But just then, a sharp gasp escaped Xia’s lips!

“Wrong! This aura—it’s not a fifth-tier beast! It’s a newly ascended sixth-tier monster!”

A sixth-tier beast?!

“Since it just broke through to sixth-tier recently and was deliberately lying in ambush to ambush us, I didn’t sense it…” Xia’s usually energetic voice turned urgent, “So! Yiyi, Flat-chest—run! We’ll hold it off. Head straight for the War Ancient Tree!”

“It’s… already too late.”

In that instant, following the Elf’s icy calm words, a wrist-thick beam of ashen light shot out from deep within the forest. It slammed without warning into the pure elemental barrier solidified before Tida.

At that exact moment, I saw Tida’s expression freeze. Her voice came sharp and emotionless: “Xia!”

“Got it~!”

As the gray beam clashed with the barrier’s blue-white pulse—hissing like hot iron plunged into ice water—emerald threads of elemental energy bloomed before Xia. In the blink of an eye, they twisted into a deep-hued arrow. Under the moonless night, it cast an eerie, elongated shadow before slamming into the gray beam just as it pierced the barrier’s edge. With a violent, crackling roar, the air stilled.

Moonlight scattered. Leaves drifted down, vanishing soundlessly.

Seemingly, Tida and Xia had matched the sixth-tier monster in the first clash. But spotting the bead of sweat sliding down Tida’s pale cheek and Xia’s trembling stance, my heart sank.

There was no doubt—the exchange had drained their magic reserves terribly. Though they’d blocked the beast’s strike…

Before my thoughts could spiral, a bone-chilling howl ripped through the air again. Closer now. And laced with a trace of fury—anger at its attack being thwarted.

“Run! Both of you! We’ve already signaled for backup—go!”

Lilith, however, stood frozen like a startled rabbit. Yet upon closer look, the teleportation scroll was clutched tight in her left hand. Her right gripped mine as she leaned close, whispering in my ear:

“It’s alright, Little Yiyi. This young lady’s here. Don’t be scared. Use this chance to practice your magic.”

Clearly, at the first sign of true danger, she’d activate the scroll—whisking us both back to the palace.

But… even with that powerful escape tool, the thought of fleeing while those girls fought and bled felt wrong. Deeply wrong.

So for me, there was only one choice.

“Wandering elements of this world, heed my call! Bring blessings from the distant heavens!”

As my voice faded, floating motes of light swirled around me like fireflies seeking purpose. They drifted toward Tida and Xia. Both paused mid-breath, then turned to me with faint, grateful smiles.

*High-tier Light Attribute Recovery Magic: Blessing of Light.* Simple—it restored mana to its target. The amount depended solely on the caster’s own reserves.

Seeing their tension ease slightly, I guessed my spell had worked well enough.

But now wasn’t just time for healing magic.

Lifting my gaze to the pair of faint, emerald pupils gleaming deep within the forest shadows, I raised the Stardevouring Staff.

*My heart still pounded…*

After all—this would be my first real use of offensive magic.