" I-it was...it was...a Alpha Canis." Bijan said with a. difficult expression. He had never seen one of them in the wild but he had read enough books moreover had heard of their dreadful tales.
Even his teacher, Flame emperor cautioned him to be vigilant of he ever encountered these double mutated wolves.
Canis was a mutated version of wolves species. These monsters were powerful, much more sinister and cunning than their mutated counterpart.
They were bigger, faster and more agile on their feet. Their jaws were bigger which also made their head look bigger but with a thick neck, they were able to support it as well as use it to bite down metal armours like paper.
With sharp claws, they could trar apart their enemies. The only drawback to their species was they were rare, much rarer than mutated wolves. One among thousands of normal mutated wolves would have a chance to undergo such rapid changes.
Even then, because they were so exotic, knights along with powerful socerers would team up to hunt them down. They would amass hundreds of soldiers for these task as Canis would usually spawn among normal mutated wolves.
They had to exterminate the whole clan and also keep an eye on their surrounding so that their prize wouldn't escape.
There was a general order, one had to follow. If they ever discovered the existence of these varients they had to either report to local lord or inform Magic guild. Failing to do so could lead to severe punishment.
It was their ploy to get their hands on the exotic materials. These things sold for hundreds if not thousands of gold coin, enough to support a family for generations.
The loss of dozen or soldiers were nothing compared to the profit.
Cyra doesn't know it but he participated in one of these incursions. He saw how that monster wad able to take apart seasoned knights and sorcerers with ease.
Using the front limbs, it would slice at anyone who dared to come before it. The reason ehy it was so deathly was because it could use magic, rare wind type. A whip of it's claws would permeate the air like knifes cutting the defenseless and injuring those with proper equipment.
Monsters capable of magic were miniscule. At least that's what he leaned from his master so seeing that scene in person really shocked him.
Those that faced it, were ready for it using few of it's known weakeness against it. He learned a lot that day how to remain compose and defend against unexpected attacks.
He participated in the battle but his teacher didn't let him go to the front line. Even then, he was injured to the point he was bedridden for few days.
He still remembered when he opened his eyes and the firs thing his master said utterly confused him. The strange conversation was still etched in his mind whih was why he was so terrified seeing that thing.
" How are you feeling boy? I told you to be careful." Flame emperor patted his injured shoulder, trying to act gentle but there was nothing gentle about it.
" Woah, woah, careful old man!" He spat out with venom in his voice. At this point he was barely an adult going through a rebellious phase probably because if his upbringing.
He was an orphan. When his power began manifesting, the owner of the orphanage paraded him around like a merchandise ready to sell him off for some outrageous price.
He never felt like he belonged to that awful place. If royal family wasn't keeping an eye as it was sponsered by them, that lecherous bastard would surely sell everyone off as goods.
It was only by chance that Bijan was accepted as an apprentice for the famous flame emperor. He was visiting that island for some job and took and interest in him.
His master gave out a hearty laugh seeing the scrawny little boy protest. But suddenly his demeanor shifted to a serious tone.
" Next time you defy my orders be ready to be thrown out on the streets. I took you in to teach you not to raise a spoiled brat. Your injuries are minor but this should be a lesson for you."
"..." Bijan stayed silent not knowing what to say to him. He knew the old man cared for him but he couldn't really share his deep feeling in fear of getting rejected again. He felt like it was best to keep him at arms length so even of he was disappointed again, he wouldn't lose all hope in the world.
" Alright, we will be going to pick up your sister. I found out there is a talented girl blessed with supreme magic just few islands away. We will be leaving soon." He paused to look at Bijan's grimace reaction.
Sister? To hell with that! He felt like he was being replaced! It's only been few months since they started travelling together, as a famous sorcerer who didn't take apprentices easily he was awfully ready to take up another one!
" I know how you feel but I am getting old. Sooner or later, I have to leave something more than my name for this world. It's best that I start early." He said with a smile.
" Fine!" Bijan exclaimed and stopped talking.
" I also wanted to tell you something else. It's about your stupid decision to rush into battle earlier. You don't know but you were extremely lucky." He pulled out an old book from his robe.
Bijan had seen it a couple of times. The thick black book that he always wanted to peek inside but his master would always beat him up every time he tried to sneak it away.
He couldn't understand why he was pulling it out right now. Flame emperor started by unbuckling the large straps to free the book. The book didn't have any title but it looked ancient with thick black covers.
The pages also looked worn out but Bijan would sometimes find his master go through with it in his spare times. Was he really going tell him what was hiding inside that strange book?