Lifting my head, I gazed at the faint, deep emerald-green pupils glinting in the forest’s depths and swung the Stardevouring Staff again.

I was still a little nervous inside…

After all, this was my first real attempt at offensive magic.

Let me think… Chanting the incantation should come first.

But since it’s my debut, I’ll pick something cool and powerful.

"O realm beyond the sky, bestow a beam that pierces all confusion!"

"Eh…? Yiyi, you—"

As I chanted, a surprised gasp came from beside me. She must’ve been shocked—I’d found this spell only after flipping to the magic book’s final pages. Among high-tier spells, it was strong. Though no match for Elven Magic, it wasn’t to be ignored.

"Pierce the confusion before us… ugh!"

But mid-chant, a laser-like *whoosh* split the air. A shocking grayish-white beam vaporized the space beside me, striking the grass. That patch vanished instantly.

"Yiyi?!"

The ground gave way under my feet. Instinctively, I leaped to a nearby clearing, cutting my spell short.

Ugh… My very first offensive magic… ruined like this.

I pouted slightly. Too late to change it now. The book did mention setting up defensive magic first before attacking.

Well, forget that. Time for round two—let’s show them my magic’s power!

Steadying myself, I saw the eerie green gaze sharpen in the distance. Faintly, the demon beast’s form emerged: fangs like a ravenous wolf, a mane like a mighty lion, limbs like a swift leopard—all smeared with fresh blood and reeking of iron.

Ugh… Fear prickled my instincts, yet I still craved to cast.

No. Focus. This is practice time.

"O realm beyond the sky…"

I squeezed my eyes shut, pouring my soul into the spell. Under the Contract’s pull, all I wanted was to succeed—just as *that guy* ordered.

Gripping the Stardevouring Staff tighter, I felt elements swirl around it at my words, coalescing into a blinding, searing light.

A low growl rumbled from the beast.

No distractions this time. Last failure was from losing focus.

I won’t mess up again!

"Bestow the beam that pierces all confusion! Pierce the confusio—"

"Watch out, Yiyi! Nature’s protection—Elven Shield!"

"Eh~?"

Don’t shout now—wait… danger?

I snapped my eyes open. A blue barrier shattered into sparks before me. Grayish-white light swelled, swallowing my vision.

Searing pain ripped through my body.

The forest echoed with a child’s wail—I hadn’t known I could scream so loud. But pain drowned all thought. My mind went blank.