Shortly after the beast stopped my blue flames by biting it off, that area began to grotesquely bubble as if it was boiling before solidifying the blood and flesh, stopping the rain of blood. After giving out its battle cry, it let out its corrosive breath, forcing me to drag Kayla and myself to a distance.
After laying Kayla down on a nearby tree, I took a glance at my sword. Even with knowing next to nothing about my magic other than its 'unusual,' I tried infusing my magic to my sword to see how it fared. Kayla and Mr. Renard were able to do that by coating their swords with their magic, but since the old man forbid me from showing my magic to anyone, I decided to only focus on mana fusion alone.
However, just that one infusion I used to cut the snake's head off was enough to form chips and cracks on my sword. Liquid can be turned to solid through freezing, which is a simple law concerning the states of matter. This happens because the molecules of liquid would slow down the attraction, forcing the molecules into a fixed position.
However, if you try to freeze a solid, it would not 'freeze' as its molecules are already in a fixed position. It would, however, use the moisture from the air to freeze the surface of the solid.
My sword, however, does not abide by that law as it seems to be transforming itself into ice, becoming more and more frozen as if it was an ice sculpture. That isn't my only problem though. Right now, the giant snake's scales opened like a vent and released some of its corrosive gas. Although its defense is doable for me, that wouldn't matter if I can't even get close to it.
Other than my weapon and enemy being a problem, my magic is also a problem as I can't use it infinitely due to my body being weak to it. In short, I was at an extreme disadvantage both in terms of attack and defense.
Distancing myself away from Kayla, I drew the giant snake's attention to myself. Right now my choices are either to beat this thing or retreat. Memories of the bear I fought on my first day in this world resurfaced as I was forced to think of a battle plan.
The giant snake rose from the ground and let out an ominous hiss with its two remaining heads before charging at me head-on. Besides the size and mobility of its main body, the wind pressure its wings produced was absolutely mad, as if it was a harbinger of storms. Even as I evaded two of its heads, I wasn't saved from the wind pressure as I tumbled on my back. The ruby-red eyes of the giant snake narrowed as it tried to trample on me with its humongous body.
Without sparing any thoughts, I infused my sword with my magic once again before slashing the giant snake's unguarded body. With a streak of blue; bluish amber-like dust flew out in a crescent manner following my sword. According to master, like the four races, beasts and chimera beasts also possessed crux and stigma which are the two main organs responsible for their mana circulation.
Although living without any of those is still possible, it would greatly affect the body's normal mobility. In a way, you could say that a body that is more used to having mana would be more susceptible to degrading compared to those who originally did not have any.
I slashed my sword aiming for the upper part of the Giant snake's main body where the stigma is supposedly at. Although I do not have any knowledge regarding snake anatomy, aiming for the most vital-looking part would be the next best thing.
Suddenly, the sound of something shattering caught my attention. It was my sword. With that small window, the giant snake used its massive tail like a whip, flinging me meters high in the air.
And as if it was trying to do a combination, it then chased me midair with both its mouth wide open. "Crap!-" with no other choice, I profusely conjured the blue flames on my hands and used it like a flamethrower on the upcoming beast.
The Giant snake froze midair, but its force still crashed at me with outstanding power, sending me flying on the leafless branch of trees before falling on the pile of leaves.
"Damn that hurt..." I cursed as I survey my surroundings. Although the force of that frozen snake was great, my body has already been trained to endure strain from these past four months. This is why the collision with the giant snake didn't go as bad as it would have had before I trained.
However, it seems that I caught air of the giant snake's corrosive gas as parts of my clothes and skin began burning. My nose began to bleed as I accidentally breathe in some of that thick corrosive gas.
Although feeling a little cold, light-headed, and had a few burning sensations, it all seemed worth it as the giant snake crashed like a meteor, frozen solid.
With that sight alone, I couldn't help but smile as I was able to overturn the tides. If the beast was still mobile after all that, then I wouldn't have any chance against it as my sword already shattered and the entirety of my arms frozen numb. Who said magic was awesome? If this is what I get every time I fight with magic, then I don't think that idea can be called 'awesome.'
Activating the ring on my pinky finger, I sent a distress signal to Master. Luckily, activating the ring only requires the user to pour mana into it, so I didn't have a problem doing so even with my numb, pulsating arms.
I made my way towards the unconscious Kayla, checking her current state. Tears were still forming from her closed eyes, but her breathing was calm.
When my mother was dying, I did nothing but follow her wishes. When she died, however, sadness overtook all my attention. The feeling of when someone you cherish dies is something one cannot just call a passing thought, no. It was as if a piece of me has been forcefully taken away, something that my sadness after her death properly conveyed.
After of which left me devoid of emotions for some time. Staring at the child in front of me, I couldn't believe how close I was to feel those same emotions again. Regardless of whether you're close to your family or not, their death is something that would always affect you regardless of your situation.
This world brought me a new life. A life in which I can live not just as a 'doll,' but as a person of freedom. This child who became a friend over these past few months is someone I have already cherished in this new life, even if this life isn't originally mine.
But before I could take a rest, pieces of shattering scales echoed throughout the entire forest. I looked back to see the giant snake, slithering away from its scaly exterior, revealing a fresh flesh-like body. The giant snake then let out a powerful battle cry as it continuously released both its aura and corrosive gas through the vents of its scales. Its frozen mouth started pulsating as every vein and muscle begun bloating before bursting out dark blood.
Not minding the ruptured blood vessels in its mouth, it started to look for something before directly locking eyes with me. If its eyes before shown the eyes of a predator, it now showed the eyes of a merciless berserker. With another roar, the color of its body began to return to its original color.
'Crap. This is crap. I'm all out of moves here, and the giant snake I'm staring eye-to-eye with looks as if it was reborn stronger than before.'
Focusing on my breathing, I firstly calmed myself before thinking of my course of action. Master would probably rush here in a couple of minutes, which means that I would somehow need to buy enough time for his arrival. However, my body is restricted as my hands are numb and my sword, shattered.
Surveying the environment, my gaze fell on Kayla's blade on her waist. Unlike mine, hers was thinner. It was like some guy decided to mix a rapier and a short sword, forming a blade that is both specialized in speedy movements and quick slashes.
Having no other choice, I reached out to her sword, but my hands were still frozen numb. If only I had a way to quicken the cooldown. Right as I was thinking that, a sound-breaking screech erupted from afar as a white beast charged the giant snake with astonishing speed.
It was the Griffin.