LYDIA'S POV

　　What happened yesterday was really bothering me, but today was a new day—the day I would prove that I was worthy of the throne. I prepared myself meticulously for the third assessment, determined to succeed no matter what. This time, they had kept the details a secret, so I had no idea what awaited me during the assessment. We were being taken to a remote location, and after that, only the Goddess knew what would happen.

　　After getting ready, I headed to the common area where we were supposed to gather. To my surprise, it was empty. No one had shown up, and the silence was unsettling. It was unusual for everyone to be late, especially on such an important day.

　　Feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach, I decided to ask around and find out why no one had arrived yet. I approached one of the attendants, who seemed to be busy with her morning duties.

　　"Excuse me," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "Do you know where everyone is? We're supposed to leave for the third assessment today."

　　The attendant looked up, a puzzled expression on her face. "I'm not sure, I haven't seen anyone gathering here this morning. Perhaps they are already on their way to the meeting point?"

　　I thanked her and continued my search, checking various places where people might be. The training grounds, the dining hall, even the courtyard—everywhere I went, there was no sign of the others.

　　A sense of unease began to creep over me. Was this another ploy by the nobles to undermine me?

　　Later, a few people came and asked me to prepare myself for the assessment. I finally gathered the courage to ask if they knew where everyone was, and they informed me that everyone had withdrawn their names from the assessment because of me.

　　To say I was shocked was an understatement. "But why? And why because of me?" I questioned repeatedly, trying to wrap my head around this unexpected turn of events.

　　"They realized they are no match for you since you are of royal blood," one of them explained. "Everyone saw what happened at Witch Alley, and they think it's best to withdraw their names to save face. They all know that you will win anyway."

　　I frowned at their reasoning, finding it utterly absurd. "That's not fair. What if luck had been on their side and one of them managed to defeat even me?" I argued.

　　They simply shrugged, indifferent to my protest. "They've made their decision. They believe it's futile to compete against you."

　　Frustration and confusion churned within me. I had prepared myself for a challenging assessment, ready to prove my worth against the best. But now, it seemed that I was being denied the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities fairly.

　　"Who exactly made this decision?" I demanded, my voice rising with frustration. "Who decided that I would automatically win?"

　　"It was a collective decision among the other participants," another person replied. "They saw what you did at Witch Alley and felt it was pointless to compete. They respect your strength and want to avoid unnecessary humiliation."

　　I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. This was not how I envisioned proving myself. I wanted to earn the throne through merit, not by default. But if this was the situation, I would have to find another way to show my worth.

　　"Fine," I said, my voice steadying. "If they've withdrawn, then what happens next?"

　　"You will undergo the assessment alone," the first person informed me. "It will be a test of your skills and resolve, designed to challenge you in ways that no other contender could."

　　"Very well," I replied, determination hardening within me. "I will face whatever challenge lies ahead. But I want it to be known that I would have preferred a fair competition. This is not how I wanted to win."

　　They nodded, acknowledging my words. "We understand, your strength and integrity are what set you apart. That's why they withdrew. But know this: the assessment ahead will be rigorous and will test you to your limits."

　　I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and resolve. "Then let's get on with it. I'm ready."

　　As I prepared for the assessment, I couldn't help but think about the implications of what had happened. The nobles might have seen my strength, but there were still many who doubted me, who believed I didn't deserve the throne.

　　I was escorted to the location where the third assessment would take place. As they explained the details, my anticipation grew, mingling with a sense of nervous excitement. The task was unlike anything I had expected: I was to fight a powerful demon in another realm.

　　First, they would hypnotize me, inducing a hallucinatory state. In that state, I would have to confront and defeat the demon using my inner strength. This assessment was designed to test my mental fortitude rather than physical prowess, determining if I was prepared to handle the tough situations and mental pressures that came with leadership.

　　I had never faced a demon before, let alone in another realm. The uncertainty of what lay ahead made my heart race. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment that Evan and Brandon weren't here when I needed them most. I knew I couldn't rely on them all the time, but their absence stung, especially after the connection we had shared.

　　Taking a deep breath, I decided to mind link them before getting ready for the assessment.

　　"Evan, Brandon," I called out through the mind link, hoping for a comforting response. "I'm about to start the third assessment. I just needed to hear your voice before I leave."

　　Their replies came quickly, but they were more formal than I had expected. They both provided instructions on how I could successfully navigate the assessment, offering key points and strategies. Evan emphasized the importance of mental clarity and focus, while Brandon reminded me to trust my instincts and inner strength.