Many injured participants received healing packs from Jasht. The bags contained a wet-slimy pill of some material.

I grabbed my bag and opened it, holding the brown coin-sized pill. I cupped the drug and brought it to my mouth, swallowing the slime pill. The pain in my head eased, but a tingling sensation was still present.

The pill wasn't intended to help the pain go away but to make it more bearable.

Ash remained silent, standing in the same place where he was released — the side of the wall. He was as shocked as I was; we couldn't even meet, eye to eye...

The swords and broken throne crumbled into dust. The dust swirled around on the ground, drifting to the middle of the room and settling onto the ground.

"Round three is now underway," Jasht said with a fake smile.

I turned my head to the middle of the room, where the ground shook and cracked.

From the bottom of the ground, a large stone tablet emerged. The stone tablet was inscribed with engravings, but that was not the most surprising fact. The engravings moved around the large stone, steadily turning around the whole stone.

"This round, your objective is not to fight each other but to eliminate me!" Jasht exclaimed, but he calmed himself down and continued talking as he looked around the room. "The rules depend on a random factor. Let's call that factor... chance. There are hundreds of match types, and the tablet of slipshod will decide that match type."

Almost like a car engine, the engraved tablet reverberated from the interior. The sound revved up five times and ceased, but the sound returned even louder, generating a deafening sound that split the stone. Engravings stopped moving around the broken tablet and a red liquid trickled out of the middle. The dark red liquid covered the tablet, and soon the liquid poured onto the floor and spread throughout the room. Everything was submerged in the liquid, including the people.

It happened so fast that even Jasht seemed surprised. Some people tried pulling the liquid off them, but it was useless. Standing still, I closed my eyes and let the pulsating substance engulf me.

Even my abrupt thoughts were silenced as the surrounding noise ceased. However, the total calm suddenly broke as a glare pierced my eyes, forcing me to open them. I opened my eyes to the room where I first arrived, but there was a slight difference.

The hole — once a reservoir — was covered by glass flooring, and I could see the bottom of the empty hole.

I was standing on the glass floor, and so were six others. Five of the individuals were participants, while the last was Jasht.

Everyone on the glass floor was in a circle, and in the middle of the area was a lottery machine — a gravity pick machine.

"We will play a game called the luck of the draw," Jasht said into his microphone. "The rules of the round are simple. Your objective is to eliminate me. And no, you cannot concede this round."

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on Jasht's chest. He wore a patch of fabric on his chest, and so did everyone else.

Furrowing my brow, I blinked and looked around. The silence of the room made me suspicious. Turning my head, I tried seeing if Allura or Ash were in the room, and they weren't. No one was there.

"The machine in front of you can draw a ball with a number on it. That number will decide your fate," Jasht said, nodding as he read off his notebook.

'When did he take that out?'

"Whoever steps off the glass base will be eliminated," Jasht said, nodding and adding. "The round now begins!"

The numbered balls in the lottery machine began spinning. But the most curious fact was the glass floor. A red liquid flowed inside the glass floor, moving toward everyone's bottom. The liquid flowed from under the lottery machine to each participant.

Almost like I was forced, I started walking forward. I couldn't control myself, and neither could the other participants. The red liquid inside the glass forced me to follow it.

We all stood in a circle, pressing our hands against the lottery machine. The machine continued stirring the balls inside it.

Jasht pointed to his chest at a white circular patch of fabric with a black embroidered number on it — number one. "Our turns will proceed clockwise, and as you all can see, I am first."

The balls stopped spinning, and one ball bounced out of the machine. The ball bounced up and down, shaking the floor. Inside the dense glass near the lottery machine, the red liquid formed the number three.

The ball bounced into Jasht's hand, the number three written over it. The ball furiously spun on Jasht's hand, but it stopped and bounced back into the lottery machine.

"Number five, take four steps back," Jasht said.

To my left, the male human took four steps back. His facial veins popped out, showing he was trying to not walk, but he was forced to.

Whatever that liquid under us was, it was controlling us.

Forcing all my power, I looked down at my number. I was number seven, meaning I was last.

The lottery machine spun again, the balls fiercely rotating.

"Why such a lifeless mood?" Jasht asked, mocking us and glaring down at the floor.

The ball bounced up and down, and the liquid in the ground formed into number one. The ball bounced into the hands of the individual next to Jasht.

The ball bounced back into the lottery machine, and the female elf — who wore the number two — stared at Jasht and then at us. She nodded her head as her eyes showed confidence. "We need to ensure board member Jasht falls off the platform."

"Tell the machine to make board member Jasht take twenty steps back. That might do it!" Participant number three said.

"That's not a wise idea," Jasht said, laughing as he tried to speak more, but he was cut off.

Participant number two pointed at Jasht and said, "Take twenty steps back."

The liquid swirled around, forming a circle and moving around participant two.

Her eyes grew dreadful as they widened. She tried to resist, but her efforts were fruitless. All she could do was shake in fear, walking backward. She took twenty steps, walking off the glass base and falling to the rusted floor as she fainted.

"Don't say I didn't try warning you all," Jasht said, smiling. He suppressed his laugh, shrugging and shaking his head. "I tried to explain to all you fools... Numbers dictate your fortune."

After bouncing on the ground, the ball reached participant three. The male participant's hand shook as he grabbed the ball and glanced at it. The liquid in the glass made the number six.

"Weren't you the one who suggested such a reckless move?" Jasht asked, snickering as he smiled.

Participant five said, "Tell him to take a step back. The number probably correlates with luck. Board member Jasht did say it was all about the luck of the draw."

'Could higher numbers mean better luck?'

"Take a step back!"

Everyone became quiet, and only one noise could be heard — a step.

Jasht took a step back. He seemed unamused but exploded hysterically. "At this pace, the culling game will be over before you all finish!"

The ball bounced into the hands of participant four. The liquid formed into the number ten.

Everyone remained silent, diligently watching participant four.

Participant four smiled with his chin up, glancing at Jasht. "Board member Jasht, take ten steps back!"

The liquid circled around participant four. He took twenty steps back, falling off the glass base. He fainted as soon as he stepped off the base.

"How?" Participant three questioned, looking at Jasht as his face trembled.

"Even luck can't save a fool from low probabilities," Jasht said.

The lottery machine released a ball, which bounced into the hand of participant fives. The number presented was eight.

"The higher our number, the higher our luck, but I think the higher the steps, the higher the risk." Participant five said.

"No shit, sherlock," I muttered.

"What?"

"We can win. Just play it safe! I don't see a logical pattern with the numbers and steps, so let's play it safe. We outnumber him."

Participant five nodded as he looked at me, then at Jasht. "Board member Jasht, please take a step back."

My eyes widened, watching the red liquid flow under participant five as he was forced to step back.

The confusion silenced the room, but I broke it, narrowing my gaze on Jasht. "How?!"

"It's so simple." Jasht rubbed his chin. "The odds weren't in his favor!"

The liquid was manipulated to become number one. Participant number six grabbed her ball, tears falling down her cheek. "I give up."

Opening my mouth, I stayed silent. I held my arms out as a ball bounced into my hands. The rubber ball had the number five written on it.

"Jasht, take a step back," I said, dropping the ball.

The red liquid swirled on the floor, flowing to Jasht. Jasht took a step back.

"Well done," Jasht said, his eyes stern. "However, now it is my turn."

Jasht reached out for the bouncing ball, grabbing it with all his force. The floor displayed number one.

"Participant five, step off the glass base," Jasht said, squeezing the ball, but he stopped and rolled it to the lottery machine.

The liquid swirled to participant five. He was forced off the glass and fainted.

"Surely, you all could do better," Jasht said, aligning his mohawk with his hands.

The ball fell into participant three. His eyes fixated on the ball as he trembled. Almost crying, the boy yelled, "I don't! I don't want to do the turn!"

The ball bounced out of his hands back into the lottery machine. The liquid in the glass stirred in a circle, but it stopped. Nothing happened...

A ball bounced into my hands. I stood there, blinking in confusion. Looking at the ball, I saw the number nine.

"Skip my turn?" I asked, tilting my head and staring at the flowing liquid. Much like the last time, the liquid didn't force anyone back.

Jasht put on a tight-lipped smile, allowing the ball to fall into his hands. The liquid turned into the number nine. Jasht sighed, tapping his foot on the floor. "Participants three and seven, take ten steps back."

The liquid flowed under participant three and me. We both were forced ten steps back.

Participant three was about to cry, but I yelled, "Don't worry!"

His nose wrinkled, and his eyes grew teary.

"We can still win."

"H-h-h-how," the boy said, stuttering. "I don't want to do this anymore!"

Rather than paying attention to us, Jasht aligned his hair.

I held my arm out with my palm forward. "I think we can ask the machine for anything, but the number dictates if it occurs or not."

"So I can just order the machine to make me win?" The boy's lips tugged upwards as his eyes brightened.

"Maybe," I said, watching as the ball bounced towards him. I shook my head. "It's too risky to say, so don't!"

The boy squinted his eyes, his face trembling. "You're saying that so I don't win!"

"No, no, no," I said, shaking my hand. "It's because it might be too risky!"

The boy ignored me and grabbed the ball. He smiled and shouted. "Make me win!" The liquid formed the number ten.

The glass morphed into a liquid property, waving back and forth. The water-like glass increased in wave size, flowing toward the boy. He was launched into the air, off of the glass base.

"Is he okay?" I asked, trying to avoid looking at the boy.

"Maybe," Jasht said, smirking.

I paced my breaths. I couldn't lose focus now, even if Jasht and I were the only ones left. There had to be a way to win. Surely there had to...

'The rules are simple. Eliminate Jasht without conceding. Those are the rules of the game, but how do I do that before I lose?' I thought, biting my lip. 'A game where I can do whatever, but it depends on my luck. I can't ask for anything too grand, or it will backfire. The numbers probably represent luck, but I don't know... I don't know-'

"Come on now, the answer is not that difficult," Jasht said, startling me.

I tried ignoring him, but he continued talking. My concentration broke, and I couldn't help but listen to him.

"Now, would you like to bet?" Jasht asked, placing his hand on his face as he laughed. He put his arms at his sides and looked at me. "I might even reveal how to win."

"So there is a way to win," I said, ignoring Jasht as I grabbed the bouncing ball. The ball had the number one. "Take me ten steps forward!"

"That's how it's going to be," Jasht said, rolling his eyes. "So be it. Enjoy elimination."

The liquid in the floor's interior swirled around me. I took in a deep breath, forced to take ten steps forward.

"Ah, it seems the machine is switching into overdrive," Jasht said, growing a smirk.

The lottery machine spun the balls faster and faster. The sheer speed of the balls bobbed the machine, almost appearing it would break.

Two balls came out of the machine. One bounced to me and the other to Jasht.

"The one who has more luck will decide what happens," Jasht said, grabbing his ball.

I grabbed my ball.

Under me, the number seven was constructed from the liquid, while under Jasht, the number four was formed.

"Take ten steps back," he yelled.

"Take five steps back!"

I was forced to take ten steps back, but Jasht took five steps back.

Two more balls came out. We both grabbed our own ball. My number was ten, and Jasht had five.

"Step back ten times."

"Three times," Jasht said.

Nothing happened to me, so I opened my eyes. Jasht took ten steps back, but it didn't stop there. Jasht took another three.

Two more balls bounced out, coming towards us.

'Why is he so calm?' I gulped, focusing on the ball bounce.

I grabbed my ball — number two — and yelled, "Four steps forward!"

Jasht grabbed his ball — number one. "Allow me to stand still."

The liquid made me move backward while Jasht remained in the same spot.

"Are you ready to bet?" Jasht asked.

I looked down at my feet and then at Jasht. My lips felt sealed, but I forced all my power into talking, "What is it?"

"If you lose the tournament, you leave this academy. If you win the tournament, then we will never speak of this day." Jasht narrowed his eyes, grabbing his ball. "If you agree to the bet, I'll let you win this match."

Clenching my teeth, I breathed through my nose. "Why?"

"I rather not dwell with rats. No matter what, I'll make sure you fail." He leaned forward, placing his hand in the air. He gripped his hand, frowning in anger.

"All because I was a non-mage?" I asked. "What if I don't keep my end of the deal? I could easily-"

An aura of magic filled the room when he cut me off. There were strings of magic emanating from him.

I forced my mouth shut, placing my hand over it.

"Your two options are that you obey the wager, or I'll slaughter you in front of everyone."

"I'll accept your wager," I said, looking up at the ceiling and gritting my teeth. "So, how do I win?"

"The goal is to eliminate me without making concessions. However, it is impossible to eliminate me," Jasht said, his magic aura increasing in intensity. "Ask the machine to start a new game, then concede. Since you are in a brand-new game, you can concede."

The ball bounced towards us. I grabbed it and yelled, "New game!"

Jasht eyed me in disgust and said, "Allow me to stand still."

We both moved forward and stood near the lottery machine.

"Say it now, before your time ends," Jash said, frowning as he glared down at me.

"I concede," I said. My armband shook, and the word concession was displayed on it.

We were forced off the glass base. The glass base cracked; the lottery machine fell into the hole.

I stood next to Jasht; we didn't speak. He pointed to the exit.

Without thinking twice, I ran out of the room. But as I ran out of the room, a few student board members bumped into me.

Two of them passed me while the last asked, "Do you need any assistance?"

"No," I said, rubbing my head. She walked past me, but I stopped her and asked, "Do you know where the other participants are?"

"Oh, they were outside at the information table," she said, waving at me and entering the room.

Exiting the building, I looked around, but Ash and Allura weren't there. Nor were any other participants. Only one individual was at the information table.

I hovered around the table, looking at the student board member. "Do you know where group one's participants are?"

"Huh?" the Elven boy furrowed his brow.

"Oh yeah," I said, placing my hand on my forehead. "I probably need to be specific about which division they are."

The Elven boy shook his head, tilting his head. "All of group one is already finished. You should have left with them."

"What?"

"Unless you left early, which a few participants did," he added, scrolling through his tamablicet. "What faction are you from?"

"Sixty-Eight."

"Are you Wryn Radcliffe?"

"I am."

"You should have left already..."

"I should have left already?" I asked, scratching my head. "What do you mean?"

"Board member Jasht released the winners long ago," he said, looking up at me. "Around an hour ago, he informed us that faction sixty-eight passed."

"So you're telling me..." I said, pausing and looking at the floor, then at him. "My faction passed the round an hour ago?!"

"Yes?" He asked, doubting himself, but he shook his head. "You clearly need some rest. Go get some."

I nodded my head, walking away. 'Did Jasht plan for my group to win?'

My confusion was immense, but so was my exhaustion. The pill I took was causing me nausea. I could barely think.

I wasn't sure what Jasht was planning, but I didn't want to find out. Using all my brainpower, I came up with the plan to inform Headmaster Vafaren about the situation.

Once I returned to my home, I couldn't help but sleep. Once I sank into my fluffy yet cold bed, I fell into a deep sleep.

The next round of the culling game began in a few days, but for the time being, I needed my rest.