Increase Talent: Become More Stronger!

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Time passed, and now I could see several students had completed their exams.

Unfortunately, I didn't see whether the Hero's companions had finished their exams or not.

In fact, I didn't even see people like Eris or Alicia outside the exam zone.

'Are they in trouble? That shouldn't be the case. Ash is the Hero. But... is he in bad shape?' I wondered, suspecting that Ash's condition wasn't good at all.

If I remember correctly, I know that the protagonist's fate is to protect his companions.

And now, I suspect that Ash is trying to protect one of them from a monster ranked above Tier Five.

Still, I'm not sure if what I'm thinking is actually true.

From the beginning, I hadn't seen Ash during the academy's final exam.

Instead, I only saw students from other classes taking their tests.

Although they were frustrated, they knew they were no match for me.

At first, I thought it would be impossible to avoid conflict with Ash's team.

But who would've thought? Ash wasn't even sent near the exam's starting zone.

Even the students around me were wondering what had happened to the Hero.

Deep down, they were curious—was the Hero facing trouble?

But they had to hold back, knowing there was nothing they could do.

"It's taking too long... only three teams haven't come out yet. One of them is the Hero's group," I muttered, trying to ease my boredom.

For a moment, I couldn't help but glance at the Great Wizard's face.

'Now then... what will you do, old man?'

Judging from his expression, I could tell the Great Wizard wasn't in good condition.

Sure enough, it wasn't out of the question that one of the three remaining teams was in trouble.

And just as I suspected, it actually happened.

In less than a few seconds, a warning signal appeared above the hologram.

Warning! —

"This... Did something happen to them? No, it shouldn't be... but why did one of the students call for help?" one of the professors asked, not knowing the reason a student had pressed the emergency button.

The students had been warned that no creatures above Tier Six should be present.

From the start, the professors had clearly told them not to enter the forest's depths.

But apparently, they had no intention of listening!

Even I was one of them.

But so what? The fact that I survived an attack from a Tier Six monster couldn't be denied.

Because of that alone, I knew I no longer needed to fall into despair.

But now, I knew all three teams from the first-year class were in trouble.

If they were me, there's no way they'd have to face a Tier Six monster.

"Enough! Professors, go and evacuate the students! We don't have time!"

"Understood!" Without wasting time, I saw several professors enter the Great Wizard's inner world.

By the way they entered the Royal Stage expert's miniature world, I knew they had been given permission.

Right beside the Great Wizard, I saw a dimensional space forming—visible within the spatial folds.

Even so, I knew it was impossible for the Great Wizard to completely conceal a dimensional space within his miniature world.

In the end, the fact that he owned this miniature world couldn't be denied.

...

The Forbidden Forest, located deep within the territory of Tier Five monsters.

For a moment, a shriek echoed through the cloudy skies.

"Guah!"

If anything, that scream belonged to a Tier Six monster.

But unlike an ordinary one, this creature had surpassed both Warrior and Mage Stages.

If it wanted to, it could crush the wounded students on the ground.

But it didn't want to. It knew exactly who it needed to face.

"Hero or not, human or not—it doesn't matter. You looked so confident... but in the end, you failed to get them out of this miniature world."

"Golden Lightning Crow... How could you be so cruel?! You even dare to bully those weaker than you!"

"Bully? You're the ones who entered my territory. These are my rules. Anyone who trespasses here—I swear, I won't let them leave."

Without warning, golden lightning crackled across the sky.

Even that alone was enough to obliterate creatures below Tier Six.

'Lightning Law... This is bad. I can't take this thing's attacks anymore. Is this the end? Why is help taking so long...?' Ash thought, wondering if he could escape death.

Fortunately, Ash had already made backup plans—he ordered another student to press the emergency button.

And sure enough, just as he expected, help was coming.

In that moment—right before the Golden Lightning Crow's attack hit Ash—a powerful, oppressive aura burst forth.

Immediately, the crow was forced to the ground.

With that, Ash knew the crow couldn't withstand an attack from a Law Stage expert.

"Golden Crow! Cease your attack! Haven't you heard your creator's warning?!"

"You...! Roar!!!" In a split second, a deafening roar echoed across hundreds of meters.

Even the roar alone was enough to annihilate nearby beasts.

Unfortunately, the Golden Lightning Crow knew it couldn't escape a Law Stage expert's pressure.

Maybe that's why it unleashed a full 100% of its Lightning Law power without hesitation.

From the crow's perspective, its main goal was to kill the Hero's companions.

"This is bad! Protect the students! Don't let them get hurt!"

"Tch. What a hassle!"

For some reason, the three professors near Ash created a barrier in front of him.

At first, Ash wondered if those three professors could really block the crow's attack.

But to his surprise, the professors successfully withstood it.

The crow didn't hesitate—it vanished from their sight without a second thought.

From the beginning, its goal was to lure the Law Stage experts' attention.

That way, it had a chance to escape their grasp.

And just as it hoped, things went as planned.

Regardless, the fact that it was allowed to escape—even briefly—couldn't be denied.

Unfortunately, the Golden Lightning Crow didn't know that the Great Wizard was already preparing to punish it.

In less than a few seconds, deep wounds formed across its body.

Finally, the crow had no choice but to collapse onto the ground.

"This is your punishment. You dared harm an imperial asset. Be grateful I chose not to kill you."

"T-Thank you for your mercy..."

"Hmph. Remember this—you are my creation. I can destroy you whenever I want."

...

"Eric! Alicia! You two! Get up—we're safe now!"

"Ow...! My back! Damn it! Why does it hurt so much?!" Eric cursed, not understanding how they'd ended up in such a ridiculous situation.

As far as he knew, Ash would never have intentionally dragged them into a fight with a Tier Six monster.

But why...? How did a crow-shaped beast suddenly start attacking them?

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Thanks for reading~