Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Catastrophic Field Trip

Cathan Leywin Pov

Allowing myself a few seconds to look back, a wave of nausea hit me as my eyes glued onto the sight of the bigger queen snarler, gorging on the corpse of the fallen queen.

Professor Glory didn't think much of it, but I couldn't help but be annoyed by it. I already knew of the corrupted beasts. A corrupted mana beast is problematic, especially if it's a dungeon boss.

"Why is that one so much stronger?" Professor Glory got up as she groaned, cleaving a few minions out of her way.

"Professor, you won't stand a chance against it now! It will become at least A-class if it eats the other queen!" I shouted.

"Damn it!" She cursed as she ran to the queen, still eating its former ally.

As the queen snarler finished consuming her fallen comrade, a bizarre change occurred. Its once grey fur turned jet black, and the small horn on its forehead curved upwards, growing substantially. The once beady red eyes turned sharp and menacing—almost psychotic—as it began foaming from its mouth as well.

Professor Glory didn't say anything, but I knew that there was a growing sense of doubt in her mind as the beast charged at her. Until now, getting back home was considered just a matter of time, but even I couldn't help but shiver involuntarily from the murderous intent that exuded from the queen.

"Professor! We can't keep this up!" Tess shouted hoarsely amidst the growls and hisses of the enemy.

"Everyone! No more fire spells! The entrance of the cave is blocked, so our supply of oxygen is limited!" Arthur roared out.

From the burnt pile of corpses accumulating, the air became thick as some of the weaker students began coughing uncontrollably. The queen and Professor Glory were at a stalemate, with our professor drifting towards the losing side.

As I focused on the primary battle, I could see that the fighting style of the queen snarler had entirely changed. There was no trace of hesitation or sense of self-preservation.

Each attack it lashed out at Professor Glory was with the intent to kill without caring for its own body. Usually, that should've been its downfall, but that unique queen snarler's black fur was able to absorb most of the damage from our professor's attacks.

"Cathan... I think my mana core is beginning to act up." Claire was a few meters behind me, fell to her knees as she began clutching her abdomen.

"Cathan, you'll have to get a bit more serious now!" Arthur shouted.

"Right!" I replied.

I released my mist spell and threw one of the jars. Within seconds the cavern was filled with mist. The snarlers all began to hold their head in agony, while the students were all unaffected.

My illusions couldn't hurt the snarlers, but they could make them feel pain and stagger them, which gave the students a chance to finish them all off. I didn't use my ice magic so the students wouldn't have problems with the cold.

"Arthur, help, professor Glory! I'll deal with the snarlers!" I yelled out.

I created an ice wall around the entire floor, leaving a few holes for the smoke to get out. I dashed over and picked Claire up, gently placing her down and surrounding her with an ice shield.

The snarlers, one by one, started falling to the ground. Each snarler was clutching its throat, which was had blood leaking out. All of the students and even snarlers didn't know what was happening to them.

The only ones who knew the answer were Arthur, Tess, and me. Using sound magic and mirage walk, I cut the necks of all the snarlers in the area. That left only the mutated queen.