The monster took the form of a massive bear. At first glance, it could be mistaken for an unusually large bear, but its unfocused, blood-red eyes, oddly twisted arms, and long fangs jutting outward revealed it was no ordinary bear.
“Is it just one?”
“It seems so for now. I don’t sense any others.”
“We need to take it down before more show up. We have to find the core. Ready the bows!”
Niels issued commands with experience. Each monster possessed a core, functioning similarly to a human heart.
The core was typically located inside the beast, and unless it was destroyed, the beast would not fall. Even if it lost parts of its body and couldn’t walk, it would slowly regenerate.
Thus, to completely defeat a monster, its core’s location had to be identified first. The strategy involved targeting the area near the core to expose it, then applying intense force. Monster cores were particularly vulnerable to heat, especially intense heat. While regular flaming arrows took time, the pure flames created by mages could melt the solid core instantly.
This was why Ferdinand always insisted on having fire-type mages.
It wasn’t that the knights couldn’t defeat the beasts; reducing casualties required shortening the battle duration, necessitating a mage’s presence. Especially when facing multiple beasts, the presence of a mage made a significant difference. Engaging the beast with as few people as possible, to avoid provocation, was challenging when trying to immobilize several beasts and melt their cores one by one.
Roar!
The beast, standing on two legs, opened its mouth wide in a roar. Black venom dripped from its wolf-like fangs.
“Fire!”
With a loud command, arrows rained down like a shower. The beast swung its heavy arms to deflect the arrows. A few embedded in its flesh, but most were repelled by its thick hide.
‘This is going to be troublesome.’
Kaon squinted. The difficulty varied as each monster had a different appearance.
Smaller animals like deer or raccoons were easier to handle, wolves that moved in packs were next, and bears were the worst due to their tough resilience.
Fortunately, no other beasts were around, and though much larger than a regular bear, this one was smaller compared to other monsters.
“Aim for the eyes!”
Despite the challenge, the Ferdinand Knights had long fought these creatures. Decades, even centuries of experience, were documented and passed down to future generations. They knew that the core was likely in the most mutated part of the body and that large beasts’ weakest points were their eyes, based on experience and records.
As rapid arrows continued to fly, the beast flailed wildly. At some point, it started howling differently.
“It’s hit in the eye!”
“Keep going! Squad 1, prepare to move in!”
“Roger!”
While Kaon kept an eye out for other beasts approaching Alessia, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, who was absentmindedly watching the fight.
“Alessia.”
“Huh? Yes, Kaon.”
“Stay alert. We’ll need your help soon.”
Her red eyes trembled. Fear was evident on her face.
Not just Alessia, but all mages who learned magic academically showed similar reactions. Used to practicing magic in safe environments, they found it hard to adapt and became disoriented in combat.
No amount of training could substitute for actual combat experience, a truth applicable to both knights and mages.
“Listen, Alessia.”
Kaon knelt down to meet her gaze directly. He had hoped she wouldn’t face such situations so soon, but there was no turning back now.
If Alessia wanted to stay in Ferdinand long-term, she had to prove herself. Wasn’t she the one who wanted to be acknowledged here and fulfill her role well?
Kaon was determined to help her achieve what she desired, for her sake and for his wish for her to remain here.
“Once the knights locate the core, think of concentrating your flames into that spot. I’ll make sure no one can reach you while you focus.”
“Okay, I got it.”
“It’s okay to fail. Don’t be afraid; you can always try again.”
His words seemed to surprise her, her eyes widening as if she hadn’t expected such reassurance.
“You can do this.”
Kaon emphasized again, truly believing in her capabilities.
“Yes. I have to be able to.”
Alessia closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself. After a moment, she opened them again, her gaze steady and no longer wavering as she looked back at the magical beast.
“Cease all firing in 5 seconds! Squad 1 will move in right after!”
“Prepare to engage!”
“Ready!”
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
After a brief pause, the barrage of arrows stopped. Several high-ranking knights rushed simultaneously, climbing the massive body of the beast like a wall and wielding their swords.
Attacks were simultaneously launched at the concave area beneath the beast’s protruding fangs and twisted arms. Although the thick, fur-covered skin was tough to pierce, focusing the assault on the same spot caused the beast to twist violently in all directions.
“Recover the injured!”
A knight who was flung away by the beast’s wild swings was quickly retrieved by those on standby and pulled back. Any gaps in their ranks were immediately filled by other knights rushing in. The coordinated movements of the knights, acting as one, were a sight to behold.
Roarrr!
The thrashing beast let out a roar so loud it seemed to shake the forest. Kaon, who had been closely observing the beast, spotted something unusual near its shoulder. Beneath the flowing blood, it shimmered slickly.
“Everyone pull back! I’ve found the core! It’s in the right shoulder!”
At Kaon’s shout, all eyes focused on the beast’s shoulder. It was Alessia’s turn now. When Kaon looked at her, she nodded, understanding her cue.
“Niels! Call out when you see an opening! Alessia will target the core!”
“Got it! Spread out and resume firing! Go!”
At Niels’s command, the knights engaging in close combat retreated, and the waiting archers resumed their volley of arrows. The beast, which had been roaring as if ready to charge, hesitated.
Then, as it attempted a counterattack, swinging its massive paws to strike the ground, the moment came.
“Now!”
Seizing the brief opportunity, Niels shouted. Alessia, who had been muttering something like an incantation, extended her hand towards the beast.
A stream of flame shot straight out, aiming precisely at the area near the beast’s shoulder. The flame, swirling with terrifying speed, pierced right through the core’s center. Black smoke billowed, enveloping the beast’s body.
Thud.
The beast, which had been relentlessly moving despite numerous arrows and sword wounds, collapsed as if it had been toppled.
“It’s down.”
As Niels approached the beast to confirm its death, cheers erupted.
“We did it!”
“Alessia, that was incredible!”
“Such beautiful skill!”
Praise poured in for Alessia, who had played a crucial role at the end. She stood there, looking bewildered and blushing, yet didn’t voice any complaints amidst the applause and chants of her name. Amidst the celebration, Kaon stood frozen, deep in thought.
***
‘What was that?’
Standing under the cold water, Kaon pondered the scene he had just witnessed.
At the last moment, while everyone’s eyes were on the beast, he was watching Alessia.
Elite knights were tasked with guarding mages from the rear to ensure they could cast their spells without any interference. Since mages were a crucial asset, their protection was typically assigned to the strongest knights.
Kaon was focused on protecting the mage, Alessia, from any external threat, driven by a sense of duty.
‘I didn’t feel any mana at all.’
He first felt something was off when Alessia began chanting. Mages typically cast spells by drawing magic circles or chanting incantations. Though the methods differed, the principle was the same: they stimulated the mana present in the natural environment with their innate magical power, creating an artificial reaction—magic.
In cases like Alessia’s, where spells were chanted, the mage’s body momentarily released magical power, which Kaon could see.
In other words, Kaon had the ability to distinguish between the naturally occurring mana and the unique magical power of mages.
The fact that Kaon alone knew the magical energies swirling around the eastern wall and forming the first barrier came from the same mage was for that reason.
‘But there was nothing…’
Yet, during Alessia’s chanting, he felt nothing from her. The magical power that should have bizarrely fluttered around the mage was entirely absent.
Initially, Kaon thought Alessia might be too tense to perform her magic correctly. It was a plausible scenario, so he calmly contemplated the next steps.
‘But then the flames just burst forth.’
As soon as Niels gave the signal, Alessia cast her spell. It was impossible.
Kaon had seen many mages and their magic in action. None could use magic without summoning their magical power.
Yet, Alessia had conjured flames without any magical power. The flames that sprang from her fingertips accurately targeted the beast. It was undoubtedly magic.
‘How is that possible?’
Lost in thought, Kaon’s eyes darkened ominously.
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