Ella slammed her staff into the ground.
A magic circle flared to life beneath the charging ram.
From the glowing glyphs, thick, thorn-covered vines erupted, shooting upward like a living trap.
The vines coiled around the Shard Ram in an instant, wrapping tightly around its body, its legs, and its glowing horns.
The beast thrashed violently, trying to break free, but the vines held firm—
Then came the spikes.
Razor-sharp thorns lined the vines, pressing deeper and deeper into the ram's flesh.
SHRRRK!
The spikes pierced through, shredding the monster apart.
A spray of blood splattered against the stone walls.
Freya stared, stunned.
She hadn't expected that. Not from Ella.
The girl who had been shaking in terror just minutes ago had just annihilated a monster without so much as a flinch.
Freya's gaze flicked to Ella's face.
Calm. Focused.