Part 28 – The Hard Battle with the Maw
"There's no way… It's impossible!"
Ziar: "What problem do you two have?"
Agnes: "Teacher, can you really accept that I'm paired with this perverted boy (Tam)?"
Me: "She's right, teacher. How did you decide that this clumsy redhead should be grouped with me, the so-called pervert?"
Agnes shot me a murderous glare.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ziar: "If you object, you can leave."
"What!?"
Ziar: "Leave the Academy entirely if you can't accept our grouping. Your choice."
I froze. Partnering with this arrogant girl… or leaving the Academy, which meant death.
Me: "Teacher, I accept."
Ziar: "Tam accepts. Agnes, do you?"
Agnes stayed silent, then nodded.
Ziar: "Good. Now begin the battle."
The Fight Begins
I summoned the Black Storm and charged at the maw, ignoring Agnes's words.
Strike after strike—useless. The beast only roared. It lunged at me, but I dodged, circling behind. I climbed its tail, launched a whirlwind, and slammed it into its head.
Boom!
No effect. My attack was nullified. Exhausted, I collapsed to the ground. My eyes met Agnes's.
She was lashing the maw with her flaming whip. The monster shrieked, wounds appearing across its body.
I understood.
From Agnes Melodia's Perspective
Forced into this pairing, I prepared for battle.
The fight began… and Tam, Tam, Tam—like a brainless fool, he charged the maw.
I stomped my foot In frustration.
Idiot. Doesn't he know only earth and fire can hurt the maw? He'll kill himself like this.
He kept striking recklessly, draining his mana. If he continued, he'd collapse. And if he fell, I'd be left alone—expelled, disgraced, staining the honor of the Melodia family.
No. I couldn't let that happen.
I readied my flaming whip and struck. The maw roared, its flesh burning, wounds opening.
Meanwhile, that perverted fool leapt high, landed a massive blow… nothing. He crashed down beside me, motionless.
Good. At least he's out of the way.
I continued my assault, carving wounds into the beast.
"Yes… if this continues, I'll finish it with my fireball."
Then—I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Agnes!
He kept calling my name.
Why does he say it so shamelessly?
I ignored him, continuing my strikes—until suddenly he spun me around and shouted:
"I have an Idea!"
Me (Agnes): "What idea could a fool like you have?"
His face flushed red with anger. Good.
Tam: "Yes, if you allow me, noble lady, this humble man will share his idea."
The maw roared, pounding the ground, charging toward us.
Me: "Quick, say it!"
Tam: "Let's strike together."
"What!?"
From Tam's Perspective
Agnes didn't want to accept, but she had to.
My idea was simple: she would summon a basic fire spell, and I would amplify it with my wind magic, sending it against the maw. Hopefully, it would work.
Agnes conjured flames. I unleashed the whirlwind.
Boom. Darkness swallowed my vision.
From Henry's Perspective
Instructor Ziar was right. Tam's five-star wind magic was nearly equal to mine and Adriana's. His finishing strikes were powerful—almost at the level of my uncle.
But the problem was clear: Tam's blows alone had no effect on the maw. Agnes's strikes worked only because of her fire affinity.
Then suddenly—Agnes summoned fire, Tam added wind. The flames expanded into a massive Inferno.
Boom. My sight went black.
From Tam's Perspective
"Ahh… the pain."
I forced my eyes open. Only black ash floated In the air. No sign of the maw. No sign of Agnes.
"Agnes! Agnes!"
Ignoring the pain, I staggered to her side. She lay unconscious.
I shook her, called her name—no response. The physicians nearby were unconscious too.
Without hesitation, I lifted Agnes in my arms and carried her out, Ignoring everyone else.
End of Part 28