided shade and a sense of tranquillity to the area. The sight of it brought a soothing calmness to my heart.
Soon, we reached a room, and Lady Nozomi pushed me inside and I fell flat on my face. "Ouch! What's the big deal?" I grumbled, as I struggled to stand up. I glanced around the room and noticed its emptiness. "Huh? The room is so empty. What kind of trial is this?" Apart from a table with two small cups filled with an unknown substance, there was nothing else in the room. Confusion washed over me as I tried to understand the purpose of this trial.
I turned around just in time to see Lady Nozomi slowly closing the door. Panic started to rise within me, and I instinctively reached out and called out to her. "Wait, Lady Nozomi! Can you tell me what this trial is about?" Lady Nozomi's eyes locked onto mine, her gaze intense and impenetrable, stirring a sense of unease within me. I couldn't decipher the intentions hidden beneath her enigmatic expression. Suddenly, her lips curved into a chilling smile, sending shivers down my spine. Her whispered words of "Good luck!" echoed in the air, marking the beginning of my solitary confinement within the room. As the door closed behind her, I found myself enveloped in an unsettling silence.
I moved closer to the door and knocked, hoping for a response, but all I received was an eerie silence. Frustration and impatience welled up inside me, leading me to pound on the door with increasing force. "Lady Nozomi, can you hear me?" I called out desperately, my voice echoing in the empty room. However, my pleas were met with nothing but silence, intensifying my sense of isolation and uncertainty.
As I continued to slam on the door, my frustration grew with each unanswered call. The silence in response only fueled my exasperation. I couldn't believe that Lady Nozomi would leave me alone in this empty room without any explanation of the trial I was supposed to face. It felt like a cruel joke or an act of neglect. "Seriously? You just going to leave me in this empty room all by myself? At least tell me what the trial is about." I face my back to the door.
As I faced my back to the door, frustration and disappointment washed over me. It felt as though I had been abandoned, left to figure out the purpose and nature of the trial on my own. The silence within the room amplified my unease, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty.
Feeling defeated, I let out a heavy sigh and sank down to the ground. The cold surface beneath me seemed to echo the emptiness and confusion I felt inside. Thoughts raced through my mind, questioning the intentions and motives behind this trial, but without any answers, I found myself trapped in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
As I approached the table, my eyes fixated on the two cups before me.
One cup contained a clear liquid, shimmering in the light with a pristine clarity. It seemed pure and innocent, inviting me to take a sip and indulge in its allure. The other cup held a dark, opaque substance, its depths concealing its true nature. It emanated an air of mystery and caution, as if warning me of potential dangers.
Should I choose the clear cup? Or should I choose the opaque cup? I was cracking my head to figure out the solution. Each cup held a mystery within, and my mind raced to decipher the potential consequences of my choice.
With a steady hand, I reached out, grabbed the cup, and drank it without hesitation.