The Olympus chamber fell silent again.
Not because of the alien armada.
Not because of the Titan-class warship approaching the solar system.
But because of the Architect's last words.
"…to see if humanity is worthy of keeping it."
Adrian slowly leaned against the console.
"Okay," he said calmly, "I don't like that sentence."
Elara didn't look away from the screen.
The black spacecraft still hovered above Earth.
Silent.
Watching.
Adrian pointed at it.
"Let me translate what that sounded like."
He cleared his throat dramatically.
"Congratulations on surviving the alien invasion. Now you have to pass an alien exam."
Elara finally spoke.
"Yes."
Adrian blinked.
"Wait."
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
The Architect's voice returned.
"You understand quickly."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"Buddy, we just watched you delete four alien ships like they were bugs."
"Now you're telling us humanity might not deserve the defense system that saved us?"
"That's… a weird customer service policy."
The Architect ignored the sarcasm.
"Olympus was never meant to remain on a primitive world."
Elara frowned slightly.
"Primitive?"
"Yes."
"Olympus is a civilization-scale intelligence system."
"It must only belong to species capable of responsible use."
Adrian laughed.
"Oh boy."
"So this is about whether humans are mature enough."
"Yes."
Adrian pointed at the map.
"Did you see the part where aliens tried to wipe out the planet?"
"We handled that pretty well."
The Architect's answer was immediate.
"You did not."
Adrian's smile faded.
"You barely survived a single hunter-class warship."
Elara spoke calmly.
"And yet we survived."
"Yes."
"But the Harvester armada is different."
The holographic display zoomed outward again.
Hundreds of alien ships approached the solar system.
Behind them—
The enormous Titan-class vessel.
Adrian stared at the projection.
"Yeah."
"That thing is a problem."
The Architect continued.
"If Olympus remains with humanity, it will give your species power to challenge civilizations across the galaxy."
Adrian folded his arms.
"So you're worried we'll misuse it."
"Yes."
Elara asked quietly,
"What kind of test?"
The Architect paused.
Then the answer appeared across the screen.
ARCHITECT PROTOCOL: EVALUATION
The black spacecraft moved closer to Earth.
But it did not attack.
Instead, it projected something into orbit.
A massive sphere of energy.
Adrian stared at it.
"What is that?"
Elara scanned it.
"Olympus says it's a simulation field."
The Architect explained.
"I will create a controlled scenario."
"A battle."
Adrian blinked.
"You want us to fight you?"
"No."
"Then who?"
The sphere expanded.
Inside it—
A projection formed.
Alien ships.
Dozens of them.
A simulated invasion fleet.
Adrian stared at the battlefield forming in space.
"That looks very real."
"It is."
The Architect's voice remained calm.
"This simulation will replicate a Harvester assault."
Elara frowned.
"With what resources?"
"You may use Olympus."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"So basically…"
He gestured toward the battlefield.
"This is humanity's final exam."
"Yes."
The council channel opened again.
World leaders stared at the simulation sphere in shock.
"You expect us to fight an artificial invasion?" Kovac asked.
"Yes."
"And if we fail?"
The Architect answered without hesitation.
"Olympus will be removed from Earth."
Adrian muttered,
"Great."
"No pressure."
Elara asked the most important question.
"What are the rules?"
The Architect replied.
"Three conditions."
A list appeared on the screen.
1 — You must defend Earth.
2 — You must minimize civilian loss.
3 — You must demonstrate strategic cooperation.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Strategic cooperation?"
"Yes."
"Meaning humanity must work together."
The council members looked at each other.
Some of them were already arguing again.
Adrian sighed.
"Oh yeah."
"That part might be difficult."
The Architect continued.
"The simulation will begin in ten minutes."
Adrian pointed at the incoming Harvester armada.
"Uh… quick question."
"Yes?"
"While we're taking this exam…"
"What happens to the real alien fleet?"
The Architect answered calmly.
"They are still coming."
Adrian stared at him.
"You're kidding."
"No."
"So humanity has to pass your test…"
"And prepare for a real alien invasion at the same time?"
"Yes."
Adrian slowly ran a hand through his hair.
"Fantastic."
The Architect's final words echoed through Olympus.
"Consider it motivation."
The simulation sphere expanded again.
Inside it—
The artificial invasion fleet began moving toward Earth.
Elara looked at the battlefield forming.
Then at the approaching real armada beyond Mars.
Two wars.
One simulated.
One real.
Adrian whispered,
"So humanity's future…"
He pointed at the sphere.
"Depends on passing an alien test."
Elara nodded quietly.
"Yes."
The simulation countdown appeared.
TEST BEGINS: 09:59
Adrian cracked his knuckles again.
"Well then."
He looked at the battlefield.
"Let's see if humanity passes."