First Spoils of Battle

“Is it trying to flee because the tide has turned? ...No!” Starlight looked closer and immediately realized the magical beast’s intention.

Since merging into the shadows to move would be detected, it decided to hide directly in the woods, using the branches and the dimming light as cover while waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow. Even if it failed, it could escape instantly. The Shadow Leopard believed that with human reaction speeds, it would be impossible to catch it.

Listening to the rustling sounds coming from all directions, Starlight knew the Shadow Leopard was moving rapidly through the surrounding woods. Under its deliberate control, the sound of its footsteps flickered in and out, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact location.

However, Starlight appeared exceptionally calm, even letting out a soft chuckle as he muttered to himself.

“This guy is pretty clever, but that won’t stump me! Come out!”

He slowly crouched down and lightly slapped the ground with both hands. Following a slight tremor in the earth, the Shadow Leopard’s terrified shriek immediately erupted from the woods.

Next, like a startled cat with its fur standing on end, the Shadow Leopard lunged violently out of the bushes.

This time, Starlight had skillfully employed earth magic to set countless tiny rock spikes throughout the woods.

With his deep understanding of the environment, he had already precisely calculated the Shadow Leopard’s likely landing spots. Those sharp rocks were like hunters in ambush, quietly waiting for their target to fall into the trap.

The Shadow Leopard was caught squarely during its rapid dash. While the rock spikes couldn't cause severe injury, they sliced through its soft paw pads, forcing it to leap out from the treacherous thicket.

Starlight carefully eyed the Shadow Leopard’s blood-drenched paws, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.

The Shadow Leopard, meanwhile, glared with wide, furious eyes at the youth who had injured it. It panted heavily, looking as if it might pounce at any moment to tear this annoying human into shreds.

Although Starlight had never seen the world outside, he had done plenty of hunting over the past decade to supplement his and his master's meals.

He clearly read the look in the Shadow Leopard’s eyes—it was the resolve of a living creature prepared for a desperate, life-or-death struggle when provoked or cornered.

Seeing this, Starlight set aside his carelessness. Carlos had once warned him that any living being in an extreme state could explode with extraordinary power, something that must never be ignored.

The Shadow Leopard coiled its body like a tightened spring, ready to burst at any moment.

Starlight also crouched low to lower his center of gravity, silently beginning to circulate the mana within his body to prepare for the upcoming decisive strike.

Suddenly, a nearby branch snapped with a crisp sound, acting like a starting pistol. The Shadow Leopard’s tensed body instantly unfurled as it lunged at Starlight with even greater speed than before.

Its pitch-black fur resembled a bolt of black lightning under the setting sun, slicing through the small clearing in the woods.

Starlight precisely judged the distance the moment the Shadow Leopard took its second step. He used earth elements to slightly raise the ground beneath its feet, causing its pounce to veer slightly off course.

The claw that should have sliced through Starlight’s body merely grazed his side in a hair-raising miss.

Its attack disrupted, the Shadow Leopard immediately adjusted its posture after passing over Starlight’s head. Using a tree trunk as a foothold, it pivoted gracefully in mid-air and lunged at him once more.

It even specifically checked the ground beneath it; seeing that the earth hadn't been tampered with like before, it felt safe to land.

However, this move had also been anticipated by Starlight. Although the ground hadn't been raised, he had covered it with a thin layer of water elements, which was nearly undetectable in the dim forest.

Under Starlight’s control, that layer of water elements instantly condensed into a sheet of ice as smooth as a mirror. The Shadow Leopard stepped onto it and immediately lost its balance, sliding straight forward.

And waiting for it was a new technique Starlight had just learned today; a sharp light cone had already condensed in his hand at some point.

In that moment, the Shadow Leopard felt the threat of death from that thin light cone. It twisted its body frantically, attempting to dodge the strike.

But how could Starlight let it have its way? He didn't simply throw the light cone; instead, he met the beast head-on.

At the moment their bodies collided, he tightly hugged the Shadow Leopard’s massive head and plunged the light cone into its eye socket without hesitation.

The sharp spike of light magic instantly pierced the Shadow Leopard’s eye, sinking deep into its brain like a hot knife through butter.

While the Shadow Leopard’s hide possessed excellent defensive capabilities, its eyes were undoubtedly one of its greatest weaknesses. Moreover, Starlight was using light magic, which was its absolute counter.

For this very moment, he had deliberately hidden his light element abilities until the end, finally deciding the battle with this single strike.

Although the Shadow Leopard lost its life the instant its brain was pierced, its lunging body continued forward due to inertia, slamming heavily into Starlight and sending him flying.

Starlight felt as if a mountain had been slammed into his chest. He was thrown back several meters before he managed to land. A mouthful of blood sprayed uncontrollably from his mouth, staining the front of his tunic red.

“That hurts! Luckily I was prepared, though I don't know if I broke any bones.”

Starlight felt his chest and slowly stood up by leaning against a nearby tree. He glanced down at the shattered layer of thin ice on his body, feeling secretly relieved.

While freezing the ground, he had also covered himself in a layer of ice armor, successfully absorbing the impact of the Shadow Leopard’s massive frame. Although he had sustained some light injuries, everything was within his expectations.

After confirming his sternum wasn't broken, Starlight staggered toward the now-breathless Shadow Leopard, a smile of excitement spreading across his face.

This was his first time facing a magical beast, and he had actually successfully dealt with a target that was highly rated in books. This undoubtedly made him very happy.

One had to realize that, aside from the newly learned light cone magic, he had only used the most basic spells.

A mere fifteen-year-old boy had defeated a troublesome high-tier magical beast alone using only basic magic. Such a feat would cause a massive stir if it happened in the outside world. However, in this remote valley, no one knew what had transpired.

After a short rest, Starlight found himself in a predicament facing his two prizes.

The unlucky wild boar was one thing; he could just barely drag its several hundred pounds. But the Shadow Leopard before him, which was several meters long, was clearly something he couldn't move on his own.

After some thought, Starlight could only drag the charred wild boar toward their dwelling first.

“Master! Master! Come out and help me!”

The youth’s shouts rang out outside the house, startling Carlos, who was immersed in his research. He rushed out the door only to see Starlight covered in dirt and bruises, laboriously dragging the massive boar before him with an expectant look on his face.

“Where did you get such a huge wild boar? And what happened to those injuries? It’s just a boar, surely it didn't take all that?”

Seeing his disheveled disciple, Carlos couldn't help but frown. He knew Starlight went hunting occasionally, but in all these years, he had never seen him in such a wretched state.

Furthermore, when did such a large animal appear in the valley? As the one who had set the barrier, he hadn't sensed a thing.

Starlight, completely unaware of his master's doubts, excitedly claimed credit like a child. “Master, it’s not just a boar! It’s a magical beast! I just defeated a Shadow Leopard!”

Hearing this, Carlos’s expression changed drastically. He rushed forward to carefully inspect Starlight’s body. Finding nothing but several scrapes, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Take me to see it. Are you sure it was a Shadow Leopard? But you...”

“It was definitely a Shadow Leopard! It looks exactly like the description in the book! It’s several meters long! I couldn't move it by myself!” Before Carlos could finish, Starlight pulled him along as they ran quickly toward the valley entrance.

Upon seeing the giant black leopard, Carlos was finally convinced his disciple was telling the truth, and a flash of unprecedented shock crossed his eyes.

To him, dealing with such a magical beast was a piece of cake.

But Starlight wasn't even fifteen yet. At this age, most mages were still just beginners. Even with two or three others cooperating, they might not have lasted a few rounds under the Shadow Leopard’s claws.

It seemed he had indeed underestimated his disciple. At this thought, a surge of pride rose in Carlos’s heart, but then he remembered something else.