Makima faced the wolf-born, her golden eyes sharp as the beast charged toward her with terrifying speed. Instinctively, she tried to user her power, attempting to manipulate its mind. Yet, she felt resistance. Its mind was impenetrable without physical contact. She needed to touch it.

Before she could act, the magical beast vanished in a blur and reappeared behind her. Its massive clawed hand slashed downward, slicing her cleanly in half.

Makimas power surged to life. The fatal wound was transferred to Nino, who collapsed to the ground, her body severed as Makimas own body knit itself back together. She quickly retreated, putting distance between herself and the beast.

Ninos lifeless body lay still. The hold Makima had over her dissipated with her final breath.

‘I see... it has some kind of teleportation. Or it moves so fast that we cant see it.’ -she mused, her expression calm despite the situation

‘Kleto is the only one left under my control. I have to keep him away from it.’

“Kleto, g—”

Before she could finish, the beast darted toward Kleto with frightening agility. It seized him, hurling him violently against a nearby tree. Kleto slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Makimas eyes narrowed as she pulled out her whip, focusing on the towering creature before her. It stood over two meters tall, a fearsome wolf-like. Its piercing blue eyes glowed with unnatural energy, and the veins running along its powerful arms pulsed with the same eerie light.

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The beast lunged at her, its claws slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Makima sidestepped, ducking low and lashing out with her whip. It got struck by it, snapping against its side with a resounding crack.

The wolf-born vanished again. Anticipating its move, Makima crouched and swung her whip in a wide arc above her, creating a protective barrier around herself. The beast reappeared and attacked, but the whip lashed it again, driving it back.

‘Foolish creature.’ -Makima thought, her lips curling into a faint smirk

With calculated precision, she flicked the whip around its body, entangling it. She darted forward, grabbing the beasts arm with her hand.

It froze as Makimas control took hold.

Makima tilted her head slightly, her tone cold and commanding as she spoke.

"Now, i just need to make you submit to me."

...

...

...

Its agonized howls echoed through the forest, reverberating into the night. The struggle was long and unrelenting until, finally, the beast surrendered.

It lay motionless on the ground, its body battered and spirit crushed. The fight had drained it completely, and its eyes, once glowing with defiance, were now dim with resignation. There was no going back for the creature. It had acknowledged Makimas dominance.

"Show me where the book is." -she ordered, her voice sharp and unwavering

The wolf-born struggled to its feet, every movement labored with pain, and began to limp deeper into the forest.

Makima followed silently, her golden eyes fixed on the creature as it led her through the shadowed trees.

They arrived at the entrance of a cave. The wolf-born stepped inside, Makima trailing close behind.

Within the cave, faint light illuminated a single object lying on the ground.

Makima approached it, her gaze locking onto the book. She bent down and picked it up, running her fingers over the cover.

One word was etched into it: Duplication.

‘Oh? This could be useful.’ -she thought, a small smile curling her lips

With that, Makima had acquired her first magic book.