IV - Tutorial Complete

The Bloodfang Hydra loomed over the clearing, its three heads snapping and snarling. Each head was distinct—one dripping with venom, another crackling with dark energy, and the last glowing with a molten red hue like it was on fire.

Azea felt like a deer staring down an oncoming truck.

"This thing is a tutorial boss?"

Lyra grinned, already darting into the shadows. "Gotta love this world's idea of 'beginner-friendly.'"

Kael spun his staff, sparks flying. "Relax, kid. Just follow your own advice—command us and let us do the heavy lifting."

Amon stepped forward, sword blazing. "No time for pep talks. Get your head in the game, Summoner."

The Hydra roared, and the ground beneath them cracked. Azea forced himself to focus, gripping his staff so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Amon, keep its attention! Lyra, aim for the necks! Kael, fry the fire head first—maybe it's weak to lightning!"

Amon charged without hesitation, his sword igniting in a burst of flame. He leapt at the Hydra, slicing at its middle head—the venomous one. The beast reared back, hissing, as Amon slammed his blade against its thick scales, sending sparks flying.

Lyra appeared in a blur near the Hydra's left flank. She was a shadow, striking quickly and vanishing before the heads could retaliate. Her daggers left deep cuts along the glowing red scales of the fire head.

"Keep moving!" Azea shouted. "Don't let it pin you down!"

Kael planted his staff into the ground, lightning crackling along its length. "On it, boss. Watch this!"

He raised the staff high, and a bolt of lightning shot from the sky, slamming into the fire head. The Hydra howled in pain, the red glow dimming slightly.

"It's working!" Azea shouted. "Keep hitting it!"

The Hydra roared again, and this time its heads coordinated. The venom head lashed out at Amon, forcing him to roll away, while the dark-energy head spewed a wave of black flames at Kael.

Kael cursed, diving behind a rock as the flames scorched the ground where he'd been standing. "Uh, yeah, it's angry now!"

"Amon, hold its attention!" Azea shouted. "Kael, focus on dodging! Lyra, keep chipping away!"

Amon gritted his teeth, blocking a swipe from the venom head with his sword. "Easier said than done, kid!"

Lyra vanished again, reappearing on the Hydra's back. Her daggers plunged into its neck, and she twisted them viciously before jumping away.

The Hydra screeched, and the molten head whipped toward her, spewing a jet of liquid fire.

Lyra rolled out of the way, the fire narrowly missing her. "This thing doesn't know when to quit!"

Azea scanned the battlefield, his mind racing. He was doing everything he could to keep his summons alive, but the Hydra was overwhelming them. He needed to change the tide—and fast.

A notification flashed in front of him.

[New Skill Unlocked: Command Boost (Level 2)]

[Effect: Temporarily enhances the power and speed of all summons by 25%. Duration: 10 seconds.]

Azea's eyes widened. "Perfect timing!"

He raised his staff, focusing on his summons.

"Everyone, brace yourselves! I'm boosting you!"

The staff glowed, and a pulse of energy shot out from Azea, enveloping Amon, Lyra, and Kael.

Amon roared, flames surging along his blade as he charged the Hydra again. His strikes were faster, heavier, and the beast recoiled from the force.

Lyra grinned, disappearing into the shadows once more. When she reappeared, her strikes were a blur, carving deep gashes into the Hydra's necks.

Kael stepped out from behind his cover, his staff crackling with electricity. "Time to turn this thing into ash!"

He slammed the staff into the ground, and a massive lightning bolt struck the Hydra, causing all three heads to roar in pain. The fire head collapsed, lifeless, leaving only two.

"It's working!" Azea shouted. "Keep pushing!"

The Hydra, now furious, retaliated with everything it had. The dark-energy head unleashed a wave of black fire, forcing Amon to dive out of the way, while the venom head lashed out at Lyra.

Lyra cursed as the venom grazed her shoulder, leaving a smoking burn. "Damn it, that stings!"

"Lyra, fall back!" Azea shouted. "Kael, cover her!"

Kael nodded, firing a volley of lightning bolts to force the Hydra back. Lyra retreated, clutching her wounded shoulder.

Azea gritted his teeth. This wasn't enough. They were holding their own, but the Hydra wasn't going down without a fight. He needed to take a risk.

"Kael, can you charge one massive attack?"

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. Why?"

"Because we need to end this now. Lyra, distract the heads. Amon, pin it down! Kael, hit it with everything you've got when I say go!"

The summons didn't question him. Lyra darted back into the fray, dodging and weaving as she sliced at the Hydra's remaining necks. Amon charged in, slamming his sword into the beast's chest and holding it there with brute strength.

Kael closed his eyes, his staff glowing brighter and brighter as he gathered energy. The air around him crackled with electricity, and the ground trembled underfoot.

"Hurry up!" Lyra shouted, dodging another strike. "We can't keep this up forever!"

Azea clenched his fists. "Almost there… Kael, NOW!"

Kael roared, slamming his staff into the ground one final time. A massive bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking the Hydra dead center. The beast howled, its two remaining heads thrashing wildly before collapsing to the ground.

The clearing fell silent, save for the crackle of residual electricity.

A System notification appeared.

[Final Tutorial Trial Complete!]

[Boss Defeated: Bloodfang Hydra (Level 15)]

[Rewards: Advanced Summoning Crystal x1, EXP +1000, Skill Token x1]

Azea dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. "We… we did it."

Lyra flopped onto the ground next to him, grinning despite the burn on her shoulder. "Not bad, boss. Not bad at all."

Amon sheathed his sword, nodding. "You kept us alive. That's more than most Summoners can say."

Kael leaned on his staff, smirking. "Not gonna lie, kid—you're growing on me."

Azea looked at the glowing Advanced Summoning Crystal in his hand. This wasn't just luck anymore. He was getting stronger, and so was his team.

The System chimed again.

[Congratulations! You have reached Level 3.]

[Tutorial Complete. Welcome to the Summoner's Realm.]