As the clash between the magical wolf and the girl intensified, her breathing grew ragged. What had once been a pristine, shimmering blue dress was now soaked with blood and sweat. Wounds covered her body, yet her eyes showed no trace of surrender. She fought with everything she had—dodging narrowly, striking back with sharp, disciplined movements.
"She's skilled," Jai Veer murmured from behind the trees, his eyes fixed on the battle. "Her speed… her precision… it's all there. But she's only at the 3-star Jagruti (Awakening) stage, and that Grade-1 wolf is a tough opponent. This fight's already tilted against her."
The girl barely evaded another savage swipe. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her limbs trembling as her energy neared exhaustion.
If this keeps up… I'll die here, she thought, cold fear tightening her chest. But if I'm fated to die, then I'll die fighting—not like a coward.
Gritting her teeth, she gathered every last trace of magical energy left within her and poured it into her dagger. With a sharp cry, she hurled it straight toward the wolf's head.
The dagger streaked through the air like lightning, crashing into the beast's magical barrier. Cracks spread rapidly across the shimmering shield. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the dagger might break through—
Then the energy dissipated.
The dagger clattered uselessly to the ground.
The wolf growled low, sensing her weakness.
It lunged.
Her body froze.
So… this is how it ends?
She squeezed her eyes shut as the beast soared through the air, claws and fangs aimed straight at her.
"SHING!"
A sharp sound split the night.
In the next instant, a sword cut cleanly through the wolf's neck. The beast collapsed in two pieces—the head rolling behind her, the body crashing at her feet.
Warm blood splashed across her cheek.
"What…!?" she gasped, instinctively touching her face.
Her eyes flew open.
The wolf lay dead.
A gleaming sword was embedded in the ground nearby.
"Who helped me?!" she called out, her voice trembling but firm. "Come out!"
From behind the trees, a figure stepped forward.
Jai Veer.
"Who are you?" she demanded, turning sharply toward him.
"Me? I was just passing through," Jai Veer replied honestly as he walked over and pulled his sword free. "I heard your voice and saw you struggling, so I stepped in at the end."
Her brows furrowed. "You saw me?" she snapped. "So you just stood there watching and only helped when it turned life-threatening?"
Jai Veer scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "You were holding your own really well. I didn't think you needed help. But when things got dangerous… I couldn't just stand by."
She exhaled slowly, still catching her breath. "Whatever. What are you doing in this forest, especially at night?"
"I got lost a few days ago," he said plainly. "Since then, I've been stuck here… just surviving."
She blinked in surprise. With a soft wave of her hand, gentle magical energy flowed over her, cleaning the blood from her face and repairing her torn clothes.
Jai Veer stepped closer. "Then what about you? Why are you here this late?"
"Oh," she replied, straightening slightly. "I'm here with my academy—Aaroha Academy. I couldn't sleep, went for a walk… and got lost. That wolf followed my trail before I could find my way back."
"Aaroha Academy?" Jai Veer repeated, eyes widening.
That name carried weight. It was the most prestigious academy in the Vrishabha Empire—and the second-best across the entire Aryavartha continent.
"You okay?" she asked, noticing his expression.
"Yeah… just surprised," he said. "Getting into a place like that isn't easy. You must've worked really hard."
She smiled faintly. "I did. But you—you don't look like you're from Aaroha. Which academy are you from?"
"None," Jai Veer replied, shaking his head.
"What?" Her eyes widened—then she burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Don't tell me you've been stuck here for days and didn't even know how to get out. I thought you were part of some academy training."
"Hey! What's so funny?" he snapped, clearly annoyed.
Still laughing, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "It's just… this forest isn't that big. If you walk during the day for a couple of hours, you'll reach the edge."
Jai Veer's cheeks heated up.
"Fine," he muttered. "Then you'll lead the way out in the morning."
She nodded easily. "Sure."
"Until then, rest and recover," he said. "I'll keep watch."
She smirked. "Yeah, sure. Don't go anywhere—you need to get out too, remember?"
Without another word, she sat cross-legged and began cultivating, drawing in Jiva Shakti to heal her wounds and restore her strength. Jai Veer stood nearby, sword in hand, eyes alert as he scanned the darkness.
Three hours passed.
"Finally," she said, standing up. "I've recovered enough. Morning's close—we'll move when the sun rises."
"Good," Jai Veer replied with a nod.
She tilted her head, a mischievous smile forming. "Wait—I never asked. What's your name?"
He blinked. "Jai Veer."
"Oooh… should I call you Jai? Or Veer? Or Jai Veer?" she teased.
"Veer is fine," he said calmly.
"Alright then. Veer it is," she replied. "And you can call me Anvi."
"Understood, Princess Anvi," he said mockingly.
She laughed. "You're sharp. But just Anvi is fine."
Before either could say more, the nearby bushes rustled violently.
Grrrrrowl!
They both turned at once.
A massive wolf emerged from the underbrush—twice the size of the earlier one. Its fur shimmered with dense magic, and its glowing eyes locked onto them with killing intent.
A Grade-2 Magical Wolf.
Jai Veer's grip tightened around his sword. Even a peak 9-star Jagruti (Awakening) cultivator would hesitate before such a beast. He had only just reached 8-star Jagruti after days of relentless combat and refining wolves' Jiva Shakti.
And Anvi—
She was still only at the 3-star Jagruti stage.
This battle would be far more dangerous.
Their chances of victory were frighteningly low.