Eat that

"The purpose of this trip is to educate them on how the world works. It's not all rainbows and sunshine."

"But some may die!" Sarveisa had said.

"Yes. They may. However, the head god will just have their souls return and be reborn. Besides, they need this. They need to learn how fragile life can be, they have to understand it."

"But to have them be potentially killed…" Sarveisa didn't really agree with this. "Besides, I don't know about myself but I believe Mihael can stand up to the Magbeast."

"I doubt even a god candidate can stand up to something you can't…" A snort. "Though I suppose, we should hold that kid as the dark horse during this excursion. Tell you what, if you should feel the need, escape with him. Only him." She emphasized.

"…" Sarveisa didn't have an answer then.

And not one-

Even now.

She did set up a barrier-

And though she was in her tent-

She could feel-

The presence of a Magbeast.

Also known… as a holy beast.

Except-

There was nothing holy about it aside from it being one of the intelligent beasts of the upper heavens… often said to live near the borders of the two realms.

She could feel the presence-

And whatever this one was- it was getting closer.

By the minute-

Any second now- the barrier would shatter-

And-

And kids will die.

And she had to watch it all?

She had to…

Staring at her fist-

'What would he think of me?… Would he see me as a murderer? Would he…hate me?'

What was the point of having power if-

Brows crossed… determined.

She'd brought her armor.

And it did not take her two minutes to put it all on-

Before she could pull out her spear from the void though-

"AHHH!!!"

A scream resounded.

But-

The barrier was still intact-

And-

And-

She rushed out-

"What happened!?"

Ready to impale any beasts posing a threat.

"It's Mihael! He ran out of the barrier!" Said the girl. Pointing.

Wasn't that girl from Mihael's group?

The other two from his group also came out, confirming, yes, Mihael did get of the barrier.

Students kept coming out- hearing the screams-

Some confused, others, shaking from the imaginary fright.

"He said something about sensing something-" The girl emphasized.

"Tell everyone to stay vigilant. And if I don't come back, immediately use your teleport stones!"

Heart almost bursting out of her chest- breath going wild-

It was almost as though all the heat of this world was centered on her, forcing her to sweat in buckets from every pore of her body.

Throat dry as hell but Sarveisa still managed to bark out one last order- "Ereal- you're in charge of the place!"

"Mam!"

A salute.

Sarveisa ran out of the barrier-

There wasn't much out here.

Just grass- and some trees in the distance.

And though it was a bit hard to see at night-

She could definitely make out that faint silhouette in the distance-

Of a boy and… a large spider?

Wings flapping rapidly, she blazed ahead-

And as she got closer-

No, it wasn't a spider.

But rather-

A crab…

"So you've answered my call- little one… An angel?" The childish voice. "No… not even an angel. You're worth less than that-" Where was this high-pitched voice even coming from? "And… demo-"

'Straight in my head?'

Mass telepathy-

She dropped in front of the boy, her spear pointed at the crab before her.

Dust swayed over her feet but her glare was on the beast-

"High Angel…"

'So, the crab…'

"We're just a class here on an excursion?" Sarveisa declared. Trying to shield the boy. "If we're trespassing, then I apologize."

She also cast a high tier light spell, illuminating the whole area.

There was no one else around- just-

A very red furry crab.

"Hmm… nothing much. I happened to be intrigued by the boy. An angel that doesn't appear to be an angel; so, I sent an invitation." The crab had somewhat of a mouth- and it curled… a smile? "And if not- he's to be exterminated from this world!"

"He's a god candidate. He has a brilliant future. a little different from the others, but he's definitely an angel!" Sarveisa tried reasoning.

Some holy beasts were capable of taking on even mid-tier gods…

Their orders and decisions were absolute, even to high angels…

And they could consume souls…

This was not good…

"We'll see about that-" Black fire surrounded the crab, slowly spreading far-

"Halo!" Sarveisa shouted- a protective halo surrounding both her and the boy-

The fire thrashed against the halo- trying to break it.

Cracks appeared but the halo stood strong-

"Impressive, but such is your limit-" The crab stomped the ground- shattering it-

And thus- creating a quake.

Unsteady on her feet she fell-

The halo fell with her-

And spears of black fire blazed straight… for her.

Grabbing the boy, she used her wings for protection-

Yet-

They never got hot- never burned.

Staring back-

She was in a barrier-

Not of her own-

But-

The boy's?

"When'd you?" Breath out of control- heart going wild-

Yet-

Relieved….

"From the start." A faint smile. "It's nice of you to try to protect me but you seem to forget- I'm stronger than you-" he said, walking forward- a flick of his finger and-

Icicles formed- eight.

Swiftly moving ahead-

Crack!

Seven missing the crab as it dashed sideways but one impaled its leg, immediately freezing- making it lean on one side with a bit of pain.

"You seem to be under a misunderstanding you armored chunk of edible flesh-" A snort. "I came here not to sate your curiosity but to sate mine instead."

"Huh? Armored… edible flesh?" It spoke slowly and quietly. "Wha-"

Before it could voice anything else though-

Hundreds-

No-

Thousands of icicles formed above the air-

Sarveisa knew they weren't aimed at her-

Yet-

Cold sweat ran down face- her neck-

'If he could do that… then that day-' She just got in the way?

"I always did wonder how a big crab would taste like-" The boy said, winking once at the high angel.

Which only made her snicker. "Me too…" Not really.

But she was glad.

She was glad-

This boy was on her side.

And-

She wanted to keep it that way.

"Wait- wait- wait!!!" But the crab started panicking, dashing forward- slumping down on the ground before Mihael's feet. "Please spare me!"

Sarveisa was a little confused as to… "What the hell?"

Wasn't this thing like hellbent on killing Mihael just moments ago and-

"Why? What merits would I have by sparing you?"

"A cute follower, forever!"

"Sounds more like a demerit. And you're not cute."

It was a furry crab for crying out loud.

It started sniffling. Staring innocently at Sarveisa.

"Well, he is a Magbeast and could be… well… useful brag…" A mild sigh. "I think we might be able to get you a particular certificate if you can raise this thing."

"I need five certificates, right?"

"Yes, two of which you can get from the academy. Two you can get from the lower and upper worlds; four's enough for low and middle-tier gods. But you still need one more to aim higher. Getting the certificate from the ministry would be a hassle so this doesn't sound like a bad idea…"

"I kind of want to eat it though-"

"I- I wouldn't mind offering a leg or two of mine!" The crab attempted. "I can always regrow them!" Very enthusiastic.

Sarveisa's mouth curled unevenly; disgusted. "I don't prefer my food talking."

"Then- then I can just hunt for giant grabs that won't talk!!! Please- we don't live forever like you or come back to life…. So please!"

Apparently, the high and mighty crab had a thing for messing with students and…. Was also somewhat of a coward?

"It's begging so much. Don't you feel bad?" Sarveisa asked. Yet, she had her spear ready-

"Not really. It's just trying to live now so it could strike once we're not looking out for it."

"No- I give you my word… and my name- so please!"

"Hmm… if we have its name then it shouldn't be able to betray you." Sarveisa thought things over. "And if you don't like it- you can just eat it after getting that certificate… I wouldn't recommend it though…" Yeah, she didn't like the idea of eating this thing.

A mild sigh… "Alright but-" Mihael went closer- broke off four legs of the crab- "I'm eating these four first." They came off like cooked chicken breast…

The crab groaned for a minute but grew the legs back anyway….

"You're… seriously going to eat that…?" She didn't remotely like the idea, no.

"Yes."

Meanwhile-

Curious eyes stared from the distance…