We descended into the valley where the cave was, only slightly behind Mu Bai's group. While we discussed tactics, several more groups approached. After assigning roles, we began descending into the cave. Wind magicians went ahead for scouting, with Light magicians illuminating the path.
Two green flaming lights appeared ahead, followed by a roar! It was definitely a high-tier Servant; only they could possess magical attacks.
A strong gust of wind carried dust, small stones, and other debris. The front ranks were knocked to the ground, the rest froze in terror, then raised a cry and ran toward the exit in a disorganized crowd.
Using my shadow, I began moving those who couldn't get up to the outside. There were three of them; they were in front and took the wolf's magic attack head-on. It took me about ten seconds for all of them; most students hadn't even managed to get out of the cave yet.
I looked at this chaos and felt ashamed before the military instructors and teachers. I understood that any student who even just released magic now would get a good grade, but I didn't know if the canon would fully come true, as I had already stepped on many butterflies. So I commanded everyone running out to line up behind me. A confident look and voice certainly had an effect on some, but about half scattered seeking a way to save themselves.
When the black magic wolf appeared, about fifteen people had lined up behind me. It leaped out of the cave, and I acted.
Sinking into the shadow, I got under the monster's belly and opened the maximum available portal, dragging it in with all my strength. The wolf fell into the shadow as if into water, and I quickly jumped back out.
"Water magicians, shields, fast, dammit!"
A second of hesitation, and the magicians began creating magic.
"Light magicians, create maximum blinding to the beast's eyes!"
Many continued to stand there stupidly blinking at me.
"Form the stars, fast, I said!"
The shout worked, and they started moving.
"Xu Zhaoting, Mo Fan, Zhou Min"—who had already managed to recover some of her energy—"prepare your magic, I won't hold it long."
"Earth magicians, after everyone uses magic, move the monster back into the cave and don't let it out, use Earth Wave alternately."
"Wind magicians, back them up and evacuate if necessary. Ready in two seconds, I'll release the wolf here"—I threw a stone in front of the cave—"can't hold it longer."
Everyone seemed to understand my plan, nodding and forming their constellations without letting the magic go.
One, two. The Wolf materialized from the shadow.
At that same second, the entire area was illuminated by the bright glow of five Light flashes focused on the monster's head. Simultaneously, two fireballs burst into it—one standard and one bone-burning. That was Mo Fan showing off with his second tier. A flash of lightning temporarily paralyzed the wolf, and Earth Waves threw it back into the cave.
"Hit it with everything you've got! It's ten meters from the cave entrance. Light magicians, don't let it open its eyes. Xu Zhaoting, your attack paralyzes it for a few seconds—buy us time. Earth magicians, don't stop releasing magic at the entrance, the ground level is rising, let's wall it in there."
The monster tried to break out of the trap, but lightning stopped it briefly. It was alternately hit by lightning, burned from inside and out, and couldn't open its eyes at all to avoid being blinded. Initially scared, the students took out their earlier terror on the beast. Those who had previously scattered also joined us. By the time we descended into the cave, four more groups had joined our two. Not everyone returned, of course, but about thirty people were now incessantly drenching the monster with their magic.
After a minute of a continuous barrage of spells, the cave was almost completely sealed. A white orb of energy flew out from the small remaining opening. I had seen these before; it was a monster's soul—not a fragment, but a whole one. My amulet wanted to play tug-of-war, but I cooled its fervor. Unlike Mo Fan's amulet, which pulled energy from everywhere, mine was more obedient.
"Not now," I told it mentally. "Soon I'll feed you something much tastier and more satisfying."
As soon as the last pieces of earth closed the cave entrance, most of the kids fell to the ground with pale faces; almost all of them must have been magically exhausted. Only Mo Fan and I knew the monster was dead, and it was better not to show my knowledge.
"Wind magicians, evacuate everyone who can't move as far away as possible immediately. Water magicians, pour water on the cave entrance. Mu Bai, buddy, freeze the entrance so this wolf can't dig through it quickly."
"Alright, Li Kai."
To my surprise, Mu Bai didn't show his past arrogance and obediently froze the water on the mound. Meanwhile, those who could were running toward the nearest cliff, while the rest helped those who couldn't. I grabbed a rope, sank into the shadow, and flew up the sheer cliff.
As I was throwing down the rope tied to a nearby tree, a gust of wind almost knocked me down. Turning around, I saw Zhang Kong standing right in front of me, with four wings made of wind behind his back.
"Your name is Li Kai, the Shadow magician?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Want to join my garrison? I promise to promote you quickly to junior officer rank, with corresponding resources, salary, and benefits!"
"I am very flattered by your offer, but a monster is currently trying to kill us down there. Maybe help us out first, and then start recruiting?"
"No need to fear. In truth, that wasn't a wild monster but a summoned one, and if Bai Yang's information is correct, you killed it."
"Then why the hell did it attack us?"
"Well, it didn't kill anyone in the cave. Although after your massive attack, it did break the summoner's leash. Still, casualties were avoided, for which I congratulate you. Also, we will give everyone who participated top marks."
I looked down, where all the gathered kids waiting for me to drop the rope were looking at Zhang Kong and me with great relief. If a military instructor appeared here, he certainly wouldn't let them be harmed.
"You promised to give all students a top mark if even one of us handled the exam."
"Really? Did I say that?"
"Yep."
"Well alright, it's not hard for me."
"And also an artifact for the particularly distinguished student. I want a permanent attacking artifact powered by Shadow element energy."
"Hey? What the hell? I only promised a Basic defensive tool!"
"What do I need it for if my best defense is hiding in the shadow?"
"Sigh, you're still young, you don't understand that extra defense never hurts. I'll give you a Bone Shield."
"A permanent attacking artifact! It doesn't even have to be the strongest, but it must be Shadow energy-powered. I've said my piece."
"Make it a Basic one at least, not permanent. Who are you planning to slice up in droves? You won't have enough energy."
"That's my problem!"
"Damn you. Fine... but it will take time."
"No problem, I'll wait!"
"Get out of my sight. I don't want to see you!"
Zhang Kong flew down the mountain on his wings and was immediately surrounded by students asking questions from all sides.
A couple of hours later, the military dug out the cave. It turned out we managed to collapse the cave ceiling and the wolf was impaled by stalactites. The canon came true. In the original, Mo Fan killed the wolf exactly like that. I hope it's just a coincidence.
Thus ended our field practice!