All eight tentacles were severed, and the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus writhed its massive body, letting out a pained howl.
Waves surged in the lake, crashing toward Alice and the others on the shore.
The group’s mobility was clearly less than when Sistem fought alone. What’s more, they were now carrying the unconscious Liyakade, making it nearly impossible to dodge the incoming tidal wave.
Field’s flames couldn’t completely evaporate the water in an instant, either.
But fortunately, this time they had brought Chloe, whose powerful earth element defenses were just enough to withstand the oncoming surge.
Chloe chanted on the spot, and a huge, solid earth wall rose up, firmly blocking the tide outside.
As the tide broke apart, Field slashed through the bubbles with her sword, dispersing the poison mist that exploded from within, which Alice then purified.
The Purple Abyss Demon Octopus glared angrily at the towering wall before it, its severed tentacles lashing out at the barrier, causing the earth wall to crumble and collapse.
But in the instant the wall fell, Sistem was already revealed, having risen into midair.
The Storm Spear had already formed above Sistem’s head, and as the wall broke, she clasped her hands together, launching the spear straight at the massive head of the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus.
“Pu-tsu––”
The wind element, sharp as a blade, shredded all the defensive bubbles the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus spat out along its path.
As if tangible, the Storm Spear pierced a huge hole through the monster’s head in an instant.
The Purple Abyss Demon Octopus convulsed more violently than before, but it seemed to have lost control over its body. Its few half-severed tentacles flailed aimlessly in the lake.
With a shrill screech from its mouth, its enormous body gradually sank, finally disappearing beneath the lake’s surface.
“Good thing you all arrived. Otherwise, I might’ve really been done in by this Purple Abyss Demon Octopus.”
Recalling the moment her arm touched the creature, Sistem shuddered in fear.
However, with her speed, if she hadn’t cared about the consequences, she could have escaped its attack range before the toxin spread throughout her body.
But the paralysis effect of the poison would still remain. If she’d encountered another Monster after escaping, or if Darkness was lurking nearby, that would have been truly dangerous.
“By the way, the experience from this Purple Abyss Demon Octopus is really high.”
Sistem glanced at the bubbling surface of the lake, feeling a surge of energy flow into her body.
Her level finally broke through at that moment, rising from LV.71 to LV.72.
Even Alice and the others, who had leveled up earlier, gained another level.
Alice reached LV.38, Field reached LV.47—the experience gained from challenging above their level was enormous, especially against such a high-quality and high-level Monster.
“I remember that Darkness was over level 70 as well.”
Flames ignited on Field’s sword, burning away the poison and blood from the tentacles.
She spun the blade in a Sword Flower and returned it to its Scabbard at her waist.
“That one’s a high-level intelligent demon. I wonder how much experience we’d gain for killing her.”
Field’s gaze was cold.
Darkness’s previous actions had thoroughly enraged her.
Though Eric and Irina Zi’s crimes were grave, they didn’t deserve such a miserable death.
Add to that the insult to Liyakade and the attempt to kill everyone—now, all they wanted was to eliminate this brutal being.
“Alice, can you still detect Darkness’s location?”
Sistem looked to Alice and asked.
Although Alice had acquired Magic to detect surrounding demons, its range was limited.
When Sistem was restrained by the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus, she couldn’t stop the escaping Darkness, who might now be beyond Alice’s detection.
Hearing this, Alice put her hands together again, releasing Light Domain Perception.
After a moment of silence, she lowered her hands and shook her head at the group.
“I can’t sense Darkness anymore.”
“So she’s already run far away, as expected.”
Sistem seemed to have anticipated this.
In truth, aside from Chloe, the others had already mentally prepared themselves for not being able to detect Darkness.
Because Liyakade had considered this when planning their tactics.
Although Darkness didn’t know Alice had gained the Magic to sense her presence, she would definitely put as much distance as possible after being defeated.
However, Liyakade knew—Darkness would surely return.
The blood sacrifice for Minotauros was still far off. The meager blood, Magic, and souls Darkness had collected were nowhere near enough to break the seal.
Moreover, a Monster as cruel, inhuman, and vengeful as Darkness, having been defeated by Liyakade’s group, could never simply flee in disgrace.
She would definitely return to the Academy, biding her time to kill Liyakade’s group, or at the very least, eliminate Alice, the greatest threat among the demons.
“Alright, let’s head back.”
Sistem waved her hand, moving toward the edge of the canyon.
“Mm.”
Alice nodded in response.
The group followed Sistem, ascending the walkway where they’d fought before and retreating to the Camp.
They had defeated so many swarms and shadow Monsters, and even killed the Purple Abyss Demon Octopus in the end.
Their scores were surely perfect by now.
And with Darkness severely injured, under the Teachers’ protection, the other Students in the main force should be safe.
Now, Alice’s party only needed to exit the canyon safely.
Once they returned to the Academy and recovered, they could track Darkness’s location, shifting from passive to active and taking the initiative to attack.
Moreover, if battle broke out in the Academy, even with Shadow Magic, Darkness wouldn’t be able to escape.
***
On the other side of the canyon.
“Everyone, stay with the group. Don’t go that way.”
Grade Director Fianna adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose as she counted the Students, staying alert for powerful Monster attacks nearby.
However, the Students were clearly excited and curious about such a large-scale team battle.
Their Magic was quite strong, too. Even the LV.40 giant python that appeared earlier was easily defeated by a barrage of four-colored spells.
Still, splitting the experience and points among the Students left little for each.
“Sigh, I don’t know why the Academy suddenly increased the difficulty of the Midterm Exam. Now we have to watch the Students constantly. It’s so exhausting.”
Fianna grumbled as she followed at the rear of the main group.
“Tell me about it. We’re responsible for the Students’ safety, after all.”
An elderly voice came from behind Fianna.
“You’ve returned? What about Alice and the others?”
“They… cough cough…”
The Grade Director’s voice was even raspier than usual, and he coughed twice involuntarily.
“They’ve already returned to the Camp. They must have earned enough points by now.”
“What?”
Fianna stared in surprise at the sun in the sky.
“It’s still so early. How could they possibly have gotten enough points? Don’t tell me… did they encounter Monsters from the inner area?”
“Who knows… cough cough cough.”