The forest suddenly fell into an eerie silence.
The massive serpent that had been chasing them moments ago… stopped.
Its enormous body began to blur—its scales flickering like a mirage.
Louis narrowed his eyes.
"Something's wrong…"
Before anyone could react—
The serpent's body sank into the ground, disappearing as if the earth itself had swallowed it whole.
Lily's voice trembled.
"D-Does that mean… it's gone?"
Her legs gave out beneath her.
She collapsed instantly, her body shaking violently from fear.
Charlotte rushed to her side, kneeling quickly.
"Lily! Are you okay?!"
"I… I can't feel my legs…"
But before Charlotte could say anything else—
BOOM!!
The ground beneath them exploded.
The serpent burst out from below—right in front of their faces.
"WATCH OUT!!" Louis shouted.
Charlotte didn't hesitate.
He grabbed Lily and pulled her up instantly, dragging her back.
At the same moment—
Louis raised his hand.
"Fire Magic — Blaze Shot!"
A burst of flames shot forward, slamming into the serpent's head.
The beast hissed violently, its body recoiling.
Charlotte followed immediately.
"Light Magic — Radiant Strike!"
A beam of pure light crashed into the monster, forcing it to slide backward across the ground.
For a moment… it looked like they had the upper hand.
But then—
The serpent's eyes glowed with killing intent.
It lunged forward again, faster than before.
"Move!!" Louis yelled.
Without hesitation, he shoved Charlotte and Lily aside, pushing them out of danger.
The attack was now aimed directly at him.
Everything slowed down.
Charlotte's eyes widened.
"LOUIS!!"
The serpent's fangs were inches away—
And then—
A terrifying pressure descended.
"Enough."
A calm yet commanding voice echoed through the forest.
In the next instant—
A figure appeared out of nowhere.
Director Daniel.
With a single motion of his hand—
"—Crush."
The space itself seemed to twist.
The serpent froze mid-air…
Then—
BOOOOM!!
Its body exploded into nothingness.
Silence fell once again.
Louis stood there, frozen.
Then suddenly—
His vision blurred.
"…Ah…"
His knees gave out.
He fell forward—
But before he hit the ground—
Daniel caught him.
"You've done enough."
Moments later—
Daniel looked at the three of them.
Without a word, he took out three small bottles filled with glowing liquid.
"Drink."
Charlotte hesitated for a second.
"…Is this—?"
"A recovery potion."
No one argued after that.
They drank it immediately.
The effect was instant.
Their wounds closed, the pain faded, and strength returned to their bodies as if time had reversed.
Lily looked at her hands in shock.
"My legs… I can stand…"
Daniel raised his hand again.
The air in front of them tore open, forming a dark portal.
"Let's go."
On the other side—
They stepped out into the training arena.
All the teams were already there.
Murmurs spread instantly as everyone noticed them.
"They're finally back…"
"Were they fighting something?"
Lily quickly stepped forward and handed over the small glowing mushroom.
"I-it's the target item…"
The instructor, Eisel, took it—her brows furrowing slightly.
"…All teams have returned… except yours until now."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And your time was extended… because of the forest search."
She glanced at them suspiciously… but said nothing more.
"Team Louis… passes."
Lily let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Suddenly—
Louis staggered.
His body swayed—
Then he collapsed face-first onto the ground.
"LOUIS!!"
Charlotte rushed to him, but Daniel raised a hand.
"He's just exhausted."
Later—
Inside the academy.
Daniel stood before all the instructors.
His expression was dark.
The atmosphere… suffocating.
"How," he said coldly,
"did a creature like that… appear inside a controlled exam?"
No one answered.
His voice dropped even further.
"…I want an explanation."
Silence.
But this silence—
Was the beginning of something far more dangerous.