Chapter 10: Chapter 10: The Shock Dean Bruce Brought

Joan Michelle's clear voice wasn't particularly loud, yet it somehow cut through the roaring noise, reaching the ears of everyone present with unmistakable clarity.

In that moment, the fear that had gripped the students vanished entirely. They turned back to look at Joan Michelle, who stood alone before the beast tide, their faces filled with disbelief.

They couldn't comprehend that, in such a life-or-death situation, a mentor would willingly stand in front of them, using her own body as a shield.

Dean Bruce, however, could only sigh in exasperation, rubbing his forehead. [Great, I overdid it. I've fooled her so completely that she's willing to charge into the beast tide? Once I manage to escape, I'll definitely erect a tombstone for her and, if I can, avenge her death!]

Buzz—

Mana surged like waves around Joan Michelle, powerful and overwhelming, swirling around her yet refusing to coalesce into a single form.

In the Veigar Forest, every tree and blade of grass near Joan Michelle began to tremble.

The terrifying pressure emanating from her caused the beast tide to halt temporarily, the beasts glancing around in fear and confusion.

Even Dean Bruce, who had been planning to flee, was stunned. His gaze toward Joan Michelle became increasingly perplexed as he muttered to himself, "I mean, I'd love for you to succeed in mastering this spell, but the incantation was completely made up. If you actually manage to cast a high-level spell, that would be nothing short of a miracle!"

Joan Michelle gritted her teeth, drawing on every last bit of her mana, gripping her staff tightly as exhaustion began to take its toll.

For over ten seconds, she continued to channel her magic, her face growing paler, her body trembling.

Meanwhile, the thousands of beasts, sensing that no spell had formed, began to charge forward again, drawing ever closer, causing renewed panic among the students.

Seeing this, Joan Michelle let out a sorrowful laugh before raising her head to the sky and shouting, "Love never fails! Even in death, I will not stop!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a powerful wind surged through the area, and a vibrant green light filled the space.

Just as the beasts were about to reach them, the trees and grass seemed to come alive. They grew rapidly and wildly, intertwining to form massive nets that ensnared the charging beasts, holding them in place.

Even the first and second-tier beasts, despite their attempts to fight back, found themselves trapped. The nets of leaves and branches absorbed all their strength, leaving them unable to break free.

Moments later, the nets expanded, flinging the captured beasts and wild animals far away from the group.

Not only that, but the swirling leaves began to gently land on everyone, enveloping them in a warmth that healed the injuries they had sustained from earlier falls and soothed their frightened spirits.

Everyone was stunned by what they witnessed.

Even Dean Bruce was no exception.

Joan Michelle was trembling with excitement, overwhelmed with joy. "It worked! I did it! I've actually mastered it! This is indeed a high-level spell. Even with my mana, the effects are this astonishing!"

"It's true—this spell requires genuine love in one's heart to be cast. No wonder I kept failing yesterday! But the beast tide isn't over yet. I can't let my guard down. Yes, I must focus on love. My love for my students is real!" Joan Michelle continued to murmur the incantation under her breath, "Love is patient...

If you would accept me, I would gladly become your disciple—or even your servant—just to stay by your side and learn from you day and night!"

"..."

As her words echoed through the clearing, the cheers died down, and silence fell over the group.

The hundred or so students, along with Xerath Cade, were stunned, their faces blank with shock as they looked between Dean Bruce and Joan Michelle, trying to process what they had just heard.

What was going on?

The spell that had saved all their lives was something Joan Michelle had learned from Dean Bruce?

In that moment, the students' gazes toward Dean Bruce turned intense and fervent. If they could be taught by him, did that mean they too might have the chance to learn such a powerful high-level spell?

This solidified their resolve—once the school term officially began, they were determined to become Dean Bruce's students!

Feeling the intense gazes of admiration and respect, Dean Bruce couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

After all the time he'd spent in this world, this was the first time he'd truly shown off his abilities in front of others!

And it felt great.

Clearing his throat with a light cough, Dean Bruce suppressed his amusement and maintained a calm demeanor as he said, "It's not bad. Though it's not as quick as when I first mastered it, it's still faster than most people. Keep practicing diligently, and once you've fully mastered this spell, I'll teach you something new."

"Oh my God!"

"That's considered 'not bad'?"

"Dean Bruce must be a powerful mage!"

The students exchanged amazed glances, their eyes now filled with envy and admiration when they looked at Joan Michelle.

Joan Michelle, meanwhile, felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought to herself, [I almost forgot—he mastered this spell just by glancing at it once. His talent is far beyond mine! He must be telling me this so I don't get complacent. What do I have to be proud of? I only grasped it in the face of life-and-death pressure! I need to stay humble and gradually familiarize myself with this spell.]

Blinking, Joan Michelle didn't stand up. Instead, she bowed even lower, her voice filled with sincerity as she pleaded, "I humbly ask you to accept me as your disciple—or even your servant!"

Dean Bruce was more than happy to accept, and was just about to agree when Xerath Cade's voice cut through the air: "Congratulations, congratulations! Such a joyous occasion calls for a celebration, doesn't it?"

Dean Bruce's brow furrowed in irritation.

Interrupting someone like that, especially at such a moment, was incredibly rude!

But as Dean Bruce looked up, his eyes caught the gleam of a sword, and even from a distance, he felt a sharp, cutting sensation against his skin as if it were being sliced open.