Clara turned to look at Yue and Venessa, who were gathering everyone into the center of camp for better defense, and smiled. "Bright girls. It seems Venessa knows when to forget about past grievances. I will give her an extra point for this. As for Yue… Full marks as of now. Let's hope both of them can bring back a purple orb, or these points will mean nothing."
As Clara stood off to the side to rescue any students who were captured, Yue and Venessa had successfully gotten everyone in order. Yue seemed to be the one in command. " Those with experience in melee weapons to the outer rim of the formation. All others are to back them up with healing and ranged attacks."
"Why is Yue in charge!?" Someone suddenly yelled.
"Shut up and follow Yue's orders! Now is not the time to be bickering. She is the one with the most battle experience out of every one of us. So do as she says!" Venessa did not wish to let anyone die here, so it was only appropriate for the one with the most experience to be in the lead. She did not wish to be like Abigail and get dragged away due to her classmates' inability to set aside differences when it is needed.
After Venessa's outburst, everyone quieted down and looked at Yue for what to do next. Yue gave Venessa a grateful nod before repeating what she said before. "As I said before, those who have training in melee weapons to the front. Everyone else will be healing and backing them up with ranged attacks. Venessa, you are the princess of our kingdom, so I must ask you to be in the very middle."
"Sorry, Yue, I can not do that. As I also have some training in the sword. I am needed on the outer rim. You will just need to take on the task of making sure I do not get dragged away." Venessa would not hide just because of her position. Not when she was able to be of more use as someone on the front line.
Yue could only agree with Venessa, knowing that there was no way she was going to be able to change the girl's mind. "Then stay close to me, at least."
"As you wish." Venessa replied as she readied her sword.
The group all watched the tree line from all sides with great vigilance. They knew if they did not act carefully, they would end up being dragged away without even having a chance to put up a fight. The girls who were in the middle all had pale faces as they readied their staves waiting to attack at the first thing they saw.
Not long after, six Spark Lions emerged through the tree line and let out a low roar. Their huge bodies, sharp teeth and claws, and the stream of drool dripping out of their mouths caused the students to shake in fear. This was the first time most of these kids had seen such monsters.
"Ranged attack now! Melee, protect the ranged! Remember what you learned in class about how the Spark Lion behaves. They hunt in packs and usually use distraction tactics. So keep a close eye on your neighbors." Yue yelled out a reminder of the Spark Lion's behavior while giving the order to attack.
The Spark Lions were swift. The magic that was being casted towards them was easy to dodge. Although they were being attacked left and right, this did not mean they were going to let so much prey get away. They were monsters that would not stop until they had at least one of the prey before their eyes between their jaws. Unable to hold themselves back, the six spark lions that appeared leaped forward and attacked the students.
"Ahhh!" Multiple screams were heard, causing the other to yell out in fright. Yue, who was already fighting one Spark Lion, brow furrowed. "Shut up and fight! Do not break the formation! Those who can cast fire spells set the tree line on fire. Try to keep them from dragging the others back! If someone still gets dragged away, just leave them be."
Venessa knew what Yue was saying was cruel, but it was either all of them or a few. Right now, they had nothing but amateurs who had never been in a real fight. She was no exception, but she had more knowledge about these things from being taught by her instructors. "Yue! To your left!"
Yue turned to see another one of her classmates being dragged away. She frowned and turned her head away. She had no choice but to leave them to their fates. Venessa saw Yue's pained expression and tugged on her sleeve. "I will go with you. If you can help them, help. At this rate, we will all be dragged away."
"Mmm… All ranged attackers fire without hesitation at the tree lines. Do not hit your allies. All front liners try to rescue anyone you can!" She had no choice but to change tactics now and break their formation slightly. If they continued, as Venessa said, they would only be dragged away one by one with how everyone was panicking. They would see the Spark Lion in front of them, freeze, and forget to attack. They were basically serving themselves up on a silver platter to the Spark Lions.
This was going to be a major problem for her classmates, especially when they entered the dungeon. She was now glad she was not teamed with anyone. But the major issue here was only Clara was able to save them once they crossed the tree line and into the darkness. With five to six of her students being dragged out at once, there was no way she could rescue them all on her own.
Yue grabbed Venessa's hand and pulled Venessa behind her. "Princess, I know we do not get along well, but I promise you I will protect you. Just stay behind me while I do what I can to keep people from being eaten alive."
"I know. I put my life in your hands." Venessa knew very well how much she tormented Yue. After this, she knew she could no longer do as before. Although they would probably never become friends, at the very least, they would not get into fights anymore, at least for the foreseeable future.
"Ahh! No, get off! Urk!" A pained scream came from the tree line, and the sounds of flesh being torn apart could be heard. This caused another wave of panic to fall over everyone. Clara, who was currently fending off four Spark Lions to save one of her students, face fell. A trace of sadness filled her eyes as she continued trying to save the young man in front of her. She could not save them all. She knew this, and even now, she herself was full of wounds. But just listening to the blood curdling screams of the young man being eaten alive just now was enough to torment her for many years to come just as it has before.