Ludwig’s body reacted before his mind could fully process the danger. In a split second, he lurched backward, his knees scraping against the rough stone floor as he slid forward, narrowly avoiding the massive pillar that swung down with terrifying force. The air above him whistled as the pillar passed mere centimeters from his face, close enough that he could feel the rush of displaced air against his skin. His heart—or whatever passed for it in his undead body—pounded with a mix of adrenaline and relief. He wasn’t exactly an athlete in his past life, nor had he ever trained in acrobatics, but his undead physiology, combined with his inhuman reflexes and boosted dexterity and agility stats, had saved him yet again.
The pillar, now swinging past him, collided with the stone lion that had been hot on his heels. The impact was deafening, a thunderous crash that echoed through the labyrinth. The lion’s stone head shattered into fragments, its body crumbling under the force of the blow. The pillar itself splintered into pieces, scattering debris across the corridor. Ludwig barely had time to register the destruction before his attention snapped back to the hunter who had been chasing him.
The hunter, a fellow student whose name Ludwig didn’t bother to remember, didn’t even pause. His eyes were locked on Ludwig, his hand outstretched, ready to claim Ludwig’s beacon with a single touch. But then, something unexpected happened. Instead of lunging at Ludwig, the hunter leaped over him, his body twisting mid-air as he stretched his hand toward the shattered remains of the stone lion. Ludwig, still sprawled on the ground, blinked in confusion. What the hell is he doing? he thought. Does he have a death wish?
But as Ludwig turned his head to follow the hunter’s trajectory, he realized the hunter’s desperation wasn’t for nothing. Embedded within the broken fragments of the stone lion was another beacon bracelet, glowing faintly amidst the rubble. The hunter’s fingers brushed against it just as the second lion, still intact and furious, slammed its massive paw down on the remains of its fallen companion. The ground shook violently, and Ludwig felt the vibrations through his bones. The hunter’s body was enveloped in a shimmering light, and in an instant, he was teleported away, his status shifting from hunter to prey.
Ludwig didn’t have time to dwell on the hunter’s sudden departure. The second lion, now free from the distraction of its fallen comrade, turned its glowing eyes toward him. Its stone jaws opened in a bone rattling roar, and Ludwig knew he had to move. He pushed himself up from the ground, his bones coiling as he prepared to sprint. His mind raced, piecing together the events that had just unfolded.
Professor Olim had mentioned that the labyrinth’s “events” were designed to benefit both hunters and prey. Ludwig had initially dismissed the idea, but now he saw the truth in it. The hunter had made the smartest choice possible: instead of risking a direct confrontation with Ludwig and the lion, he had gone for the easier target—the beacon hidden within the broken lion. It was a calculated move, one that Ludwig couldn’t help but respect, even if it had left him in a precarious position.
The stone lions, Ludwig realized, weren’t just obstacles; they were opportunities. Their strength made them nearly impossible to defeat alone, but their beacons offered a way for students to turn the tide in their favor. If the students had been willing to work together, they could have taken down the lions as a group, hunter and prey. Sharing the spoils and avoiding unnecessary conflict. But cooperation was a rare commodity in the Black Tower Academy. The students were too competitive, too distrustful of one another, to band together against a common enemy. It was easier—and more satisfying—to fight among themselves.
Ludwig’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps behind him. The second lion was closing in, its massive form barreling down the corridor with terrifying speed. Ludwig didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran, his mind already working on a new plan. The labyrinth was a maze of shifting walls and hidden traps, and if he could just stay one step ahead of the lion, he might be able to turn the situation to his advantage.
***
In the arena, the audience watched the events unfold with bated breath. The massive screen displayed Ludwig’s desperate escape, the stone lion hot on his heels. Professor Olim, standing beside Van Dijk and the other professors, couldn’t hide his satisfaction. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire
“It appears that your student has already grasped the underlying mechanics of the traps I set up,” Olim said, addressing Van Dijk while also informing the audience. His voice carried a hint of pride, as if he were a game master watching a player finally understand the rules of his game.
The audience was captivated. Most of them had stopped paying attention to the trials of the second and third years, which, while impressive, lacked the raw intensity and unpredictability of Ludwig’s ordeal. The second and third years were strong, yes, but their challenges were almost routine compared to the chaos unfolding in the labyrinth.
Van Dijk, ever the stoic mentor, nodded slightly at Olim’s comment. “It is the bare minimum,” he said, his tone measured. “Understanding the traps is one thing; using them to his advantage is another. So far, Ludwig has managed to maintain his status as prey, but I’m more interested in seeing how he would fare as a hunter.”
Vastion, one of the other professors, raised an eyebrow. “You think he’d perform better as a hunter?”
Cymoria, another professor, interjected before Van Dijk could respond. “I believe he would,” she said, her voice tinged with admiration. “Ludwig’s skill set is almost tailor-made for hunting. He has excellent gap-closing abilities, strong binding and rooting spells, and he’s already mastered Vow of Silence—a third-circle spell that most students struggle with for months. It’s remarkable to see someone so young wield such power with such precision.”
Van Dijk allowed himself a small, knowing smile. “You’d be even more impressed if you knew he mastered Vow of Silence in a single night.”