"Heavenly Cut!" Shawn roared, and the shimmering blade arced downwards, cutting through the humid forest air with surprising speed. It wasn't just a physical swing; he felt his mana flow, guided by the skill's inherent command. The blade struck the Treant's shoulder with a blinding flash of golden energy. Instead of merely slicing, the attack seemed to tear at the very essence of the wooden creature.
A high-pitched shriek, like branches snapping in a gale, erupted from the Treant. Bark splintered, vines frayed, and a gash appeared, glowing with a faint, internal light, along its thick, wooden arm. It recoiled, stumbling backward, a trail of sap oozing from the wound.
Lyra, ever the opportunist, didn't waste a second. Seeing Shawn's powerful strike had created an opening, she was a silver streak.
"Swift Gale!" she cried, a gust of wind seeming to accompany her as she weaved around the bewildered Treant. Her blade flashed, not once, but a rapid succession of times, targeting the Treant's exposed legs and the newly wounded shoulder. Each strike left shallow but numerous cuts, further weakening the creature.
Shawn, feeling the surge of Mana Regeneration and Regeneration already working to mend the slight ache from the club impact, didn't press his advantage immediately. He wanted to observe, to understand. The Treant roared again, its movements becoming more desperate, its swings wilder and less accurate. It seemed to prioritize Shawn, perhaps recognizing him as the source of the greater damage.
"It's enraged!" Lyra called, narrowly dodging a sweeping club. "Its attacks are slower now, but still strong!"
"Good," Shawn muttered, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the Will of the Protector still active, a warm, empowering current flowing through him. He was protecting Lyra, ensuring her safety in this first, real battle. He took a deep breath, focusing on the Treant. "Let's finish this, Lyra! Hundred Slash!.
This time, Shawn didn't move towards the Treant. Instead, the ethereal blade in his hand pulsed, and then, with a flick of his wrist, a volley of shimmering blade projections shot forward. They weren't solid, but rather condensed bursts of mana, each taking the form of a miniature, razor-sharp blade. They streaked across the clearing, impacting the Treant from multiple angles – chest, legs, face – like a swarm of angry, glowing wasps.
The Treant roared in agony as the Hundred Slash barraged it. Its tough hide, already weakened, couldn't withstand the repeated, concentrated blows. More sap sprayed, wood cracked, and the eerie green light in its eyes flickered violently. With a final, guttural gurgle, the massive creature began to sway, its root-club dropping with a dull thud.
Slowly, almost majestically, the Treant toppled, crashing to the forest floor with a sound like a small avalanche, sending a cloud of dust and leaves into the air. The golden shimmer of Shawn's ethereal blade faded, leaving his hand empty but tingling with residual power.
A notification, unseen by Lyra but clear as day to Shawn, appeared before his eyes:
[Treant defeated! Trial Progress: 1/3]
[Experience Gained!]
Lyra cautiously approached the fallen monster, prodding it with the tip of her swiftblade. "Wow, Shawn! That was... incredible! Especially that last attack. You really are more than just a tank." She looked at him, her eyes wide with genuine admiration. "You managed to take its hit without a scratch, then delivered some serious damage. Your 'Will of the Protector' is no joke!"
Shawn managed a slightly breathless smile. A wave of exhilaration washed over him, a thrill unlike anything he'd ever felt. He had faced a monster, used his powers, and succeeded. He had protected.
"You weren't bad yourself, Swiftblade Lyra," Shawn replied, "You drew its attention perfectly, allowing me to land those hits." He then looked around the quiet forest, the adrenaline slowly receding. "So, 'Trial Progress: 1/3'... looks like there's more where that came from."
Lyra nodded, her earlier excitement replaced by a more focused determination. "The trials usually have multiple stages, designed to test different aspects of an Awakener's abilities. We should be ready for anything." She then pointed deeper into the forest. "I sense another energy signature that way. Stronger than this one."
Shawn felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was just the beginning. The world was bigger, more dangerous, and more exciting than he had ever imagined. And he, Shawn Lay, the average student, was now a Protector, ready to face whatever came next.