The lizard burst forward like a released arrow, its claws tearing against the ground as its massive body lunged at Airin with the wild speed of a starving beast.

Its jaws opened wide, rows of sharp teeth flashing under the light as it let out a harsh, shaking roar.

Any normal person would freeze in fear upon seeing the charging beast.

But not Airin.

While the beast rushed toward her like a storm given flesh and bone, she remained completely calm.

She even walked forward, as though she was the one closing the distance on the beast instead of the other way around.

The ground trembled faintly under the creature’s weight as it drew nearer, its muscles tightening for the final leap that would tear through her defenses.

Then, at the exact moment the beast entered her range, Airin lifted her staff, the rose-colored shaft catching the ambient light as she pointed its tip directly at the charging monster.

There was no panic in her motion.

In the very next second, she cast [Magic Missile].

However, to Ruvian’s surprise, what left the tip of her staff was not the large and radiant projectile they had witnessed during orientation week.

This one before her was thin and narrow, like a sharp needle made of condensed light. It did not shine grandly, nor did it roar with dramatic force.

Instead, it vibrated with a terrifying density, its small frame holding an immense concentration of mana compressed so tightly that the air around it seemed to bend slightly.

’Such amazing control... she managed to cast and compress the spell within seconds.’

Ruvian was at a loss for words with the difference of skill Airin was displaying. The spell shot forward with astonishing speed, far faster than the eye could comfortably follow.

The thin streak of magic shot forward with frightening precision, yet the beast twisted its body at the last possible moment, its hind legs digging into the ground as it forcefully shifted direction.

The spell missed it entirely before crashing into the stone floor behind with a sharp burst of force that cracked the surface and sent fragments scattering.

Dust rose into the air.

However, Airin did not look disappointed.

Her goal had never been to hit it. If she truly aimed for its body and increased the output, it would already be dead.

She only wished to show her scholars how quickly it can change direction. Her eyes followed the beast as it continued moving.

The lizard did not waste time. Since it had already closed the distance, it began circling her at close range, searching for an opening.

Then, in a blink, it slipped behind her.

Airin turned slightly, but before she could fully face it, the beast had already shifted again, circling once more with explosive speed before suddenly accelerating toward her back with murderous intent.

"Behind you!"

Corwin shouted, his voice cracking. While Griffer raised his arm instinctively as though he could somehow reach her from afar.

The rest, including Ruvian, simply watched calmly.

The beast’s claws flashed forward, aiming directly for the back of her head.

Yet just a fraction of a second before contact, a glistening barrier of pink hue shimmered into existence, forming a curved shield that intercepted the strike with a bright spark of mana.

It was her [Magic Barrier].

The claws scraped against it with a harsh sound but could not pass through.

Airin did not even flinch.

"See?" she said lightly.

"That is how quickly it goes for your back. If this [Magic Barrier] was not here, my head would already be flying."

Ruvian had to press his lips together to stop himself from laughing at the casual way she described her own possible decapitation.

The beast leapt backward, distancing itself.

The moment Airin turned to face it, it was already moving again, circling her with restless aggression, searching for another blind spot.

But time, Airin did not give it any more chances.

She struck the end of her staff firmly against the ground.

A massive white magic circle exploded outward beneath her feet, expanding rapidly with complex patterns and flowing runes, growing larger and larger until it was nearly ten times wider than her shadow.

Ruvian’s eyes widened.

He realised that this was not the standard textbook casting of [Pure Mana].

"This is..." he muttered softly, unable to finish the sentence.

Airin’s voice cut through the air.

"[Bind]."

From the glowing circle beneath her, chains made of pure white mana surged upward like living tentacles, their surface shining with a faint pink hue that matched her staff, and they shot across the ground toward the beast with incredible speed.

The creature reacted instinctively, jumping aside in shock and attempting to retreat, but the chains twisted on its way as if guided by her will.

It was already too late for the lizard.

The glowing chains wrapped tightly around its limbs and torso with merciless strength, making the beast crash to the ground with a furious snarl.

Airin calmly swiped her hand backward, and the chains responded instantly, dragging the restrained beast across the floor toward her position.

As it was pulled into range, she raised her staff once more.

This time, the [Magic Missile] that formed at its tip was larger and brighter than before, a concentrated mass of shining mana that radiated controlled destruction.

Then, without hesitation, she released it.

"[Magic Missile]".

The projectile struck the bound beast directly, and in a straight and overwhelming surge of light.

The magic engulfed its entire body completely, leaving behind nothing but fading particles of cerulean light dispersing into the air.

Turning away from the fading particles of light, Airin sighed softly, and she began walking toward her scholars.

When she reached them, her serious expression melted into a bright and approachable smile.

"So," she asked warmly, looking from one face to another, "did you learn something from that demonstration? I certainly hope you did."

"Anyway, does anyone have questions?"

For a moment, there was only silence.

Even Corwin and Griffer stared at her blankly as though their thoughts were still struggling to catch up with what they had just witnessed.

Melia slowly raised her hand.

"Instructor... what was that chain spell you used?"

Airin turned toward her with an easy expression.

"Oh, that?" she replied casually.

"It is a spell I developed on my own. Well, saying I made it entirely by myself would not be completely honest. I once saw someone use something similar back when I was still an adventurer, and I found the idea fascinating. So I took inspiration from it and reshaped it to match my own affinity and style."

She lifted her staff slightly as if presenting it.

"It is quite useful, especially when dealing with fast opponents. Pretty cool, right?"

Melia nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with admiration.

Airin then raised one finger gently.

"One day, when you reach the intermediate stage in mastering your affinity, you will also be able to do something like that."

"At that level, it depends heavily on your creativity, your imagination, and your understanding of how mana behaves. You don’t need to memorise the incantation of the spells anymore.

She looked at them proudly, as her smile softened.

"So continue working hard on your foundational spells, and master them properly."

"Any more questions?" she asked gently.

The scholars glanced at one another, but no one spoke. Their silence this time felt different, as if each of them were looking forward to seeing themselves fighting against the creature.

Airin observed their expressions and gave a small nod.

"No questions? Very well."

"Then let us begin... your training."

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 91: Working as A Team (2)] 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Plot Points= 14,080