When we went deep into the forest, we couldn't walk anymore.
The monkey monster troops attacked us in all directions. Mazkhar stayed lead for our group and used Fire Magic to open the path. Altrez used vines to keep attacking from the top and behind. They were frequently lost their MP, so Riche was the one who healed them.
"What is it, Auntie?! Do you Heal? I don't feel anything!"
"Shut up your small! Something was disturbed Light Magic effects!"
This was the land power. Our Light and Dark Magic efficiency were decreased but the enemy was the opposite. Their Light and Dark Magic became stronger.
But it didn't affect me.
"Wow! This should be called Heal. So wonderful!"
Mazkhar was excited when received Heal from Nine. He used the big flamethrower that made light all around. He slashed monkeys one by one, jumped on branches like dancing movement in the air.
[Call him back. He goes too far.]
"Come back Mazkhar! You go too far!"
"Oh!!"
He stopped, waited for us to come before ran again.
[Let Riche cared the left side. She can do it.]
"Riche. I leave the left side to you."
"Yes sir!"
Riche used Water Beam attacked monkeys. She created it from humidity in the air. Using the advantage from the environment was suited for her who had less MP. She was familiar with the battle. Even that the spear staff didn't stab the monster at once, she might didn't like blood.
[Do you want to attack by yourself?]
You can? You were in the heal position, right?
[There wasn't the thing I can't do.]
Then…
"Water Magic, Vacuum Bubble!"
The bubbles covered around ten monkeys' heads. When they lost the air, they suffered and left behind us.
[Your taste isn't bad.]
I didn't want to hear this from you.
"You!! You should save your MP for Heal, another thing leaves it to us. You got it right, Auntie! If you can't Heal, make the attack more."
"Quite your mouth! I'll snatch all monsters from you. ...Oh, small watch out!"
Riche shot Water Beam at the monkey behind Mazkhar. At the same time, Mazkhar kicked the stone that another monkey threw at Riche. Their movement synchronized.
[It's the Link Attack.]
The special move that occurred without planed… Dad told me like that. It was the first time I saw it.
[Relax High Sage. Your party is a high-level party. You just continue to do your job.]
My job?
[Beware stumbled at the root.]
Oh, running…
Because I was the group's leader, Nine could see everyone's Life Energy and Magic Power. He healed and controlled everyone's position. Although, I didn't know what he sees. I understood his dialect more.
"…Are you alright?"
I asked Altrez who grabbed my hand while running.
"It's ok. I didn't tell you, but I have Detection Magic. Even my eyes were like this. I can see more than you."
…They were truly strong.
When we arrived outside the monkey's area, we finally had the rest time. Mazkhar regretted about materials he didn't slice from monkeys. He got a bit wound by rashly when others didn't have damage. We were protected by Altrez's vines.
"…Something is coming."
Mazkhar sniffed before looked up.
"Above!!"
The new monsters, three black fabrics floated in the air and shot Dark Magics to us.
[Light Wall activated.]
The transparent wall protected us from black powers.
[It's Dark Shadow Mage. Their Dark Magic was strong than normal. Please be careful.]
"Don't move from the wall! They received the support from the land!"
"No need to do that. Let's hunt it, Al!"
"Ok!"
Mazkhar and Altrez made the attack together, but swords and vines went through the monster's body, physical attacks didn't work.
[I'll buff their power.]
[Angel Song of Blessing activated.]
The Light Element added to everyone's move. Altrez's vines could finish one Dark Shadow Mage, at the same time, Mazkhar's dual blades shined bright.
"Enhancement Magic!"
He sliced two Dark Shadow Mage with one swing.
"So cool! It's stronger than using Holy Water!"
He looked at his blades happily.
[Haha! Don't compare my magic to the sweet drink, boy.]
Nine was happy. I shouldn't interrupt him.
Riche's Light Magic was stronger too. When the enemy was Dark Element, her Light Magic was effective. But this battle style made everyone used MP too much. Nine and I had to heal them to the full MP state.
Spoke the truth, it was Nine alone. I didn't do anything.
"I… don't think High Sage's heal will good like this."
Riche stunned. Compared to MP Potion's power, it might buy all potions from the shop.
[Please speak the name when I use magic, and drink this often.]
I drank MP Potion.
[Beware of the colic.]
Dark Shadow Mage wasn't the big group like monkey monsters, we had the break time many times. They hadn't a body, but they had the magic stone. Even it didn't special like Babaragon's stone, it could be sold. Mazkhar collected them from leftover fabrics while Riche used Water Magic to clean the blood on his body.
"Cold! It's enough. It's slip into my eyes!!"
"Just a little more!"
She liked the big sister who tried to bathe the dog. I rubbed Mazkhar's hair to make it fluffy too.
We had a small talk. Altrez and Mazkhar fought like this when they traveled with the group. Riche could use four magic elements at a standard level. It was the same style as Mazkhar and Altrez, increased MP to make magic powerful.
I started to realize... it was my first time to travel with the group.
We walked for a while without encounter the monster. Mazkhar was boring. He cut bushes around him before ran out.
"I found it!~"
"Wait Mazkhar! Don't go alone!"
He ran into Dark Shadow Mage at the full speed. His Light blades cut him easily.
Clang!!!
But his blades swung back. Someone cut the monster at the same time as him.
"Mazkhar!"
We saw him with two Adventurers. One was injured and the other one was a swordsman with light armor. He pointed his sword at us.
"…Traveler? You shouldn't be here! Take your children and get out of the forest!"
Nine had a big laugh.
[You're a child that these kids protect!]
Shut up!
"Everyone, don't move."
After Altrez's word, Ten Dark Shadow Mage fell from trees and surrounded us.
"Cool! It's time to hunt again!"
Mazkhar pointed his blades to them but the first one that move was the swordman. He walked toward us and lifted his sword.
"Give me the power to protect."
He kissed on the handle.
His vow success. He swung the sword as a piece of the moon, cut all monsters with one hit. His attack hadn't sensed any magic. He didn't use magic.
[It's Mind Power. He sharps his soul and uses it for battling.]
The swordsman put his sword back. His movement was like a high knight.
[You meet an interesting person, High Sage. One of the high-level Avatar that NUMBERS' aim.]
[From the strongest sword user's family, Swordman of Arrondo.]
Riche healed him and another adventurer. They thanked her, by the way, I used little time to explain I wasn't their dad, and we weren't travelers.
He looked at the kids with amazement.
"You become Adventurer since this age… but even still… with one Wizard, it'll be hard to go more than this."
"He isn't Wizard. He is High Sage from the tower." Mazkhar grinned smile.
"High Sage…"
Swordman's eyes opened wider after that he lowered his head.
"My name is Gilbert Arrondo. I apologize for my action I didn't think High Sage of the tower will has this little age."
"I don't mind."
From his voice, I thought we didn't have age differences much.
"Heh heh. Of course, he's young. This person is High Sage Elliot!"
"The youngest High Sage in the history Elliot Growing. He is our teacher."
"Hey!" Mazkhar and Altrez fully introduced me. Good job…
"Elliot…" Gilbert's eyes wider again,
"Maybe you're… the son of Sword Hero Alexus?"
I pretended to smile. Did I meet dad's familiar?
"Yes, what's wrong."
"No, I just… we heard your story but never meet you in person. The chance to meet you here is like a miracle. As expected of the son of Hero."
Wait… from what he said
"Did you investigate me?"
"Yes, I apologize. Arrondo has the reason to keep an eye on you."
"Can I hear the reason?"
"I'll answer. Because you're the son of Hero. When you hold the sword Arrondo will come to defeat you. That's why when we know you choosing the Sage path, we're so happy. Finally, the light for Arrondo arrives."
Maybe this family was the swordman that was Dad's friend. While Dad's journey, a complex thing was accused, so he had to fight with the head of the family and he won. After that, that family was losing their reputation so much, because Dad was the swordsman who had the talent from instinct. From the professional's view, it was like a joke from children.
It wasn't weird that they scare the son of their enemy repeated the history.
"I won't be swordman. I'll be only High Sage."
I didn't know he would trust me, but Gilbert nodded. Then it was time for us to listen to their situation.
Gilbert came with one group of adventurers because the other guy was hurt, the group left him. Gilbert was taught by Arrondo, he couldn't leave the injured person behind. So, he tried to escape from the forest with him, but their Potion was left finally they met us.
"You want to fight with the test, right? Go on. I can get away by myself." The injured guy was recovered.
"Thank you very much." Gilbert thanked him.
"Don't you have Magic Pass?" Riche asked.
"It can't use in this forest. We have to get out to use it. Although it has a long way, with Wind Magic I think I can escape."
"Riche, will you…"
"I won't go."
"I know that." Even I wanted her to go back I couldn't trust the stranger guy to go with her. Honestly, it was good to travel with her. She was a good helper.
The guy left us. We prepared to go again.
"Nice to meet you, Gilbert. Heh heh. You're strong, right? Let's take down the test together."
"I accept that."
He nodded Mazkhar's word and spoke with me.
"I come here to practice myself. If you don't mind, I ask for your permission to go with you."
"You're too strong he certainly accepts. Right, High Sage?"
Altrez swung my arm. These kids…
"I don't come to conquer the test."
"Errr?!!!"
Mazkhar frowned. I kneeled at one root of one tree.
"It might work."
I touched the ground, closed my eyes, and sensed the flow of magic. We already came too deep, so every sense became strong clearly. Every tree received support from one point. I followed it. From the root to the origin. I ordered Nine to blend my magic to the flow.
"Would you mind if I talk with you, Spirit of Borderland?"
The origin started to move.
"You use the wily way, Knowledge of the Tower."
The woman strong voice resonated around. The invisible power shook the ground. Many leaves fell from trees.
"I'm the ruler of this forest. If you come here, you have to follow my rule. No matter what you want, treasures, blessing, or power. You have to pass the test before getting it."
"Come to me adventurers, I'm Spirit of Borderland."
"Grey Forest welcome you. The brave people who challenge the line between two powers."
Many leaves covered our feet. The powerful voice was still inside my head. I was sweating without realizing just like my heart that beat so fast.
The laugh occurred, this time it was the laugh from my head.
[That's right, it's become more interesting. Please prepare yourself, High Sage.]
[We'll take down this dungeon.]