On the way, Lorin trailed behind Xueyi and Lilith, racking his brain for ways to warn them off reckless moves.

But the two were dead set on marching straight toward the commotion.

When they reached the disturbance, a massive bear armored in thick earth rampaged wildly ahead, attacking everything indiscriminately.

Around it, academy students gripped their weapons warily, but their trembling legs betrayed their fear.

The bear crouched on its forelimbs, snorting furiously—venting rage at being disturbed.

"Tsk," Lorin clicked his tongue, eyeing the beast.

Seriously, how did these sheltered trainees dare provoke this thing?

"Ah, Miss Lilith!" Onlookers spotted her, relief flooding their faces like she was a savior.

"Are you all right?" Lilith asked.

The speaker shook his head but instinctively stepped back as the bear advanced. "We heard a rare magic beast was here. Wanted to try our luck. Didn't expect it to be this strong."

Lilith glanced at the bear. Her intel only mentioned an earth-magic bear. But standing here, its oppressive presence hit her hard.

"Miss Xueyi, are you up for this?" Lilith asked. They'd teamed up after discussion; she needed confirmation.

"Should be fine," Xueyi replied, steadying her breath and drawing her waist sword.

"Okay," Lilith nodded. "I'll distract it. You strike when you see an opening."

Lilith specialized in light magic—self-enhancement and weapon enchantment—for endurance fights. Xueyi wielded fire magic, more aggressive by nature.

"Like hell it is," Lorin muttered nearby, slapping his forehead. If he hadn't followed them, he'd never have guessed how reckless they'd be together.

Just as Lorin sighed, a dull thud echoed. The bear stumbled back under their assault.

Its earth-armor cracked under Xueyi's strikes, reeking of burning.

Enraged, it swiped claws at Xueyi.

Before they landed, Lilith's sword glowed brightly. She thrust it forward, blocking the blow head-on.

In that gap, Xueyi struck again at the cracked spot.

Onlookers watched in slight awe. Lilith and Xueyi were top of their year—many had seen their duels, since Xueyi challenged Lilith constantly. But this teamwork? A first for everyone.

"Huh?" Lorin blinked. "Might actually work."

He'd only learned their abilities from the Bookkeeper's settings. Seeing them now, it seemed possible.

"The protagonist's aura is truly powerful," he mused. No matter the story shifts, Lilith would survive to the end. Others linking to her gained advantages—that's why he'd paired Xueyi with her.

With their coordination, the bear showed fatigue. Its armor shattered completely, flesh wounded in spots.

Just as Lorin relaxed, a cloaked figure dashed from behind him.

Before Lorin reacted, the shadow nocked an arrow, drew the bow fast, and shot toward Lilith and Xueyi.

"You!" Lorin leaped up, sword swinging down to block.

Sensing hostility, the figure raised the bow to parry.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Lorin demanded. Both cloaked, faces hidden.

Hearing Lorin's voice, the figure paused. It dropped the now-broken bow and flashed an eerie smile.

"Who exactly are you?" Lorin pressed, sword poised.

"Who am I?" the cloaked one replied. "Take a guess."

Before Lorin could speak, a deafening roar erupted from Xueyi and Lilith's direction—louder than the bear's first appearance. Even at a distance, it rattled Lorin's ears.

"Hey, don't run!"

Seeing Lorin distracted, the figure stepped back and vanished into the woods.

Sensing trouble, Lorin jumped onto a tree branch. He saw the arrow hadn't hit the girls—it pierced the bear's eye.

That roar came from the wounded beast. It yanked out the arrow, crimson blood flowing with strange, eerie liquid mixed in.

Lorin frowned. Even on first sight, he knew that liquid wasn't from the bear.

"That guy's arrow was coated with something," he realized. Whether poison or worse, the gravely injured bear went berserk.

Lilith and Xueyi stared, confused by its sudden frenzy.

As it charged again, Lilith stepped forward to block.

Her sword met its claws—her hand numbed with pain, and she flew back meters.

The enraged bear uprooted a giant tree, swinging it wildly.

Nearby students tried to resist but were all swept aside.

Its bloodshot eye locked on Xueyi. It roared and hurled the tree trunk at her.

"Eh?" Xueyi froze, panic erasing her thoughts.

"Miss Xueyi!" Lilith propped herself up with her sword. "Duck!"

Xueyi snapped out of it—but the trunk was already upon her.

In that instant, a figure dashed from the woods. It shoved Xueyi aside just in time, rolling away with her.