Just as I hesitated inwardly, I suddenly heard that girl’s voice—low enough for only two to hear:

"Yiyi. As my strongest Contract Beast, consider this Throne Struggle warm-up practice. Crush this insolent bastard who dared insult you and me. Don’t worry—I’ve got a Teleportation Scroll. Just knock him flat. I’ll handle the rest."

Teleportation Scrolls were rare magical artifacts that instantly returned the user to Spiritsoar Kingdom’s palace. A single scroll required raw materials worth tens of thousands of gold coins. Only the dean of Spiritsoar’s Magic Academy could craft them—and only the king was permitted to own one. Rumor said each scroll underwent blood-binding rituals during creation… making them priceless treasures.

*That girl… actually possesses one?*

Shock rippled through me. *Just how deeply did Spiritsoar’s late emperor dote on her to grant such a treasure?*

"Dare to snatch what’s mine?" That girl’s icy gaze locked onto the smirking man before her, utterly fearless with the scroll in her possession. "Think you can harm me if I refuse?"

"Arrogant brat!" The man threw his head back laughing. "You’re just a figurehead Crown Princess. No guards here now—I’ll pin you down like some street whore!"

At Lilith’s words, his hand snapped up. The Frostblood Cuckoo perched on his shoulder ripped through the air like a dark-gold blade. It slammed toward my face with terrifying force.

In this world, battles followed one simple rule: whoever’s Contract Beast fell first lost.

His plan was obvious—use the cuckoo’s blinding speed to eliminate me first, then deal with that girl at leisure. After all, though Contract Beasts couldn’t truly die, severe injuries would force them to retreat into their master’s body for recovery. Left defenseless, their human would be helpless.

"Leave this to me, Master."

Ignoring that girl’s slightly startled glance, I tightened my grip on the Stardevouring Staff as the shadow hurtled toward me. These attackers reeked of mystery—possibly hired by the auction house or the Third Princess to disrupt the upcoming Throne Struggle. I had to hide my true identity as an Angel. And since Milo Beasts couldn’t cast offensive magic…

*Fine. I’ll win without it.*

Perhaps it was the Contract’s pull—but standing before my master… that girl… I felt an unexpected urge to shine. *Not a bad idea.*

The corner of my lips curled up slightly. I didn’t even flinch as the Frostblood Cuckoo’s beak neared my eyes. Instead, I channeled mana into the ring on my left ring finger. It trembled faintly. Light flickered—

—and I reappeared behind the diving bird.

The Teleportation Ring. That girl’s recent purchase for me. Simple to use: pour in mana, and instantly shift five meters ahead of her position. Its massive mana cost had kept its auction price low.

But for someone like me—who didn’t even know the limits of their own mana reserves—it was the perfect weapon.

*He never expected a Milo Beast to teleport.*

Even this surprise only stalled the famously swift Frostblood Cuckoo for a split second. The shadow twisted mid-air, accelerating further—yet as an Angel, I could track every micro-movement of its body.

*Since Milo Beasts can’t use offensive magic…*

I raised the Stardevouring Staff, mana flaring around its tip.

*…I’ll take this bird down with defense magic. Heard they roast rather nicely anyway.*