The cave loomed before them, a dark and foreboding entrance that seemed to swallow all light. A faint, damp chill seeped from its depths, carrying with it the distant echoes of something stirring within. Samson took a deep breath, steadying himself. The final challenge was upon them.
The gathered students, numbering close to thirty, formed a loose formation. Their strongest fighters, particularly those skilled in offensive magic, were positioned at the front, ready to face whatever lay inside.
Kara, now fully recovered from her injuries, stepped forward without hesitation. "I'll take point," she declared, cracking her knuckles. "Let's get this over with."
No one opposed her. Even among the strongest students, Kara's sheer combat prowess was undeniable. She wasn't just recovered—she was eager for a fight.
As the rest of the groups fell into formation, mages specializing in offensive magic took their places at the frontline. Fire mages, their hands already flickering with embers, stood beside lightning users who crackled with energy. Their role was clear—to overwhelm the enemy with sheer destructive force.
Samson started to step forward as well, but before he could take his place, a voice cut through the crowd.
"Samson, you stay in the back," Siddhartha quickly said dismissing Samson as if he matters nothing.
Samson stopped. "What? Why?"
Siddhartha sighed. "Your mana reserves are too low. If we let you fight up front, you'll run out of energy before the battle's even halfway done. Stay in the backline and support where you can."
A few students exchanged glances, some with sympathy, others with poorly concealed amusement. It wasn't the first time Samson had been dismissed for his low mana.
Kara scoffed from the front. "That's what happens when you have all that power but can't actually use it for long. Just stay out of the way."
Samson clenched his jaw but said nothing. He knew arguing wouldn't change anything. Instead, he moved toward the back, frustration boiling beneath his skin.
As the group advanced into the cave, Samson's gaze flickered ahead, catching sight of Pedro. The boy stood among a handful of other light mages, their palms glowing as they cast orbs of radiant light to illuminate the tunnel. The darkness retreated under their magic, revealing the rough stone walls and uneven ground.
Siddhartha walked at the center of the formation, his presence commanding as he kept a close eye on the surroundings. Beside him, Eva, the lightning magic user, who he saved just a months before, moved with equal confidence. Her short-cropped dark hair and focused expression made it clear she wasn't just another participant—she was another leader in this operation.
The cave stretched deeper, the glow of magic their only source of light. The deeper they went, the more the air changed, growing heavy with an unnatural presence.
Then, without warning, Samson's watch began to glow.
A deep purple light emanated from its face, casting eerie shadows on the cavern walls. Samson's breath hitched as he lifted his wrist, staring at the mysterious glow.
"What the—?" he muttered.
The symbols on the watch's surface pulsed, the glow intensifying for a moment before fading slightly, as if reacting to something. Samson frowned. This had never happened before. He had no idea what it meant.
Before he could investigate further, a deep, rumbling growl echoed through the cave.
Every student froze.
The ground trembled. Pebbles clattered against the stone floor. A gust of hot breath, thick with the scent of raw power and beastly hunger, swept through the tunnel.
Then, out of the darkness, a massive form lunged.
The Magical Lion Beast had arrived.
Its golden mane shimmered with arcane energy, the glow of its fur pulsating like molten fire. Its eyes, burning like twin suns, locked onto the students with terrifying intelligence.
The cave erupted into chaos.
"Defensive spells, now!" Siddhartha roared.
The frontline mages unleashed their magic. Fireballs streaked through the air. Lightning crackled and struck the beast's hide. But as the attacks landed, the lion's fur shimmered, absorbing the energy before dispersing it harmlessly.
"What the hell?" Kara growled, barely dodging as the beast's claw came crashing down, splitting the stone floor beneath her.
Samson stood frozen, the purple glow from his watch intensifying. He had no idea why, but something told him that whatever was happening to his watch was connected to the monster before them.
And he was about to find out why.