It wasn't random. The trial had its own selection process. Those who couldn't comprehend the fourth level concept of flame in the first trial were removed early. They never even got a chance to move forward. Then, in the second part, those who failed to comprehend the concept of ice—even at the most basic level—were expelled as well.

That explained everything.

Seraphina was a perfect example. Her flames were impressive, and her understanding of the fire element was at 4th level, but she had absolutely no affinity for ice. The trial must have sensed that and removed her automatically.

Max gave a small nod to himself, the pieces falling into place. "So that's how it works," he said quietly.

Victor raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"The trial wasn't about strength alone," Max replied. "It's about balance. It seems the Valley chooses only those who can maintain harmony between fire and ice. Those who can't comprehend both sides are eliminated automatically."

Seraphina's lips tightened slightly, though she didn't speak. She crossed her arms and looked away, clearly frustrated.

Max studied her for a moment and smiled faintly. "Don't take it too seriously. The trial was built for people with equal mastery of two opposite elements. That alone makes it one of the most difficult trials in the domain."

Her expression softened at his words, though she didn't reply.

Victor let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right about that. I couldn't even reach the third level of flame comprehension before the trial threw me out. I guess my Azure Dragon Bloodline doesn't help much here."

Max chuckled lightly. "You did better than most. At least you made it to the first part of the trial."

Victor smiled back, though there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Yeah, maybe. But you—" He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze turning curious. "You don't seem frustrated at all. Did something happen in there?"

Max's expression remained calm. "I managed to comprehend what I needed to."

Victor looked surprised, then slowly grinned. "Don't tell me you actually reached the fourth level of ice concept?"

Max didn't answer directly, only smiled. "Let's just say… I didn't leave empty-handed."

Victor's eyes widened slightly, his expression caught between disbelief and admiration. He laughed softly after a moment. "Unbelievable. Every time I think I've caught up to you, you pull ahead again."

Seraphina gave Max a curious look but said nothing.

But even as Max stood there with Victor and Seraphina, one question continued to linger in his mind. It was something he could not shake off no matter how much he tried to reason it through.

Why was he thrown out when he had already comprehended the fourth level concepts of both flames and ice, and had even achieved perfect balance between them?

He had done everything that the trial was designed for. He had unified two opposing elements that naturally rejected each other. He had forged a new physique, the Yin Yang Physique, which symbolized harmony itself. By all logic, he should have been the one chosen to proceed to the third part of the trial.

Yet, the trial had cast him out as if he had failed.

He folded his arms and looked toward the horizon, the two halves of the valley still burning and freezing side by side. The red glow of the flame region shimmered with heat, while the icy mist of the frozen side spread faintly through the air.

His mind replayed the final moments before he was expelled—the moment the White Lotus Essence Ice had merged with him, the balance he had achieved, and the sudden force that had pulled him away immediately afterward. It had not been rejection. It had felt deliberate, as if the trial itself had made a decision.

Seraphina's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Chris and Christine are the only ones not out yet," she said, her tone carrying a faint edge of jealousy. "It seems they're taking part in the final stage of the trial now."

Max turned toward her slowly, his expression calm but curious. "Chris and Christine?" he repeated softly.

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. I saw it before I was forced out. The twin stars of Acaris. The trial recognized them both at the same time and opened a special gate for them in the second trial. After that, they disappeared. No one else was allowed to enter."

A small look of realization crossed Max's face. "I see. So that's how it is." He paused for a moment, his gaze lowering slightly. "Good for them."

Now he understood why he hadn't been allowed to go further. The trial was not simply searching for individuals who could master both flame and ice—it was looking for those who could unite them in a different way.

Chris and Christine were twin siblings, born under the same celestial energy yet carrying two opposite elemental physiques—Flame Spirit Physique and Ice Spirit Physique.

They were perfect opposites, yet naturally connected by blood and soul. The unity between them was something even greater than what a single person could achieve. The trial must have seen in them the ideal representation of the harmony between opposing forces—the same harmony that Max had accomplished within himself, but reflected externally in two bodies.

He exhaled softly, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "So, that's why," he said under his breath.

Even though a part of him wondered why he wasn't chosen despite proving his mastery, he could not bring himself to feel angry or bitter. Instead, he felt an odd sense of pride. Chris and Christine were not strangers.

They were his people—geniuses from Acaris, the same world he had come from. If they succeeded in claiming the inheritance, it would strengthen their home world immensely.

He nodded slightly to himself, his voice quiet but firm. "It's fine. If the trial chose them. They are worthy enough."

Victor looked at him curiously. "You don't seem disappointed."

Max shook his head. "No. I gained what I came for. They're more than enough. I don't need the inheritance." He paused, his eyes narrowing faintly. "Besides, if Chris and Christine are the ones who receive it, it's still our victory. The inheritance won't leave our world's hands."

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