As soon as Jai Veer and Anvi laid eyes on the Grade-2 magical wolf, they froze.
The beast's presence was overwhelming. The air around them felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the forest itself was bowing under its pressure. Even the ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble faintly.
"Oh my God…" Anvi whispered, her voice trembling as fear crept into her eyes. "Where did this Grade-2 wolf come from? Looks like this might really be my last morning alive…"
"Hey," Jai Veer said firmly, stepping forward until he stood shoulder to shoulder with her. His jaw clenched as he faced the beast. "Don't give up so easily. Get a grip. We fight it together."
He drew his sword.
Beside him, Anvi swallowed hard and pulled out her dagger, her hands shaking but steadying as she tightened her grip.
The wolf let out a furious roar.
In the next instant, glowing magical spikes shot through the air toward them. Jai Veer raised his sword while Anvi crossed her dagger defensively. The impact sent shockwaves through their arms, but they managed to block the attack—barely.
They exchanged a quick glance.
Then they moved.
Attacking from two directions at once, they charged the beast with synchronized strikes, pouring their remaining strength into the assault.
But—
The wolf's eyes suddenly blazed with light.
Two intense yellow beams erupted from its gaze, shooting straight toward them.
"Ugh! This is even stronger than before!" Anvi cried, her voice shaking as she struggled to deflect the attack.
The force overwhelmed her.
She was thrown backward and slammed into the ground.
"Uhh…" she groaned, pain rippling through her body.
"Anvi!" Jai Veer shouted, heart skipping a beat.
Before she could respond, the residual force struck him as well, pushing him back several steps.
The wolf roared again and leapt into the air, its massive body aiming straight for Anvi.
Jai Veer reacted instantly.
He threw himself in front of her, raising his sword just in time. The impact sent vibrations through his arms, but he managed to force the beast back.
The wolf recoiled, then gathered power once more.
Two yellow beams formed again—this time merging into a single, devastating attack.
"Damn it…" Jai Veer muttered under his breath.
The blast slammed into him head-on.
His body was sent crashing to the ground, pain exploding through him as fresh wounds opened across his body.
Both of them lay there, breathing heavily, exhaustion weighing them down.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Jai Veer pushed himself up.
His legs trembled, his vision blurred, but he still raised his sword.
"Come on, Anvi," he said, his voice rough but determined. "Let's give it one more try."
They gathered what little strength they had left, channeling magical energy into their sword and dagger from a distance. Their combined attack surged forward—
Only to be stopped cold by the wolf's shimmering magical shield.
Jai Veer's eyes narrowed.
"That shield…" he realized grimly. "It's completely neutralizing ranged techniques."
He glanced back at Anvi. "Do you have any powerful techniques left?"
She nodded weakly. "I do… but it'll take some time to cast."
"Alright," Jai Veer said without hesitation. "I'll hold it off. Don't waste that chance."
He charged forward.
Behind him, Anvi raised her hands toward the sky, her lips moving softly.
"Condensed Lightning Strike…"
Above them, the clouds began to churn as magical energy gathered.
Jai Veer forced his battered body to keep moving, parrying and dodging with sheer willpower.
"Hurry up!" he shouted, his voice strained. "I'm not planning on dying here!"
The wolf suddenly pulled back, then launched itself forward with terrifying force.
I can't block this, Jai Veer realized, cold sweat trickling down his back.
The beast was mid-air—
CRACK—BOOM!!
A massive bolt of lightning tore down from the sky, slamming straight into the wolf. The ground shook violently as dust and smoke exploded outward.
The wolf crashed into the earth.
Jai Veer exhaled sharply. "Phew… good timing."
Anvi smiled proudly despite her exhaustion, patting him lightly on the back. "How was my attack?"
"Hmph… not bad," Jai Veer replied, forcing a faint grin.
"Huh… looks like you really have a death wish," Anvi said with a teasing yet dangerous smile. Even now, her expression carried a fierce charm.
But before either of them could relax—
The wolf stirred.
It rose again.
Its eyes burned with wild flames, madness twisting its form as it went completely berserk. Its aura surged, and its attacks became far more violent.
"…Yeah," Jai Veer muttered weakly, his shoulders sagging. "Now we're definitely dead. I've got no energy left."
They struggled to dodge and block, their movements slow and unsteady.
The wolf gathered power for one final strike—
Then—
A blinding light flashed.
An old man appeared between them and the beast.
SWISH—BOOM!!
In a single, effortless motion, his blade cut through the wolf.
The beast was torn apart.
Blood splattered across the ground, staining the earth deep red.
Jai Veer and Anvi stood frozen, their bodies trembling under the crushing pressure radiating from the old man. His aura alone made it difficult to breathe.
This pressure… Jai Veer thought in shock. He's at the peak of 9-Star Mahatva (Elemental Mastery)…
The old man turned, his stern gaze falling on Anvi.
"What are you doing in this forest?" he demanded.
Anvi stiffened. "V-Vice Principal, sir! I'm sorry… I was just taking a walk and got lost. First I encountered a Grade-1 wolf, and then this Grade-2—"
"Grade-1?" the old man interrupted sharply. "Did you kill it?"
"No, sir," Anvi replied quickly, pointing toward Jai Veer. "This boy did. He saved my life."
The old man's gaze shifted.
He studied Jai Veer carefully.
"Interesting…" he murmured. "An 8-Star Jagruti stage cultivator at such a young age?"
"He's not from any academy," Anvi added. "He lives alone near the forest."
The old man stepped closer. "Where are you from, boy? Where are your parents?"
Jai Veer hesitated, then answered quietly, "I live near the edge of the forest… alone. I don't know where my parents are."
The old man's expression softened slightly.
"So much strength at such an age…" he said thoughtfully. "Why don't you join Aaroha Academy? With your talent, you'll surely pass the entrance test."
Jai Veer fell silent, considering his words.
Then he nodded. "Alright. That might be good for me."
"Excellent," the old man said. "First, let's head to the camp."
With a wave of his hand, a shimmering spatial portal opened before them.
All three stepped inside—
And vanished.