My physics masters couldn't possibly be grand mages.

Viktor struggled desperately, his expression slightly distorted, but Char's runes were more numerous, resulting in greater physical enhancements, and with this reverse joint lock, he couldn't break free at all.

The intense pain made him groan. But he gritted his teeth and swallowed back the scream that rose in his throat.

"Char." His voice was low, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor. "I think... there's a misunderstanding here."

"Who can control the Forbidden Magic Domain besides you Vilvia family members?" Sylvia strode up to Victor.

Char took out a flashlight from his storage space and shone it into the unseen shadows.

There was a pile of skeletons draped in magic robes, some lying on the ground, trying to crawl towards the exit, while others knelt before the female statue in the middle.

They have the Vilvia family crest on their chests, so they should all be Viktor's relatives.

"You bypassed the Tower of Truth's surveillance to come to this place? Don't tell me you just wanted to do a pilgrimage here?"

Viktor took a deep breath and said, "A little over a month ago, Professor Meredith approached an elder in my family to inquire about specific information regarding the Eye of the Abyss, mainly concerning the Anti-Magic Domain, and hoped that I could expand the scope of the Anti-Magic Domain during the exam."

"Why?" Sylvia frowned. "To increase the difficulty of the exam? Aren't they afraid people will die?"

"Meredides explored every corner of the Abyss Eye more than a month ago," Victor said. "The anti-magic-suppressing spell was already etched into his mind. Do you really think an anti-magic-suppressing domain can prevent short-distance teleportation?"

"I've tried it." Sylvia picked up the signal flare whose ring had already been pulled.

Victor sneered, looking at her with disdain. "Why activate the teleportation and the magic-suppressing domain if you can do it yourself? Isn't it just to let these students unleash their true potential when facing the threat of death?"

"Look, are those two people who were just blown away still there?"

Xia realized what was happening and shone his flashlight on the spot where the two people had just fallen—their bodies had vanished.

Therefore, although it cannot be activated actively, it can be activated when the person is dying or incapacitated.

In fact, the fact that Char's Hydrogen Ball can be used proves that "pre-made food" is unaffected.

These short-range teleportation arrays also seem to be "pre-made dishes".

Char snapped out of his daze. "Making such a big fuss can't just be a test for the students, can it?"

"Of course." Viktor turned his head with difficulty, glancing at Xia out of the corner of his eye. "And just how much does your teacher actually amount to?"

Char remained silent.

Victor looked at Sylvia, "Since you can recognize that door, you should know that the seal on it was set by the Magic King. How could we, at the second tier where we can't even use magic, possibly break such a seal?"

"Then what are you doing here?" Sylvia pressed.

Viktor looked at the skeletons that Char had just shone his flashlight on, a hint of sadness in his eyes, his voice low and hoarse.

"Come collect the body..."

The empty area fell silent for a moment. Victor continued.

"My ancestors did do some wrong things and broke taboos that they shouldn't have broken, but they have been punished."

I have to take them back to where they belong..."

Char fell silent; Viktor's version was one of the possibilities he had guessed.

This also reasonably explains the question Sylvia asked earlier.

Why would Meredith go to such lengths for the Vivia family?

After all, even if everything could be attributed to Einstein, the reputation of the Tower of Truth would still be affected.

The short-range teleportation array can still be used, and the students' lives are still guaranteed. This entire trial, besides testing the students, is also a test of Einstein.

—This explanation is reasonable.

But... Char felt that something was off about a few things.

"Can you let go now?" Viktor asked in a low voice. "Attacks on other examinees are not allowed in this exam. If you still want a good grade, let go, and I can pretend this never happened."

Char didn't speak, but just watched him quietly. Einstein had already explained the rules before he came, so he was aware of them.

He remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, before finally Xia Ya released his grip.

Victor got up from the ground and dusted himself off. He didn't wipe the blood from his face, nor did he say anything more.

They simply walked towards the skeletons, because the woman's statue was in front of the skeletons, so it looked as if they were walking towards the statue.

Step by step.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment, because Char's brain was thinking at lightning speed.

He still had some unresolved questions.

For example... do the people of the Tower of Truth really think that the Vilvia family will truthfully tell them everything about the Abyss Eye?

If this door could make Sylvia lose her composure like this, then it must be someone important.

The deaths of the Vilvia family members here also prove this point.

The Tower of Truth isn't much stronger than the Golden Family. Are they really that confident they can handle this level of trouble?

What if a student accidentally wanders in and touches something that causes the seal to malfunction?

This is still not the best place for trials.

So... why choose this place?

Viktor's steps were light, but each step felt like it was treading on Char's nerves.

Dark red light seeped through the crack in the door, casting his shadow long, long enough to reach Xia's feet.

Char stared at the shadow.

The fragmented, mismatched pieces in my mind are rapidly piecing themselves together.

"Does Meredith know this place exists?"

Viktor paused, turned around, and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"What?"

"Or rather, does the Tower of Truth know of this place's existence?"

The empty space was quiet for a while.

"Meredis has already explored the entire mine," Victor said, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Have they found this place yet?" Xia asked.

Viktor slightly raised his head, the dim red light casting shadows on his profile, flickering and obscuring his emotions.

"You'll have to ask Meredith about that."

Char stared silently at Viktor, his expression unchanged, as Viktor returned Char's gaze.

Suddenly, Xia smiled, a very happy smile.

"Do you know what the best way is to keep someone from realizing they're in a conspiracy?"

Before Viktor could answer, he continued.

"It's about getting him involved in this conspiracy..."

Viktor paused for a moment, but then his expression gradually turned serious.