As days and nights passed, Ace continued his journey accompanied by Isabella who recently joined him. "If I remember correctly the within the Sea of Trees there exist a place called the Federation of the Forest Races which is comprised of Elves, Dwarves and Beastkins. And I also heard that Elves have a higher spiritual sense than other races so if that's where you're heading than maybe I can take advantage of that fact to learn more about Spirit Arts." Said Isabella.
"Yeah, I guess?" said looking suspicious which annoyed Isabella. "What? What's on your mind? Spit it out?!" she asked glaring at Ace, "N-n-nothing it's just that I am surprised at how well you're handling this travel without complaining about comfort." Answered Ace with a hesitant and worried tone. "Do you really think I'm that much of a spoiled child?!" Said Isabella with an offended tone.
"But still, it is quite refreshing to travel like this, going where the wind leads us without much of an obligation to answer to anyone. It is as if we were free to do what we want. It really is nice." Said Isabella, "Yeah though for me it is more of a journey towards a fatality which cannot be changed, something that may change the course of this new life straight towards something unexpected." Thought Ace.
As their journey continued, one month passed and they arrived in the north, before continuing they decided to camp out in a small forest before heading towards the Sea of Trees and so they went to sleep. During that time, "Hmmm, I feel a presence small but strong does this mean the time is near I guess I better welcome him sooner than later." Said a strange voice in the distance. "AAAAAHHH!" screamed voices in the distance which waked Ace and Isabella up.
"Trying to escape you little wrenches, we went through a lot of trouble to capture you so don't even think of running the slave trader paid us quite the sum to capture you." Said one of the men as the Duo approached hiding in the bushes. It was a group of bandits who were capturing elven and beastkin children, seeing this the two glanced at each other and with a simultaneous nod they attacked the bandits.
As the two dashed towards them, "Aargh!" screamed the bandit who Ace beat down, "We're being attacked." Yelled one of the bandits, "Shit, did they already catch us?" said one who appeared to be their leader as he asked how many there were. "Only two." Answered one of them as Ace continued his assault with kicks and punches, Isabella freezed them all with her magic. As the leader was going to take one of the children hostage, "Ice Lock" stated Isabella as an ice-made collar formed around the neck of their leader.
As Ace landed a powerful blow rendering the leader unconscious, Isabella unleashed a powerful spell which hit all the others defeating them. "Quick come with us you're safe now." Said Isabella as she urged the children to come by her side."Go, I'll handle the rest." Said Ace. "Haaa, frankly now I'm pissed so just to be on the safe side." Said Ace as mana formed around his hand. "I won't kill you but I'll blow you away, Shadow Arcane: Pulse Wave" he stated as he unleashed a hand strike which created a powerful wave which blew them away and rendered them injured and unconscious.
And so Ace joined Isabella and the children. "I've dealt them a powerful hit but we still shouldn't stay here for long who knows if they didn't have buddies lurking elsewhere." Said Ace. As they packed their things they asked the children if there was a good place nearby where they would be safe. "In the Sea of Trees, if we go in the forest and go to Elderngard we will be safe." And so escorting the kids who were leading the way, they went in direction towards the Sea of Trees.