Thundershock's hands crackled with scattered arcs of electricity, glowing ominously in the dim light.
The **Palmshock** spell—a beginner-level lightning magic—had been honed by him to the point where he could **hold the charge without releasing it**. Darting forward with nimble **Celestial Fox Steps**, he closed the distance in an instant, slamming his palm against the black bear's chest.
**ZZZZT—CRACKLE!**
A surge of lightning erupted, and the massive beast **convulsed violently**, its fur standing on end as the scent of burning flesh filled the air. With a pained roar, the bear staggered back.
Enraged, it swung a massive paw at Thundershock, but he twisted away effortlessly, putting distance between himself and the hulking creature.
At the same time, Eric's **Paralyzing Net** was ready. A web of crackling electricity descended from above, ensnaring the bear just as it lunged for Thundershock.
Struck twice by lightning magic, the once-ferocious bear **slowed to a crawl**.
Sisi finally snapped out of her daze, gasping as she realized the situation. Without needing a prompt, she unleashed a **Thunderstrike**, bolts of lightning crashing down onto the bear.
**CRACK! BOOM!**
The forest echoed with the sound of thunder.
This was Thundershock's first **real battle**—unlike the controlled duels at the academy, a single misstep here meant **bloodshed**. Though he'd trained his body recently, he was no warrior. One solid hit from that bear's **twenty-pound paw**, and he'd be coughing up buckets of blood.
But after the initial panic, his mind **sharpened**. As long as his **Celestial Fox Steps** held, as long as he didn't slip up, this sluggish bear **couldn't touch him**.
Maria watched with **sparkling eyes**, impressed. She hadn't expected this **once-wastrel apprentice** to perform so brilliantly in his first real fight—not just holding his own but **supporting his team flawlessly**.
"Hold on, Thundershock! I'll finish it!" Eric whooped, hurling spells without restraint.
The poor bear, unable to land a single hit, wobbled under the barrage, its fur smoking, its massive body swaying like a drunkard.
Then—**the Paralyzing Net wore off**.
The bear **whirled**, its beady, bloodshot eyes locking onto **Sisi**. With a furious roar, it **charged straight for her**, its bulk shaking the ground.
Thundershock's breath hitched. He **sprinted after it**—but instead of casting another spell, he **darted in front of the bear** and **stuck out his leg**.
"Oh no, oh no! Last time we killed its husband, now the wife's here for revenge!" Sisi shrieked, stomping her foot as the bear barreled toward her. "Thundershock, **distract it!** I'm gonna be **pancaked!**"
"Shh. **Watch me trip it up.**"
With a sharp **kick upward**, Thundershock sent the charging bear **tumbling face-first** into the dirt, grass and leaves flying.
Before it could recover, he **leaped**, his palm crackling with electricity as he **slammed it down** onto the bear's exposed skull.
**ZZZT—SPASM!**
The beast **twitched once**… then **went still**, dark blood oozing from its shattered skull.
Thundershock exhaled, rolling off the corpse. "Whew. **My bad.**"
Sisi and Eric **stared at him**, mouths agape.
No mage fought like this—**raw, reckless, brutal**. Even warriors couldn't match his **ferocity**.
*Is he even a mage?* Sisi wondered. *Palmshock is for close combat, but… like this?* For the first time, she questioned if she truly understood magic.
No one was hurt. Though not a magical beast, the bear's strength had been formidable. Maria praised their teamwork, **especially Thundershock's boldness**, but warned him against taking such risks in the future.
He nodded.
Eric pulled out a dagger and **hacked off the bear's paws**—a delicacy that would fetch a good price. Sisi sighed, though; the pelt was **ruined**, scorched beyond use by their spells.
"Let's check the cave. Maybe we'll find the flowers," Sisi said, eyeing the dark entrance with lingering unease.
"**Restore your mana first**," Thundershock said firmly. "**Adventuring Rule #1: Always stay at full strength.**"
Sisi blinked, then giggled. "Who taught you that?"
"**Common sense?**" He glanced at Maria, who nodded in approval.
"He's right. In unknown territory, even a sliver of mana could mean life or death. Meditate and recover. I'll keep watch."
Sisi and Eric sat cross-legged, communing with the elements. Thundershock didn't need to—his vast mana reserves and the **Soul Stabilizing Pearl** meant he hadn't even **dented his energy**.
Half an hour later, the siblings stood, refreshed.
Torch in hand (because **of course he'd packed one**), Thundershock led them back into the cave.
"**You brought a torch?**" Eric gaped.
"**How else do you 'adventure' without light?**" Thundershock shot back, stepping deeper into the shadows.
Sisi stuck out her tongue, cheeks flushing. Even Maria looked embarrassed—**she hadn't thought of it either**.
*Is this really his first time?* Both girls wondered. *Or is he some veteran in disguise?*
**What else is hiding in that cave?**