Days passed like seconds while Shawn remained unconscious, his body refusing to wake after the brutal battle. The exhaustion had consumed him entirely, his overexertion forcing him into a deep, dreamless slumber. He had never felt so drained before.
A whole week passed before his eyelids finally fluttered open.
"How long was I out, Elaris?" Shawn muttered groggily, his voice raspy from disuse. "I don't think I've ever slept this long before."
"A whole week!" Elaris huffed, her voice carrying clear frustration. "You could've at least given me a warning before passing out. Do you know how boring it is to sit in absolute silence for days? Sometimes, even silence feels like torture—especially when all you have for company is darkness."
Shawn chuckled weakly. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Before he could say more, a powerful presence filled the room.
"Good. You're awake." Jarvine's deep voice echoed through the chamber, a mixture of approval and authority in his tone. "I must admit, you have impressed me. You're still an Aspirant, and your core isn't fully saturated, yet you woke up earlier than expected. However, let's not waste time. The second trial awaits."
Shawn barely had time to react before Jarvine lifted him effortlessly using his powers. Suspicion flared within him, and he instinctively struggled, but his resistance was meaningless against the overwhelming force holding him in place.
"Relax," Jarvine said calmly. "If I meant harm, you wouldn't be conscious right now."
Even with reassurance, paranoia still gnawed at Shawn. He hated feeling powerless.
"You have done well in your first trial," Jarvine continued, his gaze sharp. "But let me be clear—if you had failed, you would have died. You were lucky. But don't let that inflate your ego. The second trial will be far worse."
Shawn felt his breath hitch. If the first trial had been hell, what kind of nightmare awaited him next?
Yet, beneath the fear, there was also excitement. Challenges were the forge that refined him. He was the blade, and these trials were the flames—slowly burning away his weakness, tempering him for the future.
"You have proven you can bear the burden of knowledge," Jarvine declared. "But knowledge alone is useless if you lack the power to protect it. They say knowledge is power, but only those strong enough to wield it can reap its rewards. In battle, tricks and skills mean nothing if raw power can erase you with a single thought. This trial will test your ability to defend what you learn."
Jarvine's voice reverberated across the chamber as the ground shifted beneath Shawn's feet. The walls around him dissolved, morphing into a vast stone arena. A heavy, earthen scent filled the air, thick with raw energy.
"You will face an opponent equal in rank," Jarvine announced. "An earth golem. If you can defeat it, you will pass. If you fail… well, I'm sure you understand."
A deep rumble vibrated through the arena.
Shawn tensed as the ground split open, unveiling a massive entity rising from the depths. Towering at four meters tall, the golem's form was carved from dense, jagged stone, its bulky frame exuding an oppressive presence. Glowing amber eyes locked onto him with unwavering hostility.
"Elaris, I'll need your help," Shawn whispered. "I'm still blind, and I can't afford to waste time looking for weaknesses. Identify its flaws as soon as the battle starts."
"Understood," Elaris replied. "Stay alert. This thing is no joke."
The moment her words ended, the golem attacked.
With a thunderous stomp, the earth groaned in response. Jagged spikes erupted from the ground, slicing through the air like deadly spears. Shawn barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the spikes shattered behind him.
No time to hesitate.
He lunged forward, fists glowing with raw energy. He struck the golem's torso with all his might.
Crack.
Nothing.
His fist barely left a dent. The sheer density of the stone was far beyond anything he had faced before.
"That's… really tough," Shawn muttered, shaking his throbbing hand.
The golem retaliated instantly, swinging a massive stone fist like a hammer. Shawn ducked at the last second, feeling the force of the strike send shockwaves through the ground. Before he could counter, the creature stomped again, causing the entire battlefield to tremble.
His footing wavered.
Taking advantage, the golem launched another boulder-sized fist straight at him.
Shawn twisted his body, barely evading the devastating blow. The fist crashed into the ground where he stood moments before, leaving a crater in its wake.
"Elaris! I need a weakness—fast!"
"The joints!" Elaris responded quickly. "The stone is reinforced everywhere except the joints. That's your target!"
Shawn gritted his teeth. "Easier said than done."
He feinted to the left, baiting the golem's attack. As its massive arm swung downward, he dashed in, delivering a precise kick to its knee joint. A sharp crack echoed as the golem staggered slightly.
"Got you!" Shawn smirked.
He struck again, pressing his advantage. The golem groaned, its movements slowing. A flicker of hope ignited in Shawn's chest—he could win this.
But then, something changed.
The golem's core pulsed, releasing a sudden burst of energy. The ground beneath Shawn exploded, sending him airborne. He barely had time to brace before crashing down hard, pain flaring through his body.
Before he could react, a looming shadow swallowed him whole.
The golem's foot came down.
Shawn rolled desperately to the side, barely escaping the impact. But the shockwave still sent him skidding across the arena. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his body aching from the relentless assault.
"It adapted," Elaris warned. "It won't fall for the same trick twice."
Shawn cursed. He had underestimated this thing. It wasn't just brute strength—it could learn.
Summoning his remaining energy, he launched himself forward. Feint right, strike left—he aimed for the shoulder joint this time, putting everything into his attack. A satisfying crack rang out as pieces of stone splintered away.
The golem lurched, its balance breaking.
"One more hit!" Shawn gritted out, readying his final attack.
Then darkness.
A colossal fist slammed into his chest, the impact sending him hurtling across the battlefield. He felt his ribs scream in protest as he collided with the far wall. His body crumpled to the ground, numb with pain.
His vision faded.
The battle was over.
The golem stood victorious, unmoving.
From above, Jarvine observed, nodding in approval.
"Not bad," he mused. "Though he lost, he managed to assess the golem's weakness despite his blindness. With refinement, he will grow stronger."
With a wave of his hand, he lifted Shawn's unconscious body and carried him to a chamber with a soft, comfortable bed.
"For now, he rests."