Winslow looked at Alex's expression and broke out a cold sweat.
'No. I'm just overthinking things. Besides, I doubt he's that petty, right?'
Winslow wondered as he observed the knowing smile on Alex's face. And from and he could infer, Alex was probably teasing him to make him nervous.
'Probably.'
He hoped.
"Are you guys the only ones here?"
Winslow inquired looking around the large hall. His only option to dispel the rising awkwardness was to change the subject.
"Yeah, it looks like this space is for the gathering of those who pass the lower floor trials. I'm guessing the path ahead will be revealed once everyone arrives."
Alex explained quickly picking up on what the boy was doing. But he didn't mind as there was no point in making a mountain out of a minor issue.
"And how long do you think that would take?"
"Who knows? I've been here for hours already. Ross only joined me a few minutes ago followed by you."
"I see…"
Winslow placed a hand on his chin as he thought about what that meant for them.
'Most likely, the next challenge would have something to do with working with the others or it could simply be the tower just waiting to bring the next trial to us.'
"I'm taking a look around," He stated while focusing on Alex. His eyes shifted to Ross whose attention was somewhere else entirely, not having bothered to even say anything to Winslow.
"Of course, you're free to do as you please."
"Mm,"
With a nod, he walked away from the duo. The space they found themselves in was very expansive and if there was to be a fight or anything of the sort, it was best to look for good spots to take cover.
The large stone columns holding up the ceiling that was unseen even by their enhanced senses gave the space an ancient feel. As Winslow went about his business, Alex and Ross watched him for a bit before turning to face each other.
"I'm surprised he is the person to appear next. Maybe his trials were not all that challenging?"
Ross couldn't see how Winslow could be the next person to appear when there were students like Zen and their other classmates. Of course, it wasn't to say he was looking down on him, but you get the point.
"Not really. I mean I only took one trial and ended up being the first to appear here. Maybe he had something similar or found a shortcut.
If I had taken a different trial that required me to climb the floors in a similar fashion as you did till the emotions trial, I might not have been the first. Anything is possible, so it isn't all that shocking."
Alex shrugged as he gave his insights.
"I guess so…"
Ross pondered about the issue for a bit more.
'I guess I haven't really been humbled enough. Even a simple hello was not extended to him.'
"Hah…"
He sighed loudly and rubbed his forehead.
Looking at his actions, Alex could pretty much understand what was going through his mind.
"Don't sweat the small stuff."
"Yeah, I know."
Ross and Alex continued to make small talk about everything as the time ticked. Along with the ticking time. Many students had been able to arrive here.
Now number of students present in the resting area was a little over 2000, then the rate at which more students appeared reduced until no one else appeared for over 30 minutes.
Standing beside Alex and Ross were Zen, his friends and a few other classmates who had been able to make it.
The atmosphere in the space was a little gloomy as some students mourned the loss of their friends, while others shook their heads in pity. Then there were those who were injured from their encounters and could only sit leaning on the pillars for support.
Alex watched as they were tended to by their friends who knew them and cared enough to help. His expression turned serious as he looked at his mates.
"Haa… It's unfortunate some of us didn't make it. However, we are not out of the woods yet. There would be time to honour them, right now focus on your survival."
Alex took charge as he advised his classmates who were around him. His firm eyes moved from one person to the next as they replied to his words with resolute nods.
"Good. Now-"
Before he could continue his words, the space trembled slightly prompting the students to get on guard. Their eyes darted around trying to see if any construct was the cause of the tremble but spotted nothing.
A few seconds later, the rumbling died down and the space turned silent, no one daring to say anything until they were sure everything was in order.
Alex looked in the direction where he spotted to portal earlier and just as he thought, the portal began to glow brighter as it drew the attention of everyone over.
The portal soon became bright enough to light up the large hall. A few students swallowed nervously as they recalled the kind of things they faced to reach this point. Their hearts trembled at the thought of whatever they would be facing being the last thing they'd ever see.
Then, without warning students watched as bright pillars of blur-white light fell from above and beamed them away.
"Shit! It's going to be an ind-"
One student exclaimed but before he could complete his words, the beam fell on him and he was taken away as well.
There was a bit of commotion as some tried to evade the beams but to no avail. Alex watched calmly as more and more participants disappeared.
He turned to look over at his friend and noticed he was looking at him. The two exchanged nods without any words. Shortly after, the beam arrived before their group.
'See you on the other side…'
He closed his eyes as he felt the warm light of the beam fall on him before he too disappeared.
A minute later, the large space returned to its tranquil state as if no one was ever there. Even the mess created by the participants disappeared along with them.