He tried to pick himself up. He was bleeding and bruised in a few places. The Werewolf was charging at him, now on all four legs. He fired another shot as it came closer, and rolled out of the way of the frenzied attack.
Adrian steadied himself for just a moment as the Werewolf turned back around. It was too close. He was going to die unless someone came in now to save him. Or unless he felled the beast by himself.
But he could not do that. He could not even hurt the Monster—
The boy paused, as he remembered Melas. He remembered an explosion, and blood flying through the air. It was a dangerous tactic, one that nearly got the girl killed. But it worked.
Adrian felt himself touching the mana crystal in his gun. He did not exert any force over the mana just yet, however he was considering it. The Werewolf ran at him again, and he hesitated.
No, I have to do this!
Adrian brough the pistol up. The mana crystal flashing. It glowed, as the boy pushed at the mana with all of his strength.
But nothing happened.
What? Why—
The Werewolf reached the boy. It brought its claws down at him, and he closed his eyes. This was how he died. He wondered what would happen to Alice— he hoped she wouldn’t blame herself for his death. And he never even got to see Melas again.
There was a yelp. Adrian opened his eyes and saw Nero standing in front of him. The Werewolf was backed up, a large gash opened up on its chest.
"Well then, it seems like I came just in time," the Holy Knight said, grinning.
The Werewolf howled, clasping at its chest. It charged the man that just injured it, and he easily sidestepped the attack. Nero swung at its legs, his sword easily cutting through its thick skin.
"Come, now. Is that all you got?" Nero taunted the creature.
It leapt back, now staring warily at the Holy Knight Captain. Adrian stared in awe as the man easily countered another attack. And another. Then, the Werewolf finally had enough. The Monster reverted back to a wolf— a smaller wolf than a Dyre Wolf— and tried to flee. But Nero just laughed.
"You’re not going to escape!"
With that said, the black haired man swung his sword at the escaping Monster from a distance. A red blade of energy flashed through the air, and sliced the Werewolf in half. It fell, dead.
"Amazing," Adrian breathed the word.
The Holy Knight slowly sheathed his blade, and lifted his visor up. He turned to Adrian, then to Onia. Adrian saw as Lucas approached with Faizan, Alice, and Ilyse in the distance. They rushed to the injured girl, and the teacher quickly began applying a healing potion on her wounds.
"You children are more trouble than I thought you for," Nero said, grabbing the boy’s attention. "Trying to face a Werewolf by yourself is a fool’s move already. And yet, you took it a step further and tried to destabilize your weapon’s mana crystal to explode it. You’re fortunate that all of the Academy’s weapons are made with precautions to prevent an accident like that from happening. It’s a dangerously foolish act, one that defeats the purpose of this field trip, enough to give you a failing grade."
Adrian opened his mouth to protest.
"But," Nero cut him off, raising a finger. "You did so to protect your friends. And for that, I’d say it’s worth a Distinction, no?"
The boy paused, staring at the Holy Knight for a moment. Then he spoke out, "Onia’s not my friend."
"But you still tried to save her regardless."
"I—"
"Well, it doesn’t matter what you think. I am simply stating what I see." Nero flashed his charming smile, then walked away from Adrian to the others. The boy frowned, but didn’t say anything.
Later, after Adrian was healed up as well, the group returned back to the main clearing of Defenor Forest. They had to cut the field trip short, out of fear that there were more Werewolves in the area.
Alice was clinging on to Adrian, not letting go of his arm. "You had me worried sick, you know? I thought you were going to get yourself killed!"
"I’m fine now," Adrian said. "So please, let go of me—"
The boy paused, as Onia came up to them. Alice immediately straightened, and turned to the noble girl. "L-lady Onia," she said, not meeting the other girl’s eyes. "Are you alright? We’re so sorry about what happened—"
"Why did you save me?" she asked, ignoring the blonde girl.
Adrian eyed the noble girl. He turned to Alice, standing uncertainly to the side, then back to Onia. He took a deep breath, and spoke, "Don’t ignore Alice."
"What?"
"You heard what I said," Adrian replied, not masking his irritation with her. "You know, Onia, I don’t like you. Despite what Sir Nero said, I don't think you’re my friend. You ask me why I saved you? It’s because I’m not a callous individual like you, who would leave a stranger to die if it did not benefit you in any way. Most regular, decent people would save the life of someone in danger if the situation arises."
Onia froze, slowly processing his words. She looked like she wanted to snap at him, but she bit back her tongue. "I… I’m sorry, Alice," she finally said. "And to you, Adrian, for offending you."
Adrian blinked, surprised at her level response. "Oh, uh, as long as you understand—"
"However, you are wrong about me," she cut him off. "I am not a callous individual. I am a Duke’s daughter. There is a certain standard I have to uphold, and unfortunately, you comm— two, refuse
