Black Vatican Instructor

A Bone Spike Fierce Wolf!

The moment Zhou Sining saw that enormous wolf's head, his body reacted faster than his mind. Before the wolf's gaze had fully left the building, he dropped into a crouch.

It took him several seconds to steady his breathing, but his heart was still pounding.

So this was a Demon Beast!

The Giant-Eyed Stink Rat had terrified him, but its presence was nothing compared to that of the Bone Spike Fierce Wolf!

No description in a book could have conveyed the dread that single glimpse had struck into him!

Good thing he had reacted quickly. Otherwise, the Bone Spike Fierce Wolf would have spotted him.

Thud!

Thud!

The footsteps shaking the street slowly faded, and Zhou Sining finally calmed down.

He dashed out the door and hurried down the stairs.

On the ground floor, the Giant-Eyed Stink Rat had already torn a huge hole in the lowered roller shutter. Fortunately, there were no other Demon Beasts around.

Across the street stood the Vanguard Squad, still recovering from the shock. Zhou Sining recognized their uniforms. They were identical to his.

He glanced around, then ran toward them, bold but cautious.

Zhang Xiaohou, who was keeping watch, spotted him first. "Who are you?!"

He had not shouted, but everyone was still on edge. His challenge made them flinch like startled birds.

They followed his gaze and discovered an unfamiliar face at the back of the group. The newcomer was covered in blood so dark it was nearly black. He looked no different from a vengeful ghost.

For an instant, the air seemed to freeze!

"I'm Zhou Sining, from Class One of the second year at Tianlan Magic High School. Fire Element, second tier of the Primary Level. I can cast Magic in three seconds."

Zhou Sining introduced himself quickly and clearly. His gaze swept over the group before settling on Xue Musheng. "Teacher Xue, you should remember me. I came to you for advice once. A Giant-Eyed Stink Rat broke into my home. Both my parents died, and I only survived because of a Demon-Slaying Tool. I can't reach the Safe Zone alone. I saw you here, so I came over to ask if I could go with you."

After speaking, Zhou Sining pulled out a few tissues and wiped away as much blood from his face as he could.

Xue Musheng froze for a moment, then quickly recovered. "Everyone, don't panic. He really is your junior. He's top of the second-year advanced class, and his Fire Element is very strong."

With Xue Musheng's reassurance, everyone finally relaxed and let the Magic they had been preparing dissipate.

But this was no time for seniors and juniors to chat.

Xue Musheng briefly explained the squad's mission to Zhou Sining. "We're the Vanguard Squad. We're clearing a path for the main group behind us. We'd be glad to have your help, but if you're afraid, you can wait here for them."

"I'll go with you. I only need three seconds to form my Star Track, and I can cast Flame Burst: Bone-Burning. I won't hold anyone back."

Xue Musheng nodded. No one else objected.

Someone who could cast Flame Burst: Bone-Burning in three seconds was a valuable fighter. Few of these seniors could match Zhou Sining.

"Let's keep moving."

The Bone Spike Fierce Wolf was long gone. The ten of them set off again.

The rest of the journey was easier than Zhou Sining had expected. They encountered only one One-Eyed Demon Wolf.

With Mo Fan and Xu Zhaoting covering him, Zhou Sining cast Flame Burst: Bone-Burning twice in succession. He wanted to prove his worth and kill a Demon Beast, and he managed to land the finishing blow.

[Approximately one Servant-level Demon slain: One-Eyed Demon Wolf. Only 22 Life Points gained.]

Approximately?

Only?

What did that mean?

Zhou Sining noticed the difference in wording between this notification and the previous one.

After a little thought, he understood.

He could only receive the full Life Points if he dealt more than a certain amount of damage and delivered the killing blow.

Still, for now, something was better than nothing.

The group continued onward.

"We're almost there! This is great! Can you see the Barrier rising as high as the city walls? It's right there!" Zhang Xiaohou called excitedly from atop a utility pole.

That three-kilometer route through the city had been perilous for Magic students who had not even graduated. Now that they were almost at safety, they could hardly contain their joy.

"Don't let your guard down. We still have more than six hundred meters to go."

Walking along the side of the group, Zhou Sining saw the stinking river and the bridge spanning it.

That was where He Yu had died saving Zhang Xiaohou.

He looked at Zhang Xiaohou scouting ahead, then at He Yu, whom he had only just met, and silently moved to the front.

Sure enough, when they reached the middle of the bridge, they encountered Bai Yang riding his Ghost Wolf Beast.

He wore an olive-green military uniform, rode an imposing Ghost Wolf Beast, and was one of their training instructors.

When he appeared before the students in a city gripped by disaster, they all felt they had been saved.

Zhou Sining did not relax for a moment. While Wang Sanpang complained to Bai Yang, he quietly moved behind the instructor and edged closer.

In a corner no one was watching, he slowly raised his flashlight and aimed it at Bai Yang.

The students had gathered around Bai Yang. No one noticed what Zhou Sining was doing, and even if they had, they would have assumed he was simply too nervous.

It was only a flashlight.

Zhou Sining waited in silence.

"Then die!" Bai Yang said, his voice icy.

The Ghost Wolf Beast lunged straight at Mo Fan!

Bang!

"Mo Fan!!!"

"Instructor Bai, what are you doing?!"

Bai Yang's betrayal came so suddenly that no one had time to react!

Now!

Zhou Sining's pupils contracted. He slammed his thumb down!

Black Ice Slash!!!

Whoosh!

A fierce current of air erupted from the unremarkable black flashlight!

The current was ferocious. A crescent-shaped green Wind Blade tore through the air toward Bai Yang, only two meters away!!!

Slash!

Bai Yang was a Primary Level Summoning System mage. His Summoned Beast was away from his side, and he had no Magic Equipment. Against this carefully planned ambush, he had no chance of surviving!

The sharp blade sliced effortlessly through Bai Yang's body, rose at a forty-five-degree angle, then dispersed into the air!

Whoosh...

The current tossed everyone's hair. Bai Yang turned back in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had happened!

Unfortunately, being cut through the waist had not killed him instantly!

A vicious light flashed in Bai Yang's eyes!

In that instant, two dark shapes creeping along the bridge railing sprang out with startling speed.

Their long, razor-sharp forelimbs swept like scythes toward Zhang Xiaohou and He Yu, the two closest to them!!!

"Xu Zhaoting, Thunder Seal!!!"

Zhou Sining realized the danger too. He shouted as he began forming his Star Track.

Someone was faster than Xu Zhaoting!

"Black Ice Slash!"

Amid the milky-white glow of Radiant Light, a pitch-black sword appeared without warning.

It flashed with an icy gleam and radiated bone-chilling cold as it cleaved through the air toward Bai Yang's upper body!

The strike was powerful and came straight down. It split Bai Yang's upper body neatly in two along the center!

"Thunder Seal!"

Purple lightning followed, snuffing out Bai Yang's consciousness completely!!!

Sizzle...

The Black Beast Demon attacking He Yu had just touched her when it abruptly froze. It fell to the ground, writhing in agony, and gradually melted into a puddle of foul-smelling sludge.

Zhou Min reacted at once and pulled He Yu back.

The pain Zhang Xiaohou had expected never came. He opened his eyes, saw the Water Barrier still swirling in front of him, and spun around.

He saw a face pale with fear, so fragile-looking that he wanted to pull her into his arms.

"You!"

"I was useful." He Yu smiled in relief as tears spilled from her eyes.

Zhang Xiaohou tried to speak, but a painful tightness gripped his throat.

Cold tears struck his face, yet his heart was pounding wildly. His blood burned so hot it felt as though his whole body might burst into flames!