The Academy's Genius Healer: Reincarnated as a Mob in a Deadly Game World, I Dominate with the 'Useless' Healer Job and My Insider Knowledge ~ Using the Exclusive Cheat Technique Granted to Me, I’ll Crush Every Doom Flag! - Chapter 9

About an hour ago.

Before the [Beginner’s Labyrinth], two girls stood.

One of them had shining silver hair tied at the back, with sharp blue eyes—a girl named Liliana von Icefelt. She was the second princess of the Icefelt Empire, and her well-proportioned face and dignified stance exuded an air of nobility. The elegant white outfit she wore further accentuated her noble aura.

The other girl had black hair cut neatly at the nape, her calm expression a notable feature—a woman named Rose Yuraimi. Rose was Liliana’s dedicated maid and also served as her bodyguard, accompanying her on this study trip. From her simple maid attire, one could glimpse the efficient movements honed by years of training.

“This is the dungeon we can attempt to challenge?”

“Yes. I confirmed with the headmaster beforehand, and we have received permission.”

Liliana, having arrived at Stella Academy, had decided to enter the dungeon with her attendant Rose as a test of strength. After preparing, the two of them began their exploration.

However, the monsters appearing in the [Beginner’s Labyrinth] were so weak that they hardly posed any challenge, serving little more than a warm-up.

After about an hour of exploration, Liliana took out a bag from her interdimensional ring.

She had brought along some magical items to test their use over long distances.

Then, inside the bag, she found an unfamiliar charm.

The crimson fabric, embroidered with golden thread, appeared beautiful at first glance. Yet, it carried a disturbing aura.

“What is this?”

Though she thought it had been placed there by her attendant when they left the empire, she could not shake the feeling of discomfort the moment she touched it.

Noticing the change in Liliana’s demeanor, Rose tilted her head curiously.

“Your Highness, is something wrong?”

“Well, it’s just—eh?”

At that moment.

The charm suddenly began to radiate a sinister black magical energy.

“Your Highness!? …Kyaaahhh!”

“――――!?”

Almost instantly.

In the location where the magic was released, a monstrous being appeared.

It was a creature more than three meters tall. Covered in pitch-black fur, it was humanoid in shape, with a gigantic goat’s head on its shoulders. A long, irregularly writhing tail stretched out from behind.

The sheer alien nature of the being made Rose scream, while Liliana froze, unable to do anything but hold her breath.

(What is this…!? No, there’s no time to think it through.)

Liliana, a young woman already possessing extraordinary talent and having received elite education from a young age, had already reached level 40. Despite her abilities, however, the aura surrounding the creature in front of her felt overwhelmingly powerful, enough to make her think she had no chance against it.

Furthermore, this was the unmistakable sensation of dark magic—a malevolent force spreading like poisonous miasma, seemingly intent on devouring life itself.

This was unmistakably a demon.

“AAAAAAAAAAGH!”

“Your Highness, please step back! —Kuhh!”

Before she could even analyze the situation, the monster unleashed blades of dark magic.

Rose, reacting reflexively, attempted to block them with her twin swords enveloped in magic, but she was unable to defend herself completely, taking several wounds.

(Such… Rose is being overwhelmed so easily…!)

Rose, who was stronger than Liliana and particularly adept at defense, should have been able to withstand the attacks. But seeing her struggle so helplessly showed just how powerful the creature was.

Escaping was practically impossible for the two of them.

Should they call for help?

No, this was a beginner dungeon.

There couldn’t possibly be anyone capable of facing such a powerful enemy.

Liliana made up her mind—she would have to defeat it herself with her strongest magic.

Frost Nova was the most powerful magic in her arsenal. It consumed 90% of her MP but was capable of dealing massive damage even against stronger opponents.

With this magic, she should be able to pierce through the creature’s resistance to dark magic.

“Rose! Buy me some time!”

“Understood!”

With Rose’s response, Liliana began constructing the magic formula.

Multiple overlapping magic circles appeared in midair, and the surrounding air rapidly froze.

The Frost Nova was released, striking the monster with a direct hit, creating a large hole in its massive form.

However, her victory was short-lived.

The monster immediately began to regenerate.

“That… isn’t enough…!”

“It seems… this isn’t sufficient,” Rose murmured.

Although the damage had been dealt, it was not enough to defeat the monster. Liliana knew that with one more hit, using the same magic, it could be finished.

Her body was already heavy, but she decided to press on, preparing for a second Frost Nova.

However, the construction of the magic formula wasn’t proceeding fast enough.

At this rate, Rose would be defeated before Liliana could cast her magic.

(Hurry! I must finish this quickly!)

Determined, Liliana focused on the energy source—the very life force she was willing to burn in that moment.

And then, it happened.

“Fireball!”

“…Eh?”

A voice rang out, followed by a fireball hitting the monster’s back.

Though weak, the spell clearly showed a will to resist the formidable foe.

Liliana, taken aback, turned her gaze toward the source of the voice.

And in her blue eyes, she saw a young boy with black hair, desperately charging toward them with a determined expression.