After briefly talking with Sonia, Arthur met back with Lucy and Fariya. The two women talked for a little while and, unlike before, the succubus was acting more reserved. Even her clothes were changed into more appropriate, less-revealing ones. She was standing behind Lucy, her whole demeanor radically changed and the smile that was constantly on her face was nowhere to be seen.

"Let's go back to the plateau. It's about time the 3rd Trial begins."

Arthur voiced no objection, he nodded his head and walked beside his wife. As for Fariya, she maintained a distance of five meters, keeping quiet and not even looking at the Parasite.

'What did you tell her?'

The husband telepathically talked to his wife, who inwardly snorted.

'Nothing that should concern you, my dear husband.'

The succubus looked unharmed but the sudden and big change in character made Arthur promise himself not to get involved with other women, no matter the circumstances. Fortunately, Lucy's jealousy and anger weren't directed at him, or else he'd have been shunned for a couple of days, if not weeks.

It didn't take long for the couple to reach the plateau, where the remaining 10 teams were getting ready for the next trial.

As he expected, Arthur and Lucy's team was successful in acquiring the required number and were able to safely pass the door without losing a single member.

Although 10 teams were qualified, there have been a few participants disqualified, like the three from the Dark Blaze Team. Surprisingly, however, the last member of the Dark Blaze Team was able to get the needed number and pass the door, thanks to nothing but sheer luck.

The two teams which lost were the Buddha Team and the Eternal Rouge Team. The latter is to be expected, as its members weren't particularly strong and barely garnered any attention. The Buddha Team, on the other hand, was a surprise to almost everyone, including Arthur and Lucy.

The team of bald young men, all wielding the same weapon and wearing the same outfit, were defeated by a joint attack of three other teams, including the MoonStar Team.

Even with their peculiar praying techniques and the golden beast they had summoned, the five young monks were defeated. They got cornered, their number stolen and forced to fight for a long while, till their very last breath.

This brought the remaining number of participants from 51 to 38. Three of the four members of the Dark Blaze Team were out, two from the nine mermaid team, and the rest were all the members of the Eternal Rouge Sect team and the Buddha Team.

"Welcome back!"

Isadore cheerfully greeted the couple, the usual bright smile on his lively face. Though, his gaze soon fell on the approaching succubus, becoming curious and surprised.

He may not be as knowledgeable about the couple as Sonia or those close to them, nonetheless, the fact that Lucy does not tolerate other women close to her husband is already known to many people.

In the end, the mortal King of Green-Leaf swallowed his curiosity and did not ask any unnecessary questions.

"Won't you go talk to your team? Perhaps they need some advice?"

"There is no need. They can manage." Answered Arthur while softly chuckling.

"Really? That reckless girl wielding a spear got seriously injured though. Would it not be better to pull her out of the competition? I doubt one night was enough for her to recuperate."

"..." The parasite offered no response, he kept smiling and looking at the remaining teams. The guardians of each team were having a serious talk with the youngsters, offering pointers and encouraging them.

The only person who stood alone, unperturbed by the unpleasantly loud and energetic crowd, was John, the sole member of the Ancient Federation team.

It's a shame that Arthur did not get to see him in action due to his clone's arrival, nonetheless, he was certain that the youth would pass the trial. Just one look at the results from the appraisal skills were enough for Arthur to know that the young man was an exceptional genius, leagues above his peers. Furthermore, John was the second youngest participant and though it's an unnecessary remark, Arthur had to admit that the boy was handsome, as pretty as an elf.

He had a slightly tanned skin, short brown hair, and a unique pair of golden-colored eyes. He had a simple attire, a black leather jerkin, and tight pants of the same color. Holstered in his waist were blade about half a meter in length, shallow appearance and emitting no aura whatsoever.

As per Arthur's calculations, it's either John, the Imoogi team, or the Holy Dominion Team, who will pose a threat to his team. The rest aren't weak, but they still fall short, making him confident that Ho Qing, Rosea, and the rest, can manage them.

..

"Ladies and gentlemen! It's finally time for the 3rd Trial! Esteemed guardians, please return to your seats."

The pigolo displayed an ugly grimace as he motioned for the teams to neatly group before him, which they immediately did. A barely noticeable distance separated every team, each one minding their business and readying themselves.

Gutcha gave a short, unremarkable speech to rile up the crowd even more, then he teleported the teams to where the next trial will be occurring.

The teleportation was instantaneous and the remaining 38 youths found themselves standing in an enormous arena, with a square-like shape made from cubic grey tiles, highly- resistant to Magic and practically impenetrable.

"For the third stage is called 'Boss Fight' and the goal is to try and defeat a randomly chosen monster. Even if you don't succeed in defeating the monster, do not worry, as the damage you've inflicted will be calculated. Each team will be given five minutes and a participant is knocked unconscious or gets seriously injured, he or she will be out. If the entirety of the team is out, it will be considered as a failure; immediate disqualification."

"It's a simple test. Keep in mind that killing the monster will be enough to qualify you for the next trial and give the maximum amount of points, which is 100. Good luck to all of you."

Gutcha enthusiastically clapped his hands, signaling the beginning of the trial. He fished out a wheel twice his size from the storage ring, put the large object before him and beckoned to the MoonStar Team.

"The order of the teams will be the opposite of the one in the first stage. Each team will spin the wheel and whatever the arrows points at will be the monster said team will face. Understood?"