Just when everyone thought these skeletal warriors were surely done for, something bizarre happened.

The Radiant Heaven cast by Cherie was absorbed ravenously by the skeletal warriors, as if it were sweet dew. The wounds on their bones healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, accompanied by an eerie, clicking sound of shifting bone.

W-what in the world is going on? What just happened?

Everyone, including the usually composed Solomon, wore expressions of utter shock!

In less than a moment, the skeletal warriors that had just been felled sprang back to life, full of vigor. Furthermore, a faint, intermittent white light emanated from each of them, conspicuously visible in the deep night.

That subtle, flickering white light alone exuded an indescribable strangeness!

“Cherie, what kind of magic did you just cast? I feel like you weren't purifying them—you were healing them, stimulating them!” Thomas’s eyes were nearly popping out of his head!

Indeed, every time Cherie acted, these skeletal warriors seemed to come roaring back to life. If that was a coincidence, it was one hell of a coincidence!

“I… I…” Cherie stammered for a long time, unable to form a single complete sentence. In all her years studying Light magic, she had never encountered anything this bizarre!

Elena also wore a look of profound shock. Looking at the skeletal warriors glowing faintly, she truly couldn't reconcile them with the mindless undead summoned by a Necromancer.

In the years she had been teaching at the "Homeroot Magic & Martial Academy," Elena had certainly seen her share of oddities, but nothing as deeply strange as this day. What made it even harder to accept was that such an uncanny event was occurring in the Beast Forest, so close to her home!

What has happened in the two years I’ve been away? Elena couldn't fathom how so much could have changed in just two years!

Elena now felt an even more urgent desire to return home and see for herself. As she put it, who knew how much things had changed there?

“Teacher Elena, be careful! These skeletal warriors are getting stronger!” Solomon kindly reminded her. Two previous clashes had already taught him that these monstrous skeletal warriors grew more powerful the longer they fought!

Even if Solomon hadn't mentioned it, Elena would have been vigilant; after all, she had nearly been clawed by one of them just moments ago!

“Solomon, you need to be careful this time too. I sense something profoundly wrong with these skeletal warriors!” Elena said with a grave expression.

She was, after all, a woman of experience. Judging by the current performance of these undead, she could already tell that their strength had increased by far more than double or triple!

“Don't worry, Teacher Elena, I will be careful!” Solomon replied, then swung his sword and charged back toward the skeletal warriors!

This was his third assault against them, but this time the situation was entirely different from the previous two. These skeletal warriors had learned to dodge, and they had even grasped the concept of a "gang-up tactic"!

If Solomon engaged one skeletal warrior, the others would immediately converge to assist, perfectly embodying the spirit of mutual aid and unity.

What was even harder to swallow was that some of the warriors were now utilizing makeshift weapons like stones and branches to engage Solomon in attrition! This was a full adoption of the policy: "utilize everything within reach"!

As a result, easily dispatching them as Solomon had done twice before was clearly no longer a simple task!

However, Solomon did not become dejected or frustrated by this; instead, his face lit up with excitement. For him, this was a true battle!

Only a genuine fight could unlock a person’s true potential!

Solomon dared not underestimate them again. He was now wielding a hundred percent of his strength, treating this as a life-or-death trial!

Pale-gold Battle Aura suddenly erupted around Solomon, instantly transforming his entire bearing into one of pure dominance: "Sword in hand, who dares challenge me!"

But these skeletal warriors were no longer the useless brutes of before. After absorbing Cherie’s Radiant Heaven, they had undergone a fundamental change.

Instantly, the two sides were locked in a ferocious, evenly matched struggle!

Thomas saw Solomon surrounded by dozens of skeletal warriors and caught in a desperate fight. He knew he couldn't just stand by watching. Though he often bickered with Solomon, that, too, was a form of bond!

“Boundless earth, lift your infinite chest, sever this world!—City of Earth!”

Thomas unleashed a Tier Four spell, instantly creating a barrier that separated many of the skeletal warriors surrounding Solomon, easing the pressure on him!

Magic is categorized by level: Tier One, Tier Two… up to Tier Ten! Magic above Tier Ten is known as Forbidden Spell. Forbidden Spells are further broken down into First-Tier Forbidden Spells, Second-Tier Forbidden Spells… up to Tenth-Tier Forbidden Spells. Although Forbidden Spells have ten classifications, that was an old system. Currently, a “God-Demon Mentor” can only successfully cast up to a Second-Tier Forbidden Spell, and casting any Forbidden Spell almost always results in immediate side effects like nausea, vomiting, fainting, or requiring bed rest!

It could be said that the current power of Mages has greatly declined from previous eras; much of the ancient knowledge was lost during the “Z-War”!

“I’ll help too!” Cherie suddenly snapped out of her daze, clamoring to join the fray, but she was immediately stopped by Thomas.

“Cherie, just watch from the sidelines for a bit longer! Because I’ve noticed that every time you cast a spell, these skeletal warriors become more lively and energetic. Thankfully we know your background, otherwise people would definitely mistake you for a ‘Necromancer’!”

Thomas was genuinely afraid of Cherie casting another spell. Who knew what new mutations would arise after her next cast? The current situation was already taxing enough; if another abnormality occurred, their only option would be to flee!

Cherie knew Thomas had a point. It was true that after her spells, the skeletal warriors returned to perfect condition and grew stronger, but she still felt deeply wronged!

Elena walked over and offered Cherie some comfort. However, she also agreed that Thomas had a valid concern; it was probably best to keep Cherie from using magic for the time being, lest another unpredictable change take place!

“Cherie, don’t take it to heart. There is definitely something strange about this situation. I also think it’s best if you refrain from using magic for now,” Elena said softly.

Since even Teacher Elena had said so, Cherie had no choice but to obediently stand aside and observe the battle.

“Silent Earth Monarch, brave warrior who understands the secret of the mountains’ change, resolute Behemoth! My great ally, follow the sacred covenant of blood, starting with the genesis of my lineage and ending with its ultimate conclusion—answer my call and pierce my enemies!—Spear of the Earth!”

At this moment, Thomas unleashed another spell, the Tier Six magic, Spear of the Earth!

However, as soon as he began casting the spell, Solomon’s curse rang out.