Boom!
The wolf's head was blown of by a spell, killing it immediately. Clifford aimed another attack at the second one that was running forth.
The wolf met the attack head on, it wasn't dead but fatally injured. Two of it's legs were broken, caught in the attack as it tried to evade.
This angered the leader as it tried to issue out another mind spell.
Clifford knew he couldn't dodge it this time so he casted his own spell too.
Using most of his mana, he created a large orb of flames and sent it in the direction of the wolf leader.
"Ugh..."
Clifford also got hit with a deadly mind attack causing him to bleed from his nose.
The wolf that got hit from the attack didn't die but was incapable of movement. It laid on the ground, twitching, half-roasted from the attack.
The three non-mages got down from the trees and attacked the wolf that had it's legs broken.
Clifford sent out another attack, this time he used all his mana to burn the leader to death. Even after he was sure it died, he still kept burning it. Channeling his frustrations on the dead wolf.
After the deed, Clifford sat down on the ground. His head felt like it was spinning, he was suffering from exhaustion and the aftereffects of the mind attacks.
"Torren." Clifford called out after he was done.
"Yes Boss." Torren replied as he came closer to Clifford.
"Secure the area and set some beams and traps to alert us. We are camping here for the meantime, tracking the boy will come later." Clifford spoke, overcome with exhaustion.
Torren relayed Clifford's instructions to the others and went on to do what was asked of him.
After the tents were set up, Clifford went inside one of them and slept. Leaving the rest of them outside.
They had set up the traps and beams to alert them in the case of any intruders.
They had also cleared the place and dealt with the dead wolves, erasing the scent of their blood so as not to incite another beast attack.
"What's next?" Rano asked Torren his voice laced with weariness.
Torren glanced at him and replied.
"For now, we eat."
***
Oscar laid down and closed his eyes, placing his focus on the internal energy of his body. He was able to feel the incredible power residing in his heart, intertwined with each other. Blood and mana being transported all over his body.
He controlled his breathing trying to figure out how to grow his strength knowing that syne levels no longer mattered to him as his magical energy could not be measured in synes.
"For now I can't seem to find a method for breakthrough, that doesn't mean I won't find one later. At the moment I'm strong enough to face a syne-two without using any tricks. A syne-three if I apply the use of close combat. Considering my previous condition this is a win for me."
"I instinctually gained enlightenment with this method. Harnessing this power and breaking through the shackles limiting me should be my new goal."
At this point, Oscar could not only perceive mana, he had also gained the ability to control his core which was merged together with his heart thereby gaining control over his own heart.
Realizing this, Oscar thought about the benefits, the risks and the limitations this power carried.
'Wouldn't it be better if I had connected it to my liver instead? The liver is the most resilient organ after all... No it would have been my weakness instead of my strength.'
Oscar had second thoughts because theoretically if he overworked his heart he might end up dead, sooner rather than later.
"Well, considering the circumstances in any case, I would have ended up dead so... Let's think about it later. What I need to do is get used to my strength and improve the spells I had implemented before while trying to formulate new ones."
Oscar made a mental note to name each spell he could cast, for easy classification and proper combination while fighting.
At the moment, apart from wrapping his entire body with flames, Oscar could send flames across with his fists which he labelled as 'flame-fist'. It was a fire attack thrown in the shape of a fist.
Applying firepower to his feet, he could propel himself in any direction utilizing that skill to gain a short but explosive burst of speed. He called the skill 'impulse'.
"This impulse skill bears some semblance to the spells of a lightning mage." Oscar spoke noting the characteristic movements of lightning mages who utilize explosive bursts of speed.
While Oscar was lost in practicing his new and improved skills. The scavengers were seriously tracking him down.
After resting long enough they were full of energy and hot on his trail once again.
This time they were almost at Oscar's location.
Oscar had concluded his training a bit early not wanting to overexert himself.
'It won't make sense to tire myself out completely, I have no clue where trouble might come from or when it would happen. I can't totally rely on mana perception to protect myself. '
'What if a monster that is able to mask their mana approaches? I could just become a sitting duck.'
'I'm also sure that my mana perception won't work on non-mages. They don't have mana after all.'
During this period, Oscar's sense perceived a magical aura coming towards his direction.
"This aura... it should be a mage."
"Should I run or face them?" Oscar stood, thinking about his next action.
"It's time I test out my strength." He decided to take them on.
"Oh, finally found you. Do you know how much I went through trying to find you. You hurt my feelings a bit you know." Clifford spoke, his lips were smiling but his eyes held a tinge of anger and coldness.
"Hmm" Oscar only hummed in response as he glanced at the group, analyzing each and every one of them.
"I was right."
"Right about what?" Clifford asked.
'I can't sense non-mages, they don't have any magical aura on them.' Oscar thought, placing his hand on his chin.
"Are you ignoring me right now?" Clifford asked while trying to check if there were any noticable changes on Oscar's condition.
Oscar was silent for a reason, he wanted to see if Clifford could note any changes or if he would be found out.
"Did you lose some brain cells? How could I ignore you when I'm staring straight at you?" Oscar spoke up, surprising Clifford and the others.
"..." Clifford was at a loss for words.
To him, apart from Oscar being healthy and full of energy there was nothing physically different about him. So where did this confidence come from?
"You brat! After healing you this is how you repay me?" Clifford growled in anger, his aura flaring up.
"Repay you for what? Taking me hostage? Trying to sell me to the enemy even as a dead body? You dare talk about repayment..." Oscar almost gave in to anger but calmed down.
'I need to be level-headed to take this man on, I guess he didn't notice any changes apart from my physical state. I could still utilize the element of surprise.' Oscar thought.
"Torren get me the chains."
"..." Oscar looked at him, with his brows furrowed.
"Would you come willingly or do I have to make you docile?"
This was the straw that broke the camel's back. A wry smile formed on Oscar's face.
"Oh, it seems you have accepted your position already, but you still need to be punished for your actions." Thinking Oscar's expression was one of bitter acceptance, Clifford stated sternly.
Knowing how Oscar attacked, Clifford wanted to wound Oscar before getting close to him. But before that could happen...
'Impulse'
Oscar attempted his attack.
'flame-fist'
He propelled himself forward with a speed that was too fast for Clifford to react. Reaching him, he executed his skill at close range directing his attack on Clifford's stomach.
Clifford jumped away from the attack but the fire shaped in the form of a fist moved forward and made contact with his stomach.
Boom!
He almost fell down but managed to stabilize himself. Before he could even stand properly Oscar made the same move again almost knocking the air out of him. This time, the attack felt stronger because Oscar's actual fist connected.
Clifford lost his balance and Oscar used the opportunity to pin him to the ground, sitting on Clifford's stomach he began to rain punches laced with flames.
Torren and co were speechless, more than that, they were afraid. If anything happened to Clifford no doubt they would be next. This made them want to take action.
However, who would take action in this case. They were all non mages, and trying to interfere in a fight between these two was the same as looking for death.