The preparation had begun during the jump itself, mana already flowing in the necessary patterns while the space distorted around the beast.

It was perfect timing that leveraged transition moments to maximize efficiency.

The beam fired from what should have been the Terror's completely exposed rear, an angle that most beasts would have difficulty defending because their primary defenses were oriented forward.

It should have been a decisive blow that would end the battle immediately with clean penetration of a defense more inadequate to so much power than the beetle's.

But it encountered an uncomfortable reality at that moment… One that should have been known but forgotten in the speedy reaction, in the heat of the moment.

The Terror basically had no true rear in the conventional sense.

With its multiple legs distributed around its body and multiple hairs sensing vibrations and mana in an extremely sensitive manner, in a configuration that allowed omnidirectional movement, the creature could respond to threats from any angle almost as effectively as from the front.

It wasn't a coincidence that some ambush predators developed that type of advanced sensory adaptation to detect prey they couldn't see, it was an evolutionary advantage that also converted the concept of "vulnerable back" into an illusion.

And Taro had used only three of the mineral balls instead of launching them all in the first wave, only the needed to make it jump. It was his strategic reserve that now demonstrated its value when one of the remaining balls was rapidly positioned in the trajectory of the approaching beam, the Terror's leg moving it with speed that revealed the anticipation of exactly this type of counterattack.

The hydra's white and black beam impacted the ball directly. The collision between pure energy attack and the enhanced mineral projectile resulted in a detonation that eclipsed previous explosions in magnitude. The ball destroyed itself completely under the combined beam's assault, fragmenting into pieces that flew in all directions while energy released in a visible shockwave.

But the beam was still more powerful and continued its trajectory after destroying the obstacle, power reduced by the expenditure of piercing through the ball but still sufficient to cause fatal damage.

The Terror attempted covering itself with its legs as well, multiple limbs moving to interpose their tips while adjusting the faces of their remaining transformed mineral to divert the beam, and if that didn't work, even using the additional mass of all the extra legs between the beam and its vulnerable body.

But the attack was much more powerful than the simple beams the hydra had used previously, amplified by the combination of opposing elements and by the centrifugal force from the spiral movement that the intertwined energies naturally generated. The legs couldn't stay in place to deflect the beam, on the contrary, they were deflected by the rotation and only managed to reduce its effectiveness partially before it penetrated the improvised defenses.

It struck the Terror directly, impacting the creature's central body with force that made it retreat several steps while its low number of remaining legs desperately adjusted to maintain balance.

The Terror shrieked, a sound that was a disturbing mix of multiple harmonic tones that made several spectators shudder involuntarily. It was a genuine pain cry from a creature that rarely showed vulnerability so clearly. Sections of the chitinous exoskeleton had been destroyed and burned where the beam had penetrated, blackened areas communicating damage that would take time to heal properly.

But Taro hadn't kept two balls, maybe by accident or simple excessive precaution.

No…

He'd kept them specifically for this scenario, anticipating that Ren would try to capitalize on his jump with a powerful counterattack. And so, there remained a second ball in the air that had been launched at the precise same moment the other was fighting the beam.

The second ball impacted the hydra on its left flank while the beast was still sustaining the combined beam, before it could reposition or establish an appropriate defense. The amplified mana explosion detonated against the diamond scales with concentrated force, projectile energy plus additional power from the enhanced mineral creating an impact that exceeded what its passive defense could completely absorb without damage.

The hydra was launched laterally by the impact's force, its massive body dragging across the ground while trying to recover stability. One of the heads roared in pain while the other growled with fury, both expressions communicating that this exchange had caused real damage that couldn't be ignored.

A new dust cloud rose from the impact point where the hydra had been struck and from the area where it had landed after being launched, obscuring vision of the field for the umpteenth time in this extended battle.

It was a dramatic moment where the outcome of the mutual exchange wasn't immediately visible again, making Finch and Theodore shudder in their seats.

In the VIP section, several noble families watched with particular intensity. This wasn't just a student exam anymore. This was a demonstration of the next generation's capabilities, a preview of the power that would shape the kingdom's military and political landscape in coming years.

And what they were seeing was... unprecedented.

Taro as a powerful double was one thing, but… They needed to do something about that kid with the Red hair.

♢♢♢♢

When the dust cloud began clearing gradually, the first thing that became visible from Ren's hydra's side was a glow that was intensifying.

It wasn't simply a reflection of sunlight on the diamond scales but something deeper, emanating from within the hydra's body. A glow that spun in a manner those who'd paid attention to the battle would recognize immediately.

The hydra was recharging from the internal mana of its core again...

It was using the accelerated recovery techniques again to be able to stand and continue.

Taro was almost kneeling. Not completely collapsed but clearly in serious difficulty, his body leaning more on one leg. The pain of his two broken bonds resonated through him with intensity that made it difficult to remain conscious and focused.

First the beetle, then the Terror shortly after… both Gold-rank connections severed violently in a space of few minutes. It was the type of pain that would leave any tamer completely incapacitated.

But Taro held firm. He sustained his body through pure force of will as the dust continued receding.

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