In this eerie old mansion's hallway, only a few dim lights emitted faint glows. A cold wind from an unknown source blew through, causing the lamps to sway and the windows in the hallway to make creaking noises.

It seemed as if a sudden blizzard was about to break in from outside.

The noise was particularly abrupt in the quiet night.

After some time passed

"Thump, thump."

Footsteps from the second-floor hallway echoed from a distance and gradually grew closer. The silhouette of a tall, dark figure moved along the hallway wall, resembling a looming giant devil in search of its prey.

It moved quickly, like a phantom in the dark corridor, swiftly navigating around the corners.

Not long after, the dark figure came to a halt. In the dim light, its form became slightly clearer.

It was, surprisingly, a terrifying and monstrous-looking werewolf. It had a massive but hunched back; standing upright, it would probably be about two meters tall. Covered in grayish-white fur, its muscles were taut, like sinuous dragons, and appeared incredibly powerful.

In the pitch-black night, its eyes, like blood-red rubies, shone particularly bright and glam with a bloodthirsty glint.

It seemed to be investigating the activity in each room.

In this manner, it confirmed rooms 201, 202, and 203 one by one. When it arrived at the door of 204 and was about to check the room's condition, it saw a face seemingly embedded in the door, its deep pupils locking gazes with the werewolf.

The dim light reflected on Dekan's face, making him appear like a malevolent spirit risen from the underworld.

"Kokoko..."

Dekan's mouth opened, emitting an eerie laugh that sounded like teeth clashing.

"Roar!!"

The werewolf yelled in panic, with its fur bristling all over its body. However, at this moment, Dekan didn't continue to frighten the werewolf.

He swiftly placed a card on the door's barrier at the hole, triggering it. Although there was an invisible barrier's protection, which prevented external attacks from entering and internal attacks from leaving, Dekan's card wasn't meant to cause harm.

[Solar Flare]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Rarity: Blue Uncommon]

[Tier: 3]

[Effect: Does not inflict direct light attribute damage but is exceptionally dazzling.]

[Note: Flash bomb!]

Like the radiance of the sun, a dazzling light instantly filled the entire corridor. The previously dim mansion corridor transformed into a world of pure white light in an instant.

Even the students in the viewing hall couldn't help but cover their eyes.

This was truly blinding.

It nearly blinded all of them in front of the screen.

"What the fuck! Light attribute magic isn't meant to be used like this!"

"Did this fucker sacrificed all possible damage for the most exaggerated special effects?!"

Students from the College of Alchemy and the Mage College couldn't contain their anger.

Claire quietly took off his sunglasses.

This "Solar Flare" was also made by Dekan for Croix.

So when Croix saw Dekan standing by the doorway, he guessed what Dekan wanted to do.

When Croix had asked Claire if she wanted sunglasses earlier, she had ignored him.

So he had to preemptively reach out to cover Claire's eyes.

After the flash, he timidly moved his hand away, feeling like Claire was about to scold him.

However, Claire just glared at him, turned her head, and remained silent, which was quite unnerving.

...

Even though Dekan had promptly covered his eyes and turned around, he still felt like Ultraman had descended.

The miserable cries from the werewolf outside the door echoed through the corridor.

It clutched its eyes in pain and rolled on the ground.

Having been exposed to a super flash at close range, its eyes were basically wrecked in a short time.

However, its suffering was not over. When Dekan used the "Solar Flare," he also triggered the "Poisonous Spikes 3.1" that were placed outside the door.

The poisonous spikes pierced the werewolf's flesh, making it howl in even greater pain.

Next, Dekan summoned the Ruined Poet.

Instantly, the werewolf's agony multiplied tenfold.

Its body started convulsing violently, the muscles on its beastly face contorted, and its piercing roars sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the mansion.

Just as its struggles grew weaker and it seemed on the verge of losing consciousness.

It surprisingly stood up resolutely, and its aura surged, as if it had become stronger.

Its eyes seemed as if they were about to bleed.

Right when it was about to give in, it unleashed "Berserk."

[Berserk]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Rarity: Purple Rare]

[Tier: 5]

[Effect: A significant increase in physical attributes for 10 minutes. Gain high resilience and pain resistance. Enters a 1-hour state of weakness after Berserk ends.]

[Note: Utter madness!]

Then it took out a wind magic card and blew away the poisonous spikes on the ground before dashing off to the end of the corridor like a mad dog.

"Sigh."

Dekan still watched the door like a homeroom teacher and sighed with regret.

"Tenfold pain is still too little; it can't be knocked out immediately."

This werewolf could actually use Berserk.

It meant its true self also had a tier 5 combat capability, which wasn't easy to deal with.

"Let's forget it; we'll catch it tomorrow," Dekan said, turning away.

"Meow! Did you get rid of it?!" Teacher Cat, who had been trembling under the covers, now leaped out and clung to Dekan once again.

"No, I let it escape. Enemies who can use magic cards are challenging to deal with," Dekan replied with a regretful expression.

"Then, aren't we in big trouble, meow?! If it calls the witch to open our door later, how do we escape?!" Teacher Cat shouted sharply.

"Don't worry; it won't dare to bother us again. At least not tonight."

"How are you so sure, meow!"

"I've gradually pieced together everything, like the full story of this mansion and the enemy's objective. Well, I still can't determine the exact identity of the enemy for now," Dekan said, smiling as he picked up Teacher Cat.

The answer to the question about the enemy's true identity would be revealed the next day. As long as Dekan summoned the Ruined Poet when everyone gathered, whoever had an unpleasant expression would be the werewolf.

After all, Dekan had poisoned the werewolf with an incurable poison. Even though its poison injury was weak and an enemy of tier 5 strength could withstand it for quite some time, the poison was maximized for pain by Dekan and Mielle. After the Ruined Poet amplified the pain to tenfold, it would be impossible for anyone to keep a straight face.

"How did you figure it out, meow! Tell me quickly!" Teacher Cat still couldn't understand how Dekan had pieced together the background story from the current clues.

"I'm not telling you," Dekan replied playfully.

"Tell me, meow!"

"Let Cornelia hold you for the next two days and I'll tell you."

"Meow... No way!"

After some struggling, Teacher Cat chose to back down.

"Then you'll know the truth later. Sleep now."

With that, Dekan yawned, removed his coat, and crawled under the covers.

"Meow, meow, meow! Don't sleep!"

"Too noisy; we still have to play tomorrow."

Dekan lifted Teacher Cat, held it close, and settled into sleep.