Rhys did not answer right away. He looked at everyone.
"Status?" he asked.
Sophia nodded. "Mana is stable."
Lyra said, "No injuries."
Caria smiled. "I'm fine."
Aria added, "The system reacted well to teamwork. That matters."
Puddle floated up and down. "Puddle okay!"
Rhys turned back to the crystal. "We accept phase two."
The crystal flashed once.
"Confirmation received," the voice said.
"Trial phase two. Judgment."
The ground shook lightly. The symbols changed. This time, they spread wider, covering most of the ruins.
From the stone platform, new constructs rose. These were different. Taller. Smoother. Their movements were slow, but heavier.
Sophia frowned. "Stronger than before."
Aria nodded. "Still controlled. Still a test."
The voice continued.
"Condition: restraint.
Failure state: excessive force."
Caria sighed. "So I really can't smash them."
Lyra said, "Then don't."
The constructs moved. One approached Rhys directly.
