*KSHHHHHHHHHHHH*

"GRAAAAARGH...! GRAaaa..."

The unfortunate creature managed t paddle its way back to the top, but as it resurfaced, the acid has already corroded its entire armor and most of its fur and skin off – the beast howled for help, but it died within seconds as it was melted alive by the horrifying liquid.

After something like that, the leading pair's hearts were filled with fear and despair. If there weren't four trembling cubs hiding away in the bushes, the two would have fled right there and there.

"...they're... staying...?"

The same voice that preceded the appearance of the deadly pond – that was still sizzling and releasing a foul-smelling vapor – breathed out and a small human wearing a hooded cape came out of the woodwork.

"...!"

"WRAAAARRRRGH!"

The leading male found it extremely suspicious and hesitated, but the leading female blinded by the rage of losing her children rushed at the human cub with a vengeful howl, the fangs growing longer and sharper with crystalizing salt.

*CHOMP*

*KSHHHHHHHHHHHH*

"?!?!?!"

The leading female was by the human cub in no time, and clamped her jaws on the tiny torso – but the moment her magically-enhanced fangs pierced the fabric, a cloud of stinging vapor burst forth as they melted before they could put even a single scratch on the feeble body.

"Hawoo...?! GHWAIIGH...?!"

The shocked female jumped back and retreated – but then let out a confused yelp that turned into a pained howl as the corrosion didn't just stop on the salt – her actual fangs and jaws began melting off as the corrosion spread across her body.

"Saliva... no... acid ball."

Meanwhile, the human cub straightened its back and raised its hand – while a line of neon-pink drool leaked out of the corner of her lips, she chanted the spell's name and the liquid gravitated out of her mouth towards her hand when it formed into a sphere that she then ever so lightly lobbed at the female wolf monster that started to roll on the ground trying to do something about the pain of her flesh being corroded.

*splash*

*KSHHHHH*

The leading male jumped in the way of the projectile just in time and intercepted it with his armor, the spot that got hit released a cloud of vapor, but the corrosion didn't spread the same way it did throughout the salt armor and body of his partner.

"AWOOOO!"

Seeing that he has an upper paw, the leading male let out a vengeful roar and rushed at the human cub.

He did not aim for the bite as his mate – he focused on making his armor tougher and thicker, fully intending on ramming the human cub and crushing it into a pulp with just the mass of rocks composing his magic barrier.

"Law of Aries, law of Taurus... LAW OF CAPRICORN!"

But just as the monster was pumping itself up, something – or rather someone – hiding in the tree over the hooded human roared and jumped out, falling in such a way that it was bound to clash with the charging wolf.

The beast didn't even consider stopping or changing direction, the armor covering his body turned him into a moving fortress and there was not even a shadow of a doubt that he would be victorious no matter what would be thrown at him!

"ACID FOUNTAIN!"

*GUSH*

*KSHHHHHHHHHHH*

"!!!"

But all that said, the hooded human cub didn't just stand there watching – it reached out its hands and raised its voice before a massive ball of neon pink liquid condensed in front of it and burst forth, splashing all over the beast.

Some of it got into the creature's eyes, burning them out in an instant, but even so, the monster's charge did not stop – the creature was dead set on wiping off the small human out of the face of the earth as his final did.

But then...

*WHAM*

*CRUSH*

The wolf monster completely forgot about the being that jumped out of the trees – unfortunately for him, it was exactly what that being wanted – when a small fist met the wolf's armor weakened by acid, the stones crumbled apart like a piece of stale bread.

But the attack didn't stop its momentum – as the monster experienced in its final moment, such a small hand carried over an outrageous amount of power.

*SPLAT*

with enough strength to not only stop the charge but actually send the monster's body flying, a being that turned out to be just a young black-haired boy, punched the beast's head apart, blowing its brains out before striking a perfect landing afterward.

"We have a lot of things to work on, but it was a good test. The pack was distracted by those other travelers so it was easy to sneak up on them. Things would turn bad if those wolves could use ranged spells, but we managed,... all in all... It was an amazing job, Roiso~"

The black-haired boy took out a handkerchief and cleaned out the specks of gray matter and viscera from his fist and face before turning right around and approaching the hooded girl.

"That was nicely done, although if I can be honest, I thought I will have a heart attack when your little lady friend got bit by that creepy wolf with whiteish armor."

A few moments later Rokiana and Mizoe got out of their respective hiding spots too and the blue-haired girl complained, massaging her chest with a pale expression.

"I must say... Despite believing in you, son, I go scared for a moment... that last monster was strong. Almost too strong. I am shocked that no one put up an extermination request on those things. Sorry for doubting you."

Mizoe breathed out and finally deactivated his special enchantments.

"How about you will abstain from that sort of test and training in the future? For my sake..."historical

The light-blue-haired mana added with a weak smile.

"Sorry for making you both worry. If I will figure out a better practice method, I will implement it without delay."

"..."

Zoemi said while leaning towards Rosio and wiping off the line of corrosive saliva from her chin which made her fidget and blush.

"Law of Virgo."

Then, the black-haired boy concentrated and activated his star power on the neon-pink-haired girl, temporarily suppressing her passive acidity.

"Now then. I didn't have a chance to use that star power before, but apparently, it gives its user the power of the creature they tame, and the high-level one can even control other humans... I didn't exactly plan on this, but I am not someone who skips on an opportunity to train."

After smiling at Rosio and giving her a head pat, Zoemi declared while turning around and walking towards the bushes where the four cubs were laying down in complete silence, too terrified to even make a sound, not even mentioning attempting the escape.

"Hey there, little ones. If we were another pack, you would all be getting torn into shreds. I am willing to give you a chance of survival though. How about it?"

"..."

Zoemi crouched by the bush and gently spread apart the twigs to have a look at the trembling cubs.

It just so happened that the clouds started to clear out, and the moonlight hit the boy's face, so the young wolves clearly saw his devilish grin.

"No yelp of rejection? I'll take it as a yes. Let's test it out. Law of Leo."

The black-haired boy nodded with a satisfied expression and declared while reaching out his hand towards the cubs.