"That's a nice look you have there young master." Said Awthra who was smiling underneath her blood thirsty gaze.
It was directed at Naell who was currently coughing out blood.
- Noob are you okay, HOOT?
Swiftly Owly flew near Naell. He couldn't help but worry.
Owly wanted to be more helpful but at the moment, the other mage who was with Awthra proved to be more powerful than him.
Not only was the mage more proficient and experienced than the young owl, he was also a user of dark magic.
Hence, every time Owly would use his spells, the chances of it being sealed away and nullified were high.
On the other hand, when the mage would use his spells, Owly and Naell would need to fully commit just to counter him.
Yet because of Awthra and the martial artist, the chance of the duo doing anything else became nil. In the span of ten attacks, only two or less would become successful.
However, Owly and Naell knew the mage was still not serious earlier. As now since becoming proactive, the tide of the battle turned completely in the enemies' favor.
While Owly was having his distressed thoughts, the pat on his head and Naell's calm and warm gaze woke him up.
Naell then in a whisper said while wiping the blood from his lips, - Ah yes, I'm fine. We're in danger though. That mage…it seems he is the bishop of Lucile.
He knew Owly was feeling down as every time he would cough blood, the young owl would then worriedly speak to him telepathically.
Yet at that moment Owly only said, - That's why he's super strong, HOOT…
He was clearly bothered by Naell's words and it showed in his expression.
Quickly, Naell saw that and replied, "Don't worry, we'll defeat them and save your mom."
Naell didn't actually know how to encourage Owly. And as a matter of fact, they were truly in a dire situation.
Even though for now, Naell could hold them down, he knew his limit was fast approaching.
As they were having those conversations, they then heard the mage speak, "Best to give up now, and perhaps I might consider letting those elves go."
Naell understood what the mage meant. That only made him more alert as that solidified his suspicion that the pieces of Lucile's purpose was not the kingdom of Awdita.
"Master, but that kid is mine." Said Awthra pointing her finger at Naell.
"..."
That had stunned Naell and Owly. The mage then sighed as he spoke softly, "I was trying my best to hide my identity.
Awthra froze from her blunder. She then lowered her head towards the bespectacled mage as she then said, "I'm sorry."
Yet even though she was showing respect, her bloodshot eyes never left Naell.
The mage then with a pat smiled at his student before finally laying his eyes on Naell and Owly.
He then said, "Im Ipar the bishop of Lucile, I'm sure you're well acquainted with my student."
Owly immediately landed on Naell's shoulder; he was trembling slightly and HOOTing inconsistently to try and manage his breaths.
Naell knew why, as Owly wanted nothing more than to question their opponent. And yet they both knew that they could not afford to do such a thing.
Under no circumstances could they reveal their relationship to the guardians as pupils.
When Naell saw Ipar was looking at Owly curiously, he spoke to perhaps distract the priest from what he was thinking, "What's your purpose for coming here?"
Ipar in response studied Naell's face, he saw a slight hesitation but decided not to dwell on it. He then replied, "Do I really have to explain the art of war?"
And when he saw Naell's face hinting at a realization, Ipar then added, "That's right, our plan should have come later on but we saw you, lad. Reyna personally told me to get you."
"Master, but he's mine!" When Awthra scruffily said those words, Naell immediately felt uneasy.
"..."
Firmly, he understood that regardless of how a beauty would utter such words, it needed first to not come from a psychopath for it to be accepted.
"Awthra, calm down, Reyna wants the boy. However, you can have the owl."
He then directed his gaze towards Naell and added, "What say you?"
Naell felt his skin crawl. He gripped and pierced his staff further into the sand, unknowingly taking one forceful step in his foes' direction. Every word that had just left the mage's lips enraged him.
His mana quivered, pulsing harshly to the point where nearby monsters felt the unsteadiness. It pressed against their throats and tightened their chests.
Naell's hair raised and erratically fluttered as the air around him began oscillating and adopting a faint white hue.
Owly on other hand was stopping him, as that was only further destroying his body.
Awthra trembled, remembering the past when they were overwhelmed by that said mana. The martial artist with them also gulped in astonishment as he said, "That… sure is suffocating."
Even Ipar, amusingly enough, felt uncomfortable—not because he was intimated, but because he knew trouble was to come. He then said, "Then I guess that's a no for you?"
Naell with his annoyance only amplified the release of his mana, expanding its scope and trying to breach the barrier that was made.
Begrudgingly he spoke in a manner that was unlike him, "My first and only warning, self-defense is not a crime."
And as though the whole shore was bathed in fear, allies and enemies alike felt the chill of not just the lowering temperature, but Naell's unrestricted mana overflowing and causing the shore to entirely freeze.
'90…'
Naell knew that was as far as he could go. The trembling pain in his heart amplified and yet the blood that should have been released upon his reckless action was also intermittently blocked by his frozen veins.
Quickly, he placed Owly in a small igloo he created as he knew that the young owl was not too keen on coldness. He then smiled and distanced himself away.
The young owl could only claw at the snow as he could not even spout a HOOT from the pressure. His thoughts also crumbled all the while, the immense feeling of guilt overcame him with his silence.
'I'm so useless, hoot…'
Momentarily, after bracing himself, Naell gazed upon the monsters who were shivering in fear, the same he did to Awthra who was too confused to even move.
He sighed a breath of relief, knowing he now had fewer enemies to fight, and that was the martial artist and Ipar that seemed to have more mental fortitude than everyone else.