The Mansion of Trials and Trials

The Master of the Mansion

"What.......? How......? I don't understand." I lost for words. The scenery in front of me was indeed unexplainable. The man I knew should be dead by now. Instead, he was alive and living unharmed.

"Levi, how did you.....? You should be dead! Why are you alive?" I asked in surprise. I didn't quite understand the situation. It just couldn't be explained.

"Aren't you happy that I am alive?" Levi smiled. He smiled as usual like the summer sunshine. I couldn't mistake him from another person, could I?

"Of course, I am. But how? You shot yourself. How did you survive from the gunshot?"

"Hehe........I cannot be killed, Reed. Not just that, I own this place, Reed." Levi walked close towards the throne. The Shadowpeople opened the way and bowed at him. I don't understand. What is he talking about?

A black prince outfit with golden laces appeared on Levi's body. A black cape with silver lining shimmered under the chandelier candle lights. A curved pattern of a black tattoo like a wind symbol showed up on his left side of his face. One of his hazel eyes turned black. They were sparkling like the dark moon from the clouds and fireflies in the meadows at night.

Levi flipped his cape, turned around and sat on the throne with his legs crossed.

"Levi, what are you talking about?" I asked again.

"Don't you understand, Reed? I own this place. For I am the Master of this Mansion." Levi smiled.

"What.....?!!!!" I grasped in shock, "But this is.....?!!! How can this be possible?! You are a Wanderer like us and you participate the trials like us!"

"I was just doing undercover. The Residents, our side need to have one watcher to supervise the Wanderers. We need to monitor them to prevent any losses and mistakes so as to let the true trials to run smoothly."

"True trials? What are you talking about? I just can't you believe you are a......Resident."

"I am. But not quite, the Resident rules don't work on me. For I am their Master. Don't worry, Reed. I am not your enemy." Levi comforted me.

Von raised his head and voice. He too was shocked of this situation but what was more, questions. Tons of questions were in his head, "Your highness. May I have a word?"

"You don't have to be so humble, Von. You can just treat me as Levi. I don't really care the manners." Levi allowed Von to speak. Von followed.

"Thank you. May I ask what do you mean the true trials? Didn't we just failed to pass your trials?"

"You did not, Von and Reed. Those trials are just dummies. They are used to hide the true nature of the trials. The Trial of the Guilty and the Unguilty. All the trials you experienced are for this only trial. It aims to observe all actions taken by the Wanderers and test their personality and true nature in their hearts. Around the Mansion, there are temptations to urge Wanderers to commit crimes. Theft, violence, murder. The Residents will provide hints and put doubts to the Wanderers too so that they can have more chances to test their personality. By calculating all their actions, they will determine whether they are guilty or unguilty. If they did not commit any sins like theft or murder and even commit kindness acts like helping others to survive the trials, they will be pledged as unguilty and able to leave this Mansion safe and sound."

"But.......those people, Wanderers aren't they got killed by you guys and receive judgment."

"What I mean receive judgment means they will be unable to continue to participate in the trials and not dead. All killings and injuries in this Mansion is meaningless. It is just a show. All Wanderers are alive and now located in the entrance hall now and listening to Puppet to hear the secrets of this Mansion. While you two are here to ask questions answered by me. After all, I do love you two. You two are the only three who managed to survive the surface trials. That is to reach the ending riddle. Are you a fool or a clown."