SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

"What a waste of time!" The fairy said, very much besides himself as he hovered over the area where he had slain the three statues.

As he looked over the holographic screens that showed different parts of his domain, his face twisted with fury as he realized that the Adventurers he had sent away were still alive.

His eyes narrowed, and with a growl that shook the very air, he extended his hand toward the ground.

"I'll show them what suffering really is. Such a shame I won't be around to watch their end," he hissed, voice thick with malice. "I'll end this once and for all."

He whispered something under his breath and with a flourish, pointed his index finger to the earth.

From the ground below, the earth trembled violently as cracks spread in jagged lines.

Dark smoke rose up from the crevices on the ground and filled the air with thick, acrid miasma.

The fairy's lips curled into a wicked smile as the shape of a creature emerged from the black mist.

The beast was massive, standing on four legs, its body covered in rotting, jagged scales that gave off a disgusting stench.

"My very own specimen," The fairy beamed as he stroked him. It was the dog he had been telling Number 3 about. His pet project.

The demonic creature let out a bone-chilling roar in response to the caresses of its master.

The fairy brought his attention to the screen showing the Adventurers.

It lowered its head, growling low in its throat, its red eyes locked onto Neron and his companions.

"Kill them first," the fairy commanded, his voice venomous. "And once you've done with them, slaughter every adventurer in this wretched dungeon. Make me proud."

With that, the fairy vanished in an instant, leaving the monstrous beast to do his bidding.

The creature lunged forward without hesitation and ran off to look for them.

Unfortunately, Neron's group barely had time to react since they hadn't gotten far from the scene.

Davis was the first person to see the creature and he created a mana shield instinctively. "Get ready!" He yelled, alerting the others.

~CRACKKKK!!!~

The creature easily bypassed the shield and went straight for Harun; one of Davis' men who was closest to him.

Seeing this, Harun quickly countered with his spear aiming straight for the creature's head.

His eyes widened in shock, but before he could retreat, the beast swung its massive claw, catching him across the chest.

~VWUSHHHHHH!!!~

~CRACKKKKKK!!!~

Harun's body flew through the air like a ragdoll, crashing into a nearby boulder with a sickening thud.

Blood sprayed from the gashes in his torso, and his spear clattered to the ground, useless.

"Harun!" Davis screamed, his voice breaking, but he knew that there was no time to mourn.

He had to honor Harun's memory by avenging him.

He hadn't known him long but in the little time he had known him, he was a respectful chap.

"Hey you!"

The beast was not paying attention to him but had turned its attention to Aric, another person in his team.

"I'll show you that I'm not easily ignored," Davis said, running towards the creature as he slammed his shield into the ground, summoning a protective barrier of light around them.

For the second time, the beast was relentless.

It smashed into the barrier with its full weight, the impact causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet.

The barrier cracked, and Davis' face contorted with strain.

"I can't hold it much longer!" he shouted, his voice tight with pain.

"Keep it up just a little more!" Lisa urged, her spell finally ready. She thrust her hands forward, sending a blast of fiery magic at the beast.

The flames licked at the creature's body, but instead of burning it, they were absorbed into its miasma, fueling its dark energy.

Lisa's eyes widened in horror. "No..."

The beast roared, using the flames as a conduit to release an even deadlier surge of miasma.

The corrosive fog spread rapidly, creeping toward them like a living thing.

"Fall back!" Neron ordered, but it was too late for Aric. The barrier shattered, and the beast was on him in a flash.

With one swift motion, the creature's jaws snapped shut around Aric's torso, crushing him with a sickening crunch.

His shield fell from his grasp, clattering uselessly to the ground as the light faded from his eyes.

"Damn it!" Neron cursed, his blood boiling. He couldn't let this thing take any more of them.

He charged forward, his sword gleaming with deadly intent. With a swift slash, he aimed for the creature's exposed flank, but the beast was faster than it looked.

It dodged the strike with unnatural agility and retaliated with a swipe of its claws.

Neron barely managed to dodge, feeling the air ripple as the claws missed his throat by mere inches.

Lisa, meanwhile, had taken up a position on the beast's other side, her daggers ready.

She darted in and out, looking for weak spots, but each strike she attempted was met with the same impenetrable miasma.

"We need to break through that miasma!" she called out, frustration thick in her voice.

"I'm working on it!" Mira replied, her voice strained as she began preparing another spell, this time focusing on a pure burst of energy rather than elemental magic.

The beast, sensing the threat, let out another deafening roar. It lunged at Mira, its eyes glowing with murderous intent.

But before it could reach her, Lyra stepped in its path, her twin blades gleaming as she crossed them in front of her.

~CLANG!~

The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held her ground, gritting her teeth against the pain. "You're not getting past me!" she growled.

The beast snarled, pushing harder, but Neron seized the opportunity.

He darted forward, sword aimed at the beast's neck, hoping to sever its head.

But as his blade neared, the miasma thickened, repelling his sword once again.

The creature's eyes gleamed with malice as it reared back and swung its massive tail.

~WHAM!~

The tail connected with Neron's side, sending him sprawling across the ground.

Pain shot through his ribs, but he forced himself to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"Neron!"