Chapter 47: Test VIII

The golem raised its massive arm and swung it toward Ben.

Ben moved to the side.

The fist struck the platform with a heavy impact. Cracks spread across the stone, and a powerful shockwave swept through the area.

Ben felt the force push against him, but he managed to remain on his feet.

The golem pulled its arm back and attacked again.

Ben dodged the second strike and moved closer to its body. He delivered a controlled punch to its knee joint.

A dull metallic sound rang out.

The golem’s leg shifted slightly, but it did not fall.

Ben quickly retreated.

’Its defense is stronger than the golem from the first examination.’

He could defeat it by using more strength, but doing so might draw attention from the instructors. He had already reached the beacon. His priority now was to activate it without revealing too much of his power.

The golem turned toward him.

Its glowing eyes brightened, and energy gathered around its body.

Ben narrowed his eyes.

The next attack came much faster.

The golem swept its arm across the platform. Ben ducked beneath it, but the force of the attack still pushed him backward.

He landed near the edge of the platform.

The beacon stood behind him.

[Activation Time: 30 Seconds]

A countdown appeared above the crystal.

Ben placed his hand against its surface.

[Beacon Activation: 30 Seconds]

The golem immediately charged toward him.

Ben glanced at the countdown.

[00:28]

He could not allow the golem to interrupt the activation.

The creature raised its fist.

Ben stepped forward and caught the strike with both arms.

The impact forced him backward. His feet scraped across the platform, and his arms trembled under the pressure.

However, he managed to hold his position.

The countdown continued.

[00:23]

Ben released the golem’s fist and moved around its side. He struck its elbow joint with a short blow.

The golem’s arm dropped slightly.

Ben used the opening to return to the beacon.

[00:19]

The golem turned and attacked again.

Ben dodged the strike, but the creature’s other arm swept toward him. He leaned backward and narrowly avoided the blow.

The attack passed over his chest.

Ben quickly moved back toward the beacon.

[00:14]

He could feel the golem adjusting to his movements. Its attacks were becoming faster, and the space available for him to dodge was shrinking.

Ben needed to create a larger opening.

He waited until the golem raised its arm again.

Then he moved forward instead of retreating.

The golem’s fist passed over his head.

Ben struck its knee joint with all the strength he could safely reveal.

The golem staggered.

Its massive body leaned to one side, and one foot slid across the platform.

Ben immediately returned to the beacon.

[00:09]

The other two golems began moving toward him.

Several candidates noticed the situation.

"Someone reached the beacon!"

"He’s activating it!"

A few participants abandoned their current fights and rushed toward the platform.

Ben ignored them.

He focused on the countdown.

[00:06]

A candidate in silver armor reached the edge of the platform. He raised his sword and rushed toward Ben.

"Move away from the beacon!"

Ben turned.

The candidate swung his weapon.

Ben shifted to the side, allowing the blade to pass close to his shoulder. He struck the man’s wrist with a controlled blow.

The sword slipped from the candidate’s hand.

Ben pushed him away from the platform.

The candidate stumbled backward.

[00:03]

The golem raised its arm again.

Ben held his position.

[00:02]

Its fist came down.

[00:01]

A bright light burst from the beacon.

[Beacon Activated]

[Participant: Ben Parker]

[Objective Completed]

The energy barrier surrounding the platform disappeared.

A powerful announcement echoed across the arena.

"Participant Ben Parker has activated the Central Beacon!"

The candidates fighting nearby paused.

Several looked toward the platform in disbelief.

Ben had completed the main objective.

However, the examination was not over.

The instructor’s voice continued.

"The final examination will continue until the time limit expires. Candidates may earn additional points through combat performance, strategic decisions, and successful cooperation."

Ben stepped away from the beacon.

He had already secured a significant score. There was no reason to take unnecessary risks.

The three golems changed their positions.

With the barrier gone, they began attacking any candidate who approached the central platform.

Ben moved away from the center.

A candidate rushed toward him from behind.

Ben sensed the movement and turned.

The young man swung a spear toward his shoulder.

Ben avoided the attack and caught the spear’s shaft.

"Why are you attacking me?" Ben asked.

"You’re already ahead!" the candidate shouted. "If I defeat you, I can improve my score!"

Ben looked at him for a moment.

The candidate pulled at the spear, trying to free it.

Ben released the weapon and stepped back.

The young man nearly lost his balance.

Ben did not pursue him.

Instead, he moved toward the ruined buildings.

He had completed the objective. His next priority was to preserve his strength and avoid exposing his abilities.

The remaining candidates continued fighting.

Some attacked the golems, while others tried to interfere with participants who had earned high scores. A few groups worked together to draw the golems away from the central platform.

Ben watched from a distance.

He noticed a candidate struggling against a golem near the western ruins. The candidate’s attacks were ineffective, and the golem was preparing to strike him.

Ben could have ignored the situation.

However, the candidate was standing near a narrow passage. If the golem destroyed the surrounding structures, several participants might be trapped.

Ben moved toward them.

He struck the golem’s side with a controlled blow, forcing it to turn away from the candidate.

The injured participant quickly retreated.

"Thank you!" he called.

Ben nodded and moved away before the golem could focus on him again.

He did not intend to fight the golem directly. He only needed to redirect its attention.

[Remaining Time: 20 Minutes]

Ben found a sheltered position between two ruined buildings. From there, he could observe most of the battlefield without becoming an easy target.

The arena had become increasingly chaotic.

A group of candidates had managed to weaken one of the golems. Another group was trying to reach the beacon, hoping to activate it again and earn additional points.

The instructors did not stop them.

Ben understood why.

The final examination was not simply about reaching the beacon first. It was designed to evaluate how candidates behaved under pressure.

Some participants relied entirely on their strength. Others used teamwork or carefully planned strategies.

The strongest candidates were not necessarily the ones who earned the highest scores.

Ben leaned against the stone wall and continued observing.

A sudden burst of energy caught his attention.

A young woman in a dark uniform had drawn a glowing pattern across the ground. The pattern spread beneath a golem’s feet, restricting its movement.

Several candidates immediately attacked the immobilized creature.

Their combined strikes forced the golem to one knee.

Ben’s eyes narrowed.

’That’s an effective ability.’

The woman did not join the attack. Instead, she maintained the formation while her teammates dealt damage.

Her energy began to fluctuate.

She was using a considerable amount of power to hold the golem in place.

Ben could tell that she would not be able to maintain it for long.

The other candidates seemed to understand this as well. They attacked with everything they had.

The golem’s armor cracked.

A moment later, the formation broke.

The woman staggered backward, exhausted.

The golem fell to the ground.

[Combat Golem Defeated]

[Team Contribution Recorded]

The candidates cheered.

Ben watched the woman recover her breathing.

She had contributed more than most of the participants. Her ability was not particularly destructive, but she had used it effectively.

The examination was rewarding judgment and teamwork as well as strength.

Ben looked toward the central beacon.

Several candidates were still trying to reach it.

He had already completed the main objective, but he could continue earning points by helping others or defeating the golems.

However, his current score was likely enough to place him among the top candidates.

There was no need to reveal more of his strength.

[Remaining Time: 05 Minutes]

The arena began to quiet down.

Many participants had been forced to retreat. Others were exhausted and could barely continue fighting.

Ben remained in his sheltered position.

He watched the final battles unfold.

A candidate reached the central platform, but one of the golems knocked him away before he could activate the beacon.

Another participant tried to attack the golem from behind, only to be forced into retreat.

The final seconds passed.

[Remaining Time: 00:10]

Ben stood up.

The energy barrier around the arena began to glow.

[00:05]

The remaining candidates stopped fighting.

[00:03]

The golems returned to their original positions.

[00:01]

A bright light spread across the arena.

[Final Examination: Complete]

Ben and the other participants were transported back to the examination hall.

The arena disappeared.

Ben appeared on the platform where he had started. The energy field faded around him.

The hall was filled with candidates.

Some looked exhausted, while others were discussing their performance. Several attendants were helping injured participants.

Ben glanced toward the large screen.

[Final Examination: Comprehensive Trial]

[Participant: Ben Parker]

[Objective: Completed]

[Beacon Activation: Successful]

[Evaluation: Excellent]

Ben let out a quiet breath.

He had completed all five examinations.

A moment later, a second notification appeared.

[Overall Examination Results: Calculating]

The candidates looked toward the screen.

The instructor stepped forward.

"The Jupiter Academy entrance examination has officially concluded. Your individual performances across all five tests have been recorded. The final rankings will be announced after the evaluation is complete."

A murmur spread through the hall.

Some candidates looked confident. Others appeared nervous.

Ben moved toward Amanda and Maya.

Maya approached him first.

"You activated the beacon?"

Ben nodded.

Maya’s eyes widened.

"That means you completed the main objective before the others?"

"Yes."

Amanda studied him.

"Did you reveal your White Ruination?"

"No. I used my physical strength and Mist Walker."

Amanda nodded with approval.

"Good. You managed to complete the examination while keeping your most dangerous ability hidden."

Ben glanced at the screen.

The ranking calculation was still in progress.

He had passed the tests, but the final results would determine his position in the academy.

And the first-place reward was a Legendary-rank Sword Art.

Ben’s interest had already been caught.

He looked toward the screen and waited.

The results would be announced soon.