"Your Highness... I understand. Up ahead of us is one of the vilest creatures on the face of Ezuno. They call him 'The Wind-God,' but his true name and Identity are Ken'Bu Krill. Also known as the lesser half of the Krill twins and the third seat of the Holy Crows."
She recognized that name all too well. Elden had applied for a team in the Loiret Magic Academy Sorcery Squad—a team tasked with tracking down magic wielders with mana rankings above a five who used their powers for evil.
"Well... I understand. It appears we've encountered a real demon."
***
Suffering is a word that carries a weight beyond measure. It encompasses pain, fear, and an unending cycle of anguish. Can we truly control it, or are we merely pawns in the hands of fate? Many succumb to its grasp, but only a select few emerge from it with newfound strength. Am I one of those chosen few? Uncertainty and doubt plague my mind, but one thing is certain: suffering has consumed me. "Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun." These words echo through my soul, as I am trapped in a never-ending game of torment orchestrated by two individuals - my Father and the woman known only as-
***
Krill's roar echoed through the clearing, a furious vortex of wind swirling around his left arm. He was a towering figure, with broad shoulders and tanned skin weathered from years of battle. His greasy, unkempt hair clung to his face, matted with rain and sweat. The criminals known as The Holy Crows always concealed their identities behind masks, but not Ken'Bu. No, he wanted Elden to see the face of her executioner, to know the predator hunting her.
Elden braced herself, assuming a casting stance as she faced her enemy. With a quick movement, she reached into her back pocket and retrieved a small gray book, its covers seemingly made of animal skin - likely goat. This was her spellbook, passed down through generations in her family.
Ken'Bu sneered at her, his lips curled into a menacing grin. "Oh ho ho! Are you going to fight me, little lady?" he taunted, spitting out a thick wad of saliva as he assumed a battle stance of his own.
But Elden was ready for him. She had been trained in combat and magic since she was a young girl, and she refused to back down now.
"Shirley," Judo commanded, turning to the only other member of their group. Shirley possessed athleticism but lacked proficiency in magic or combat. She was unable to utilize her powers effectively, as they were still underdeveloped. "Drive the carriage and take the children. We'll hold them off." Judo's voice was firm and commanding, his eyes fierce with determination.
As Shirley quickly rounded up the children and jumped onto the driver's seat of the carriage, Elden and Judo stood their ground against Ken'Bu and his gang of bandits. The air crackled with electricity as spells were thrown back and forth between them. Elden could feel the weight of her spell book in her hand, and she prayed that it would be enough to defeat their enemies.
Shirley nervously replied, "O-okay."
Judo had been trained to handle these types of situations, keeping a safe distance for magic while staying close enough for hand-to-hand combat.
The guild's intelligence report had mentioned that Ken'Bu was skilled in both magic and fighting. Judo knew she couldn't defeat him on her own, but with the help of Lady Elden, they might have a chance at driving him away.
Elden looked over at the bunny girl dressed in a maid outfit. Their eyes met before the girl prepared herself for battle.
Judo sprung into action, rushing towards Ken'Bu and narrowly avoiding a powerful blade of wind. Her enhanced speed and agility allowed her to dodge his attacks with ease.
"Ho! You're quite fast! But can you handle this?" Krill taunted as he prepared another attack.
With each swing of his sword, Ken'Bu directed a series of swift and deadly attacks toward her. The blades cut through the air with a sharp whistling sound, some barely missing Judo as she dodged and parried with all her might.
The wind suddenly broke off, hurtling toward the speeding carriage where Shirley and the children sat. The horses, startled by the sudden gust and raging storm around them, froze with fear and began to gallop wildly.
Judo veered sharply, trying to protect the carriage and its passengers from harm. But in doing so, she left herself vulnerable to Ken'Bu's attacks, feeling several cuts dig deep into her flesh and noticeably slowing her down. She could feel the growing sense of dread within her as she realized she wouldn't make it in time to save Shirley and the children.
But then it dawned on her—the only one who could save them was-
"BURST TO FLAME!" A deafening roar filled the field as twin waves of flames erupted from two separate directions, engulfing everything in their path. It was Elden, using her powerful fire magic to protect those he cared about.
"My Lady!" Judo shouted in relief as the flames consumed Krill's wind attacks, giving her a brief moment of respite. She collapsed to the ground as the intense heat washed over her body, but couldn't help but feel grateful for Elden's timely intervention. Her magic was so potent and pure that she could feel its warmth from roughly forty feet away.
"Eh? So I guess you ain't a mage for no reason, huh?" Ken'Bu taunted, preparing to retaliate against Elden's attack.
But Elden showed no signs of backing down as she rushed toward Judo, who lay immobile on the ground. She began to cast a healing spell on her wounds without hesitation.
"Here you go," Elden said with determination as an aura of green and white energy enveloped Judo's injuries, soothing the pain and knitting her skin back together. She glanced up and saw her son and the maids at a safe distance, watching in awe and fear.
"Now... I can finally stop holding back," Elden said with a fierce glint in her eyes. "Judo, hurry up and heal... I'm going to kick this bastard's ass."