Alicia noticed the glyph light up a little when she touched the crystal wall over it. This was definitely important. The witch continued to examine the walls around the door to see if she could find any more of the glyphs. And her search paid off. One after another, incomplete glyphs made their presence known. Even if for just a brief moment.
Alicia’s eyes widened with an excited look in them. The witch was geeking out over how fun this test was. But also, now the pieces of the solution were starting to fall into place.
The first glyph lit up when the light of the crystal hit it. So if they could get the crystal’s light to hit all the other glyphs, something good must happen.

As she turned towards the crystal, she noticed Sa’saori was trying to pull it down. "You figured something out to control it? here let me help" Alicia walked over to the half elf "I will pull it down with gravity. you do any additional correction to its trajectory so the light will hit those spots on the wall" she explained, pointing to the places the witch found the incomplete glyphs on the wall. "Let’s do this!" Alicia held out her hand towards the crystal. Her eyes lit up slightly as Alicia concentrated on her magic and the crystal. "_{Gravity… heed.. my.. call}" she spoke under her breath as she cast [Gravity pull] on the crystal, pulling it down to the level Sa’saori was trying to get and where allowed to guide the crystal’s light to hit the runes.

The Hall of Refractions yielded at last.

As Sa’Saori moved to correct the crystal’s position and Alicia’s gravity magic took hold, the great prism answered with a long, resonant hum. It dipped just enough, settling into the lower line glimpsed within the false mirror, and at once the wandering beams drew into order. Light lanced outward in clean, deliberate paths, striking one hidden sigil after another along the wall beside the sealed archway. Each glyph flared to life in turn, silver first, then violet, then a pale blue-white that spread through the crystal plates like veins of moonlight.

For a brief moment the entire chamber shone. The mirrors around the room caught the completed pattern and reflected it back upon itself until the whole hall seemed wrapped in a single luminous design. Then came a clear chime, far softer than any alarm, and the interlocking plates of the sealed door folded inward with smooth, soundless grace.

Beyond lay a narrower passage of translucent crystal, its floor suspended over the same quiet void as before. The calm of the first room lingered only until the group crossed the threshold.

The next chamber was broader, circular again, but built for a different lesson. The floor was divided into raised rings and shallow channels of light, giving it the look of an arcane dueling floor. Four humanoid constructs stood motionless around the arena, each formed of pale lacquered metal and etched with geometric runes. They were slender rather than bulky, shaped like disciplined practice guardians rather than soldiers.

The moment the Magenta group entered, the runes along their bodies ignited.

Heads lifted in perfect unison. Limbs unlocked with crisp mechanical clicks. One by one, the constructs turned toward the new arrivals, and the chamber’s light dimmed just enough to make the arena feel smaller than it was.

Alicia and Sa’saori’s efforts produced the results they desired as the crystal was lowered suddenly, all the lights aligning in the pattern necessary to light up all the hidden glyphs. The whole room lit up, the whole room and then, with a soft chime, the interlocking plates barring the door slid open. "The path is open. Let us go to the next test" With those words, Alicia calmly walked towards the open door and into the next area.

In the narrow corridor that connected the two areas, Alicia curiously looked around through the dark outside the crystal corridor. As if hoping to find something. But alas, there was nothing but a dark void out there.

And so the group arrived at the second testing chamber. As she entered the room, Alicia quickly noticed the layout. raised rings, shallow canals of light and the four rune-etched constructs. It almost looked like a duelling arena. "Please don’t tell me…" the witch felt a bit uneased. Was this going to be a combat test? That would be unfortunate, as Alicia doesn’t see herself as a combatant.

When the group entered the room, the runes on the constructs flared up, giving life to the automatas. "Be careful. We don’t know what the purpose of those puppets is yet… but if it’s combat, then it’s all up to you". She messaged Sa'saori while scanning the room with her eyes for any item of interest, while keeping an eye on what the constructs were doing. Although she still wore the cold, unmoving look on her face, her stance had become a bit more cautious, signalling her unease with the situation.

Sa'Saori watch a smile pursing her lips as the puzzle door unfolded to their combined efforts...

Entering the chamber/platform beyond Sa'Saori strode in with confidence... but became suddenly alert upon spotting the Contsruct/Guardians and stopped immediately. Studying the room in detail...

Gesturing with her right hand for Stop she spoke,"Hold Alicia! No closer... cast Nothing. Take a step back with me now."

Taking a step back Sa'Saori stands next to Adelhein waiting for Alicia to do the same... before explaining.

"Takes no genius to realize this Test is triggered by the use of magic... we were just standing upon the first circle the same that guardians 1 and 2 are upon... I'm not certain but it would seem Very likely that casting ANY spell would trigger them."

"I do not believe this is a test of what magic we can cast... but of what restraint we can display in NOT casting until absolutely needed!"

"Note the room is not equally arrayed. There are 6 crystal crowned pedestals on the 'North' side of the room. While on the 'South' side of the room there are 4 pedestals... but they are subtly different no glowing crystal atop them. The two cardinal alcove in the North East and West are different ~ the East has 1 statue facing the wall... while the west has 2 statues facing the Runic circle center and Attending the Desk. But the South Alcove to the west is Empty and the East has a Unique Image display.. like none other in the room."

"These details are NOT without purpose. We need to investigate these alcove but must NOT enter the the runic circle until we are fully informed as best as possible. We can access the alcoves.. and investigate them by hugging the outer walkway..."

Sa’Saori’s warning settled into the chamber with the weight of caution, but the dueling floor gave its answer almost immediately. The moment the Magenta group drew back toward the southern edge, the crystal passage behind them sealed with a smooth curtain of pale light. It did not slam shut. It simply ceased to be an exit, as politely and absolutely as a door being locked by the room itself.

A low tone passed through the circular arena. The runes along the raised rings brightened in sequence, first at the center, then outward toward the alcoves and pylons. The four guardians did not react to spellcasting. They reacted to presence. Their heads turned toward the group as one, and a calm feminine voice, neither Roffimières nor anyone visible, sounded from the chamber walls.

“Cohort Magenta. Combat evaluation initiated. Lethality restricted. Tactical adaptation permitted.”

The constructs moved.

Guardian One and Guardian Two stepped down from the northern ring in perfect mirrored motion, their arms unfolding into long, lacquered forearm blades of condensed light. They advanced along the central lane, not rushing, but covering ground with disciplined precision. Guardian Three and Guardian Four remained slightly behind them, spreading apart to either side of the runic center. The light channels beneath their feet flared as they moved, and thin geometric shields formed briefly around their torsos before fading into a faint protective shimmer.

The chamber’s layout became clearer now that it was awake. The outer walkway remained open, offering room to circle toward the alcoves. The crystal pylons along the edges hummed softly, their glow strengthening whenever a guardian passed near one. The central runic circle pulsed in regular intervals, as if marking the rhythm of the trial itself.

The guardians had not struck yet.

But the next exchange would begin with them in motion, closing the distance while their rear pair held the center.

Equipped Titles: [Isekai], [Human], [Adept Magus], [Ethereal Luminary Academy Student] F, [Magno Sapiente Victori - Grand Magus S] E, Narrative Booster [Arcane Seeker] S, Connected [House Ashford] F, [El-Melloi's Scion] - 0054a6

Adelhein watched the approaching constructs with a detached expression on his face. Both arms crossed above his chest, one gloved index tapping against his own biceps. "You two might want to get prepared to fight them." The young magus suggested it, not moving from where he stood. "Being capable of combat is expected within the Ethereal Luminary. While it is not a place that trains battle mages, arcanic might is assumed by default. I, myself, was issued a duel during my own entrance exam."

With that, he fell silent, returning to his role as an observer.

Alicia’s concerns were confirmed. This was a trial by combat. But even if this was a test she was wholly unprepared for, Alicia did not retreat. She just stood where she was after she entered the room, on the outer circle.
She was surprised to hear Sa’Saori’s speculation on the test and the caution coming with it. Alicia admits that a certain level of caution was advised. But there was something as too much caution.

The arena lit up, and a female voice rang out from the arena walls, announcing the parameters for combat. When the voice finished, the construct started moving slowly, advancing on the duo. Alicia narrowed her eyes as she started to think about what she should do now. But when she heard Adelhein’s comment, her eyes turned to a combination of annoyance and boredom. "How incredible barbarian" This was the first time Adelhein would hear Alicia’s voice "Asuming combat skill… Scholars have studied and mastered magic without having seen combat even once… “combat” is not what is being tested then" Alicia looked up to the sky as if she was looking to something or someone. "Combat is merely the situation, a state of chaos. A state unfamiliar to a person can be approached in one of two ways. through sheer power… or through wits. observation and understanding. knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, planning and execution, control under pressure". She abruptly disconnected her telepathic connection to Adelhein and focused on the test at hand.

"SaSa, listen up. We need to work together on this…" She said to her partner telepathically "Their plan looks to be to engage in direct combat with the outer ones, who are likely going to provide some sort of support…" Alicia’s eyes scanned the room.
"I don’t think our chances are great if we engage them head-on. Although I might be able to hold my own against one maybe, I’m not a fighter." Alicia said. Besides her not believing herself to be an actual fighter, the two were also outnumbered two to one by the constructs. That was when Alica noticed the light of the pylons becoming brighter anytime one of the guardians passed by it. That made Alicia think "If I’m correct, then we might be able to take the constructs out without having to directly fight them… Sasa, cover me! I’m going to have a look at one of those pylons. These things are being controlled by something. Maybe the pylons are the antenna. If we disable them, then maybe those things will stop working, and we win." She said before Alicia started moving to the closest pylon to her and started to examine it to see if she could figure out how they worked and maybe shut off completely.

Sa'Saori regarded the Constructs immediately activate and move to engage despite her call for caution....

"OooohKaaay.. so combat it is!"

Sa'Saori wastes no time with words as she moves with Alicia, swiftly drawing her Elven Curved-Blade weapon-Catalyst in her hand and begins incanting...

She moves to interpose between Alicia and any of the moving constructs... at a specific distance of a minimum of 5'ft away from Alicia... but she does more than just move finishing her incantation as her Blade Ignites with elemental fire and in a graceful pirouetting sword kata she hurls a Fireball at the constructs aiming between the two nearest on the flank Alicia moves toward for the pylon {left or right whichever is closer}...

With the Gauntlet of battle thrown down and first-blood struck, Sa'Saori changes the spell and casts again... empowering her Catalyst Spell Blade into a Flaming Weapon ready with martial skill to defend/parry against any incoming attacks...

She begins an acrobatic dance of the burning blade ready for battle...

Actions -
1. Move following Alicia.. keeping between her and the approaching constructs ~ Specifically staying 5'ft+ away from Alicia so she is not caught up in her Fighting Style-Tech: Area!
2. [FIREBALL] - Magic E, Magic Affinity: Element [Fire] F, Range {30'ft} F, Area {5'ft-radius} F <Damage: "3p/In"+2w-c+2m/+1ma:e-F = 7m/8ma:e-F> {Cast to catch two constructs in its Area {5'ft radius} ~ One Construct with the shimmering field and one without}
- An invoked elemental fire spell of directed fiery-based arcane destruction that explodes filling an area
- E Grade 1 post cooldown
3. [FLAMING WEAPON] - Fighting Styles: Swords F, Tech: Area {5'ft-radius} F, Acrobatics F {defensive}, Magic F, Magic Affinity: Element [Fire] F <Damage: "2p/st"+"1p/sk"+2w-c+2m/+1ma:e-F = 7'8a:d'm/8ma:e-F> {Cast spell to prepare blade for elemental fiery parry or strike as needed}
- Invoking elemental fire to cause weapon to burst into flames as a cleaving sweep with the weapon is delivered
- F Grade 0 post cooldown

OOC info: Sa'Saori moving and using magic without either Focus or Componentless, would have made her spell fizzle (I'm waiving this penalty). Since we don't work with reactions or prepared actions in IH, her 3rd action is a miss.

Sa’Saori’s fireball bloomed across the right side of the arena in a fierce wash of heat and light, but the constructs answered with practiced precision. Guardian Two met the spell behind its shimmering ward, the barrier flashing bright as it swallowed the brunt of the blast without leaving so much as a scorch upon its lacquered frame. Guardian Four moved at the instant of detonation, slipping clear along the outer ring with mechanical grace before the flames could properly catch it.

The guardians adjusted as one. Guardian One advanced toward the southern half of the central floor, while Guardian Three shifted to hold the left side of the arena. Guardian Four angled along the outer edge, its attention turning sharply toward Alicia’s position near the pylon. Guardian Two closed on Sa’Saori directly, its forearm blade extending in a clean arc of condensed light as it drew back for a strike. [Incoming 2d4-1 (meaning I will roll 2 dices of 1-to-4 and subtract 1 from the result) against Sa'Saori]

At the pylon, Alicia found more than decoration. Beneath the crystal crown, threads of mana coursed through layered runes and sank into the glowing channels beneath the floor. The structure was not commanding the constructs outright, but it was tied to the arena’s enchantments. Its signature pulsed in rhythm with the ward that had protected Guardian Two, and the flow briefly intensified whenever one of the guardians crossed near a pylon or along the adjoining light-veins.

There were seams in the enchantment, too. Several small sigils near the base flared and dimmed in sequence, suggesting the pylon’s output could be disrupted, redirected, or perhaps temporarily suppressed with the right interference.

Equipped Titles: [Isekai], [Human], [Adept Magus], [Ethereal Luminary Academy Student] F, [Magno Sapiente Victori - Grand Magus S] E, Narrative Booster [Arcane Seeker] S, Connected [House Ashford] F, [El-Melloi's Scion] - 0054a6

Adelhein let out a haughty scoff upon hearing Alicia's words directly into his mind. "Barbaric? Oh, you don't even know the beginning of it. But I suppose it is a way to separate the wheat from the chaff." He wasn't, however, discounting what she said. He followed her movement by the corner of his eyes.

He watched as the fireball from Sa'Saori hit and spilled against two of the constructs, the mechanoids leaving without a scratch. His crimson orbs would only narrow with how the constructs were maneuvering right in the middle of the room, showing hesitation towards him. The index kept tapping methodically against his biceps, observing the developments with quiet intensity.