Ch.57Turning Point (3)

I concentrated my mind while enduring the pain coursing through my entire body.

I increased the circulation speed of mana around my core, gradually tinting it with darkness.

There was only one chance.

Even with careful planning and execution, this was a strategy difficult to succeed, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time for that.

All I could do was utter a brief command.

“Lael! Derin! Create an opening!”

I had absolute faith they would understand what I meant.

After adventuring together for quite some time, we had developed a connection where we could understand each other with just a look.

This connection proved especially powerful in combat situations.

Surely we would overcome this situation safely and all breathe sighs of relief.

GROOOOAR—!

As the Great Red Bear roared and swung its front paw, Lael and Derin blocked it simultaneously.

“I’ll join in too!”

With Elin joining in, all three pushed with all their might against the paw that had seemed immovable, gradually forcing it back.

Normally, this would be something they should never do.

Without distracting the monster, attacks would concentrate on a single point, increasing the chance of instant death.

The higher the monster’s rank, the higher that probability becomes.

Yet they took action trusting in me alone, even when facing an S-Rank Great Red Bear.

Even though the result could be death.

‘I will succeed no matter what.’

I began watching for an opportunity, determined never to betray their trust.

At that moment, as one arm was not only blocked but gradually pushed back, the Great Red Bear raised its other paw to strike down.

That action meant it had no arm to counter me if I approached.

‘Now’s my chance.’

The time given was short.

Just a few seconds before that raised arm struck them.

I strengthened my legs with mana and kicked off the ground, running forward.

As my muscles tensed, blood gushed from my wounds.

Upon reaching a distance where I could land a definite hit, I concentrated all my mana, including what I had used to strengthen my legs, into my fingertips.

Black mana shimmered like a heat haze and began absorbing the blood flowing from my body.

But that wasn’t enough, as I felt something being drawn out through my wounds.

Having lost too much blood, including what was spilled on the ground and what was used to prepare the black magic, I desperately clung to my fading consciousness.

Then I quietly opened my mouth.

“Instant Death.”

Black mana mixed with red energy shot from my fingertips.

It struck the Great Red Bear directly, and its eyes, which had been glaring with killing intent just moments ago, lost focus as its massive body toppled sideways.

‘I succeeded…’

Truly, no one had died.

I wanted to savor that joy, but I couldn’t as the ground in my blurring vision grew increasingly closer.

Thud.

I lost consciousness and collapsed.

* * * * *

Simultaneously with the sound of something collapsing with a thud, the three rushed toward the source of the sound.

The fact that the fallen person was none other than their beloved meant they couldn’t smile despite having survived.

They felt more like crying.

“Does anyone have healing potions left?!”

Lael called out desperately, but everyone remained silent.

Blood continued flowing from his body, making every moment critical.

Without hesitation, she hoisted Crow onto her back.

“Derin, Elin, let’s head back to where the students are.”

Though she felt like her body might break at any moment, she didn’t care.

If it meant saving him, she was willing to endure anything.

So the three began running, with Lael in the center and the others providing cover in case they encountered monsters along the way.

The problem was that the one-hour deadline they had given the students was fast approaching.

If they became too distant from the group, Crow’s treatment might be delayed, potentially creating a truly critical situation.

Despite this, Lael’s pace began to slow.

“Lael, let me take over. You’re slowing down.”

Derin stopped and crouched down as she spoke.

Even when enhancing the body with mana, accumulated fatigue doesn’t completely disappear.

Moreover, defending with a sword essentially meant supporting with leg muscles, so Lael’s legs had reached their limit.

Knowing this all too well herself, Lael immediately transferred Crow to Derin.

“Let’s go.”

Derin rose, and the three began running again.

This time with Derin in the center and the others providing cover.

After Elin took her turn carrying him, then Lael again, and finally back to Derin—

Familiar faces appeared in the distance.

Fortunately, they too had sensed something was wrong and were running toward them, allowing them to reunite a bit faster.

Lael spoke through ragged breaths.

“Huff… huff… Everyone… get out… healing potions!”

Derin carefully laid Crow on the ground, and the students were shocked by his wound-covered appearance.

Nevertheless, they quickly took out healing potions, and the translucent red liquid was poured over his body.

As the healing potion seeped into his wounds, steam rose and they began to close.

Seeing this, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing they had at least averted the worst.

As the chaotic atmosphere gradually settled down,

Elin carefully spoke up.

“For now, continuing the adventure seems dangerous. Currently, neither Lael nor Derin is in any condition to fight, so you’ll have to proceed on your own. Is that possible?”

Though they hadn’t voiced it, the students had been feeling anxious inside.

While those who had gone with the professor were obviously in the worst shape, the students weren’t without fatigue themselves.

Moreover, seeing a professor they thought was so strong reduced to such a state by a monster had instilled fear in some of them.

What gave these students a ray of hope was…

“Let’s go to the Great Forest. I’ll try to persuade the elves somehow.”

Despite her confident words, Elin wasn’t sure of herself, but she felt that continuing the adventure would surely result in someone getting seriously injured or killed.

With no other options available, they had no choice.

Everyone nodded in agreement, and with Elin in the lead, they advanced deeper into the forest.

Their destination was a place no human had ever set foot in—the elven settlement at the heart of the Great Forest.

.

.

.

After traveling for quite some time, they arrived at the elven settlement and stopped beneath an enormous tree.

Seeing stairs leading upward, it appeared the homes were built midway up the tree.

Elin spoke softly.

“Wait here for a moment.”

With those words, she began climbing the stairs rapidly.

Left in this unknown space, everyone looked around, taking in scenery they had never seen before.

Homes built midway up trees and bridges connecting them, visible through the mystical mist.

Everyone seemed unable to believe such a place existed so close to the Royal Capital.

After some time had passed,

Elin came down the stairs with a smile and said,

“Let’s all go up. I’ll explain the precautions when we arrive.”

* * * * *

When I opened my eyes, I felt enveloped by something soft and fluffy.

It was so comfortable I almost didn’t want to open my eyes.

After savoring that feeling briefly, memories from before I lost consciousness came flooding back, and I hurriedly sat up.

‘Lael, Elin, Derin, and the students?’

I desperately wanted to grab someone and ask, but unfortunately, there was no one nearby.

But…

Where am I?

This isn’t my workshop, and certainly not the Academy building.

The strong scent of wood permeating the air could have been unpleasant, but it wasn’t.

Rather, it made me feel strangely good. “Wood fragrance” might be a more appropriate description.

As I was looking around trying to assess the situation, the door slowly opened and someone entered.

“Excuse me.”

After politely greeting me in a barely audible voice, she froze in place when our eyes met, as if she’d seen something unexpected.

THUD—!

She dropped the wooden basin she was holding, spilling water everywhere, but she didn’t seem to care as she strode toward me.

Then she embraced me.

“Are you okay? How do you feel? Does anything hurt?”

“Yes, I’m fine. But Elin, where are we?”

She released her arms from around my neck and sat on the bed.

“This is the elven settlement…”

As she began to explain, there was a commotion outside.

Then the door burst open and…

“Elin?! Is Crow awake?!”

“Where is he?! Where?!”

Lael and Derin entered the room.