"You've already scared them enough for one day, Lynn."
"But I haven't had enough fun yet, Mr. Arezu!"
"We're supposed to guard them, not for you to make fun of them when you're bored."
"My, my... Are you perhaps bothered by the thought of me giving less attention to you?"
Hearing Lynn and Arezu's squabble—or their mock flirting, as Beatrix liked to call it—the four mage students managed to snap out of their fright.
Although they were terrified by the gruesome sight of dozens of kobolds impaled to their deaths, and by the still-writhing, lifeless, butchered bodies of two werewolves lying on the ground in front of them, they were at least able to process what they had just witnessed—to comprehend Lynn and Arezu's fighting capabilities.
Not only had Lynn cast multiple mystic spells with ease like it was nothing, she had also used a scouting skill—not something a mage could easily learn. Most of all, her intermediate-level mystic spell Obelisk invoked dozens of rock spikes that accurately pierced all her targets.
To their knowledge, that caliber of magical ability was at the level of an instructor at the Magic Academy.
As for their insight on Arezu—they had never seen a warrior split two mid-level monsters at the same time, in a single strike, like they were nothing but training dummies.
With those thoughts, Leo, Cliff, Senna, and Casey turned to look at their third escort, wondering what she was capable of.
Realizing what their curious glances likely meant, Beatrix quickly responded to clear her name before any misunderstandings could arise.
"I'm a professional crafter and just a part-time adventurer, so don't put your hopes in me saving all of you in case something bad happens," she said, partly teasing the four students.
Since the monsters near their carriage had already been cleared, Lynn, Arezu, and the rest of their party remained on standby at the rear of the caravan, ready to respond to any sudden threats or to assist nearby in case of an emergency.
However, a sudden loud commotion from the front of the caravan caught Lynn's interest.
"The four of you, stay here and guard my loyal steeds and my magnificent carriage," Lynn said to the students before turning to Beatrix. "Look after them, but feel free to ditch them if something bad happens."
With those instructions, Lynn tried to run toward the front of the caravan, attempting to drag Arezu along by the sleeve of his coat.
"Didn't I just say that we're supposed to guard them?" Arezu said, resisting her pulling.
"This is more important, Mr. Arezu. Everyone at the front might be in danger."
Once again, Lynn's reasoning would have sounded more convincing to Arezu—if not for the excited grin flashing on her face.
Still, Arezu couldn't deny that he was at least a little concerned about the commotion up front.
Looking to Beatrix to ask her opinion, Arezu was surprised to see her run past him and Lynn, charging toward the front of the caravan.
With Beatrix gone ahead of them, Lynn was left with no choice.
"Guard Chevaline and Ragwort with your lives. Or do I have to explain what'll happen otherwise?" she said, her tone serious and her glare threatening.
The four students could only nod in fear, each clutching their enchanted staff.
Regardless, Arezu tried to remain at their side, sticking to the escort quest as one of their guards—
"Just follow Beatrix. I'll stay here with them."
—Only for Lynn to reason with him again by revealing another detail of the escort quest.
"It's not like they're in danger. And this is supposed to be part of their test."
"Test?... What does that mean, Lynn?"
"I'll explain it later. So let's just go already, Mr. Arezu."
With that, Arezu finally gave in and let her drag him, following as she ran cheerfully toward the front of the caravan, glancing back once at the worried students they left behind.
After a few minutes of running at full speed, Lynn and Arezu arrived where Beatrix was standing—petrified as she stared at the monster the cavalry was fighting.
A high-level monster known as the king of werewolves—the Lycan.
A six-meter-tall humanoid lycanthrope. Its blackened fangs, the size of knives, told of the hundreds of prey it had devoured. Its bloodstained claws, as long as daggers, showed the injuries it had inflicted on the cavalry. And its unscratched hide, covered in fur as dark as shadow itself, meant that no one had managed to stand against such a terrifying monster.
Even Arezu couldn't help but feel afraid, his hands trembling as he stared at the Lycan.
With the unexpected appearance of a high-level monster, the tide of battle at the front of the caravan swiftly shifted in favor of the swarm of kobolds and werewolves—until a single spear, imbued with the combat skill Pierce, was thrown from behind the cavalry, piercing the Lycan's thick hide.
As the knights, valkyries, and soldiers parted, a large man—taller even than Arezu—boldly walked through the crowd.
Before Arezu could finish asking, Lynn promptly introduced the person who had made the king of werewolves kneel.
"That person, Mr. Arezu, is the commander of this expedition. The Hero bearing the title Weapon Breaker, the divine gift Burnout, and the name Brandon Von Guttur."
Though his age could already be seen in his face, he still wore his massive golden armor with an aura of intimidation. Two greatswords were strapped to his back, two more longswords swords sheathed at his belt, and a remaining spear gripped in his left hand.
Taking a stand in front of the rising Lycan, the Hero offered his challenge to the king.
"Let's see how many of my weapons I need to break before you break down, king of werewolves."
"Pfft—What a cringey line, right, Mr. Arezu?"
"Seriously, Lynn… Aren't you at least afraid of that monster?"
Seeing Arezu's hands still trembling—whether from fear or, from Lynn's perspective, excitement—her mischievous smile returned, followed by another teasing remark—or, from Arezu's understanding, another threat.
"Why would I be, Mr. Arezu?... When I know even you could defeat that Lycan with just a little push," Lynn said, clearly reminding him of certain events.
And Arezu, with a flash of unease on his face, clearly hadn't forgotten how Lynn had pushed him toward the goblin flashers' nest—and in front of Rust's party of corrupted adventurers.
"Oi... Don't you dare push me toward that monster."