The center of the trial grounds was a storm of wind and blood. The massive Lord-class beast roared as it charged the students' formation, each step shaking the ground. Despite their best efforts, the students' contract beasts were barely able to hold back its rampaging assault.
"Hold the line! Don't break formation!" Rein shouted as he swung his short blade to fend off a smaller beast. His voice cut through the chaos with firm authority.
At the rear of the group, Ava used her Beast Speech to calm several frightened contract beasts. She cast an anxious glance at Rein. "This isn't working! Its power is far beyond our contract beasts!"
Rein didn't answer. His focus was entirely on the massive beast ahead. Its bloodshot eyes were wild and savage, clearly under the influence of some external force.
The Shadow Wolf stood outside the formation, its icy gaze fixed on the rampaging beast. It made no move to act, appearing instead to be analyzing the battlefield.
"Shadow Wolf! This is no time to spectate!" Rein shouted through their soul link.
The Shadow Wolf turned its head slowly, its blue eyes glinting with mockery. "You want me to act? Why should I? This is your trial, not my fight."
Rein took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. "If we fail, you won't escape either. It'll kill us first, then come for you."
The Shadow Wolf let out a low chuckle but finally moved. Its body transformed into a streak of black lightning, leaping onto the beast's head and slashing a dark arc with its claws.
While the Shadow Wolf distracted the beast, Rein quickly adjusted the formation. "Rayke, have your Armored Giant Beast block its frontal assault! Ava, use the Wind Fox to disrupt its movements! Everyone else, focus on its leg joints!"
"Got it!" Rayke gritted his teeth and led his Armored Giant Beast to the frontlines.
Ava unleashed her Wind Fox's wind blades, which slashed precisely at the beast's joints, slowing its movements.
The beast's movements became sluggish, but its strength remained overwhelming. Each struggle wrought destruction, its tail smashing the surrounding terrain to pieces.
Amid the chaos, Rein noticed something strange about the beast. A faint red glow pulsed on its chest, like an energy core.
"That's… the source controlling it!" Rein's heart jolted, and he shouted, "Attack the glowing point on its chest! That's its weak spot!"
The students shifted their attacks upon hearing the order, but the beast's defense was impenetrable—ordinary attacks couldn't pierce its scales.
As Rein approached the beast, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a cloaked member of the Cult of the Nether Pact, holding a staff and chanting softly.
"The Cult of the Nether Pact!" Rein's heart sank. He immediately realized the beast's controller was right before him.
A cold laugh came from beneath the cloak. "Just as expected, you've come straight to me. But unfortunately, this beast is only the beginning."
The cloaked man raised his staff, sending a dark red beam into the beast, causing its power to surge once more.
"Shadow Wolf, cover me!" Rein shouted.
The Shadow Wolf snorted but didn't refuse. It turned and stood behind Rein, using its clones to hinder the beast's pursuit.
Rein closed the distance to the cloaked man, engaging him in close combat. Though the man wielded powerful sorcery, he was no match for Rein in melee.
"What's so impressive about controlling a beast? How about a real fight?" Rein said coldly.
The cloaked man sneered. "You're not worthy of knowing true power." With that, he swung his staff, releasing a wave of dark energy that forced Rein back several steps.
However, Rein didn't retreat. He glanced at the beast's chest and muttered softly, "I'll have to gamble everything on this…"
The Shadow Wolf seemed to sense Rein's intentions. It abandoned its maneuvering against the beast and instead rushed toward Rein, wrapping him in its shadowy power.
"This time, I'll let you have the win," the Shadow Wolf said softly.
With the Shadow Wolf's cover, Rein streaked toward the beast's chest like a meteor. His short blade, imbued with the Shadow Wolf's power, pierced deep into the glowing red core.
The beast let out one final, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash.
The cloaked man observed this without panic, instead revealing a sinister smile. "You think this is over? The real game is just beginning."
With that, his figure dissolved into black mist and vanished into the depths of the trial grounds.
Rein stood by the beast's corpse, breathing heavily. He knew this battle was far from over.
The Shadow Wolf slowly approached, its tone carrying a hint of complexity. "Don't get too excited. You've only lived a little longer."
Rein gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Maybe so. But at least I survived."