Chapter 45: Test VI

He still had more than an hour and a half to survive.

Ben moved toward the forest, choosing a different route from the one he had taken earlier.

As he walked, he began to notice something unusual.

The hostile creatures seemed to be moving in a particular direction.

He had encountered fewer beasts near the rocky slope, but the forest ahead was filled with movement. Several creatures were traveling toward the same area.

Ben stopped and observed them.

The creatures were not attacking one another. Instead, they seemed to be fleeing from something.

Ben looked deeper into the forest.

A faint tremor passed through the ground.

Something powerful was approaching.

He considered changing direction.

However, the creatures’ movement suggested that the threat was spreading through the entire area. If he simply ran away, he might encounter another dangerous beast.

Ben climbed onto a nearby tree and looked across the forest.

A large shadow moved between the trees.

It was much bigger than the Stoneback Beast.

Ben narrowed his eyes.

[Forest Tyrant]

[Realm: Silver]

[Threat Level: Severe]

The creature resembled a massive ape. Its body was covered in dark fur, and its arms were long enough to reach the ground. A faint energy aura surrounded it.

The Forest Tyrant roared.

The sound spread across the forest.

Several trees shook, and smaller creatures fled in every direction.

Ben watched carefully.

The creature was not directly approaching him, but it was moving through the area where he needed to pass.

He could fight it, but that would be unnecessary. The trial was about survival, not defeating every enemy.

Ben climbed down from the tree and moved away from the creature’s path.

He used the terrain to conceal his presence, avoiding open areas and keeping his movements quiet.

For several minutes, he followed a narrow route between the trees.

Then he heard a voice.

"Help! Someone, please!"

Ben stopped.

The voice came from the direction of the Forest Tyrant.

He hesitated.

The trial prohibited candidates from attacking one another, but helping another participant was allowed. However, the voice could also be a trap.

Ben focused his senses.

He detected a human presence nearby.

The person was alive, but their energy fluctuation was unstable.

Ben moved toward the source of the voice.

He soon found a young man trapped beneath a fallen tree. His leg was injured, and a few meters away, a smaller beast was circling him.

The young man looked up when he saw Ben.

"Please help me!"

Ben moved forward.

The beast lunged at him.

Ben struck it with a quick blow, sending it tumbling away. It tried to stand, but Ben defeated it with another strike.

He then approached the fallen tree.

The young man was trapped beneath one of its thick branches.

Ben lifted the branch and moved it aside.

The young man pulled himself free.

"Thank you! I thought I was going to die."

Ben looked at his injured leg.

"Can you walk?"

"I think so."

Ben helped him stand.

A loud roar echoed through the forest.

The Forest Tyrant was getting closer.

Ben looked toward the sound.

"We need to leave."

The young man nodded quickly.

They moved through the trees, trying to put distance between themselves and the creature.

However, the Forest Tyrant suddenly appeared between the trees ahead.

Its massive body blocked the path.

The young man froze.

Ben looked at the creature.

The Forest Tyrant stared at them.

Then it roared and charged.

Ben grabbed the injured young man and moved aside.

The creature’s massive fist struck the ground, creating a deep crater.

Ben landed several meters away.

The young man struggled to stand.

"It’s too strong! We can’t fight it!"

"We don’t need to," Ben replied.

He looked at the surrounding terrain.

The forest was filled with thick trees, but a rocky ravine lay nearby. If they could reach it, the Forest Tyrant might have difficulty following them.

Ben helped the young man move toward the ravine.

The creature continued chasing them.

Its powerful steps shook the ground, and several trees fell as it pushed through the forest.

Ben kept moving, carefully avoiding the creature’s attacks.

They reached the ravine.

Ben looked down.

The drop was steep, but there was a narrow ledge along the side. It might be possible to descend and move through the ravine without being seen.

He helped the young man climb down.

The Forest Tyrant reached the edge and roared.

It looked down at them, but the narrow passage was too small for its massive body.

Ben and the young man continued through the ravine.

After several minutes, the roar faded into the distance.

The young man let out a breath.

"We escaped."

Ben nodded.

They continued walking until they reached a sheltered area beneath the rocks.

The young man sat down and examined his injured leg.

"My name is Daniel. I was separated from the others when the beast attacked."

"Ben."

Daniel looked at him.

"You’re a participant too?"

"Yes."

Daniel lowered his head.

"Thank you for saving me. I don’t think I would have survived without your help."

Ben glanced at the remaining time.

[Remaining Time: 58 Minutes]

They still had almost an hour left.

Ben looked toward the ravine.

The Forest Tyrant was still somewhere in the forest, and they needed to find a safe location before the trial ended.

"Can you keep moving?" Ben asked.

Daniel nodded. "I can manage."

Ben helped him stand.

They continued through the ravine, staying away from the forest above.

The path was narrow, but it provided protection from the larger creatures. Several smaller beasts appeared along the way, but Ben avoided them whenever possible.

When they reached the end of the ravine, they found a small clearing surrounded by rocks.

Ben examined the area.

It was relatively quiet, and he couldn’t sense any powerful creatures nearby.

"This should be safe for now," he said.

Daniel sat down.

Ben remained standing, watching the surroundings.

The remaining time slowly decreased.

[Remaining Time: 30 Minutes]

The trial was nearing its end.

Ben had already encountered several dangerous creatures, and he had managed to survive without revealing his strongest abilities. Helping Daniel had cost him some time, but it had not put him in serious danger.

A notification appeared.

[Remaining Time: 10 Minutes]

The forest began to grow quieter.

Several creatures moved away from the clearing, as if they could sense that the trial was about to end.

Ben remained alert.

He did not relax until the final seconds passed.

[Remaining Time: 00:00]

A bright light spread across the clearing.

Ben and Daniel disappeared.

Ben returned to the examination hall.

The energy formation beneath his feet faded.

Several participants had already returned. Some were injured, while others looked exhausted. Academy attendants were helping those who needed medical treatment.

Ben glanced at the large screen.

[Fourth Examination: Survival Trial]

[Participant: Ben Parker]

[Result: Passed]

[Evaluation: Excellent]

He had completed the fourth test.

Daniel appeared nearby, still limping slightly. He looked around before noticing Ben.

"Ben! We made it."

Ben nodded.

An instructor approached the candidates.

"Those who have completed the Survival Trial may rest. The final examination will begin shortly."

Ben looked toward Amanda and Maya.

They were waiting near the edge of the hall.

Maya hurried over.

"Are you alright? You look like you’ve been fighting."

"I’m fine," Ben replied. "The trial had a few dangerous creatures."

Amanda looked at him carefully.

"Did you use White Ruination?"

"No. I managed without it."

Amanda nodded.

"Good. The final test may be the most important one."

Ben looked at the screen.

The first four examinations had tested combat power, wisdom, ability control, and survival.

The final test would likely combine all of them.

The instructors gathered the successful candidates.

The large screen changed.

[Final Examination: Comprehensive Trial]

The instructor stepped forward.

"The final examination will evaluate your overall performance. You will face a challenge that requires combat ability, judgment, adaptability, and effective use of your abilities."

The candidates quieted down.

"This is the final step of the Jupiter Academy entrance examination. Your performance here will determine your final ranking."

Ben looked at the screen.

The details began to appear.

[Final Examination: Comprehensive Trial]

[Objective: Complete the assigned challenge]

[Evaluation: Combat Power, Wisdom, Ability Control, and Adaptability]

[Final Ranking: Determined by total performance across all five examinations]

The instructor continued.

"Your previous results will also be taken into account. However, the final test will carry significant weight. Those who perform exceptionally well may receive additional rewards."

Ben’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Additional rewards?

That was interesting.

He had already passed the first four tests, but the final examination could determine whether he merely became a student or earned a position among the top candidates.

Ben looked toward the arena entrance.

He was ready.

The instructor raised his hand.

"Participants, prepare for the final examination."

The fifth and final part of the Jupiter Academy entrance examination was about to begin.