
looking back at the trials now, why was she the only one who succeeded???? she just said no to a hot guy and the indulgence, didn't even win the battle against the soldier and just had to pick one of the 3 to die??? and there was no wrong answer there??? just that she had to pick one??? WHY DID EVERYONE ELSE BECOME A LOST SOUL WHEN IT WAS SO EASY??? IS IT JUST POORLY PORTRAYED IN THE MANGA??

I believe the trials were better portrayed in the novel, it's just a little bit different in comics sinse the author could write all necessary paragraphs of emotions out there but it was hard to show it in a chapter comic (my opinion).
And like others said, most of the lost souls are people who died and had done terrible things in their life. Not many people come for trials and even less came out alive.
I believe Maeva had a great luck. i mean, trials were hard on her mind (it's better to read those chapters in the novel in my opinion) but I also believe that pheonix needed someone with her power right now, since the time has come. And Maeva just came in the right time so I guess she just wanted mostly to check if she was alright to wield that power.
I actually really like how she keeps saying that magic is not evil but people make it evil, I think it one of her best traits.

Yes, for real. Not even mentioning the others, the 2nd trial would be impossible to lose. No one gives up when they think they are going to die. Animals gnaw their legs off to get out of traps for Pete’s sake. So you’re telling me people did the 2nd trial just sat down and were like “Well we had a good run boys eh” NO WAY

I did not say that. I have zero idea on how they were. Pheonix surely have more than just this 3 trials, you know? People were dying there for thousands of years bacause of them, I'm sure she has a lot of varieties to choose from and she does so based on the person before the trial. That's just my opinion, though.
didn't think they'd end up together but here we are
The power of pity is indeed dangerous.