After exploring the town yesterday, Kendal told us that we would be heading east next, which meant that Luna and I could probably do our job while we're there. He told us to meet at our usual spot outside the dorms when we wake up.
Luna however, for the first time was not clinging onto me when we woke up. I didn't mind either way, but eventually we got ourselves ready before making our way out of the dorms to join up with our classes where I could see many of the female mages looking to be still fatigued from sleep.
Kendal: "Okay everyone. After watching you guys fight the goblins and that stone golem. I have talked with the guild, and they agreed for us to take on a band of goblins that have appeared in the east. They say that they are led by a hobgoblin, so be on your guard."
From what I remember, hobgoblins are an evolved species of goblin that grow a lot taller than their regular goblin counterpart and are intelligent like humans. There are many other types of goblins more dangerous than hobgoblins so I feel like I could stand fighting against such an opponent. Luna however to my side was a little nervous after hearing about the hobgoblin.
Ellen: "It's fine. It's just another goblin."
Luna: "It's not that. I'm just worried you might get hurt again, especially now since we'll be up against a tougher enemy."
Ellen: "I'll pay more attention I promise"
I rest my hand on her head, giving her a smile like everything will be okay. She gives me a smile of her own before nodding her head. I hope I can have some time fighting against the hobgoblin as I do want to know how far my training has taken me. The goblins from before felt like I was killing children.
We made our way east as Luna and I were looking around on the path for any berries that were black. We didn't want to waste anyone's time so we just picked up anything we could and shoved them in our bags.
George: "What are you two doing?"
Luna: "We're looking for poison berries. It's a job we got from the guild."
George: "You two are adventurers?"
Ellen: "Not really. This is our first job"
George: "Well poison berries have larger buds than the berry itself. They also have a more glossy surface, not like the ones you guys are picking."
I know it's a stereotype, but of course George, the person with glasses knew how to tell the berries apart.
Ellen: "Thank you. So these are fine to eat?"
George: "Yes"
I pass him a berry first, wanting to make sure he was confident in his words. He immediately ate the berry I gave him, giving me the answer I needed as I pass some to Luna before eating some myself. The flavor of it reminded me of that cake Luna ordered yesterday, it must of been one of the ingredients used to make it. Luna seemed to be enjoying the taste as well as we ate the black berries during our walk.
George: "There! These ones are the poison ones"
He spotted the berries in question as I now understood what he said earlier. They did gave a glossy surface to it, along with the larger buds. I go to collect all the berries I could see which was roughly 8 of them, putting them into my bag.
Ellen: "22 more to go"
Luna: "I found 5!"
Luna coming back into view had also found some before handing them off to me to put in my bag.
Ellen: "Not bad, we're already nearly halfway to completing the job"
She looked pleased at her findings as she returned to my side, keeping a lookout for any more berries.
We have been walking for quite sometime now as we eventually picked the berries we needed and now focusing more on keeping up with the class. I decided to grab some extra berries in case we miss-counted, but as I went to grab the extra berries, the classes stopped.
Kendal: "Okay, we're here. remember we're dealing with a hobgoblin who can easily make fighting lesser goblins more challenging, so stay on guard for any tactics they may attempt."
After the short briefing from Kendal, we advanced forward with our weapons ready. We tried to remain stealthy, but moving in such a large group like ours would be difficult, and getting closer to the goblin nest, I could hear a shriek in front of us, sounding like an alarm of sorts.
Kendal: "Go!"
Doing as he says, we charge forward as 3 lightly armed goblins were spotted, looking to be running away until they get restrained by earth magic, before being sliced with water and wind magic, leaving us knights to remain on guard.
Kendal: "They were scouts. Get ready for a fight"
As he said that, many footsteps could be heard coming from the direct where the scouts were trying to run to. I took the front left position with Luna keeping to my right when suddenly, something that looked like a larger goblin burst through the forest into the clearing, along with several small goblins. They halted after seeing our forces as we were now in a standstill. I kept my eyes out for any archers, but none could be seen at the moment.
Kendal: "Fire!"
A barrage of different elemental magic all came raining down upon the hobgoblin and his men, however the hobgoblin raised his left hand, created a wind barrier that shielded most of our magic attacks, only managing to damage the goblins on the far sides. This was the first time I saw a monster use magic. I wonder if I could use it against him in a way, but I don't want to draw attention to myself so I'll have to be careful how I use it. After the goblins defended against our magic attack, they began to charge at us.
We ran forward to join them as it became a head on collision, with Kendal focusing on the hobgoblin. I was a little disappointed not being able to fight it, but from what I could see, Kendal was focusing on defense so maybe he did want us to fight him at some point. Luna and I dealt with the goblins on the left side with ease when I could hear rustling in the bushes to the sides. Quickly looking into the forest I could see many goblins with bows readying their arrows.
Ellen: "Archers!"
Leon having noticed my callout, created a light barrier just in time to shield the left side from arrows, blocking the barrage. Seeing that the left side was more or less under control, we expand with other students from the left side to head into the forest, taking care of the archers before they could ready another volley. My rapier easily slices through their flesh and bones with ease, spilling their blood on the forest floor with Luna seeming to be completely cutting the goblins in half with her longsword. Her cheery, fluffy attitude was gone as she had a dead serious look in her eyes as she killed the goblins, almost like she was out for revenge.
Looking behind after finishing the fight with the archers, I noticed the hobgoblin was glowing green, similar to how my teacher Gerald was when I was in school. I was still in the forest out of sight so maybe I could try something. Concentrating on merging my mana with the goblin's, I could feel myself gaining control of it as I immediately disperse it. The hobgoblin looked confused as his movements were much slower now, leaving Kendal and opening to deal some blows to it.
No one seemed to have noticed as Luna and I quickly joined back with the rest, slaughtering the goblins in our path.
Kendal: "Ellen! Your turn!"
Hearing his call, I take his place to fend off against the hobgoblin. Kendal sure did a fine job as I could see many deep cuts in his legs and arms, maybe trying to weaken him up for me. Luna now covering my sides, not letting goblins near me as I battle with the hobgoblin. He looked to be taller than me, roughly the same size as Kendal as he swings his blade down on me before I easily glide my rapier along the side, pushing it out of the way before going into to slice its wrist when suddenly, he started to glow once more. Not letting him I quickly disperse his aura while making the slice to his wrist.
Screaming out in pain, he took a couple steps back before switching his weapon to his other hand. However, with the magic I had dispersed, I tried to attach it to myself on the chance it would make me faster and to my surprise, I felt incredibly light. I dashed towards the hobgoblin at incredible speed before slicing his arm off, making the his weapon drop to the ground along with his hand.
He screamed out what seemed to be orders as he and the other goblins who were still alive started to flee back in the woods, however right on time, another bombardment of magic from our mages, catching them off guard as they become restrained and slaughtered from not having defended themselves, leaving the hobgoblin the only one alive on the ground.
I had gotten rid of the wind magic inside of me before walking up to the hobgoblin as he tries to crawl away from the vines entangling him before I slice into the back of his neck above his torso armor, ending his life right there.
Kendal: "Good work everyone! Ellen, If you like you you can cut off his ears to sell at the guild. They fetch a decent price."
Ellen: "Why the ears?"
Kendal: "I'm not sure myself, but a hobgoblins ears are especially used in alchemy which are of course difficult to get."
The idea of maybe raising my adventurer rank popped in my head as I began gently carving its ears off before Luna came to my side.
Ellen: "1 ear each then?"
Luna: "No! That's your kill, your ears!"
Ellen: "Fine. But I'll treat you to something with the money I get from it."
Luna: "Mmm~ Deal!"
Looking around at the other students, I could see a few of them were injured, however Leon was already treating them with his healing magic.
Ellen: "Sure makes things easier with a healer around."
Luna: "Yeah. Leon sure is amazing. Not as amazing as you though! I saw what you did! I didn't know you could do that!"
Ellen: "Oh? You saw?"
Luna: "Mhmm! I don't think anyone else caught onto it, but being able to use your magic like that was amazing to see. You're like an anti-mage"
Ellen: "Shh calm down, remember you wanted to keep this a secret right?"
Luna: "Oh right! Sorry, I don't think anyone overheard though."
It did seem like no one was overhearing us which relieved my stress. She was right though. With my power I could counter mages easily, but I'm not sure something like an anti-mage is a thing in this world.