Mageia Tis Akademia, a school where prodigies study and learn in order to contribute something great in the society. Those who graduate in this school will automatically be given a path where they would succeed in life.
Not just that, it is also a school equipped with the most advance technology and has the most well-known teachers in the world. The school also has one of the most powerful wizards in the land in order to teach students how to control their magic.
And that school was where I myself was heading next.
After receiving a mysterious letter out of nowhere directly addressed to me, I had decided to follow its direction in enrolling in that school.
At first, we were without a doubt spectacle whether the letter was good or bad. Since uncle rarely shares information on where we were, it was a mystery how we were found out.
The letter was simple and short, but there were things included that even the old man was surprised at reading.
"Dear miss Ann,
Though it is a shame to not directly confront you, I had heard what happened to you and your family. My condolence, but that aside I want you to come to the address stated at the back of this paper. Getting there won't be a problem when taking the distance of your home, so you don't have to worry about it being far. That said, the decision is still yours.
Yours Truly,
Ren Faix"
And as the letter stated, an address was written on its back. After looking at it, the old man told me that it was the address to the train station.
Moreover, something else was included in the envelop. A folded piece of paper having a wax insignia of a famous school.
Just looking at it, me and the old man quickly knew what school it was.
After a few talks on whether I should follow it or not, I told the old man my decision and that night I prepared myself.
Since it didn't really say what I should do there, I packed up my clothes and valuables.
Now I am 15, an age where decisions in life should be made and critical thinking was needed in every course.
Saying our farewells to each other, the old man didn't put up much of a resistance and bid me good luck in my journey.
And now here I am, jogging my way through the thick forest of trees while following a slim road the old man usually took when heading to town. By the way, since our house was literally secluded in the middle of the forest, there wasn't much of a pathway made connecting us to the road.
Nearing the end and jumping towards it, I was able to exit the forest and was now standing on a road.
There wasn't anything built to signify it as a road, but since hooves of horses laid bare on the ground, a grassless path was made extending towards the nearest towns.
"Hmm, this should be the way."
Following my intuition and memories of the past, I took a left and again started walking as I carried my bags.
The sun was rising and the animals around me were waking up for birds were chirping and there was instance that I would catch a glimpse of deers running inside the forest.
Slateprune, a small town which gains its income on harvesting berries which would be made into wine.
I don't really know anything else, it was but a small knowledge I gotten from the old man in the past.
"I wonder how far town is…"
As I began wondering, the sound of hooves was coming closer and closer to where I was.
Typically, it wasn't much of a deal. This path was used in order to make trade with other towns and having merchants be awaked at this time of the day wasn't a rare occurrence.
As the sound of a carriage grew nearer, something else could be felt.
The cold feeling of a hunter who had found their prey. A feeling that could send chills if one were to be directly aimed at. Bloodlust.
"Miss move out of the way! Bandits are coming!"
On the coachman's seat was a plump man wearing normal clothing. Since his wagon was big, it must've contained something worth of value.
No wonder thieves would target you.
Since thieves usually target people at night where the chances of getting caught was slim, there are those that also do it in the day. More specifically, early morning, the time where people are still tired after their sleep.
On how I know this is something sort of a secret. But enough of that.
The wagon passed by me and I only looked at it as it continued on going forward.
Surprisingly, it stopped just a few distances away from me.
"Miss what are you doing!? Didn't you hear me say that bandits are coming!?"
He shouted towards me. You don't have to shout that loud though, it's more like you'll attract them more if you shouted that loud.
As I was about to answer, the sound of hooves having numbers was approaching behind me.
Looking back, there were five men having their faces covered with cloth as they held swords.
(Authors Notes: From now on, I'll try putting who is saying what since there might be confusion if I added more that two people in the dialogues.)
"He's over there! Look, he stopped!" (Bandit 1)
"His horse must've been tired trying to get away. Quickly, before he starts running again." (Bandit 2)
"Hey, there's a cute girl over there. Boss can we keep her, she looks fine and I can assume she could be sold well." (Bandit 3)
"Hmm, sure! Let's take the girl and everything that guy has! After that, just kill him, he isn't worth much." (Bandit 4/Bandit Boss)
"Already on it boss." (Bandit 5)
The bandit at the far end lifted up his hand and pulled something out of it.
As he released his hand, something flew across me and stabbed the merchant's wagon, just besides where his head was popping out.
"Hiii!" (Merchant)
The man couldn't help but shrieks as an arrow struck near him.
Fearing for his life, he pulled on the reigns and began to move.
Feeling the rope getting tucked, the coachman yelled a "Hiya!" as he told his horses to move.
In answer to this, the horses lets out a sound and again started running, fleeing from the approaching bandits.
"He's getting away!" (Bandit 1)
"Catch him. You two stay here. Why don't we play with the little miss here." (Bandit 4/Boss)
The two bandits quickly gave chase and the remaining three began to circle around me.
As for me, I didn't feel anything. Whether it was fear or concern, it felt as if nothing was happening.
The men jumped off of their horses and one of them was holding a rope.
"Now them miss, why don't you tell us your name. Don't worry, we won't hurt you." (Bandit 4/Boss)
As if he was trying to be honest, I could feel his rotten thoughts as he said his words. What's more, he was licking his lips like he was looking at food while doing it.
"Yeah, you don't want to get hurt, do you?" (Bandit 2)
The man brought out his swords and pointed it towards me. Not just him, the other people were also wearing sheathed swords around their waist.
"Hey boss, let's get started!" (Bandit 3)
The man who quietly crept behind me tried to capture me with the rope in his hand. But since I already felt his presence, also because it was obvious he was there, I leaned forwards and he grabbed only nothing but air.
"Woah there." (Bandit 2)
As if he was trying to joke, he placed the tip of his blade in front of my face.
"Don't try anything reckless or this thing might slice your beautiful face." (Bandit 2)
He sneered and grinned as his blade followed me while I returned back my posture.
"You've been awfully quiet. Aren't you scared little miss?" (Bandit 4/Boss)
"…" (Ai)
I didn't answer but only stared at him with posed look. No fear, no joy, no emotion, a cold blank face that showed nothing.
Was he intimidated or was he surprised, I noticed his body jolt up for a brief second there.
"Talks aside, let's do this then. Stop here, stop now, Paralyze Shot!" (Bandit 3)
The person behind me shot a spark at my back, hitting me with his spell.
My body was frozen and sizzling sparks could be seen around me. With the force of the spell, I fell to my knees as I looked up towards the men around me.
"Nice one." (Bandit 2)
"Hahaha, with this she won't even be able to scream as we play with her." (Bandit 3)
The both smiled as they saw me who was like a defenseless rabbit surrounded with wolves.
"Since I could just use the other ones, you two can have her." (Bandit 4/Boss)
"Really Boss!? Man you're great!" (Bandit 3)
"Hehehe, let's see how long this one will last." (Bandit 2)
The two approached closer as their smiles began to become more sinister.
As for the boss, he approached his horse and mounted it.
"Bring her back to the hideout after you're finish. I'm going to deal with the merchant earlier." (Bandit 4/Boss)
Grabbing the reins, he left. The two waved towards him as if they were children.
"Now then…" (Bandit 2)
"Looking at them, you got a nice pair there." (Bandit 3)
Looking at me with lustful eyes, one of them made their move and reached towards my chest.
"Please don't touch me." (Ai)
"What?" (Bandit 3)
Was he dumbfounded that I could talk even though he made a spell earlier, I don't really care.
Grabbing the hand in front of me, I pulled it towards my side and I quickly got up from my position. Moving faster before he could react, I made a palm strike towards his chest. There was the feeling of something giving up inside him, probably his bones breaking.
"Why you!" (Bandit 2)
Pulling out his sword he tried to slash towards me. But since I was still holding his friend, I used him as cover and the man's eyes widened after seeing it.
Of course, the blade continued, landing on his friends back, the blade slashed open his flesh and blood sprayed out of it.
"Gah!" (Bandit 3)
The bandit only made a small shout before becoming limp and falling off of my hands. He's probably dead.
"Damn you!" (Bandit 2)
Not even paying attention to his dead friend, the bandit charged at me with his sword. Placing the base near his body, he stabbed the blade forward in order to pierce me.
But, it was slow.
Compared to the training I had done these past years, it was even slower compared to catching flies.
Using the back of my hand, I swayed the blade off. Without loosing time, I changed by posture by opening bending my knees.
With my free right hand, I made a fist. As the man's body approached, I readied my strike.
Overlapping the distance of my range, I delivered a straightforward thrust that anyone could follow. But…
"Ah!... ah…" (Bandit 2)
On the man's stomach… well, to where his stomach used to be located was a gaping hole. With the size reaching the middle part of the chest to his lower stomach, it was a size a bit bigger to that of a human head.
"That was… my condolence." (Ai)
Offering a small bow, I got on one of the horses the men used earlier and rode off.
I don't want to be pestered on what happened. Moreover, it was something like a test run, right.
Next time, try to control your power output. Yes, that is the lesson that I receive in today's event.
As I panicked inside my head on whether that was a bit too much or not, I was able see something in the distance. It was relatively close to where I was, it looks like the merchant guy wasn't able to escape.
"Hahaha! So you really had a gold!" (Bandit 4/Boss)
"Take whatever you want! Just don't take that necklace!" (Merchant)
"Oh you mean this?" (Bandit 1)
"He looks pitiful. Should we just end it here?" (Bandit 5)
There was a familiar looking man holding a bar of gold at the back of the carriage. At the front were two men standing in front of the groveling merchant. There was also a blue pendant on one of the two's hands.
Should I help though, I wonder.
It wasn't really my concern. Moreover, I didn't even know the guy.
That's right, I'm just a victim who got caught in the situation. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Oh look, those two… Intruder!" (Bandit 5)
Ah, the one holding a crossbow had good eyes. To realize that it wasn't one of them just by looking.
Must be because of my hair.
"What! Wait, isn't that the girl from earlier!?" (Bandit 4/Boss)
The Boss man threw the golden bar he was holding and readied his sword.
"I'll slow her movements. Earth Bind!" (Bandit 1)
One of the bandits raised his hand at my direction and incantated a spell.
Just after his words were said, something erupted from the ground and I was thrown off of the horse I was riding. The spell had captured the horse's legs as it ran, no wonder I flew.
"What happen to those two. Anyways, don't let her get away!" (Bandit 4/Boss)
"That means killing is alright, right?" (Bandit 1)
"Yeah, since she already spent time with us, she might confess if she reaches town." (Bandit 4/Boss)
"Alright! Wind Cutter!" (Bandit 1)
Blades of wind started to get generated besides the man and quickly flew towards my direction.
Jumping as I ran towards them, I was able to dodge the incoming attacks by performing simple side jumps.
As my foot was about to land, I twisted it to the right. The same time my foot touched the ground, an arrow pierced the place where I almost landed.
"Tsk, she dodged that. But I won't miss next time." (Bandit 5)
A man firing sharp blades and a man using a crossbow to attack at a range. In addition, the boss guy from earlier was running towards me with a sword as big as arm.
How would I deal with this, I wonder.
As I was thinking of a solution, I noticed the merchant from earlier stand up. His eyes was filled with convection and following his line of sight, I knew what he was looking at.
It was only a matter of time before an attack at the back was about to happen.
"Give that pendant back!" (Merchant)
It seemed that he was hiding a weapon all along.
In his shirt a point of a dagger pierced through and stabbed that man at his side. His attack was small and the bandit only groaned, but he didn't stop.
It wasn't much, but thanks to that the annoying wind spells stopped.
Without delay, I ran. Running pass the buff swordsman, I reached the archers front.
"Wha-"
Not even able to finish his sentence, I punched his face and it exploded like a melon that was hit by a stick.
Only the lower jaw remained of his head. It made spasms as air began to escape it, it was disgusting to look at.
Having no life left, it fell to the ground like a puppet having its strings cut.
Seeing what had happened, all of the men in the surroundings were quiet.
Lucky for him, the merchant was able to steal back the pendant and was able to take distance away from the bandit.
"Y-you!" (Bandit 4/Boss)
The bandit boss pointed at me as he shivered in fear. Was seeing his friend's head blown off scary old man?
I slowly approached him and his face only became more and more distorted as I approached closed.
"G-Get away!" (Bandit 4/Boss)
In a state of panic, the man flailed his swords around as he began to take steps towards me.
Hey, rather than getting away, you're the one who should stop moving towards me.
Parrying his every swing with the back of my hand, it began to become annoying.
I don't want to waste time and so I began my attack.
After shifting his sword away, I stopped at his left knee. The leg bended in an impossible way and the man couldn't help but squirm at the sensation.
"AAAAHHHHHH!!! MY LEG! MY LEG!" (Bandit 4/Boss)
The man shouted at the top of his lungs. But like I said, annoying.
"Quiet." (Ai)
Not wanting to hear more of his cries, I stomped his head with my foot and it exploded easily.
Blood, bone, hair, and other materials mixed together as it poured out of the what used to be the head.
Now, only one left.
But as I looked towards where the person stood, he was gone.
Not even the merchant noticed as he was watching the scene from earlier.
Where he was, probably inside the thick trees when he escaped.
The forest, the place where I grew up… a place that wasn't supposed to be an option when it comes to escaping.
Both wild monsters and animals tend to be harmless if approached. But if their territories were to be crossed, then it would be the culprits fault for going there in the first place.
Moments later, the sound was followed by a scream that broke the surrounding silence.
He probably became prey by whatever had found him.
"T-Thank… Y-you."
The merchant from earlier approached me and thank me. But judging from his voice and how he acted, he was still scared knowing what I did.
Though his savior is standing right in front of him, he still took some distance and placed himself near the cart.
Looking down, I removed my foot from the grotesque mush and picked up the item in its hand.
A simple silver necklace with a blue gem as its decoration.
It didn't look expensive but at the same time it wasn't something a mere commoner would easily have.
Remembering the situation earlier, I extended my hand towards the merchant and showed him the necklace.
"Here, this is yours right?" (Ai)
His body jumped towards me as soon as he saw the object and quickly took it off my hands.
"Thank you very much! I never thought someone would save me back then…" (Merchant)
His expression had become calm and in his eyes I can see tears forming.
It seems that the necklace was something important, to risk everything just for it, it must've held sentimental value.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself." (Merchant)
Knowing that I was still standing there as he almost cried, he stored the necklace into a small decorated box and hid it in his coat.
"My name is Miston. For your help, is there anything I can repay you with?" (Miston)
"No, it's alright." (Ai)
"I insist. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be standing here right now." (Miston)
His face was determined and his chest was high.
But there wasn't really anything I wanted.
I had food, water, clothing, and other stuff stored in my bag that I would need for a trip.
Moreover, the old man forced objects I didn't even needed.
Thinking about it, wasn't there something I was supposed to be doing?
"Ah! I'm late!" (Ai)
"Late?" (Miston)
Due to the small fight earlier, my thoughts were shifted and I had loss track of both time and my objective.
It wasn't that I was late, but since I was only walking towards there, the chances of me being on time is small.
"Are you going anywhere?" (Miston)
"Yes, I was actually heading towards Slateprune… but I don't think I can make it by now…"
I hung my body forward, devastated that the first trip I'll be having would become a failure.
Looking at Miston, something odd had happened.
His eyes were shining and his smile was wide.
"Miss, can I request you one more thing. I too was heading to Slateprune." (Miston)
"My name is Ai, and what is it?" (Ai)
"Could you help me gather everything that had scattered here. There isn't much, but if we were to hurry, I can have you ride in my carriage." (Miston)
"Really!" (Ai)
What a stroke of good luck.
With my body pumped up, I readied my arms and looked at my surroundings.
Grabbing the boxed and sacks scattered around, we threw them inside the carriage.
Finishing the cleaning up, Miston sat at the coachman's seat and I entered the back of his carriage.
As for the bodies, the wild animals would probably take care of them.
Miston grabbed the reigns and the carriage moved.
With my head out of the carriage, the breeze of cool air as we travelled brushed off my face.
Quite a wonderful feeling, this is much better than running.