The Wolverine leader prepared to unleash its most powerful skill, Cyclone Fury.
The attack covered a wide area and was strong enough to knock out Rank-4 humans.
The only drawback was the long time it needed to charge.
But here, it didn't matter.
No one had a long-range attack strong enough to interrupt it.
I thought about using my Dual Skill: Shadow Ice Shard, but other Wolverine stood in the way, guarding their leader.
I needed another plan, something risky but better than standing idle.
Gathering all my remaining mana, I focused my Ice energy.
"Ice Embodiment: Ice Creation!"
I poured everything I had into creating a massive ice stair that reached 25 meters high.
It looked like I had built a tower out of thin air.
The students, who had been frozen in fear, stared at the icy structure in shock.
"Go! Attack the leader now!"
I shouted as loud as I could, snapping them out of their daze.
They hesitated for a moment but then started climbing the stairs.
One by one, they joined the fight, pushing through the other Wolverine that tried to block their path.
"Keep going! Don't stop!"
someone yelled from the group.
"We have to stop the leader before it finishes charging!"
Lily joined in, casting her support skill.
"Athena Blessing: Heavenly Strengthening!"
The air shimmered faintly as everyone's strength increased.
It wasn't much for a single person, but with so many students, the combined boost was enormous.
Aerox dashed up the stairs, cutting down the Wolverine that got in his way.
He was faster and stronger than the others, his determination clear in his movements.
When he reached the Wolverine leader, he didn't hesitate.
"StarShatterer Style: Star Annihilation!"
The blade glowed, and Aerox's attack landed with precision.
The Wolverine leader roared in pain, its concentration shattered.
The Cyclone Fury dissipated before it could fully form.
With the leader disrupted, the battle shifted.
More students swarmed the remaining Wolverine.
The creatures, now grounded, were easier to fight.
Swords clashed, and roars echoed across the battlefield.
I took the chance to drink a mana potion, feeling my energy slowly return.
The tide of the battle was turning.
We just might win this.
Aerox faced the Wolverine leader head-on.
Even without its ability to fly, the beast was still far stronger.
Every swing of Aerox 's blade clashed against the Wolverine leader's glowing barrier, sending sparks into the air.
Lily stood behind Aerox , using her skill to shield him from the Wolverine's devastating counterattacks.
Sometimes her barrier absorbed the full force of the strikes, and other times it reduced their impact just enough to keep Aerox standing.
Despite their combined efforts, the Wolverine leader barely seemed fazed.
Its attacks were relentless, and Aerox was clearly struggling to keep up.
Not far away, Trival fought a Rank-3 Wolverine.
At first, he was pushed back, his spear style ill-suited for the distance between him and the flying monster.
But when the ice stair appeared, Trival used it to close the gap.
He lunged forward, his spear shining with energy.
"Imperial Spear Style: Obliterate Strike!"
With one decisive blow, Trival defeated the Wolverine.
He dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
Cuts and scratches marked his body from the earlier fight, but he had no time to rest.
Silvana, on the other hand, had been keeping her distance, using her bow to chip away at another Wolverine.
Her sharp aim and quick reflexes kept her out of harm's way, but she knew one wrong move could end the battle for her.
Back in the main fight, Aerox and Lily were reaching their limit.
Aerox 's strikes were slowing, and Lily's protective energy was fading.
The Wolverine leader, still unscathed, roared and prepared another devastating attack.
Trival pushed himself up and charged toward them.
"Aerox ! Let's hit it together!"
Aerox nodded, and the two unleashed their strongest techniques at the same time.
"Imperial Spear Style: Obliterate Strike!"
"StarShatterer Style: Star Annihilation!"
The combined force shattered the Wolverine leader's barrier.
For the first time, their attacks left a wound on the beast's chest.
It was shallow but enough to make the Wolverine leader furious.
The monster shifted its focus.
Instead of targeting Aerox or Trival, it turned its glowing eyes toward Lily.
It had realized that she was the one protecting the others.
With a deep growl, the Wolverine leader launched a flurry of sharp wind blades directly at her.
"Lily! Move!"
Aerox shouted, but the attack was already closing in.
The Wolverine leader's crimson eyes locked onto Lily, its massive wings unfurling with a gust of wind.
A deep, guttural growl rumbled from its throat, and it tilted its head, gathering energy for another devastating assault.
Aerox's eyes widened as he realized the shift in the beast's focus.
"No! He's aiming for Lily!"
he yelled, his voice cutting through the chaotic sounds of battle.
Lily stood firm on the Ice Stair, her protective aura shimmering faintly around her.
She gripped her staff tightly, her mind racing as she prepared for the incoming attack.
The Wolverine leader let out a thunderous roar, unleashing a barrage of wind blades that tore through the air with deadly precision.
Lily reacted instantly, weaving and dodging with nimble steps.
Her protective barrier flared to life, absorbing some of the attacks and redirecting their force.
Each movement was a desperate attempt to survive, her breaths growing shorter as the onslaught intensified.
Aerox and Trival sprang into action, their weapons glowing as they charged toward the Wolverine leader.
Trival's spear cut through the air, and Aerox 's blade shimmered with energy as they tried to draw the creature's attention.
But the beast's focus remained unwavering, its attacks relentless and precise.
Lily's barrier began to falter under the continuous assault.
Cracks spread across the shimmering shield, and each strike pushed her closer to the edge of the staircase.
Sweat dripped down her face as she poured every ounce of energy into holding her ground.
"Lily, move! Get out of there!"
Trival shouted.
But Lily knew she couldn't run.
If she abandoned her position, the Wolverine leader would turn its fury on the others.
She had to hold on, no matter the cost.
With a deafening crack, the barrier shattered.
A powerful wind blade struck Lily square in the chest, sending her flying backward like a ragdoll.
Her body twisted through the air, the force of the impact crushing the air from her lungs.
Pain surged through her as she tumbled, her vision swimming. \
Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, and she could feel the sharp sting of broken ribs.
The world around her blurred, the Ice Stair disappearing from view as she plummeted.
Far below, the jagged ground loomed, cold and unforgiving.
Lily's breath hitched as she realized the height she was falling from.
Her arms flailed weakly, but her body refused to respond.
The wind roared in her ears, drowning out the sounds of battle.
Panic gripped her heart as the ground rushed closer.
She tried to summon her strength, to cast one last spell to save herself, but her mana was drained, and her body was too battered to obey.
"Lily!"
Aerox 's voice rang out, filled with terror and desperation.
Her friends' cries reached her, faint and distant, as if coming from another world.
Lily's eyes fluttered closed, a single tear escaping as she braced for the inevitable.