Xavier's face paled. Taming a creature like the Infant Winged Lizard was an unheard-of feat, a testament to William's extraordinary abilities. His plan had backfired spectacularly, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.
William, sensing Xavier's unease, pressed his advantage. "Let's put this behind us," he said, his voice deceptively friendly. "We have a job to do. Any progress on the missing villagers?"
"Nothing yet," Xavier mumbled, avoiding William's gaze. "We're focusing on clearing the forest first. We eliminated a significant number of beasts yesterday, but this goblin camp remains a threat."
The student accompanying Xavier shifted uncomfortably, clearly disturbed by the events in the cave. But they were bound by their mission, forced to cooperate despite the underlying tension.
"I understand," William said, his tone hardening. "Then let's finish this."