lissa's eyes widened as the massive beast lunged toward her with startling speed.
She twisted her body instinctively, but it was too late—there was no way to fully dodge the incoming strike.
Her mana flared up around her in a weak barrier, but it wouldn't hold.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
At once, Queen dove from above, transforming mid-air into its Frozen Armoured Bear form.
The ground trembled as Queen slamd into the monster's back like a teorite.
Dirt rippled across the creature's fur on impact, and the sheer weight of the collision staggered the beast.
It roared in fury, legs skidding as it tried to regain footing.
Kyle was already moving.
He surged forward, leapt onto the monster's lowered flank, and drove his mana-coated fist straight into the side of its neck.
The beast roared, but didn't fall. Instead, it bucked wildly in pain and rage, tossing Kyle off and knocking Queen aside.
The monster crashed against the ground and twisted violently, shaking Queen off completely before locking eyes with lissa once again.
Its primal fury reignited. It charged.
Kyle's eyes sharpened. His hand reached for his sword.
'I can't let that thing reach her.'
With a burst of speed, Kyle launched himself after the beast.
He grabbed its thick hide from behind just before it could slam into lissa. His muscles tensed, mana flooding into his arms and shoulders as he yanked backward with all his might.
The beast shrieked, surprised by the strength.
Then, in one clean motion, Kyle drew his half-broken sword and channeled his mana into it. The weapon buzzed and cracked under the strain, but he didn't stop.
With a sharp cry, Kyle plunged the blade into the beast's side, forcing the mana deep into its core.
The sword flared like a star—and then shattered, scattering glowing fragnts in the air.
The beast let out a gurgled cry and collapsed with a heavy thud.
Kyle stood still, his hand gripping the broken hilt, breathing heavily.
His disappointnt was visible as he looked down at the ruined blade.
"…That's the last ti I use a normal sword. I'll need sothing forged properly next ti."
He muttered.
He turned his head to search for the final monster—only to realize it was nowhere to be seen.
His entire body tensed.
"Queen."
He said, his voice sharp.
Queen, now back on its feet, sniffed the air carefully, then gave a low growl and shook its head. It couldn't sense anything nearby.
That only made Kyle more wary.
Then, without warning, a blur of motion slamd into Queen's side from the treeline.
The armored bear roared in pain as it was sent crashing through a tree, bark and branches exploding in every direction.
Kyle's mana surged with fury.
Through his bond, he could feel Queen's injuries—nothing lethal, but painful enough to enrage him.
The final beast, larger than the others and with a jagged scar across its chest, bellowed and reared its head. Kyle didn't hesitate.
He dashed across the field, mana flaring violently, and seized the beast by the tail before it could run.
With a shout, Kyle dug his heels into the earth and yanked with all the power he could muster.
The monster screeched as its montum was torn from it. Its body lifted off the ground before crashing down onto its back.
"lissa!"
Kyle barked.
She, who had just reached Queen's side, turned sharply at her young master's voice.
"Take it down. Now."
lissa's eyes widened in surprise. He was giving her the finishing blow?
She looked at the beast struggling on the ground, then back at Kyle—who had thrown her a once-in-a-lifeti chance.
"I won't disappoint you, Young Master."
She whispered to herself, before tightening her grip on her blade.
She drew in a deep breath, calming her mind, and gathered her mana.
Her sword humd to life as brilliant energy coursed through it. Her stance fird.
Every ounce of her training, every mont she spent under Kyle's guidance, converged into this one strike.
With a cry of focus and pride, lissa launched herself forward, blade poised and coated in mana.
The monster noticed too late.
Her blade struck true—piercing deep, guided by precision and will. Mana exploded into the wound, and the beast howled one final ti before going limp.
Silence followed.
lissa stood there for a mont, chest rising and falling, then slowly turned to face Kyle. He was watching with calm satisfaction.
"…You did well."
He said simply.
lissa bead, a quiet pride swelling in her chest.
Queen let out a low rumble of approval, limping back toward Kyle.
He knelt beside it and gently pressed a hand to its fur, letting his mana soothe so of its pain.
"We'll get you patched up soon."
He murmured.
The battle was over—and the land, for now, was safe.
Kyle knelt beside Queen, whose massive form was still heaving with strained breaths.
The battle had taken its toll, and Kyle could feel the frayed connection of their bond tugging at his consciousness—Queen was in pain.
He placed a hand gently against Queen's icy fur and closed his eyes, channeling a steady stream of mana into its body.
"Co on, change back."
Kyle whispered.
The mana pulsed between them, a soft glow wrapping around Queen's wounded fra.
Slowly, the bear-like mass began to shift, its form compressing and lightening until Queen had returned to its original hawk form.
The creature let out a tired caw and fluttered weakly into Kyle's arm, tucking its wings in tight. Kyle supported it carefully.
He opened his system interface and checked Queen's current status.
A familiar screen flashed before him—Queen was now officially listed under the "Familiar" category, and the health bar beside it had climbed to just a quarter.
"Better than nothing."
Kyle muttered, offering the bird a light scratch under its chin. Queen blinked slowly, a quiet sign of appreciation.
Footsteps approached behind him, and Kyle turned to see lissa walking over.
Or rather, trying to walk over.
Her armor was scratched, her hair wind-tossed, and her breaths ca out in uneven pants.
But even so, her chin was raised with stubborn pride.
"I'm fine, Young Master. I can walk. I won't be a burden to you."
She said before he could speak.
Kyle gave her a long look.
Though her words were firm, her body betrayed her—her legs were trembling, her stance unsteady, and she swayed with every step like a tree in the wind.
He sighed, brushing his bangs away in mild exasperation.
"Yeah, sure."
He said dryly.
Before lissa could protest again, Kyle stepped forward, grabbed her waist, and effortlessly hauled her up over his shoulder like she weighed nothing more than a sack of rice.
She gasped in protest, flailing a little, but he already had Queen resting calmly on the other shoulder.
"Y-Young Master! This is—this is embarrassing!"
lissa's voice rose several octaves.
Kyle didn't even glance at her.
"Hm? Did you say sothing? I think the wind's too loud."
"I said—!"
"Nope, still can't hear you."
Kyle walked on calmly through the battlefield, lissa draped over one shoulder and Queen tucked protectively on the other.
The exhausted silence of victory surrounded them, broken only by lissa's quiet grumbles and the occasional amused chirp from Queen.
Kyle didn't say it aloud, but he felt the weight of his responsibility now more than ever.
These two—his loyal knight and his familiar—had pushed themselves for his sake.
He would make sure it wasn't in vain.
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