Instead of facing Koko’s attack head-on, Ethan sprinted to the side with the fastest speed he could muster in an attempt to evade the flurry of rocks and dirt that were sent flying in his direction. 𝐎𝗏𝐞𝓵xt.𝗇𝓔t
Since Koko’s strike had a wide area of effect, Ethan thought that he wouldn’t be able to completely evade it.
Fortunately, the boost he got from the Sea God’s Trident was better than he thought.
He was much faster and stronger than before. This allowed him to jump away far enough at the last second, allowing only a few small rocks to hit his body before he fell and rolled on the ground safely.
“It seems that you’re a lot faster since the last time I saw you, Ethan,” Koko said after seeing Ethan’s desperate struggle to dodge his attack. “But it’s not enough.”
As if to prove his point, Koko lunged at Ethan, and the young man’s face turned grim. He had not fully recovered from his evasion that now, and he would need a few more seconds to catch his breath.
Unfortunately, Koko didn’t have any intention to give him that much time.
However, just as the White Gorilla was about to smack the fallen teenager, a small blur appeared beside it, catching its attention.
Ethan’s eyes widened in shock when he saw Lily in her Bestial Form suddenly appear and kick the White Gorilla’s body from the side.
But Koko easily blocked her attack and even initiated a counter-attack by brandishing its other hand to slap Lily away.
In a show of incredible dexterity, and agility, Lily used Koko’s counter-attack to propel herself backwards. She spun a few times in the air before landing harmlessly on the ground.
“Oh? Now that’s something I don’t see every day.” Koko’s interest was piqued after seeing that the young lady with wolf ears and tail was perfectly unharmed by his perfectly timed counter. “What’s your name, girl?”
“Lily,” Lily replied.
“Although you are less tasty than Ethan, I’m sure that I’m going to enjoy having you as a snack.” Koko grinned.
The young lady didn’t reply because she knew that the monster in front of her was stronger than her. In her Bestial Form, her senses were heightened to their limit, allowing her to know just how dangerous Koko was.
‘This White Gorilla is stronger than the rumors I’ve heard when I arrived here in the academy,’ Lily thought. ‘I might be able to run away, but the others will not be able to make it.’
While Koko’s attention was diverted to Lily, Ethan propped himself up and hastily backed away.
“You two, run away from here, now!” Ethan shouted at the two girls, who suddenly gained hope after seeing Lily had come to save them.
Due to the young man’s shout, the two girls snapped out of their daze and finally regained the strength to move their bodies.
The boys, who were also paralyzed with fear earlier, also regained their vigor and ran away, leaving Ethan and Lily behind.
Koko didn’t even bother to stop them and simply focused his attention on the Wolf Girl in front of it.
Since Ethan’s and Lily’s attention was focused on the White Gorilla in front of them, they didn’t miss Koko’s furs standing up like sharp needles, glistening in the faint light.
This gave them a very bad premonition.
Suddenly, and without any warning, these white needles shot in every direction, giving the two teenagers no place to hide.
“Sh*t!” Ethan cursed out loud as he hastily activated one of the abilities of the Guardian Ring, allowing him to create a barrier of light that shielded him from the countless needles that were headed in his direction.
Lily, on the other hand, stomped her right foot forward before jumping high in the air like a cannonball, evading Koko’s surprise attack.
The trees that bordered the clearing weren’t so lucky. Koko’s needle-like furs broke them all apart as if they were hit by countless shotgun shells.
‘What a monster!’ Ethan thought as the barrier he had cast shattered after receiving the brunt of Koko’s attack.
Fortunately, it held until the last second, preventing the teenage boy from getting hurt.
“So fun,” Koko chuckled. “Both of you are very fun to play wit—”
Koko wasn’t able to finish its words because out of nowhere, a silver dagger flew towards its right eye.
The White Gorilla’s instinct allowed it to perceive the sneak attack that came out of nowhere, allowing it to move its head to the side in order to dodge it.
As the dagger was about to harmlessly pass to the side of Koko’s face, something unexpected happened.
The Head Prefect of the Dud Manor, Henry, appeared in the location of the dagger and unleashed a roundhouse kick on Koko’s face, catching the monster by surprise.
The kick connected, and the White Gorilla grunted before taking a few steps back.
Henry then vanished without a trace and reappeared several meters away from Ethan, holding the silver dagger in his hand.
“Are you okay, Ethan?” Henry asked. “Don’t worry, the other Professors are on the way. We just need to hold out until they arrive.”
Koko wiped the blood that oozed at the corner of its lips as it eyed Henry with a cold gaze.
It then made a throat-slitting gesture with its thumb over its neck as if telling the newcomer that he was good as dead.
However, instead of acting upon his threat, Koko snorted before running away in haste.
The White Gorilla had sensed the presence of several wizards and witches heading in its direction, so it decided to run away for the time being.
Ethan, Lily, and Henry watched the Beast go and didn’t bother to run after it.
Even if the three of them worked together, the chances of defeating such a powerful Magical Beast were slim.
A few seconds later, the loud rustling of leaves was heard in the forest as over a dozen flying brooms flew over them.
The wizard at the lead of the formation was the Knightly Professor, Sir Lionel, followed by Professor Violet, Professor Njal, and several other Professors who had seen the Magical Flare that Ethan had thrown in the sky.
What Ethan didn’t know was that the Red Balls that Henry had given him were signal flares that symbolized “Great Danger,” so all the Professors who had seen it gathered at once in order to assess the situation.
“What happened here?” Sir Lionel asked in a solemn tone after seeing the destruction in the surroundings. “Are you having a non-approved Magical Duel on the academy grounds?”
“No, Professor Lionel,” Henry replied. “Koko came and attacked the students here.”
“What?!” Professor Njal’s eyes widened in shock after hearing Henry’s report.
He then flew towards one of the fallen trees and inspected the razor-sharp, white fur that was embedded in it.
“There’s no mistaking it,” Professor Njal said in a grave tone. “It’s that White Gorilla’s fur. How did it manage to break through the Academy’s barrier?!”
“Violet, with me,” Professor Lionel stated. “The rest, spread out and find traces of the Monster. No matter what happens, do not engage it alone. Send a signal flare if you see it. We will fight it together. Njal, take these three back to the academy. Don’t let them linger here.”
“I understand.” Professor Njal nodded. “The three of you, follow me, now!”
Ethan, Lily, and Henry glanced at each other before following Professor Njal’s orders.
That day, all the Professors and even the Fourth Years of the Academy were mobilized in order to sweep the outskirts of the Great Eagle Forest, in search of the White Gorilla, who vanished without a trace.