Tanya's sword impacted the iron-like fur of the monster, breaking the blade into many pieces.

"Curses!" Tanya landed on the back of the creature and hopped backwards swiftly.

Such a powerful beast in such a safe forest, how could Tanya expect this? She may underestimate this forest, but how could she expect this beast to show up when she was just grinding smaller beasts? Why haven't the guards in the area reported about this?

CLANK

A pulsing red energy bursted from Tanya's hands as their texture became s.h.i.+ny and metallic. Her fingers became as hard as steel and resembled bird talons, ready to rip apart prey. This is the first combat skill she has used in this world.

"[Steel Talon]."

Tanya lunged towards the creature with [Hop], bursting forward like a bullet aimed at the head.

ROAR

The creature roared and charged towards Tanya, speeding towards her with all of its strength.

'I you will die today!' Is what Tanya a.s.sumed the creature to have roared.

SLASH

Tanya rotated her body and spun her talons toward the creature like a twister, ripping into the creature's hardened flesh.

BANG

However, ma.s.s is still ma.s.s. The creature's tackle impacted Tanya like a wall, blasting her backwards a few steps. Luckily, Tanya's superior footwork stopped her from falling into a vulnerable position,

'If the talons can break past your skin, then I can defeat you.' Tanya faced the creature with a determined expression, no frown and no smile, like she was fighting in a duel for honour. A one on one duel is a battle of honour and a battle of skills. It was only them.

ROAR

The beast went onto all four of its legs and charged toward Tanya, determined to destroy its enemy as soon as possible. Much more powerful than before, the beast had realised that the human could actually harm it; therefore, it must die.

[Level up: Magic Knight 2]

[Pa.s.sive acquired: Magi-Kinetic]

'What?!'

[Magi-Kinetic: Skills and spells, along with spells and spells, and skills and skills can now be fused together.]

Tanya's mind only had a split second to process this new information. Right in front of her was a hulking creature that could rip her limb from limb. Unless she did something quick, she might die.

[Steel Talon (peak 1st tier skill) + [Ember (high 1st tier spell) = Ember Talon (mid 2nd tier magic skill)]

CHOP

Tanya felt her talons blazing like a burning wok as they cut deeply into the beast's skin, cauterising the flesh as it feared through.

'It feels like a hot knife through b.u.t.ter.'

Tanya swiftly s.h.i.+fted her body to the side just as the beast was about to head-b.u.t.t her, barely avoiding the blunt force trauma that would have come.

ROAR

The beast roared in pain as it came to realise that it had received a burning wound on its belly.

"This beast reminds me of my comrade, Rex. Such a reliable wolf, if only he did not die during my conquest for the throne of emperor. I could have fought beside that hulking warbeast with pride." Tanya sighed.

ROAR!!!

The beast activated its skill and pounced towards Tanya, completely ignoring its own defences as it went on the full offensive. Unable to think clearly, the beast could only attempt to destroy Tanya before she could do any more damage to it.

CHOP

"NEVER LEAVE YOUR GUARD DOWN." Tanya domineeringly spoke as her talon's came down towards the beast's neck, severing it from the rest of its body.

If this beast had been a sentient creature, Tanya would not be able to say for sure if she could win or not. While this beast gave in to its primal instincts, a sentient humanoid might have less keen senses. Either way, Tanya was lucky that the beast dropped its defences at the very last moment.

FLOP

[Skill acquired: Shroud of Dominance (mid 3rd tier)]

[Level up: Magic Knight 5]

[Spell acquired: Avatar (??? tier)]

Suddenly, the beast's corpse began shrinking until it eventually became the size of a little wild cat. The head and the body could be seen to have belonged to a stray cat, not a lion or a bear.

'What is this?' Tanya's expression turned blank upon seeing this mysterious skill appear within her mind.

[Avatar: Your body becomes an avatar of power.]

'Wow, that is an amazing explanation.' Tanya shook her head.

At the very least, she had gained a few levels in her 2nd tier combat job, giving her further power to defeat enemies. Perhaps she could defeat the beast without being hit now.

"I'd better go back to the academy, I really do not wish to miss the a.s.sembly." Tanya dusted off her undamaged clothes. Aside from blunt force trauma, she suffered no cuts and stabs. Thus, Tanya only needed to dust off her clothes and quickly clean it with a low 1st tier utility spell. Afterwards, Tanya could actually go back.

"Done." Tanya smiled as she basked in the lavender scent of her uniform, feeling a soothing touch all over her body.

'Anyone that says utility magic is not useful is an imbecile.'

"Now time to go back." Tanya used [Hop] and made her way back to the academy, even using the skill to evade the guards by hopping straight into the premises while no one was observing.

For a prestigious academy, the place really did not think about the threat of attacks from the sky. If Tanya had been an a.s.sa.s.sin, she could have easily come in and killed many people without them even noticing.

KNOCK KNOCK

The door to Tanya's room opened with a subtle creak.

"Tanya!" Yuri smiled and welcomed Tanya into the room.

"Where have you been for the last few hours? We have been waiting for you since we got her and you never came." Diana said from the other side of the room upon seeing Tanya enter.

"I had very important things to do." Tanya waved them off.

"Like what?"

"Having fun with many beautiful women~ fufu…" Tanya chuckled sarcastically upon Diana's inquisition.

"Tanya~!" Yuri crosses her arms and pouted.

"Whatever be the case, I am back."