"Dart!" Iris shouted with nothing but confidence in her voice. A small, yet just strong enough dart formed at the tip of her fingers, then flew towards the first sized spider.
"That's all of them." Lady Luna said with a sigh, glancing around at the half a dozen corpses of the unnatural creatures. As she watched, the bodies slowly disappeared, turning back into dormant wildmagic.
"Wasn't too difficult." Seth commented as he wiped his forehead with his arm. "I don't know what the fuss was all about."
"Did you forget the creature that attacked during class?" One of the other students reminded the tall young man, then walked past him with an annoyed sigh.
"Well, no…" Seth mumbled. He seemed rather lost more than anything. Iris noticed him shook a quick but not so discreet glance at her. She rolled her eyes, then turned her attention to the forest below the cliff.
"You are still worried." Lady Luna's voice sounded. Iris nodded, how could she not be? "Do not worry, Professor Cross is strong in her own right, and I wouldn't let Master Ladran lead the rest of the class had he not earned my utmost trust. You may be at ease."
"I see." Iris mumbled. Lady Luna's words had created quite the opposite effect though. Lord Ladran's influence on the prodigal Holy Magic user was quite fearful. She seemed to trust him with her life. What had he done to earn such trust? Or had he resorted to compulsion magic? Such forbidden spells would have to be reported to the Council and the Yotsura Clan immediately.
She made a mental note to have Aether check for such spells on Lady Luna.
"Iris?" Seth's voice sounded. "You seem lost in thought."
Iris couldn't help but sigh. Having this tall, blonde, strong and handsome guy follower her around had been quite entertaining at first, even though she had failed her primary goal. But now, his clinginess had started to get on her nerves. She wasn't some treasure to be protected, or some porcelain doll who would break at the smallest push.
"Thinking is something I like to do, yes." She showed him her best smile. "And I tend to suggest everyone to do the same from time to time. It really helps when you reflect on some things." Her smile disappeared, and she hastened her steps to catch up with Lady Luna.
"Oh." Seth mumbled, scratching his head with some confusion. "Right. You're ok though, right? None of the creatures got to you, no?"
"Yes, Seth." She said, trying to remain patient. "I'm perfectly fine. You don't need to worry about me quite so much." She walked past the other students and paced herself to remain just behind Lady Luna.
Her thoughts soon began to drift once more. Who was this woman? She had never heard of anyone with such control over Holy magic. It almost reminded her of Aether's connection with-
"Are you trying to avoid me?" Seth's voice sounded again, way too close behind her. Startled, she flinched and placed her hand on her heart.
"You scared me!" She hissed before quickly clearing her throat and quickly regaining her composure. "I mean, don't sneak up on me like that."
"Ah, sorry." Seth mumbled, then shook his head. "I didn't mean to startle you. But seriously, are you avoiding me? I feel like you're avoiding me."
Iris chuckled. "What? No, don't be ridiculous. But like I said, you don't need to worry about me so-"
A deafening boom sounded, and something struck the earth perhaps two steps away from Iris.
"Look out!" Seth shouted, looking around to try and find the source of the danger. His gaze wandered around while Iris immediately took a few steps towards Lady Luna. Her expression hardened as she instinctively touched the silver bracelet hidden under her sleeve.
"Gather around me!" Lady Luna's voice sounded. "We've come across a dangerous anomaly."
A distant, yet loud crackle stopped Aether in his tracks. Something struck the ground far away.
"It's coming from the mountains." Lord Ladran spoke in a low voice. Aether nodded. "Yes, from where Iris is." Was she safe? Would Lady Luna keep her safe, or did Aether need to hurry over?
"Are you worried?" The scholar asked after a short moment of hesitation. Aether nodded once more. "Of course I am. It is my task to keep her safe."
"Luna will keep her safe." Lord Ladran said with a faint smile on his lips. "I don't doubt your capabilities, but I hardly think there is a need to worry right now." His smile disappeared. "We have almost reached the heart of the forest, after all. It would be a waste to leave now."
The young man's gaze remained fixed to the north. The canopy of the forest blocked their view of the mountain, yet Lord Ladran suspected the young man could see more than he let on.
"Indeed." Aether spoke after a few seconds past. "She's safe with Lady Luna." The ominous silver glow in his eyes disappeared, and his slit pupils returned to their normal size. "The threat will be dealt with when we dispose of whatever is causing these anomalies." He hastened his steps, gracefully passing though the shrubbery and making his was towards the heart of the forest.
"What do you think it is?" Lord Ladran asked. The young man chuckled. "You are the scholar, and you have studied magic for so many years. Why do you feel the need to ask me, Lord Ladran?" His lips formed a mischievous smile as he glanced at the middle-aged mage. "I am just a bodyguard after all."
The other man rolled his eyes in response. "As if. You carry the name Yotsura, and you can wield a blade of darkness." He made a vague gesture towards the ground. "Not even a handful of people know of that spell, and even fewer can cast it."
Aether chuckled but didn't say a thing.
"Why did you use it?" Lord Ladran suddenly asked. The change of tone in his voice caught Aether by surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"You could have killed the beast with any spell – why use the one spell you knew I would immediately recognise?"
Aether smiled. "Why do you think?"