Chapter 82 Entrance Exam ② Entrance Exam Two, Find...
Through the faint light, one could almost glimpse two nimble shadows, passing through the gate formed by flames and glaciers, leaping unharmed across the rugged mountain path, pressing the mechanisms on both sides of the road in perfect unison, and then simultaneously pressing the final switch at the final point.
The central gate that had been blocking their path opened, and they broke out in a light sweat, their breathing only slightly heavier. Enid didn't notice the mechanisms; all she could see was Barbara's agile movements and the confident smile on her face as she finally landed.
"Wow...you're all amazing! You're all so incredible!"
Enid couldn't help but clap her hands. Barbara chuckled and patted her hair, then remembered something: "I bet when we get back, Dick will be itching to show you. He's probably the best at it." Grayson's flying skills weren't just talk; they were concrete proof.
Her face seemed to flush slightly, and she nodded but quickly shook her head. Enid had actually already seen Dick; she had thought of him for a moment just now. It had been so long since she had seen Dick, and she couldn't deny one thing: she missed him, every single moment.
“Actually, I know. I saw him last time; he leaped above the moon on the rooftop.” Enid blinked. “But right now, you guys are the best! You’ve worked so hard!”
The words were agreeable enough, so Tim didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he took the water Enid offered and took a sip. It tasted slightly sweet, but it was very soothing and helped him relax and become more alert.
"It tastes good, what is this?"
"This is it!" Enid held up a large pot of flowers that looked like withered trees growing in the snow, covered with a layer of fluffy blossoms. "This is Silverlight, but people usually call it Snowflake Tree. I've planted a lot of them at home, so you'll be able to see them when I go home in a few days!"
Hearing this, Barbara remembered that when she returned a while ago, Enid had indeed brought back some saplings besides fruit, but since they were all immature seedlings, she hadn't paid much attention to them. However, looking at this thing, Barbara had a feeling that it was one of the ingredients she was preparing to use to replace her coffee.
"That's pretty good. Are you planning to use it instead of my coffee?"
"Actually, yes, but it can also be made into a healing potion. However, I didn't grow this; it grew here, so I just took it back with me!"
Enid found it near the tent. This environment was actually a good time for the seedlings to grow, but they would wither quickly if they stayed here after they bloomed. So this was the only survivor. Enid thought about it and decided to take it back. After all, either Saint Forest or Wayne Manor could provide a good environment for this little guy.
And coincidentally, Enid sent a copy of the newly concocted healing potion to Tim and Barbara, knowing that there might be other dangers ahead, so she prepared this in advance.
"Fia, try to deduce how many types of healing potions you prepared are here?" Tim took them somewhat helplessly. Of course, he wouldn't mind having too many healing potions, but...
Upon hearing Tim's words, Enid realized that she might have overreacted. She stuck out her tongue, somewhat embarrassed, and said that this was the last time, as there were no more materials left. Barbara smiled helplessly and put the potion away.
“Alright, Fia, we didn’t mean to blame you. In fact, you have a very good intention,” Barbara said with a smile. “We just don’t want you to be too anxious. We’re almost done with the game, aren’t we?”
She calmed down and nodded, becoming increasingly nervous as the final moments approached. Although Enid had always been confident in her abilities, she had never interacted with other witch science students, and she wasn't always number one at school, so she didn't know if her excellence truly qualified her as number one.
Actually... Enid should be number one. The reason she wasn't number one sometimes is simple: she only had the Moon Witch behind her. In this school, grades weren't the most important thing.
"Okay, I was a little nervous... Hmm, shall we rest for a bit and then get ready to continue?"
"No need, let's pack up and leave now." Tim declined the request to rest. He and Barbara felt even better after drinking the tea brewed by the Snow Tree.
Seeing that Barbara agreed with Tim, Enid volunteered to pack up the tent and then returned to their side with light steps. A breeze carrying the scent of earth wafted from the newly opened door, and there seemed to be something else in the wind... Enid stood calmly at the doorway, questioning the unnamed scent.
The wind carries a mix of messages: bits of grass scattered by the raging fire, withered flowers, and even melted snow that has turned into flowing rivers, bringing with it the struggles on distant lands. But there's also a hint of spring in the air—it's sprouting.
“Let’s go,” Enid said with a smile as she turned to everyone.
Enid heard the sound of hope carried by the wind, the hope that all things would bloom again in spring after decay. This time, without hesitation, Enid, Tim, and Barbara quickly moved forward. The increasingly bumpy road became quiet the moment they passed through the door, so quiet that it was even a little boring.
All around, there were only trees sleeping silently, not even a broken shady spot.
There were no rivers, no withered flowers, not even soil, only a straight and dark road. The faint light in their hands flickered and then stopped completely, leaving only pure darkness.
Enid found herself seemingly losing her sense of time; she was even somewhat weary. She tried to doubt but then stopped, because she didn't believe the wind could deceive her. Nothing in the world could deceive her faithful believer, even though this wasn't His world. Wherever she was, nature would always protect her.
"Keep going, don't worry."
"That's right, but remember to tell me if you can't walk anymore? I can carry you on my back, no problem."
Tim and Barbara's voices rang out behind her one after the other. In fact, they could both feel the light calling to them from the door behind them, while there was only darkness in front of them. But neither of them spoke. After all, sticking to one path to the end was what they were best at, wasn't it?
For some reason, Enid's eyes began to redden slightly after hearing their voices. Fortunately, no one saw it at the moment, so she simply smiled brightly without anyone noticing and quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I know! Heh heh, I would never make a mistake!"
She trusted nature and believed she wouldn't let Barbara and Tim down. So, after seemingly losing her fatigue, she lost track of how long she had walked. The only sound around her was their breathing, the only warmth was the overlapping of their bodies when they shook hands, and the only music was their voices.
But that was enough. After darkness engulfed most of their vision, they felt their feet turn into mud, and there seemed to be the sound of a river in the air, with the sound of water carrying stones rushing in from afar.
The shimmering light split the rocks, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Trembling new shoots stubbornly climbed in the center of the snow. They saw what appeared to be stained-glass windows in the distance, and then they heard Lyra's voice again. Lyra was flying in the air with another flock of white doves.
After a while, Lyra landed on Enid's shoulder. Enid could hear fear in Lyra's cries, and Naya also emerged from the shadows, trembling in Enid's arms. Enid kissed them one by one. She knew, of course, that these little ones had developed separation anxiety after that incident.
"We're almost there, don't worry."
Enid gently comforted Naya, the black cat in her arms, and Barbara also reached out to pet the black cat in Enid's arms, receiving a gentle rub in return. Meanwhile, Lyra snuggled up and rubbed against Tim's cheek before kissing Barbara.
"It's clear that Naya and Leila's separation anxiety is a bit more severe than Dick's."
"No, I think they are the same."
Tim refuted Barbara's words, and Enid blushed a little embarrassedly. Unable to surrender, she could only give a weak look, but she had no way to refute the matter: "Dick's separation anxiety isn't that serious! We switched locations so he can find me anytime."
"When?" Barbara was taken aback. Actually, she was just joking, but she didn't expect that, given Dick's personality... well, that's hard to say, after all, Enid died right in front of him, in his arms.
“Just now, when I mentioned it, Dick was also startled, but after I repeatedly assured him that I knew what it was and understood its meaning, he happily accepted it. But I think I don’t usually go out, so I don’t think I need to worry so much.” Enid finished explaining and then quickly changed the subject, “Okay, okay, let’s continue!”
They were naturally indulgent in the clumsy attempt to change the subject. Instead of continuing to discuss the topic in depth, they moved forward along the increasingly clear path. The path was now easy to walk on, the darkness had completely faded, and the colors of the grass and trees had become excessively vibrant. When all the darkness had receded, they stood at the exit of the road.
Before them were stained-glass windows, the castle bathed in sunlight and shimmering with an angelic halo. They could see all the flowers in full bloom, and faint colorful lights accompanying the clouds. Behind them, all the grayness was being gradually erased. They were gently pushed out of the forest and led into the garden in a gray expanse.
Their steps were forced to a halt as the garden gate opened, revealing a stone cross in the very center of the garden, inscribed with flowing text in standard script.
Lamoia Castle guards the tomb of John Smith.
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Author's Note: The exam will be over in the next chapter! Hehehe, finally!!
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