Today marks the third week I've been in this world, and my training has slightly changed. Zeris has been having me perform simple acts of just manifesting spheres of wind in the palm of my hand while going through my sword forms.
This is supposed to make using mana akin to breathing, so when times arise, I won't have to think too hard about whatever spell I decide to do. This is all easier said than done. If I overwork or deplete my reserves of mana, a searing pain in my chest will arise and practically cripple me.
But at the same time that this has been difficult, it's also been a lot easier than I thought it would be. My new body seems to have a better natural affinity for mana. It seems to respond to my thoughts and intentions; sometimes, the spheres of wind will manifest before I even think about it.
This ability has been accelerating my training by a significant margin.
Meeting Zeris at our usual spot at the training grounds, I noticed his attire was different from what I was used to. Instead of wearing his black military uniform, he wore a thick black long sleeve and black trousers with leather armor, including bracers, a chest piece, and what looked like knee pads of some sort.
His leather boots added a little to his height and forced my gaze to elevate a little. Wrapped around his whole body, he wore a pristine black cloak with white fur lining the inside.
Tossing a large rucksack at me, the heavy bag landed in my arms, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Get changed."
Looking inside the bag, I saw the same leather armor and black cloak, and a katana.
"Uh…what exactly are we doing that involves both needing armor and using real swords?"
Zeris continued to stare at me with a deadpan expression.
"Training will only get you so far. Experience in real battle will elevate your skill by leaps and bounds. So today, we will be hunting Abominations."
A light sense of fear filled me as a shiver ran down my spine, and I felt my palms grow clammy as Zeris spoke about the Abominations.
"An— an abomination?"
Zeris lingered for a moment, then started walking toward the front gate, leaving me with only the sound of wind filling the silence.
'I have a bad feeling about this.'
Once again, who does this guy think I am? I'm not doing all of this to become some kind of warrior. This is all just to fill my time instead of rotting in a room, wondering where my life went wrong.
I've barely been training for a month. I don't think I'm anywhere near ready to go out and hunt "Abominations," whatever those are, and I'm not really sure I want to find out.
Letting out a big sigh, I put on the leather armor and swapped to the leather boots and met Zeris at the front gate.
***
Zeris dragged me through the city for a little while, buying rations and canteens to hold water. He also showed me around the city. This was pretty much my first time really exploring it. I went out on my own the first week I was here, but I was still growing accustomed to everything, so I did not go far.
The constant chatter of negotiations between vendors and buyers, the sound of shoes against the cobblestone streets, and children running around screaming. The aroma of various meats and vegetables and even soups being sold all gave me this weird sense of normalcy.
However, it disturbed me how normal it felt.
We went to a few shops. These shops were for medicines and herbs. We went to various shopping stalls that were selling weapons and jewelry that apparently had enchantments.
'This world keeps getting crazier and crazier. I should really start reading up on this world in the library.'
Finally, once Zeris was satisfied with our equipment, we headed out to the outer gate of the city.
"So where exactly are we going?"
Zeris continued his steady pace and threw a slight glance at me, then spoke.
"The Abominable Forest. It's where a large population of Abominations reside. That's how the forest got its name. It's only a day's worth of travel there."
'Did he say a day's worth of travel?'
Zeris then stopped a short man with a rounded figure and a beer belly. The man was about to climb onto his carriage before Zeris tossed him a gold coin.
"Take us to the Abominable Forest."
The short man seemed to want to retort to Zeris's rudeness; however, he held his tongue when he looked at the gold coin.
"Sure thing! Hop in the back and get comfy."
***
Sleeping on the wooden floor of the carriage was not the best sleep I've gotten in my life, but not the worst either. It sure did not do good on my back, though.
Zeris seemed to have woken up earlier and was double-checking our equipment.
Sitting up and trying to brush off the sluggishness, I looked at Zeris to ask.
"So how much longer till we are there?"
He looked up at me, stopping everything he was doing, then looked back down and continued his task.
"We'll reach the forest in an hour. Be ready; this is not going to be easy."
My stomach churned and my palms started to clam up, and I asked a question I've been dreading since he mentioned Abominations.
"Is there a chance that we will die?"
Zeris stored the rations, water, and medical supplies in the back and met my gaze. What he said sent chills down my spine.
"There's always a chance for death. No matter how strong one is, one mistake, one wrong call, or a moment's hesitation can cost you your life."
Zeris's words deeply disturbed me.
"Why…why are you doing this? You know I'm only doing this just to fill my curiosity about magic and help me cope with being dragged to this new world, right? I'm just waiting till Bel gets me back home, then I'm going to try my damndest to forget any of this, maybe even go to therapy. But I absolutely don't want to die!"
Unconsciously balling up my fist, my voice raised slightly with annoyance.
I was about to continue when a pulse of pressure that resonated from Zeris quickly made me shut my mouth.
The carriage felt hotter, and I was sweating. My breathing quickened and my heart raced. The air felt thicker, making it a lot harder to breathe. I looked at Zeris wide-eyed. His expression was calm; however, the look in his eyes made me feel a deep-rooted fear that I've never felt before in my life. His raspy yet calm and even-toned voice pierced the distance between us.
"Do not put all your faith in Prince Xyrus."
As the earth-shattering words left his mouth, the carriage stopped, and a rugged voice sounded from the front.
"This is as far as I go."
With that, Zeris grabbed the backpack, threw it at me, and stepped out of the carriage.
I quickly followed suit. Stepping out of the carriage, a cold breeze struck my face, and I stared starstruck.
Near an edge on the mountain, behind us was a vast forest of the same tree I saw when I first came to this world that stretched incredibly high in the sky; however, these trees looked like ants compared to what lay beyond the horizon.
A monstrous skeleton of a creature lay there. The ribs of the creature reached higher than the mountain Zeris and I stood on by a large margin. It was maybe even three thousand feet high. The scale of it all was mind-boggling.
The skull had a fierce triangular snout, gargantuan fangs, and three rows of sharp teeth. The eyes of the skull were deep and hollow, filled with an eternal darkness that shook me to my core with fear.
Massive wings were sprawled out, covering miles. The tail of the beast circled around the never-ending forest. The trees were larger than the normal ones I was used to but nowhere near the tree that lined the mountain I was on. The whole expanse of the skeleton and forest was covered in snow.
Taking all of this in, I forgot to even breathe, only being reminded by the burning pain of my lungs begging for air.
"Wha—what is that thing?!"
Zeris remained calm and composed and spoke in an even tone.
"It's called a Great Dragon."