Naya's core was charged enough now, and she prepared to easily crush the beast.
If its comments were accurate, it meant it was stronger than Mora and the Chief, which would make the coming battle a lot easier if she took it out here.
She had a hunch one of them would be watching the village; even a dumb beast would scout its prey. As for analyzing the surroundings, Naya didn't care about that; she just didn't want to scare Rula. Naya wanted to pull the beast from hiding, and it followed her as silently as it could up until the river.
Still, she didn't think it would end up being a stronger one; it was fortunate.
It was unlucky for the Flameclaw that its stronger abilities encountered the only thing it meant nothing against antimagic.
Naya tugged on her Wild Arcana, with no small hope she would get the same reaction from earlier.
The feeling did not come.
She only pulled on her normal Arcana and didn't catch even a slight response from whatever allowed her to use the Reality Devil's powers.
Naya was disappointed, but she didn't let it deter her; she would easily beat the Flameclaw regardless.
When the Flameclaw stepped through the trees, it halted.
"Your trivial flames won't do anything for you here." Naya mocked.
"I don't need them!" It growled and launched toward her.
A red streak of flames marked the ground as its steps took it quickly to Naya.
Naya braced herself on her back leg and ducked her body.
The Flameclaw intended to do the same skill Mora did, where she sent crescents of flame at Naya while simultaneously slashing at her.
It was predictable, as she would expect from a beast.
But she wasn't in the mood for a drawn-out battle.
It happened instantly; Naya's enhanced speed and senses allowed her to seize the Flameclaw's slashing leg below the paw.
She effortlessly caught it in an iron grip.
Purple vortexes formed at her hands as she was fed a constant stream of Wild Arcana from the Flameclaw's natural production of fire.
The force did push Naya back, and she increased the strength in her braced leg to prevent it from knocking her down.
At the same time, she took advantage of the momentum and spun her body around.
She hurled the Flameclaw toward a tree beside the river.
There was a loud thud in the silent area, along with crackling branches and rustling leaves; the force was enough to shake the tree.
It left a noticeable crater in the tree, and the Flameclaw fell into the river with a splash, which doused its flames as they were produced.
Naya did not want the battle to drag on, and she didn't want to hear the beast speak anymore.
She dashed to it as it struggled to stand.
It noticed her but was struggling to stand with its rib broken from the impact.
It stared in terror, and it realized then how outclassed it was, "Wai- GAH!"
Naya pierced its ribcage straight through its heart.
The look of horror lasted for a moment before life faded from its eyes.
She ripped her hand out and whipped it to fling off the blood. She then dipped it into the river to ensure it was cleaned.
"A-already..." Rula stared in awe. She pointedly avoided looking at the Flameclaw, and Naya recalled her earlier promise.
"Do not avert your gaze. You want to become strong; you should be able to look at the corpse of a simple beast." She said while washing her hands.
Perhaps she should get a blade, though she didn't like using weapons.
"W-we didn't even know his... name," Rula muttered, but she complied and slowly moved to look at it.
"It doesn't matter; attacking us was all the justification we needed." Naya stood from the river and inspected the corpse. "And we do not need the name of our enemies, especially ones that do not need our respect."
Naya felt ashamed that the beasts caused a situation like last night.
It died so quickly it wasn't even amusing. Naya took the quest because she knew she was their worst opponent, and they would be among her easiest.
For a beast to be a mix of Magic and Physical, it would end up worse in both categories compared to a pure type.
It would be deadly to most, but to her, who was already physically powerful and could ruin magic, the beasts would not be a challenge.
However, she did wonder what Mora and the Chief would plan, considering they knew firsthand how useless their flames were. Not to mention, Mora's arm was shattered.
It led to thoughts of what could threaten her outside Aleria if a mere Flameclaw was categorized as a top-level monster-hunting quest in the guild.
That snapped her mind to another topic: witches.
She realized how silly it was that she was still here, waiting for the Flameclaws to attack when she needed to be out there hunting for them.
Even now, there were likely many witches getting stronger, hidden from the light of the world.
It filled her with a sense of purpose.
She shook the thought away and bent down to pick up the corpse.
Rula was still staring at it when Naya lifted it and was startled. "What are you doing?!" She jumped back.
"I will bring this back; it would boost the humans' morale." She put the body over her shoulder, angled so no blood would get on her. "I do not like depressing environments."
She had enough to be sad about; she didn't want to exasperate it by being drowned in it.
"I guess... that makes sense?" She said dubiously with her head slightly tilted.
"It will, now let's go back."
"Right..." Rula looked around the area, stopping for a second at the damaged tree and the red flow in the river. She gulped. "This... might not be as easy as I thought."
"You'll be fine." Naya gestured for Rula to get moving.
She didn't look fine as she stared at the Flameclaw corpse.
Naya worried that she may have made it look too easy and that Rula might get some ideas.
"You cannot fight one alone." Naya hastily said. [Yet.]
"I wasn't gonna!" Rula shook her head rapidly. "But... why was it so easy for you? I've been meaning to ask, but... what is that thing you do?" She pointed to Naya's purple lines.
The lines had reached her elbow from the steady flow of flames the Flameclaw produced when she threw it.
"Look, even your eyes are starting to glow." Rula pointed toward her eyes and then to her hair. "And the bottom of your hair... what does it mean?"
She didn't look suspicious, more like curious. With a burning curiosity, Naya felt her gaze burning holes into her marks.
It felt like Rula was investigating a sculpture.
Naya adjusted the corpse and began to walk. "I absorb Wild Arcana."
"What's that?" Rula asked as if she were a student.
Naya was stunned. The basic terminology was something she never expected someone to not know, especially one who has interacted with a Witch.
"You... really don't know anything?" Naya asked.
"Nope! I'm just a painter, you know." She said and looked at Naya as if she were a fool for asking an obvious question.
Naya wanted to give her a swift slap to her head, but she was happy that Rula appeared to be acting normal again.
It was nice.
Naya smiled. "Wild Arcana is the result of Refined Arcana-" She noticed Rula's blank stare and sighed. "Refined Arcana is the result of absorbing Arcana from the world to use for energy later; it's unique to each person."
"Do I have Refined Arcana?"
"You don't absorb any already?" Naya was surprised again by her lack of ability. To not even be awakened, what were her parents doing? Elves did that at 10; she didn't see why it would be different for other races.
So it wasn't just terminology she didn't know; Rula was a complete beginner.
"Nope, not a drop!" Rula said confidently.
"That is not a good thing." Naya sighed; she realized how difficult it would be to make Rula a strong companion. "Mages spend most of their lives creating their own magic systems and spells, so the earlier you start, the better."
Rula instantly looked dejected, like her dream was shattered; it was surprising how quickly her mood seemed to change. "So... I will never be strong like you?"
Seeing those Azure Blue eyes staring at her expectantly and with a hint of desperation, Naya found the answer immediately. "You will be the strongest mortal alive."
With her, an Elf, teaching her, wouldn't it be shameful if she wasn't at least that much? It may have been hard, but she would likely be in the mortal world for years. That, and she has never met a task she couldn't complete.
If she said she'd do it, she would.
"Really?!" Rula jumped in excitement. "That's a promise! Hehe, Rula the Mighty, Strongest Halfling!"
"Not just Halfling; everything." Naya corrected. She spoke confidently as if it was inevitable.
"I'm trying to be serious, Naya!" Rula laughed.
[I am serious.]
Naya recalled Sophia and her strange power. Could she really make Rula that powerful? Then again, Naya hadn't seen Sophia's combat capability, but she appeared to have access to some sort of unique realm, something that eluded even Naya's knowledge.
Naya figured she should fight Sophia once first. She also needed to learn more about how the mortals used magic. She suddenly found much more she wanted to do before returning home.
However, Naya realized she likely couldn't teach Rula when she knew nothing of mortal magic principles. It could differ significantly across the races; she didn't know what Dwarves did for power.
She recalled Thrain Deepstone, the only Dwarf she had seen. That man used a silver hammer nearly as large as he was.
Her thoughts were broken by the sighting of the village in the near distance. "Back to Arcana,"
"Listening, Ma'am!"
Naya shook her head but had a smile. "Once you absorb Arcana, it becomes Refined Arcana while idle in your core."
"What's the difference?" Rula looked curious, which pleased Naya. She appreciated those who were eager to learn and ask questions. Much of Rula's behavior has been able to remind her of the Academy.
She liked the diligence.
Naya considered her following words, and she decided to keep it simple, "Refined Arcana is uniquely yours; your body has converted it to match your needs."
"Why does it become Wild?"
"The world wants it back; the moment it leaves your body, the world attempts to convert it back, making the Arcana unstable."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Yes," Naya answered simply. "That is why mortals use magic circles; they need to keep the Wild Arcana stable, and the circle does that."
"How does that work?" Rula was still eagerly asking questions.
While she didn't know the specifics, Naya could make a guess she knew was likely accurate, "Because it has a purpose: powering the spell. Therefore, you aren't just allowing the world to take it back."
"What happens if there isn't a circle?"
"You will die," Naya spoke gravely. "To resist the world is to court death."
Some Elves even preached that magic itself was a sin against Aleria. She hadn't said anything about it, though, so they're mostly ignored.
"So... magic is super dangerous?"
"Yes." Naya nodded, "If a mage loses focus, their circle could explode."
There was a brief silence; Rula was seriously contemplating her words.
Rula looked like she realized, "But wait, you don't use magic circles. Why?"
Naya stopped moving.
He hadn't explained how her abilities worked to anyone before, nor had anyone ever asked.
[Is it something humans hide? Sophia didn't ask about my abilities, nor did the guild's humans.]
It would probably be better kept a secret, lest word got out when she made a name for herself as an Adventurer and a witch found out.
[It's not like there's anything they can do about it.]
She believed there wasn't a way for a Witch, whose powers were based on magic, to do anything about her antimagic ability.
Her experience in Carla's tower was her own fault.
Even her brethren feared it; perhaps that was why some advocated for her death when she awakened.
[Perhaps Soranulam tried to convince them to execute me.]
Thinking to herself, she had hoped Lia would respond, but still, she was greeted by silence.
Rula stared at her in curiosity, and it reminded Naya of when she first found Rula at the tower.
Her own feelings toward the halfling were odd, and she knew it. She couldn't fathom why she would care so much for her, a random found within a Witch's tower.
Perhaps it was their similar circumstances, or maybe it was an unhealthy reliance.
Either way, Naya enjoyed her presence.
"Hello?" Rula suddenly jumped and waved in front of Naya's face. "Are you talking to Lia again?" She tilted her head slightly.
"No, I was thinking how to respond,"
Naya wished Lia would respond to something, to even give a sign of her presence.
Naya began to move again, and Rula followed eagerly, watching Naya the whole way.
"It's a secret?" Rula was disappointed.
"No." Naya paused to consider how to explain. "My power allows me to shatter and absorb the Wild Arcana from spells and abilities. It becomes fuel for my powers, the extent of which no enemy has allowed me to discover."
"Woah~ You're so cool!"
Naya enjoyed Rula's exaggerated praise.
"Doesn't that mean no mage can beat you? You're practically invincible! No wonder you beat that guy so easily."
Naya detected a slight hint of jealousy when she said the last bit, but it likely stemmed from her own inability to fight it.
"You will get that strong, too; I guarantee it," Naya said with certainty. With Naya as her teacher, how could she not?
"...I hope so." Rula clutched her sketchbook tightly against her side.
They continued the rest of the way in silence. There was still quite a bit of time until nightfall, so Naya made sure they took their time to enjoy the sounds of nature.
"We're back."
A short distance away, the gate was still open, but now both Sarah and Sora were anxiously watching them approach.
Their eyes widened in shock when they caught Naya and her glowing body due to the lines, hair, and eyes. But their eyes practically popped when they saw the Flameclaw over Naya's shoulder.
"I thought you abandoned us!" Sora shouted.
That offended Naya, and she furrowed her brows. "I am an Elf; I would never break my word!"
"You must understand, the situation for us is dire," Sarah said placatingly. "But those worries were clearly unfounded." She stared in awe at the corpse.
Sora bowed. "I'm sorry!"
Naya was pleased and nodded.
Rula jumped between them, "Anyway! This guy claimed he was really strong! Now the battle will be waaay easier!" She gestured to the Flameclaw corpse.
"Come in, come in. We need to close the gates now." Sarah attempted to keep the excitement from her tone but struggled to do so.
Of course, Naya showed no signs of injury, yet the beast had a single stab wound, which told them that the fight was quick.
Naya knew from Rula that her eyes and hair were glowing, and she was paying more attention to how people reacted.
It seemed these two were more concerned with the Flameclaw.
She was happy they didn't ask questions; while she didn't care if it got discovered, she would rather not have people bugging her about it.
The group stepped through the gate, and it closed behind them.
Naya leaned down and let the corpse slide off her shoulder.
It felt gross, and she wanted to cleanse herself. She longed for Elven showers.
Sarah and Sora were both eagerly investigating the corpse now.
"This is insane; you killed it so easily!" Sora was excited and didn't try to hide it. "Our battle will be so easy!"
They still had a while before nightfall, so Naya wanted to go back and rest. "Do with that what you will, but I believe it best be used as a trophy."
Sarah smirked. "I like how you think."
A lot of people were watching in the distance, and Sora gestured them over. "Come, my friends! Our friend Naya has slain one of our attackers!"
Cheering and applause rang from swarms of approaching villagers.
Some were shouting her name, and some were expressing their shock.
Rula looked slightly depressed, though happy simultaneously, as the crowd reached them and gathered around her and the corpse.
Like it was in the guild hall, Naya enjoyed the positive attention; it made her feel good.
"Calm down, you louts; we must bring this bad boy inside and prepare for our battle tonight! We will have quite the surprise for them..." Sora yelled.
The crowd cheered their approval and began picking up the beast.
Occasionally, someone among the crowd would stop to whisper thanks to Naya.
A few words of appreciation were given, and it was made clear to Naya how much it meant to them. They looked at her like she was a hero before moving toward the corpse.
The gratefulness in their eyes was foreign to her, but she liked it.
None stayed to chat; they seemed apprehensive about entering a conversation with her. A quick glance at her purple markings and glow likely prevented it.
That, and most people didn't know how to behave around Elves.
[I wonder if there will be a point where people treat me normally?]
She wasn't sure if she wanted that or was fine with the way things were.
A young beastkin suddenly approached Nayad and tugged on her pants.
She had tears in her eyes.
Naya was shaken.
"Thank... thank you." The girl ran away after saying it, sniffling the whole time like she was attempting to resist it.
"What happened?" Rula asked.
Sarah stepped up to them and had her eyes on the child's retreating figure. She looked sad. "Her father was killed by that Flameclaw not even a week ago."
"Oh..." Now, Rula looked like she was about to cry.
Sarah stared at Naya. "The Soran Forest was a peaceful place before the Flameclaws. That is why I retired here to raise my daughter." She turned to where Sora was leading the group carrying the corpse. "Nobody should have to die due to greed from a few beasts."
"I will kill them just as easily as that one." Naya gestured toward the corpse.
Sarah chuckled. "The villagers mostly are unaware of how serious a threat the Flameclaws actually are."
"Your security does seem lax," Naya recalled the open gate with no guard.
"Aside from a few thrown-together training sessions, nobody is fit for battle, especially against magic."
"You are relying on you and your daughter," Naya didn't like that they weren't aware of their own danger.
Sarah detected her disapproval and had a bitter smile. "I had no intention of losing, even if it cost everything I have."
She didn't wait for Naya to respond as she walked over to help the crowd around the beast.
"I think... we're doing the right thing." Rula was still staring in the direction where the crying child ran.
"Agreed."