immediately after my fight with Razor, Helen left with her companion, throwing one last parting shot at us: "One day, you'll regret this, kid."
The night passed, and we continued our journey the next morning. We finally reached the base of the Grand Mountains, which, by the way, lived up to its name.
Throughout the journey, Sophia kept asking me to clarify the steps for a maneuver. I explained the timing between the last step of the right foot and the left, and how to balance mana distribution between both feet to stay on course. We had to make frequent stops to ensure the carriage didn't leave us behind. After successfully demonstrating the maneuver, Sophia clapped and said, "Incredible! You learned it so quickly!"
It was one of the basic techniques I had developed over the past two years.
She replied briefly, "One day, you'll have to teach me that sword technique of yours." Her face was so close to mine that I knew if I refused, she would probably get upset again.
"Alright, alright, I'll teach you someday," I said. She looked genuinely delighted to hear that.
As we arrived at the base of the Aleci Mountains, our next challenge was to climb the mountain. Fortunately, there was a narrow path around the mountain that led to a teleportation gate above.
I led the way, with Sophia accompanying me.
Fortunately, our ascent was smooth. Sophia spent much of the time reading books on mana manipulation, trying to understand how to control mana and elements.
Suddenly, I heard my own worried voice calling out to her.
"BANDIT! GET READY, SOPHIA!" I shouted as a rumbling of footsteps approached from our right and behind.
Sophia quickly extended her hand, concentrating to create a wind barrier. "Wind, heed my command and gather to protect us. Wind Barrier!" Instantly, I felt a gust of wind forming a tornado around us, bending to shield Sophia and me.
The bandits relentlessly bombarded the barrier, but the wind created by Sophia kept them at bay. The barrier held strong.
In seconds, the tarp covering the carriage was shredded, giving me a clearer view of our dire situation. We were completely surrounded.
From what I could see, there were at least twenty bandits. We were in a very unfavorable position, with our path forward and backward blocked by bandits armed with swords, spears, and other close-combat weapons. On the mountain slope to our right, archers positioned on the cliff aimed their bows at us, while the steep, foggy slope to our left offered no escape.
A red-haired man with numerous scars and a burly frame wielding a massive war axe spoke. "So the kid here is strong enough to injure Razor, huh, Helen?" He sneered, revealing a nearly toothless grin.
Helen appeared from behind the red-haired man. "Yes, that's the one. Capture and kill him," Helen said, pointing at me.
The red-haired man glanced at Sophia. "Hmm, I think I'll let the girl beside him live." He licked his lips.
I felt my temperature rise, my anger flaring as I hadn't felt in a while. Behind the protective bubble of my barrier, I almost forgot that the world has its share of scum.
I was ready to charge at the beastly man, almost forgetting that we were outnumbered in this attack. "It's just Sophia and me—no one else."
Mana fluctuations around a person can reveal them as a mage, distinguishable only with careful observation. Whether they are an augmenter or a spellcaster could be deduced from their physical structure and the weapons they wield.
Sophia quickly grabbed her bow and stood behind me, her spear ready, while I faced forward with my sword drawn. Sophia also prepared another spell, maintaining her wind barrier.
"Gather and protect us, land of virtue. Do not let them harm us!"
[Earth Wall]
The ground rumbled as a four-meter-high wall of earth rose before Sophia and me.
"So this is the power of someone wielding all four elements. You're truly impressive, Sophia."
Taking advantage of the moment, I advanced, raising my sword to defend against the arrows from the enemy archers.
Moments later, Sophia completed her spell, releasing a gust of wind that swept along the front and rear paths. Sophia stood firm, her arrows and bow drawn, with tips glowing in a faint blue light.
It was clear that this setup was ideal for protecting valuable items or people. With two layers of protection from the mages and archers ready to shoot anyone who got past me, we were somewhat secure.
"Soldiers are coming, Sophia!" I shouted as she dodged a mace swing, landing a precise strike on a hapless bandit. His eyes widened as he dropped his weapon, desperately trying to staunch a fatal wound with trembling hands, blood pouring through the gaps.
Meanwhile, a jittery man wielding a machete charged at me, hoping I would falter in my spellcasting. Although Sophia's wind blade spell seemed less powerful, it provided a disruptive force that kept us in line.