Tiyi panted, her gaze locked on the magic circle ahead.

The surrounding witches grew increasingly tense. For this beginner test, summoned monsters were ordinary creatures—beings whose strength didn’t vastly exceed regular human soldiers. Yet gaps between them could be huge.

Though this didn’t affect swordsmanship scoring, it posed serious danger to the tester.

Iseri, notably calmer, approached a stone cup. From a lizard-skin pouch at her waist, she pulled a cloudy grayish-white crystal—low quality. She dropped it in, held her hands apart, bowed her head, and chanted. Ancient, mysterious words materialized between her palms, flickering with eerie light. Arranged in a circle, they formed a glowing magic array.

Whoosh!

Pale red magical flames ignited in the cup.

The witches tensely watched the ground circle. Tiyi focused intently too.

Light seeped from the stone array’s carved runes, rising higher. It shifted from pale red to orange. The center dissolved into indescribable black mire. From it crawled a small but powerfully built figure.

The monster had a thick snout and overly long ears glowing dark red. Its tiny frame was densely muscled, scarred, veins bulging with raw strength. It gripped a glowing broken scimitar, embers dripping from the blade. A small basket of charred corpses hung on its back. Its large eyes narrowed to reptilian slits as it slowly scanned the room, glaring.

The girls held their breath.

“No way…”

“It can’t be this…”

“Seriously? So unlucky—an Infernal Goblin!?” Even Iseri gasped sharply. Yoleya beside her turned pale.

“It’s an Infernal Goblin!” Lusa warned Tiyi. “A goblin variant dwelling deep underground, at the world’s edge with lower planes. Extremely savage! One of the most vicious ordinary monsters!”

“Terminate the test?” Philine, a judge, asked worriedly.

Lusa waved her off, tensely watching. They’d act instantly to protect Tiyi if needed. Even Lusa couldn’t guarantee escaping unharmed against this thing alone. It wasn’t just several times stronger than a normal goblin—stronger than a grown man—but inherently brutal.

Ordinary monsters were common and weak. Who’d expect such danger on the first summon? The witches panicked inwardly. The new pretty senior sister was terribly unlucky. An untrained witch with basic sword skills facing an elite like this was perilous.

The Infernal Goblin fixed its gaze on Tiyi. Its eyes gleamed with innate racial hatred and predatory hunger.

“Tiyi, if overwhelmed, we can stop anytime,” Iseri reminded calmly.

Under the girls’ stares, Tiyi seemed unconcerned. Years of combat instinct took over. She didn’t reply. Instead, she raised her sword before her, facing the monster steps away. Her deep blue dress accentuated her chest, rising and falling slightly. She stood alert yet radiating feminine grace.

Each witch felt a pang. Some recalled being hunted by witch hunters, soldiers, and monsters. Goblins were all male; their reproduction was obvious. Humanity’s ancient foes, they hated witches more—beautiful and alluring, yet able to fight back.

Forged in hellish depths, Infernal Goblins were hardened and cruel. Slowly, it raised its scimitar, creeping toward Tiyi. Its eyes devoured her form. Lust, bloodlust, and rage from being summoned mingled. It smelled her fear—enticing, begging to be torn apart.

Suddenly, it hissed. Its body exploded forward with impossible force, charging the tall witch. Speed peaked instantly. Its small frame defied logic, kicking off the ground. It leaped, scimitar raised, lunging at Tiyi.

All witches held their breath. Their pounding hearts mirrored shared dread—worried for Tiyi, praying she stayed safe.

Tiyi abruptly gripped her sword one-handed, yanking it behind her back. Her chest lay wide open.

“Tiyi!??”

Lusa and Philine were horrified by this near-suicidal move.

“No good!” Iseri tried to banish the monster, but too late. Yoleya and others covered their mouths, unable to scream.

The Infernal Goblin soared before Tiyi, scimitar swinging down. Her greatsword lagged behind—a weapon meant for reach, now useless at close range. Too late!

Suddenly.

Tiyi yanked up her greatsword. Sparks flew as it scraped stone.

Clang!

A soul-shaking ring echoed. The goblin’s scimitar deflected by immovable force, embedding deep in the second-floor ceiling.

Tiyi’s greatsword now raised high, she spread her legs, twisted her waist. The disarmed goblin flew past her.

Swish!

Her blade swept a perfect arc, cleaving the Infernal Goblin midair.

Pent-up force made her swing too hard. After the cut, her greatsword slammed into the ground.

Boom!

A shockwave rippled outward.

“Eek!”

“Ah…!”

Young witches clutched their skirts against the gust, shrieking.

Dozens of meters away.

Dilovei climbed stairs when the commotion startled her.

“Hmm?”

She turned back. Silver hair and gothic black mini-skirt fluttered slightly.

Tiyi breathed deeply, softly. Her greatsword was buried in stone. Her hand trembled from numbness.

The surrounding witches stood frozen.