Kael eyed the massive mana bear, muscles tensing as it snarled and pawed the ground. He glanced at Chloe and said, "Attack it with a water spell. Distract it."
Chloe blinked, startled. "What? Now? That won't do anything."
"Trust me," Kael said confidently.
Hesitating for just a moment, Chloe summoned a stream of shimmering water and hurled it toward the bear. The water splashed against its thick hide, barely leaving a mark, but it did succeed in grabbing the beast's attention. The bear snarled louder and turned its gaze fully on her.
Kael slipped behind Chloe, lowering his voice, "C'mon, you can do this. I'm going to help you get some points for the team."
She looked at him, confused. "Wait, what?"
Kael smiled, "I'll be your support this week. You're the main attack force. By next week, you'll be way stronger. Trust me."
He knew the Thaylorin family had immense potential, and he wasn't about to let it go to waste.
As the fight went on, Kael watched Chloe skillfully dodge and counterattack, holding her own against the massive beast far better than he expected. She moved fluidly, weaving water magic with her bow strikes, landing several precise hits.
Then, suddenly, with a sharp slash of her bow infused with water magic, Chloe severed one of the bear's powerful arms. The beast roared in pain and fury, staggering backward.
But just as Chloe's breath hitched and her knees buckled, she slumped to the ground, the strain of the fight overwhelming her.
The bear roared and lunged, its remaining massive arm swinging toward her head.
Without hesitation, Kael stepped forward and delivered a powerful mana-infused kick, the force striking the bear square in the side and sending it staggering away from Chloe.
He sheathed his sword, glancing down at her with a small smile.
"Don't worry, I've got your back."