An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

Immanuel raised his staff, and glowing orbs descended from the six pillars around Arthur. Each orb pulsed faintly with an inner light, projecting the first question.

Immanuel: "Let us begin. Answer wisely, young one."

The first orb shimmered, and a voice echoed within the vast void:

Riddle 1:

"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?"

Arthur furrowed his brows. The answer seemed oddly familiar, and after a moment's thought, he spoke confidently:

"An echo."

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The orb pulsed brightly before dissolving into golden light.

Immanuel: "Well done. Your intellect serves you well."

The second orb floated forward, glowing ominously.

Riddle 2:

"I'm always hungry, I must always be fed. The finger I touch will soon turn red. What am I?"

Arthur hesitated. "A beast?" he guessed.

The orb turned red, vibrating angrily, and Arthur felt a sharp jolt of energy leave his body.

Immanuel: "Incorrect. Be warned—if you fail two more times, this test will end."

Arthur clenched his fists, focusing harder. He thought deeply about the description and then his eyes lit up. "Fire!" he exclaimed.

This time, the orb glowed golden and dissolved.

Immanuel: "Correct. Proceed with caution, young one."

The third orb floated forward.

Riddle 3:

"I fly without wings, I cry without eyes. Whenever I go, darkness flies. What am I?"

Arthur scratched his head, his mind racing. "A storm?" he guessed.

The orb vibrated violently, sending another jolt through his body.

Immanuel: "Wrong again. One more mistake, and the test will end."

Arthur was in a dilemma. He had no idea about the answer. Panic set in, but just when he thought he was going to fail, he heard Sol's voice in his mind.

Sol: "The answer is cloud."

Arthur took a deep breath, choosing to trust her. "A cloud," he said.

The orb shimmered, its light turning golden before dissolving like the others.

Immanuel: "Correct. You had me worried for a moment. Perhaps you are wiser than you seem."

Arthur silently thanked Sol as her voice faded from his mind.

Immanuel: Immanuel: "Ok, let's move on to the next question. For your fourth challenge, solve this riddle:

I have cities, but no houses.

I have forests, but no trees.

I have rivers, but no water.

What am I?"

Arthur pondered the riddle, his mind racing through different possibilities. The clues didn't make immediate sense—cities, forests, rivers, but no actual life.

After a brief moment, he grinned, realizing the answer. "A map. A map has cities, forests, and rivers, but none of them are real."

The orb pulsed, and the riddle was solved.

Immanuel: "Well done. The answer lies in understanding the difference between representation and reality. You are progressing well."

Immanuel: "Ok, for the fifth question I won't be asking any riddle. I will test your emotional intellect. You will be given a scenario. And based on that, you will have to answer."

Scenario:

"A friend betrays you, but their reason was to save someone they love. What would you do?"

After thinking for a while, Arthur spoke, "It depends on the situation. I understand why they might have done it, but betrayal still leaves a scar. I would need time to process the hurt, but I would try to understand their choice and reconcile with them after I've had time to reflect."

Immanuel: "Good answer. You passed. You are only one step away."

Before Immanuel could proceed to the last test, Arthur raised his hand slightly, interrupting him. "Apologies for cutting in, but I'm curious. What's the correct answer to that question? I mean, I gave my perspective, but I'd like to know what the perfect answer would have been."

Immanuel chuckled softly, his expression both amused and approving. "There is no right or wrong answer to that question," he explained, his tone calm but firm. "Its purpose wasn't to test your knowledge, but your heart. If you had said you'd seek revenge without considering the other person's circumstances, then you might not be standing here now."

Arthur nodded in understanding.

"So can we move to the final round?" Immanuel said.

"Yes," Arthur replied.

"Ok, the final round is a little different." Immanuel said and snapped his fingers. The void around Arthur shifted. A grand labyrinth appeared, the walls formed of glowing blue runes, stretching endlessly in every direction. At the center of the labyrinth floated a key bathed in golden light.

Immanuel: "Your final test is one of logic and perseverance. This labyrinth is a puzzle. I call it The Labyrinth of Logic. Each turn, each door, is bound by logic and riddle. You must find the key and bring it back to me. Beware—time flows differently here. Fail to retrieve the key within the hour, and you will forfeit the test."

Arthur took a deep breath, his sharp mind already analyzing the maze. As he moved through the twisting corridors, he encountered shimmering doors, each marked with an inscription:

First Door: "Two brothers stand at the crossroads. One always lies, the other always tells the truth. Ask one question to determine the correct path."

Arthur smiled, recognizing the classic dilemma. He approached the figure standing at the door. "If I were to ask your brother which door leads to the key, what would he say?"

The figure gestured to the left path. Arthur nodded and took the right, moving further into the labyrinth.

Second Door: "I am the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. The beginning of every end, and the end of every place. What am I?"

Arthur thought hard, his mind racing. Then, it clicked. "The letter 'E.'"

The door dissolved, revealing a spiral staircase leading further into the maze.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Third Door: "To proceed, you must match the rhythm of the runes. Choose the sequence that aligns."

The floor lit up with patterns of runes, pulsing in different rhythms. Arthur knelt, watching carefully, and noticed a subtle recurring sequence: 1-3-2-4. He stepped on the runes in order, and the door unlocked with a melodic chime.

Finally, Arthur entered a vast chamber at the heart of the labyrinth. The golden key floated in the center, surrounded by a swirling barrier of energy.

Immanuel's Voice: "To claim the key, answer this final riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"

Arthur hesitated, racking his brain. The seconds ticked away, tension mounting. Then, it hit him. "Footsteps."

The barrier dissolved, and Arthur grasped the key. Instantly, the labyrinth vanished, and he found himself standing before Immanuel once more, the key in his hand.

After completing the final challenge, Immanuel smiled with satisfaction.

Immanuel: "You have passed all tests, Arthur. I now bestow upon you the skill, Linguist's gift. Use it wisely, and may it guide you toward greatness."

The golden light entered Arthur's mind, and he felt a surge of energy and clarity.

Immanuel: "And remember, this skill must not be used for evil."

Arthur nodded solemnly, assuring him of his intent. Immanuel's figure dissolved, leaving behind the ornate ring floating in the air.

Arthur grasped the ring, marveling at its craftsmanship, but before he could inspect it further, he was back in the library, holding the book.

The scene returned to normal, yet Arthur felt a profound change within himself. A small smile crept onto his face. "This is just the beginning," he murmured, slipping the ring into his pocket and walking out of the library.

Outside, darkness had already enveloped the academy grounds. Arthur glanced at the starry sky and exhaled softly. "Well, let's head back to the dormitory," he murmured, adjusting his steps toward his destination.

Meanwhile, not long after Arthur left, Alex entered the library. His movements were purposeful as he made his way to the same section where Arthur had been moments ago. After scanning the shelves for a while, his eyes lit up as he spotted the book Arthur had taken earlier.

An ecstatic grin spread across Alex's face as he eagerly pulled the book from the shelf. Flipping it open with anticipation, he waited for something—anything—to happen. Seconds passed. Then minutes. Yet, the book remained lifeless, its pages devoid of any response.

The grin on Alex's face disappeared, replaced by frustration and confusion. He flipped through the pages again and again, his movements growing frantic. Still, nothing changed.

"Did someone already take it?" Alex grumbled angrily under his breath.

In a burst of irritation, he hurled the book across the aisle. It struck other shelves, toppling several books with a loud crash that shattered the library's silence. The disruptive noise drew irritated stares from nearby students.

The librarian arrived swiftly, her expression stern as she surveyed the fallen books. "Dear student," she said sharply, "what is the meaning of this?"

Alex, now seething but unwilling to explain, forced a contrite tone. "Sorry, ma'am. I tripped over the shelves by accident," he lied, turning on his heel and storming out of the library without waiting for her response.

The librarian watched him leave, her brows furrowing. With a clap of her hands, the fallen books floated back to their places. She returned to her desk, already marking Alex in her mental list of troublemakers.

Outside the library, Alex paused to gather his thoughts. The cool night air helped temper his anger. He replayed the situation in his mind, his frustration shifting into suspicion.

"Did someone else get to the book before me by coincidence?" he muttered. "Or did someone already know about it?"

The latter thought made his chest tighten. His eyes narrowed in determination.

"If it's the former, I can let it go. But if it's the latter... they might know about other hidden opportunities too. I can't afford to take that risk."

Clenching his fists, Alex walked off, his mind already strategizing his next move.