The battle raged on, but the Magical Lion Beast showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, it had become more hostile, its golden mane sparking violently with arcane energy. Deep claw marks and minor wounds covered its body from the group's combined attacks, but instead of weakening, it only seemed to become more enraged.
The beast let out a guttural snarl, its breath coming in short bursts as if each wound only fueled its fury. The students, exhausted and bruised, adjusted their stances, preparing for another round.
"We're not making enough progress!" Eva shouted as she barely dodged a swipe from the lion's massive paw.
Siddhartha, gripping his sword tightly, took a deep breath. "We have to keep pushing! Keep switching up attacks—don't let it predict us!"
Kara wiped the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her glare locked onto the beast. "Tch. At this rate, we'll be worn down before we bring this thing down."
---
While the others focused on the battle, Samson was stuck in his own head.
His eyes flicked back to the strange purple glow of his watch. It wasn't fading. If anything, it pulsed in rhythm with the beast's movements.
What does this mean?
His watch had never done this before—not during any fight. And yet, here it was, responding to the lion as if it recognized something.
Samson clenched his fists, staring at it. Could it be that this beast… has something to do with my powers? With the watch?
His mind drifted, drowning in thoughts of possibilities, theories, and unanswered questions.
---
The Roar That Shook the Cave
Then—
ROOOAAAARRRR!!
The cave shook violently as the Magical Lion Beast unleashed a thunderous roar, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The sound was deafening, an overwhelming force that rattled bones and made the very air tremble.
Samson snapped back to reality as the sheer force of the roar knocked him back a few steps. His ears rang, and his pulse spiked as he finally registered his surroundings again.
This is not the time to think. The battle is happening now!
---
A New Approach: Lightning Manipulation
With renewed focus, Samson's eyes narrowed on the beast. If raw lightning attacks didn't work…
He needed to use them differently.
Think, Samson.
Eva's lightning had been absorbed. Direct attacks won't work. But maybe… indirect ones would.
His mind raced, considering all the possibilities. Then, inspiration struck.
He dashed forward, his fingers crackling with electricity as he gathered mana. Instead of launching the lightning directly at the beast—
He struck the ground instead.
CRACK!
Electricity surged through the rocky cave floor, sending tendrils of lightning slithering toward the lion's feet. The goal? To use the environment against it. If the beast absorbs direct attacks, then let's see how it handles something it can't absorb.
The electricity reached the lion's paws, and—
The beast flinched.
For the first time, a reaction.
Samson's eyes gleamed. It worked!
---
Failure Once Again
But before he could capitalize on it, the lion jumped away, evading the lightning-infused ground.
Then—
Its golden mane flared, and in an instant, it released a pulse of energy, negating the lingering electricity.
Samson's stomach dropped.
Damn it… Even that didn't work.
It had adapted - this quick
---
The Beast's Devastating Attack
Before anyone could reassess, the lion roared once more, gathering a swirling orb of golden energy in its mouth.
Pedro's eyes widened. "It's about to release another big attack—GET BACK!"
The students barely had time to react before—
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive golden explosion engulfed the battlefield. The force shattered stalactites from the ceiling, sending them crashing down. A violent shockwave tore through the cavern, sending the students flying in all directions.
Samson was hurled backward, his body slamming against a boulder. Dust and debris clouded his vision, and for a moment, all he could hear was ringing.
Chaos.
Everyone was scattered, desperately taking cover.
And finally—finally—
Samson had the separation he needed.
---
The Transformation: Lightning Tiger Awakens
Samson staggered to his feet, shaking off the pain. His watch…
It was pulsating wildly now, almost as if urging him. Calling him.
He clenched his fists, breathing heavily.
"I don't have a choice anymore… It's time."
He brought his left wrist up, staring at the watch's glowing interface. His thumb hovered over two opposing buttons—ones he had never pressed simultaneously before.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself.
"Let's see what you can really do."
And with that—
He tapped the two opposite buttons at once.
The watch responded instantly.
The purple glow exploded outward, engulfing his entire body. The air around him crackled with power, and arcs of electricity danced across his skin.
Then—his form began to shift.
His muscles tightened, his body growing taller and stronger. His nails extended into razor-sharp claws, his skin darkening into a sleek coat of deep black fur laced with vibrant purple lightning patterns. His feet reshaped into powerful hind legs, built for both speed and power. And in his arms seemed to be wielded with two massive gauntlets like gloves, anything to smash with sheer force.
His face elongated into a feline snout, his sharp eyes glowing an electric blue.
And then, with a final surge of energy—
Samson let out a roar.
A thunderous, electrified roar, shaking the cavern just as fiercely as the lion's had.
The Lightning Tiger had awakened.
And this battle was about to change.