Fierce Battle

Beasts of the jungle possessed instincts sharper than those of wizards, especially a Venomous Tentacula standing at the top of the food chain.

Among the three wizards blocking its path, the malevolent gleam in its pitch-black pupils was fixed firmly on the gray-haired wizard without a wand. By its senses, the one standing at the rear was the most dangerous.

Buzz. Buzz.

The area enveloped by whip-like lightning gradually expanded, creeping toward Amosta and the other two. Remus swallowed and forced every distracting thought from his mind.

Since Amosta had said they were to hold this Venomous Tentacula here, he had to do it. He did not expect Amelia to be much help, but Amosta's promise to support them from the sidelines gave him a measure of reassurance.

At last, the Venomous Tentacula slowly raised a forelimb and began moving forward. Even Remus, whose nerves were stretched to their limit, had to admit that its strolling gait was remarkably elegant. But that stray thought was immediately torn apart by his reason as crushing pressure surged over him like a landslide and tsunami.

Clatter. Clatter-clatter-clatter.

The approaching Venomous Tentacula's thick-padded paws stepped upon the gravel supporting the railway sleepers. The rattling of stones grinding and colliding against one another struck at Remus and Amelia's minds like heavy hammers, making their breathing increasingly ragged.

Amelia especially.

Facing a magical creature as dangerous as a Dragon head-on, with both sides completely hostile, had already exceeded the limits of what a young wizard fresh out of school could bear. So she could not hold back any longer—

Whoosh!—Bang!

Amelia's wrist snapped sharply, her fair cheeks beaded with glistening sweat. A cluster of orange-red spell light flashed through the darkness, streaking forward like an arrow loosed from a bow before exploding into a dazzling burst