Harvey swung his blade, shattering the dagger Erra held. She stumbled backward, utilizing the forest as cover, just as he had advised earlier. Harvey positioned himself in the midst of the woods, bathed in moonlight. "Don't use what I taught you against me." He hurled a dagger, pinning Erra to a tree by her shirt.
"You're too strong." Erra pouted.
Three months had passed since their meeting at Meed's shop, and while Erra still had much to learn, she surpassed Harvey's expectations. "Erra... hmm." Harvey stroked his chin, examining her. "Did you get bigger?"
Erra blushed, throwing Harvey's dagger back at him. "Again!"
"Why are you growing up so fast, though?" Harvey pondered, quickly dodging a slash from Erra.
"Shut up!" Erra attempted to throw him off balance with a leg sweep, but Harvey raised his leg, skillfully evading the move and countering with a kick that pushed her away.
"Is it because of the mana increase, I mean you've been killing some pretty dangerous creatures. Is that why?" Harvey contemplated, pacing around in thought. "Wait, how old are you?"
"Fifteen..." Erra responded, looking at her fingers as she fiddled with them. "I'm an adult by beastmen standards though! I'm not a kid anymore."
"I can swear you were seven two months ago."
"We Beastmen grow up faster than you humans," Erra explained. "Are we done talking, the only reason we haven't gone to Winterglaides is because you don't think I'm ready!"
"You aren't ready."
"I'm almost as strong as you, the only reason you have the upper hand is because you're more experienced and you have stronger weapons." Erra indicated while gesturing toward him.
"Hmm, nothing I can do about my experience, okay. Let's do this." Harvey bent over, stretching. "One hit."
"What?"
"If you graze me once, even if it's accidental. I'll agree that you're ready and you're better than me." Harvey stood back up, groaning. "Then we can go to Winterglaides."
"Okay, However, no weapons for you!"
"I can use basic spells right? I won't use anything offensive."
"That's okay." She agreed
"Okay. Come at me."
In a whirl of dust, Erra appeared beside him, her claw slicing through the air. Harvey smoothly sidestepped the attack at close quarters, retreating as she persisted in her assault.
Erra lunged again, executing a somersault, attempting to strike Harvey with her leg, but he skillfully avoided the blow. "I've got you now!" Erra spun low to the ground, aiming for a sweeping strike, but once again Harvey lifted his leg, stepping out of reach.
"Creativity during battle is the most valuable skill one can possess," Harvey remarked, swiftly avoiding her attacks. He punctuated his observation by delivering a punch to Erra's gut, sending her tumbling into a nearby tree.
"You know what, I know I banned you from using any spells and forms, but go ahead. Just this once, hit me with everything you have!"
Despite one of the Marsh daggers breaking earlier in a confrontation with Harvey, Erra beamed as he unveiled that she could use all her moves. "Finally!" She exclaimed, gearing up for a big move.
"Form 4: Burst Transfer." Erra surged forward like a lightning bolt, striking the rock behind Harvey. She continued as a bolt, materializing only at the point of impact.
"Boost." Harvey shot into the air, observing Erra relentlessly pursuing him in lightning form. At the point of impact, she materialized, slashing at him with her blade.
"Boost." Harvey used the ability again, this time manipulating the air around him. Erra, within his range, was propelled upward, her form's effect dissipating. "A bit overkill but..."
"Blitz mode."
Harvey charged toward Erra, his movements too swift for her to track. All she could discern were flashes until she found herself grounded, with Harvey using her own dagger to pin her down. "When going against opponents with more experience, your greatest strength is unpredictability. You lacked that now."
"You're just too strong." On the ground, Erra panted, stating, "It didn't matter what I did."
"Well, you could've overwhelmed me for starters, I know you're scared to use a spell but at some point. You're going to need it."
Erra sat up, a bead of sweat trickling down her face, wearing a serious expression. "Beastmen inherit additional strength and spells from their parents. When they die, we receive a strength boost along with all their spells. I'm scared, Hajun. If I can access my father's spells, it means..."
"I understand," Harvey affirmed, kneeling beside her. "But... I might not always be here. You need to be able to protect yourself if that happens."
Erra nodded, and Harvey extended his hand to help her up. "Training again tomorrow?"
"Nope," Harvey said.
"Wait... does that mean?"
"It means you're ready," Harvey confirmed her beliefs.
It might've taken a while but finally, they were going back to her hometown. Back to Winterglaides. "Just wait Dad, I'm coming." She thought.
After stocking up on clothes and equipment, they set out for the outskirts of the town. Winterglaides, as the name suggested, was a cold town, its streets perpetually covered in snow. It wasn't possible to reach there on foot, and while Harvey possessed techniques like "boost" that could get him places quicker, he'd freeze up before reaching the town.
"Hello," The carrier greeted as he noticed them approaching. Erra observed the man's hand as he gently petted a Cyroren, a horse-like carrier beast adapted to withstand the subzero temperatures of Winterglaides.
"Hi," Harvey greeted back. As Erra bristled at the sight of the man, almost baring her fangs, he nudged her shoulder softly.
"Hi." Erra also greeted, not willingly.
"Hehe." The man laughed nervously as he opened the carrier, helping them load up their belongings before guiding them into it. "It might be a bumpy ride, but we'll get there."
"How long do you think it's gonna take?" Harvey asked as he slowly regretted having Drake give him fingerless gauntlets.
"If we don't have any problems, we should be there in about a day or two." The carrier spoke and Harvey glanced at Erra.
"Well, you heard him, Erra."
"I'm not going to sleep," Erra confirmed and Harvey laughed.
"Even if you do, I'll keep a watch out."
"I won't sleep!"
"Okay, okay."
The carriage gradually rolled through the hot and gusty plains of Falusha, passing numerous forests and even the Star Idol Labyrinth. The transition of landscapes was swift and breathtaking, within moments, the temperature plummeted, and each breath Harvey took produced a cloud of cold mist.
Glancing at Erra, who was already fast asleep as the cold breeze set in, he rose and placed an extra blanket over her. "Told you." He muttered while returning to his seat, he grappled with the impending thoughts of what he had to do as they neared the city.
Was he using Erra as a cop-out? Or was he genuinely trying to be a good person? "Does it even matter?" Harvey sighed. Regardless, he acknowledged that he would soon have to end another life, and another, until all of them were gone.
"Oh, Crap!" Muttered the driver and the Cyroren made a noise as its reigns were pulled back.
Harvey pulled back the curtains and peered out the window of the carriage. He couldn't see very well through the snowstorm, but there was definitely someone outside. "What's going on?" Harvey asked.
"Bandits! There's a barricade up front, we can't go through," The driver explained, his voice cracking in fear. "Do you guys have any valuables? We can maybe pay them off-"
"Don't worry," Harvey yawned as he lay down. "Just don't kill them now."
"Will do," Erra responded as she leaped out of the carriage. In a quick and noiseless onslaught. The driver watched with his mouth wide open as seven men were disposed of in ten seconds.
"Done," Erra declared as she reentered the carriage. "I took care of the barricade too."
"How was it, engaging in combat with others?" Harvey inquired.
"It was easy, like I said before. The issue lies with you; you're just too strong."
Harvey chuckled, his hand brushing through her brown hair, shaking off the snow. "Don't worry, you'll get there."
The driver began moving but his mouth never closed. Slowly turning back, he cast a glance at both Harvey and Erra in the carriage, whispering quietly he asked, "Who the hell are you guys?"