Xueyi and the charging figure rolled aside. The thunderous crash of the massive tree trunk slamming into the earth snapped Xueyi back to her senses.

Feeling herself tightly embraced, she instinctively tried to break free.

"This really hurts," came a muffled voice from under the cloak, making her freeze.

Lorin yanked off the hood, revealing a pained grimace. The trunk hadn’t hit them directly, but a jutting branch had scraped his arm, tearing a corner clean off his cloak.

Seeing Lorin here, Xueyi felt a surge of surprise and delight. Still held by him, she asked, "How did you even get here?"

"How did I get here? Good question," Lorin said, sitting up. He eyed Xueyi—both their faces streaked with dirt—and jabbed a finger at her. "You... no, you two are something else."

Just recalling it made Lorin’s anger flare, nearly stealing his breath.

"I’ll deal with you two later." If they hadn’t been so reckless, he wouldn’t have had to intervene like this. Still, he was glad he’d kept a watchful eye and followed; otherwise, disaster would’ve struck.

Xueyi didn’t grasp his meaning. Spotting blood streaming down his arm, she moved to bandage it—then remembered she’d never learned how. Worried, she murmured, "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Lorin said, pushing himself up while clutching his arm. "But I might not stay that way."

They had time to talk, but the giant bear didn’t. Agony from its wounded eye drove it into a frenzy, lashing out indiscriminately. Left unchecked, it’d only grow deadlier.

Watching students frozen in terror, Lorin bellowed toward the trees, "Hey! Hired guards! Still hiding? This is spiraling out of control!"

As his shout faded, cloaked figures burst from the woods. They darted to noble students, hoisted them wordlessly, and vanished into the foliage.

"Those idiots!" Lorin smacked his forehead. He’d hoped they’d help, but they clearly avoided trouble. Protecting nobles was their only duty—no unpaid, exhausting risks. They hadn’t even planned to show until he yelled.

Several students remained, including Lilith and Xueyi beside him. The academy’s so-called guard team was absent since the chaos began. They’d be slow to arrive now.

"Any solutions?" Lorin asked the Bookkeeper silently.

After a pause, its voice echoed in his mind: "Yes."

"Then spit it out!"

"After choosing your magic affinity, you were told: three low-tier, two mid-tier, and one Advanced Magic spell daily. Using Advanced Magic now could end this, but—"

"Fine. Do it!" Lorin cut in, deciding instantly.

Spotting the rampaging bear, he yelled, "Lilith! Get everyone behind me into the woods!"

Lilith, just noticing Lorin, gasped. "Second Prince." She didn’t hesitate, dragging nearby students toward the trees.

The one-eyed bear saw its prey vanish. It paused, sniffing the air, then locked onto Lorin and Xueyi by the scent of blood.

As it charged with a roar, Lorin released Xueyi. "Stand behind me."

"But..." Xueyi hesitated, seeing his arm hang limp.

"Listen!" His tone turned sharp.

Sensing his firmness, Xueyi stepped back but gripped her sword, ready to leap forward.

Lorin raised his hand, whispering under his breath. A pale blue book materialized, flipping pages on its own.

At one page, a beam of light shot skyward.

Everyone stared, awestruck—even the charging bear halted, stunned.

Clear skies darkened with thunderheads. A dragon of pure, flowing water coalesced in the clouds.

Lorin slashed his arm down. The dragon plunged earthward.

Like a flash flood, water erupted from the impact, swallowing the forest around the bear.

"Whoa..." Lorin hadn’t expected such force. The bear vanished; half the woods lay submerged.

Lilith and the nobles stood speechless. They’d never witnessed magic this powerful at the academy—only read of it in textbooks.

Lorin collapsed like a deflated balloon. Xueyi tried to steady him but sank down beside him.

Panting hard, sweat dripping, he muttered, "Does this thing hit this hard?" He hadn’t realized Advanced Magic would drain him body and mind.

Leaning back unconsciously, he slumped against Xueyi.

She stiffened, then cradled him. "You said you wouldn’t join. Why are you here?" She’d wondered all along—really, how he’d found them.

Too tired to speak, Lorin lifted his wrist. A bracelet pulsed steadily there.

Xueyi understood. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing her own bracelet. Their gems glowed in perfect sync.

In the distance, academy guards finally arrived, drawn by the sky’s spectacle.