With a steady hand, I reached out and touched the cups, feeling the coolness of the surface against my fingertips.
In that instance, a realization struck me. I had been overthinking, getting lost in the complexity of the choice. I recognized that sometimes, in the face of uncertainty, it's better to rely on intuition and embrace the unknown.
In a spontaneous burst of courage, I uttered, "Ah! What the heck! Thinking isn't my thing. My head hurts from all this pondering." Without further hesitation, I picked up both cups, lifting them to my lips simultaneously. Suddenly, the world around me began to shift and blur. Colours merged and shapes distorted until everything faded into darkness.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself back in the same room where I had initially woken up. I sat up, feeling disoriented and unsure of what had transpired. My surroundings looked familiar, yet there was a lingering sense of confusion. I rubbed my temples, hoping to alleviate the sharp pain that throbbed in my head. Gradually, the pain subsided, leaving me with a mix of relief and lingering questions. I looked around the room. "Did I pass the first test?" I pondered.
"Congratulations. You have passed the first test," a familiar voice resonated through the room. I turned towards the sound and saw Lady Nozomi opening the door, a smile on her face. The news of passing the first test filled me with a sense of relief and accomplishment. However, my joy was short-lived as Lady Nozomi continued speaking.
"However, there are 443 tests left. I hope you are ready," she said, her tone both encouraging and daunting. The realization of the long journey ahead weighed heavily on me. "443 tests," I mumbled, feeling a mixture of determination and trepidation.
Lady Nozomi nodded reassuringly and added, "Don't worry, you will make it. Take it one step at a time." Her words brought a glimmer of hope, and I felt a renewed sense of determination.
"Oh, I see. Thanks," I replied, trying to muster some confidence. Lady Nozomi chuckled softly, and my curiosity piqued. However, her next words shattered my fragile optimism.
"However, the chances of success are incredibly slim, only 0.00000001%," she revealed, causing my face to drain of colour in disbelief. Lady Nozomi continued, sharing a grim truth about the House of Aum. "Unlike other Masters who have many pupils, Master has none, as none of them have survived the tests. It's a rather sombre reality, isn't it?"
I swallowed nervously, the weight of the situation sinking in. Lady Nozomi's words echoed in my mind as she added, "Even if you manage to pass the tests, I wonder if you'll be able to endure the rigorous training."
"E-Eh...?!" My mind went blank, overwhelmed by the monumental challenges that lay ahead. Lady Nozomi, seemingly undisturbed by my reaction, offered a gentle smile. "Let's not worry about the training just yet. The tests come first. Let's give it our best, shall we?"
I mustered a feeble laugh, feeling drained by the weight of her words. The stress and anxiety took their toll, and I succumbed to unconsciousness, falling into a deep sleep. Lady Nozomi, observing my condition, placed her hand over her mouth in shock.
"Oh my. She fainted," she whispered softly. "Perhaps the lingering effects of the poison from the first test haven't fully subsided. It's best to let her rest." With care and concern, Lady Nozomi tucked me into bed and quietly left the room, leaving me to recuperate from the trials and uncertainties that awaited me.
I woke up again and found Lady Nozomi sitting by my bedside. "How are you feeling today? Any improvement?" She asked with a warm smile. Frustration and horror overwhelmed me, and I couldn't help but retort, "How do you think I'm feeling?" Lady Nozomi's cheerful response made me even more exasperated. "Just splendid!" she exclaimed. "As if!" I shouted. "My head is throbbing, my body aches all over, my tongue feels numb, and my throat is burning! And to top it off, I had a nightmare about the dismal 0.00000001% survival rate for this ridiculous test!" I vented until I was out of breath, staring at Lady Nozomi, hoping for a meaningful response.
To my surprise, Lady Nozomi remained calm in the face of my outburst. Her response was filled with understanding as she gently said, "I understand your concerns. Firstly, what you experienced wasn't a nightmare; it was the harsh reality of our situation. Secondly, judging by your outburst, you must be extremely hungry." With a reassuring smile, Lady Nozomi raised a plate filled with delicious-looking food and began to feed me, providing nourishment and comfort in that moment.
As Lady Nozomi fed me, my anger began to subside, replaced by a growing sense of clarity. With each bite, my mind felt sharper, and a feeling of embarrassment washed over me as I realized how hungry I must have been. Lady Nozomi couldn't help but giggle at my voracious appetite. "Wow! You managed to finish everything up! You certainly have a great appetite."
Feeling slightly sheepish, I apologized to Lady Nozomi for my outburst earlier. "I'm sorry, Lady Nozomi, for shouting at you like that." Her smile remained warm as she gently patted my head. "Oh, it's fine, dear. We all get a little grumpy when we're hungry."
A pang of guilt hit me as I realized the extent of my hunger. Lady Nozomi's words only deepened my remorse. "I wouldn't be surprised since you've been sleeping for a week without getting up," she said calmly. I was taken aback by her revelation. "A week?" I repeated, my eyes widening in disbelief. Lady Nozomi nodded, confirming what I had just heard.
Lady Nozomi's reassuring words didn't ease the growing sense of dread within me. "Oh, but don't worry about the test. Master already gave you permission to do your second test whenever you want," She said with a smile. Lady Nozomi's words sank in, and a sense of dread washed over me. "I totally forgot about the test..." I muttered, feeling a wave of guilt and disappointment in myself. How could I have let such an important task slip my mind? The weight of the situation began to settle in, urging me to gather my focus and prioritize the test ahead.
Lady Nozomi's sudden clapping startled me, but her actions were filled with care and concern. "But, for now..." She guided me to lie down on the soft futon and gently patted me to sleep. Her soothing voice reassured me, "You should rest some more. When you feel completely ready, I will prepare the second test for you. There's no need to rush, as it's important for your body to be well-prepared for the next test."
With a nod of acknowledgement, I closed my eyes, fully surrendering myself to the embrace of the tranquil environment. The stillness of the room seemed to wrap around me like a warm blanket, cocooning me in a sense of peace. The gentle hum of silence, interrupted only by the faint sounds of nature outside, created a soothing lullaby that gently lulled me into a state of deep relaxation.
As I woke up, my eyes slowly adjusted to the soft light filtering into the room. I let out a contented sigh, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a restful sleep. Sitting up, I took a moment to stretch my body, feeling the pleasant sensation of my muscles loosening.
Gazing around the room, I contemplated the daunting number that Lady Nozomi had mentioned earlier. "443 tests left. How long will it take to complete?" I pondered, my mind filled with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
As fear threatened to consume me, I recalled the abysmal 0.00000001% survival rate that had been mentioned earlier, intensifying my apprehension. Trembling with anxiety, I gazed at my shaking hands, feeling the weight of doubt press upon my shoulders.
Suddenly, a surge of determination coursed through me, overriding my fear. With a swift motion, I slapped my cheeks, feeling the sting of pain as my cheeks reddened. Gritting my teeth, I mustered the courage to challenge my negative thoughts. "I passed the first test," I declared, my voice filled with defiance. "Let's stop dwelling on negative thoughts. The worst is yet to come, but I won't let it break me."
I clenched my fist tightly, raising it high in the air as if to symbolize my unwavering resolve. "JUST YOU WAIT! I will trample on every challenge thrown at me. Nothing can stop me!" The echo of my words reverberated throughout the house of Aum, and unbeknownst to me, they reached the ears of Master Sil and Lady Nozomi, who were in another room.
Lady Nozomi's giggle filled the air, expressing her amusement at my spirited declaration. "It seems like young lady Llyne is doing alright," she remarked, her voice laced with amusement and a hint of admiration for my determination. Meanwhile, Master Sil, with a serene expression, closed her eyes and smiled lightly. "Yes, she is," she affirmed, her voice filled with quiet confidence, reflecting her belief in my abilities and resilience.