"An Arcane? I should have stayed down and pretended to be dead! I would have a better chance of survival that way."

Layla acted quickly and used a shield to block the Arcana's attack. The giant spider looked pissed off that its prey was fighting back, and it got even more aggressive than before.

Heavy attacks left Layla no time to cast any other magic but defense. But her shield kept breaking apart between attacks, causing Layla to clench her fists and endure that attack head-on.

*crack*

Something painful felt the pressure, and Layla felt the small crack inside her.

It was so painful that she lost focus and collapsed on her hands and knees.

The arcana's attack finally went through. But because Layla had collapsed, the arcane missed its mark, and its arms cleaved the tree behind Layla in half.

A massive shadow fell toward Layla, and she immediately looked behind to see that tree trunk falling toward her.

'Shit! I need to block it right now!'

Mary raised her hand and pushed all she had into the shield. She felt the strain and the crack getting just a little bit bigger, but she had no choice but to keep pushing.

The only alternative here was to die, and Layla refused to accept it.

*Keke Keke*

The monster yelled as he noticed Layla struggling. It tried to attack her, but the tree trunk blocked it, leaving Layla enough time to run away and not get caught in the creature's attack.

When the creature realized what happened, Layla ran out from around it and back toward the cave.

The cave was small enough for her to fit in, and the opening was small enough that she did not have to worry about other creatures.

She watched as the Arcane neared her and tried to reach her. Its hairy legs tried to reach Layla, and only a few inches were between her and the arm. But the spider was not able to reach her.

"Fuck off! I do not want to see you again."

Layla fired off a fire spell from her position.

She could concentrate and burn that inquiring arm away since she was in a small and confined space.

It made the monster pull out with a pained cry, but it sounded even angrier than before.

The loud cry it made caused Layla's ears to bleed, and the pain from her core made Layla's head spin. She felt sick, but she knew she could not give up.

'How I wish just to close my eyes and give in. But the second I do that, I will end up dying! I cannot allow myself to die!'

Layla bit her lip before she closed her eyes. But she kept herself vigilant and ready to counter at any second.

*Crash*

Something loud woke Layla, and she forcefully dragged herself out to check what it was. Her system informed her that she had lost consciousness for about fifteen minutes.

She had fallen asleep and had no recollection of what happened. It was scary but not something Layla needed to think about now!

"Young miss! Where are you? Are you alright? We are here to get you."

Mary yelled from the outside, and Layla almost headed out before realizing it could be another trick from these monsters.

She kept herself hidden for the time being and now comes out.

Layla only emerged once the voices became fainter as they left her. She followed them for a while until she saw Mary and her company.

She had Raziel, the professor, and the half-dragon (in Lizard form) with her.

Only once Layla was sure she was secure did she leave her hiding spit and make herself known.

"Mary, I am here. I don't think I will remain conscious for long. Fuck! I will leave everything else in your hand."

Layla informed Mary before she lost consciousness and fell face-first.

Her maid was fast enough to catch her and cradle her unconscious body in her arms. The worry on Mary's face looked real, and she slapped Layla to stay conscious.

But Layla was not only exhausted; she had suffered a core injury as well.

There was no way for her to stay conscious at this point.

'It will be fine! I am sure I will stay awake for a little longer…'

But Layla could not stay awake for as long as she hoped. Her body was in worse condition than she thought possible.

Her magical core had a crack, and her status for it had turned red.

...

Layla collapsed before her company, and they all rushed toward her to catch her.

Mary caught her before hitting the ground, and she hissed at Layla's condition.

The six-year-old was not only injured outwardly, but her core had a barely noticeable crack. It was enough to make most people never touch magic again if it worsens.

"This is not good! Her body is losing warmth. We need to get this kid out of here and in a place where she can recover. What the hell was Professor Burnance thinking when he caused this mess? His license may be revoked because of what happened."

The other professor cursed as he picked Layla up and dragged her out.

But it was Mary's expression that said it all.

"Thinking? He was not thinking of anything but to satisfy his curiosity. Since that man is so keen on courting death, I am thinking of giving it to him. I am sure Professor Burnance would like my care a lot."

Mary threatened, and the half-dragon walking beside her shivered.

He would have opened his mouth to speak more, but he felt it would be better to keep his mouth shut.

Mary did not seem in the mood to talk about anything, especially when carrying her young niece in her arms.

Her eyes looked dangerous, and it made the half-dragon shiver.

Rodric Burnance did not think he had gone too far but did not mean to make a kid crack her core.

'Fuck! Maybe I did not go too far this time!'