I feel chills run up my spine as the wolf looks up at me with its blood red eyes. It looks bigger now, and broader. Its fur color that was previously black, but now it's a deep bloody red. It points its ugly maw at me once again, I expected its skills were slow to power up but I was wrong. In a second, an echo of red pushes towards me. At the last second, I use [Teleport] to move to a branch a fair distance from where I once stood.
Think. Think. Think. I need some ideas goddammit.
Lightbulb. I stare closely at the wolf, and finally understand my mistake. I foolishly assumed that what the wolf displayed was its own power, but it is clearly absorbing mana from its surroundings and putting its life on the line with the sheer amount of mana it is taking into its body.
Taking a gamble, I jump from branch to branch getting its attention. I need that one second it lets it guard down after that stupidly outrageous attack. Getting closer, it opens its maw and the attack comes towards me.
[Teleport]
I reappear above the attack, and push off a tree behind me. Flipping in the air, I position myself in an inverted position, with my head faced down and my feet in the air. I insert mana into my fingertips, and draw the familiar symbol. The most common symbols in all the symbols, the most conspicuous and yet inconspicuous symbol, one that no one has ever noticed. This symbol collects mana from its surroundings, living or non-living.
[Teleport]
Using my really convenient skill, I reappear to a safe distance. About 50 meters. That circle is very dangerous, if all the mana is sucked from an animal or person, they would die. Although, it's a shame I couldn't use my newly acquired blade to cut it down. Just proves the fact that I need to resume my martial arts.
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up] ….
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There was such a fuss when I came back with claw marks on body. Mother scolded me so much, it eventually become uncomfortable. My wounds were treated by mother with healing magic. I quickly glance and store it in my mind. Guards were personally assigned to me, despite the fact that I didn't want any. With my birthday coming in a week's time, they were determined to keep me out of harm's way. Unfortunately for them, my luck had long hit its max. So, it was fairly easy to leave their sight.
After a week and it's my birthday, I've gone decently far in my martial arts and my magic has reached an intermediate level. I'm practicing my speech with Madame Celis (it was one sided obviously), she tries to get me to smile but I do not find her jokes amusing.
"Young master is so strange. Is a smile that difficult for you?" Celis gives an awkward smile, but I shrug regardless. It's not like I have a reason to keep my face neutral, it just...feels right. I have no reasons to let others see my emotions and find a weakness.
I was forced in an uncomfortable shirt that had a choke hold on my neck and the shorts where right above my knees. The socks given to me where knee high and white, paired with black leprechaun leather boots. All in all, I looked like a leprechaun on vacation.
I'm supposed to come out when I am called, in the middle of the entertainment. Present myself in a bow, thank the guests for attending the party and greet those who approach me. At first, it came to a shock to me when birthdays are not said to be held until the child is 5 years old, when he or she is aware of their surroundings and actions. Though to admit, it is a very smart tradition.
I hear the classical music begin down in the lobby; one would call it a ballroom if they believed in fairy tales. It was huge, and incredibly so. I peeked behind the curtains, ignoring Madame Celis and frown in my mind. All I see are looks of greed and contempt, as they glance around the room. Like they are picking out what is good and what is not. The look of thieves and corrupt leaders.
As the guests pour in, the maids pass out treats in a hurry and father greets a noble at each point in time. But with this particular noble however, father seems to be having a genuinely good time. The man he stands with looks like the exact copy of mother, including feminine looks. His blonde hair is pulled back in a half up-down style and his blue eyes sparkle in the extravagant lights. Next to him, stood his exact opposite. With slick black hair and dark eyes, the contrast was apparent. Nevertheless, she was still beautiful.
And, at her feet stood a little girl. With the two faint features of her parents, she had short black hair that crowned her chubby face and big blue eyes. Her eyes meet mine and I raise a brow. How is it that she sensed me, when no other adult has? I narrow my eyes at hers and go behind the curtain I had been holding apart. I take a breather, but less than a second later the air shifts around me. Before I can make a move to dodge, a hand clonks me on the head.
I raise my hand to my head, as an immediate response. It didn't stop the faint throbbing, but it made me feel slightly better.
"Young Master," A strained voice calls out. I look up with a blank expression. This was to be expected, I believe that I crossed Madame Celis' line unintentionally without realizing. "If you would kindly pay attention to me, it would be appreciated. Your speech of gratitude is in a few minutes I believe, but you are yet to perfect it."
My lips twitch in irritation. Why doesn't she get it? I chose not to follow the speech; it was too stiff for my liking. I would rather forget about formalities; it is my birthday after all.
"Hey kid, you ready?" My father walks in through the curtain. I nod my head to reply, but Madame Celis chokes on her own saliva. She seems rather shocked, seeing as I did not listen to the speech on parchment given to me.
"W-wait! Young Master! You're not-" She calls. I look towards her worried face, and give her a reassuring thumbs-up. She pauses in shock. I had previously refused to acknowledge her before, but now I had calmed her worries. She gives a faint smile and bows before I pass through the curtain.
I walk up the stage behind father, applause rings through the lobby as we both walk to the marble podium. My father steps to the side, revealing my petite figure.
I clear my throat, bow and glance up at the guests with my usual blank stare, "Welcome and Thank you for coming to my 5th anniversary for my date of birth. My name is Licht Trea Hershold. The fourth son of William and Lyrica Hershold. I hope you have a great and satisfying time here." Yes, I had summarized the hideous speech given to me in three short and straight forward sentences. What more could they ask for? Father even seemed amused.
Applause once again. I pass a knowing glance to those I expect to snag a few things, but I leave it at that. Father leads me off the podium, and urges me to interact with kids my age. He leaves me in the kids' corner and goes back to his special 'friend'.
"Hey!!" An obnoxiously loud voice yells. I turn around to see a figure, somewhat taller than mine. But still a kid, and a rather stupid looking one at that. "Hey! Are you ignoring me?"
I point at myself in question and he nods, letting out a haughty 'hmph'. "Who else?" He is right though, there wasn't really anyone around or close to me.
"Why'd you lie to everyone and say you're a boy? You know you'll be in trouble, right? You can go to jail for impersonating identities. But if you apologize to me, I'll let you be my wife in the future." A cocky smile grows on his lips, while I am left dumfounded inside. Does he really think I'm a girl?
"Wow!" A voice calls out, "You know all that already? You're so cool!"
"Yeah!" Background characters. How cliché.
Though, I don't blame them. My entire figure gives me the looks and stature of a girl. Plus, they're still kids so they don't know any better. But still.....be your wife? I think that's way too early, and even after that, it's still a 'dead no'.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm a boy. I got that sausage dangling between my legs like you three."