Day 6 part 1

Even in the midst of chaos, I find tranquility. The powerful swipe of the beast's enormous paw comes down, a vicious promise of death. I sidestep, my movements agile and fluid. My twin daggers gleam under the dim light of the cave as they intercept the attack, turning the creature's momentum aside with practiced ease.

Annoying, truly annoying.

The beast responsible for controlling the wolves is nothing short of a monstrosity. Standing at a towering thirteen feet, it bears an uncanny resemblance to a wolf. Emaciated to the point of grotesqueness, its flesh clings to the skeletal frame like a grotesque parody of life. Its fur, matted and sparse, reveals the underlying monstrosity. Its eyes burn with unholy light, a beacon of undead magic. The question tickles my mind, a puzzle piece that doesn't quite fit: how can a monster be in a state of life and death at the same time?

The professors, it seems, have an interesting sense of humor.

Isabella's fire arrows whiz by, their flight leaving a trail of warm air in their wake. They strike the beast, causing it to reel back, but only momentarily. A mere annoyance to it, it seems.

"Damn!" Isabella clicks her tongue in frustration, her eyes flashing with a mixture of annoyance and determination. Flora, on the other hand, maintains her composure. Her concentration remains unbroken as she holds back the relentless horde of wolves just outside the cave, her plant magic forming a solid barrier.

Beside me, Rai unleashes a volley of lightning bolts. Each attack lands with unerring precision, momentarily driving back the monstrous beast. As Rai and I focus on the beast, Kaida, Oliver, and Arin struggle to fend off the smaller threats. They can't compete on the same level, but their determination and grit are admirable. Perhaps if they had their equipment they might stand a chance... Tsk, If I had a sword this wouldn't be an issue.

The fight drags on, becoming a test of endurance and resolve. Every swipe of the beast's paw, every lunge, every growl, is a stark reminder of the reality we're facing. Yet fear, I find, is a foreign concept. It's not that I don't understand it; it's just that it doesn't suit me. I choose to remain unfazed, even as the odds stack against us. It refuses to use magic despite it constantly releasing it, just what is it up to?

My blades dance with an elegance born of training and discipline. Each move is calculated, each strike precise. There's no room for error, not when dealing with a creature of this magnitude. I'm not one to let emotions cloud my judgment. I prefer to see things as they are, to adapt and respond accordingly. This situation, as precarious as it might be, is no different.

"Damn it, Aira," I hear Rai mutter under his breath. His tone carries a blend of admiration and frustration. I ignore it. Rai always has been the expressive one.

I'm not just battling for survival; I'm fighting for my future. For the throne. Mother is watching us, I can't make any mistakes.

As I evade another blow, I find my mind wandering back to the looming question: how can a monster be both alive and dead? It's impossible, it must be dead.

My gaze shifts to the battlefield once more. The professors surely wouldn't let us die, not in a mere test. But the more important question is, how far will they let it go?

"Tsk, this disgusting beast is getting on my nerves." The tone of annoyance in Isabella's voice cuts through the chaos, pulling my attention towards her. I sense a surge in her mana, an unmistakable buildup that indicates an impending spell. Not your average magic bolt or shield, something considerably larger and far more devastating.

The beast, it seems, is more observant than we've given it credit for. Its monstrous eyes snap to Isabella, a threatening growl rumbling from its chest as it moves to attack her. I can already see the path of devastation its claws will leave.

"Oh no you don't." Liam's voice is calm, almost casual. His grin is an odd sight in this battlefield, almost out of place. Mana streams from his hands, erecting several barriers around Isabella, protecting her as she focuses on her incantation.

The protection of an ally is a chance to attack. I join Rai, and we both dart towards the beast. I aim for the shoulder, driving one of my daggers deep into its flesh. But it's like puncturing old leather, hardly yielding under the force of my strike. No real damage inflicted, yet another reminder of the beast's abnormal resilience. A sigh escapes my lips. This fight is proving to be more troublesome than I expected.

Isabella is a powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with. Comparable to Isadora in terms of raw power, I hold no illusions that she could easily turn the tides of this fight, if only her spell would connect.

"Die." The single word, spat out with such venom, echoes through the cave. Isabella's fury is almost palpable, contrasting sharply with my own composed mindset. Ugh, this girl needs therapy, she gets angered too easily.

Anticipating the upcoming explosion of her magic, Rai and I leap back. The beast attempts to evade as well, but Flora and Liam are quick to counter. Roots burst from the ground, entwining around the creature's legs while Liam's magic chains appear, further restricting its movement.

I suppress a sigh. Such theatrics. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned, does it?

Just as the attack is about to connect, I sense a shift, a subtle change in the beast's mana. My eyes narrow, trying to understand the sudden flux. The beast is planning something, something big.

And then the fire engulfs it.

Blinding. Consuming. A maelstrom of magic-infused flame that obscures the monstrous creature from view. But beneath the overwhelming sensory assault, the beast's mana continues to fluctuate, transforming, concentrating...

The firestorm fades, and in its place stands a new monstrosity. Bigger. Stronger. Its once thin frame is now bursting with rippling muscles, and its fangs have become terrifying daggers of bone. An unexpected transformation, and yet, I was expecting a beast transformation given that it never used its mana however, why didn't it take much damage?

Without missing a beat, the newly transformed beast lunges towards me with an increased speed that briefly throws me off balance. Its power is magnified, its attack swifter and more deadly than before. A mental note, chiding myself for my lapse in focus. Such complacency could cost me my life. I prepare to block, clenching my muscles in anticipation of the impact.

However, Isabella is quicker. Mana coalesces into a translucent shield, multiple layers stacked between me and the beast's razor claws. Yet, despite her effort, the shields shatter under the raw force of the beast's attack, dissolving into wisps of ethereal light. Nonetheless, it affords me the precious seconds I need.

My daggers meet the beast's onslaught, halting its deadly swipe. But the recoil from the block sends me skidding backwards. A tsk escapes my lips. My carelessness, allowing myself to be caught off-guard, is unsightly.

Just then, Isabella mutters another incantation. The air around us shimmers as her spell takes effect, a wave of invigoration washing over us. A physical enhancement. Her choice of support magic is a sound one. She may be more impulsive than I am, but I can't deny her acumen when it comes to Magic.

Predictably, the beast directs its fury towards her next. Even with the enhancement, the thought of engaging with this behemoth again is taxing. However, this is not the time for conservation. Every moment counts, and every ounce of my energy must be utilized. Ugh, I was hoping I could save some energy, I guess that won't be possible.

In the corner of my eye, I spot a small leather pouch. Oliver's creation. A potion designed to inflict pain and blindness to the beast. At least, that's what he claimed it would do. Whether it will work as intended, there's only one way to find out. I scoop up the pouch in a swift motion and toss it towards Rai, trusting his accuracy to land it at the right moment. With his speed there shouldn't be a problem, I just hope the potion works on this half-dead monster.

I sprint towards the beast, every muscle in my body pushing to its limit, every ounce of mana channeling into my daggers. The target is the small opening at its neck, a result of our earlier attacks. My aim is to widen it, to create a significant weak spot.

As the beast swipes its paw in a downward arc, I maneuver to the side, exploiting the momentary lapse in its defense. My daggers dig into its flesh, widening the small wound. The beast howls, the cave echoing with its pain-filled cries.

The chaos of the battle rages on as the beast, now more formidable, targets me with relentless fury. With its increased speed and strength, every swing of its massive claws is a potential death sentence. Yet I find tranquility within the pandemonium, my senses razor-sharp, honing in on every minute detail of the beast's movements.

A smirk crosses Liam's face, a detail that I pick up from the corner of my eye. His contribution so far has been rather lackluster, his inaction more annoying than the constant barrage from the beast. As much as I'm tempted to say something, it's a luxury I cannot afford.

I swiftly sidestep a lethal swipe, feeling the violent gust of wind left in its wake. A quick glance over my shoulder reveals a wall of gnashing teeth and claws, a horde of wolves pressing against the plant barrier conjured by Flora. Oliver and Arin, meanwhile, do their best to deal with any strays that manage to get through, their efforts admirable yet futile against the sheer number of their adversaries. hopefully, they'll scatter once we deal with this one.

I find my attention drawn back to the primary threat as Isabella curses, her voice a steady undercurrent amidst the growls and snarls of our foes. Dual casting. I recall the awe-inspiring sight of her manipulating two elemental magics simultaneously. Fire and Ice. The contrast between the two elements is as stark as her moods, yet she manages to manipulate them with an ease that belies her fiery temper. Just how does she do it? I know it's a bloodline talent but it's still hard to accept. Duel casting is incredibly difficult to master, it takes years of practice before mages can cast like Isabella.

But the beast, as though sensing the imminent danger, prepares to deflect her magical barrage. Its reaction time is improving, an unsettling thought that I quickly cast aside. Emotions have no place on the battlefield.

Without hesitation, I lunge towards the creature, my daggers finding their mark on its grotesque body. The goal is to keep its attention fixed on me, to prevent it from focusing on Isabella. My efforts pay off, and I hear its pained yelp as Isabella's wind arrows find their mark. In our dimly lit surroundings, their invisibility is an added advantage.

Rai's voice rings out, his jubilation at our minor victory echoing within the cave. With lightning enveloping his form, he appears as a torch, a spectacle that even my deranged brother Liam cannot ignore. Despite the unpleasant aroma that wafts off the beast, Rai charges forward, the potion secured firmly in his grasp. Liam, ever the opportunist, provides the much-needed elevation by forming air steps, each bordered by sturdy mana shields.

In a swift motion, Rai lands on the back of the beast, its pained yelps reverberating through the cave as the potion is plunged into the open wound. With the task accomplished, Rai retreats, his lightning-enhanced speed propelling him out of harm's way. I can't help but let out a small chuckle at the sight, finally, the pieces are falling together. Everything is going as planned, it doesn't matter what type of monster this is, it won't last much longer.