More and more Phantom Beasts surrounded the area. Theos could clearly feel himself straining under the pressure.

The flying unicorn’s glow intensified, transforming into razor-sharp blades that slashed at the beasts. Yet their numbers were simply too overwhelming to handle.

*If I can just flush him out, everything will be fine.*

Holding this thought, Theos straightened his back.

“Iril, I need your help.”

“Of course. What should I do?”

Unlike a certain girl, Theos was an upright young man with proper upbringing—no underhanded schemes crossed his mind.

“Use your magic to create smoke. I’m breaking through.”

“Break through? But what’s the point? There’s nothing but open ground ahead.”

“I have a plan.”

“Understood. I trust you.”

Though puzzled, Iril chose to believe the academy’s second-ranked student.

Theos knew his companions well—exactly what each could do and how to use it.

Iril released her Mana. A luminous orb shot skyward, *BOOM!*—exploding into thick smoke that blanketed the land.

Seizing the cover, Theos mounted his Phantom Beast and charged into the haze.

The unicorn’s glow blazed fiercer. Golden flames erupted, scorching the beasts. Their agonized howls multiplied as more bodies hit the ground.

A single sword sweep—blood sprayed. Several slashes tore through Phantom Beast flesh.

Theos rose on the saddle, leaped into the air, and decapitated multiple beasts mid-jump before landing smoothly back on his mount. The unicorn fired a glowing orb from its mouth, obliterating obstacles ahead.

“So amazing…” Saria murmured in awe.

“That’s Theos… the second-ranked’s true strength…” Moyu Manatsu’s expression shifted to pure admiration.

*No wonder he defeated me that day. With power like this, few in the academy can match him.*

“Eve, prepare to break through!”

He patted the unicorn’s head. The beast understood instantly, letting out a cry.

Golden light morphed into blades, slicing through beasts. The unicorn spread its wings, lifting its rider into the sky.

Soaring above, Theos’s brow furrowed tighter. His eyes locked onto the ground below.

An explosion bloomed beneath him. The beasts roared in fury but couldn’t reach the airborne youth.

*What is he planning?*

Xiejit, watching the holographic projection inside the cave, felt an inexplicable chill. Staring at Theos on-screen, he sensed being seen through.

Theos smiled. As the unicorn flew, his gaze turned increasingly fierce.

Just then, Iril’s smokescreen fully enveloped the land—pitch darkness, visibility zero.

*What are they up to?*

A bad premonition gripped Xiejit.

Theos steered his Phantom Beast straight into the fog…

**BOOM!**

A violent explosion ripped through the northwest. Rocks and debris flew as a massive hole tore open in the cave wall.

Xiejit coughed through the dust. When it cleared, the boy on the flying unicorn had breached the cave.

“I’m truly relieved to see you unharmed, Princess Wensidia.”

Theos dismounted, bowing slightly.

“Theos…?” Wensidia’s expression defied description—beyond mere shock.

“Impossible! This mountain’s terrain is a labyrinth of caves! How could you possibly find me here?!”

Xiejit’s outburst was understandable. Theos merely smiled.

“By your logic, you’re absolutely right.”

“Then how—?”

“Forgive my bluntness, but sir… your intellect seems lacking.”

“What did you say?!”

“Indeed, this mountain’s complexity at the edge of the Death Forest makes finding you nearly impossible.”

Theos advanced slowly.

“But you made one fatal mistake: every Phantom Beast you controlled came from the northwest. Wasn’t that practically pointing me here?”

*Xiejit had underestimated them. These students were far from helpless.*

His carelessness had shattered his entire plan.

This delicate-looking boy had truly surprised him.

“Then, honored guest of Zazvita Duchy… may I reclaim our princess, Wensidia Stro Mirastin?”

Seeing Theos, Wensidia felt safer—but her guard remained up, eyes fixed warily on Xiejit.

“So you found me. Impressive, kid…”

“I owe it to Lunorette. Alone, I couldn’t have done it.”

“Your name?”

“Theos Fdisas.”

“A noble heir? Yet I’ve never heard of a Theos in the Fdisas line.”

“Finished talking? May I attack now?”

“Hmph. Just a brat.”

Xiejit sneered.

*Finding my base changes nothing. The power gap will decide this.*

**CRACK!**

A beam of death pierced the spot where Theos had stood moments before.

“Roaring wind, tear all asunder—become my blade!”

Chanting the incantation, Theos summoned a storm that surged toward his foe.

Xiejit remained calm. His eyes snapped open—violet light flared. One palm deflected the attack. To Theos’s shock, crimson Mana erupted like an apocalyptic cannon, blasting forward.

“He didn’t even chant?!”

Theos barely dodged, scrambling up—only to take a brutal kick to the gut.

As he tried to cast magic, Xiejit’s hand morphed into a blade, slashing down.

“Cough… Military Magic…” Theos gasped, bloodied and battered.

At those words, Wensidia’s face paled visibly.

*Military Magic—lethal battlefield spells banned for students. Only soldiers were permitted such power.*

Outside, Moyu Manatsu finally cleared most beasts. *Maybe I can slip away now…*

She glanced up just as an explosion rocked a cave entrance. Debris rained down. A terrible foreboding seized her.

Before she could react, a violet beam shot out—piercing a girl’s abdomen. Blood sprayed.

“Iril!” Caina’s scream tore through the air.

Moyu turned. Iril clutched her bleeding stomach, crimson soaking her hands.

“It hurts! It hurts!!”

“Help! She’s wounded!”

Still reeling, another flash erupted. A figure flew from the cave—slamming hard into Moyu.

The impact knocked the wind from her. The weight on her chest stole her breath.

The body pressing down felt utterly soft—no firmness at all, like cotton. A faint fragrance lingered. *A boy’s body shouldn’t be this… yielding.*

“Sorry, Lunorette…” Theos rasped, pushing himself up unsteadily.

His flying unicorn descended swiftly, nuzzling its injured master.

“I’m fine, Eve. Not dying yet.” He patted the beast, forcing himself upright.

“Not bad for a kid. But you’re no match for me. Call the Imperial Mage Corps if you want a real fight.”

Xiejit emerged from the cave, his smile radiating hellish malice.

He snapped his fingers. Phantom Beasts materialized—their eyes now blood-red, emitting bone-chilling shrieks.

“Beast control…” Moyu Manatsu whispered, horror dawning.

“Lunorette, if we attack together, we might wound him.” Theos wiped blood from his lip. “You’re far stronger than me. Take point—you can do it, right?”

“Me?”

“Yes. No problem, right?”

“Wait, I—”

Moyu Manatsu choked on the words. She wasn’t the real Lunorette. She couldn’t possibly match Theos’s strength.

Seeing her struggle, Theos’s smile turned bitter.

“I should’ve realized sooner.”

“Huh?”

“Your power’s diminished, hasn’t it, Lunorette?”

“…”

“I noticed in the Death Forest. Your strength… it’s nothing like before. Those beasts harassing me would’ve been gone if you were at full power. Clearly, your abilities are gone.”

“I…”

“No need to explain. I understand. You can’t do anything now. You’re afraid of holding us back, aren’t you?”

Moyu Manatsu stayed silent.

*He’s right.*

“Stay back and protect everyone. I’ll defeat him.”

Sword raised, he charged toward Xiejit’s mocking grin.

He knew he’d lose. Yet he advanced anyway. *This is who he is.*

Moyu Manatsu couldn’t judge him. She could only watch as Theos charged—and fell.

**SCREECH!**

A beam pierced his arm. Theos collapsed. His unicorn rushed forward—only for another beam to tear through its body. An explosion bloomed behind it.

“And you girls.”

Xiejit appeared before Saria’s group. Beams flashed. Explosions erupted.

“Don’t underestimate us!” Saria unleashed a fire blast.

It shattered instantly against his defense. Xiejit retaliated with Military Magic—a brutal strike that sent her flying.

*Total defeat.*

That was the only word for it.

This student squad had no answer.

“Now you.”

Xiejit stood before Moyu. Her terrified face seemed to amuse him as he kicked her flying.

“Your expression… truly fascinating.”

The beam struck. Explosion.

Moyu Manatsu tumbled across the ground, agony searing through her.

*He’ll kill me. He’ll definitely kill me…*

Xiejit’s boot pressed down on her face, grinding her into the dirt.

“Stop it!” Caina lunged forward.

Futile. One strike sent her crashing aside.

The academy's strongest fighter had no resistance against him.

Moyu was sent flying with a single kick, tumbling down the hillside. He wanted to chase her, purely savoring the thrill of domination.

"Don't die so quickly. I haven't had enough fun yet."

Theos clenched his teeth, grabbed his foot, and pulled himself up.

"This brat is interesting."

Xiejit chuckled.

Meanwhile, the white-haired girl slowly rose at the hill's base. She walked slowly, watching Xiejit battle Theos in the distance. Her body trembled as she knelt on the ground...