Kyōi stepped back to give the previously injured boy a bit of space. "Are you okay? I used one of my skills and healed most of your injuries, but I'm afraid I didn't have enough mana to completely heal you. I would suggest avoiding flight for awhile, or at least a couple of days. My wings always end up sore whenever I have to heal them with that skill."
A notification confirming the completion of the quest appeared, but Kyōi immediately dismissed it and made a mental note to examine the quest rewards later.
The white-haired avian's eyes fluttered open to reveal a piercing crimson gaze. He jumped to his feet, quickly getting into a defensive stance. "Who are you?" He demanded harshly, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. A silvery blade appeared in his hands, seemingly out of thin air.
Kyōi held up both of xeir hands to show the boy that xey were unarmed before speaking calmly and softly. "I'm not gonna hurt you right after I just healed you. So, you can put that knife away." He slowly lowered the blade, but still stared at Kyōi cautiously. "Wait, you said that you have wings, are you an Avian?" Xey turned slightly and lifted up one side of xeir cloak to reveal the jet black feathers of xeir wings. "Yup."
The boy relaxed noticeably after viewing Kyōi's wings. He flicked his wrist, causing the blade to disappear into what Kyōi assumed was some sort of spacial container similar to the spacial rings many of the adventurers used to store spare items. Xey had the inventory given to xem by the system though, so xey had never felt the need to buy a spacial ring.
The boy examined his wings carefully, impressed by the level of healing Kyōi was capable of. "Well, I suppose I should thank you for healing me. You're a pretty good healer, I guess I was lucky you came along. I'm Albert Torino, previously of the Accipiter Flock." He held out one hand as he introduced himself.
Kyōi shook his hand before responding. "Kyōi Woodsworth. What are you doing in the city? Aren't most of the flocks in hiding right now? And what do you mean by previously?" Xey didn't actually know if the Avian flocks were all on hiding, it was just something xey inferred based on all the tales and rumors about the Avian race.
Albert ran one hand through his hair and laughed nervously. "Ah, actually, I was exiled from the flock." He gestured to his wings and eyes. "You see, my flock was mostly from the hawk species, specifically the red-tailed hawk. White feathers aren't common within the flock, but they aren't super rare either. Paired with my red eyes though, I match the description of a cursed figure from one of the flock's folktales. I used to have normal colored eyes, but as I got older, the red got brighter."
Kyōi sat down to rest and begin restoring some of xeir mana. "How'd you get injured that badly though?" Albert laughed before sitting down across from xem. "Well, I..."
The white-haired avian began to explain how he had thought that hunting a lycanthrope, a wolf-like anthropomorphic beast that was several levels stronger then him, was a good idea. Albert had thought that his speed and agility would make up for his lower level of strength, and he was correct. If it wasn't for the appearance of two more lycanthropes, he might've even succeeded. He tried to take on the three lycanthropes, but after getting severely injured he realized he was no match for the three beasts and fled back into the city.
Viewing his status window, Kyōi could see that he had reached level 20, which was higher than the highest level of the other examinees at the academy entrance exam. "Hey Albert, what level are you, and what level were the lycanthropes?"
He tilted his head slightly, thinking. "Last I checked, I was around level 20. I think the lycanthropes can range from level 25-30."
Just as Kyōi was about to say something, xeir stomach growled audibly. Red bloomed across xeir face in embarrassment. Xey stood up, brushing the dust off xeir cloak. "I should get going. I still need to hunt." Albert jumped to his feet. "Wait! Where are you planning to hunt? Can I come with you? I need food too." Xey nodded before morphing into xeir black kite form. Albert followed suit, transforming into a white hawk. The two birds immediately flew straight up to get out of sight of the people below.
Kyōi led the way back to the Forest of Beasts, since it was the closest to the city. Xey flew quickly, enjoying the feeling of the air rushing past xeir body.
In xeir past life, xey weren't able to fly. Only specially trained navigators were allowed to even see the controls of air vehicles. It cost far too much for Kyōi to even think about joining a pilot academy. Instead, xey had gotten a motorcycle to simulate the feeling of flight. But in this new world and new life, xey felt like xey were truly free since xey had the ability to fly. Whenever xey flew, xey had to remind xemself that it wasn't just a dream.
As Kyōi and Albert entered the forest, they began to focus their senses. Albert could tell that Kyōi was familiar with the land, so he decided to follow the other avian's lead. The duo flew silently, weaving through the branches of the trees.
Noticing a small group of rabbits, Kyōi gestured to the targets silently. The two birds moved in perfect synchronization, diving towards the rabbits with talons outstretched. Together, they swooped down upon the unsuspecting prey, snatching a rabbit each easily in their sharp talons.
As they landed among the branches of a tall oak tree, Albert immediately began to eat, quickly tearing into his prey. Meanwhile, Kyōi didn't dig in immediately and instead carefully controlled a miniscule flame to roast xeir rabbit. While xey could eat it raw, xey had gotten used to the taste of cooked meat, and since xey could use flame magic, creating a fire was not a problem for xem.
Albert glanced at the fire curiously, but said nothing, as he was too busy eating to be able to speak. The two finished eating in silence, clearly enjoying the meal, and each other's company.