They reached the forest, its towering trees and dense leaves casting long shadows. Maxwell had already warned Mari multiple times about the dangers lurking within—the unpredictable wildlife, and the rogue magic. Mari, however, had listened to his concerns quietly but was still determined, fully aware of the risks she was walking into.
It was precisely because of those risks that she had chosen this place. If she wanted to unlock the ability to create Mana Shields, she needed to be thrust into a situation where she had no choice but to push past her limits.
Maxwell followed close behind, his concern evident in the way his gaze flicked toward every sound and shadow. While he had resolved to protect her if things got out of hand, he couldn't shake the worry at the back of his mind. The Elemental Forest was no ordinary place—it thrived on unpredictability, and even with Gladiolus on guard, the forest always seemed to have an upper hand.
Mari, however, remained resolute. Her expression was calm but focused. She had made up her mind long before stepping foot here. No matter the challenges that awaited her, she was going to see this through to the end.
"Mari, if we're going to find a magical beast, I think we should look for a Fridged Boar," Maxwell suggested. "Compared to the others, they aren't as dangerous. Plus, they tend to be slower, so they'll give us more room to maneuver if things go south."
"A Fridged Boar?" Mari repeated. She had heard of the creature before—a boar infused with ice mana, known for its ability to cast ice-based magic. While not the most aggressive of magical beasts, they were still formidable opponents if provoked.
"Yeah," Maxwell nodded. "Out of the ten known types of magical boars, it's the most manageable for someone still testing their abilities. I doubt you'd want to face a Volcanic Boar on your first outing." He flashed a grin, though the concern behind his eyes remained.
Mari crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Considering how big this forest is and how elusive magical beasts can be, we should consider ourselves lucky if we even come across a Fridged Boar, let alone one willing to pick a fight."
Maxwell smirked. "Well, luck happens to be my specialty, remember? Stick close to me, and we might just get exactly what you're looking for."
Mari softly smiled, "I guess we'll see if your luck holds up," she said as they continued deeper into the forest.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the dense branches overhead filtered the sunlight into patches, creating an ethereal glow on the moss-covered ground. Along the way, they encountered several magical beasts, though none posed a threat.
A group of Stone Elks grazed near a rocky stream, their antlers shining faintly with an earthy glow, marking them as creatures infused with earth mana. They barely spared a glance at Maxwell and Mari, their large, sturdy bodies moving with surprising grace as they foraged for mineral-rich plants.
Further along, Maxwell stopped suddenly, gesturing for Mari to look ahead. There, in a small clearing, stood a Twilight Moose. Its dark coat seemed to glimmer like the first stars of evening, and its majestic antlers radiated a soft, celestial light. It turned its head slightly, acknowledging their presence before vanishing into the mist like a fleeting dream.
Mari couldn't help but stare in awe. "A Twilight Moose... they're supposed to be incredibly rare. They say their presence is a sign of balance in the area."
Maxwell nodded. "They're beautiful, aren't they? But let's keep moving. We're not here for the passive ones."
As they pressed on, the forest grew quieter, the atmosphere more tense. Maxwell and Mari both knew it was only a matter of time before they crossed paths with something more dangerous.
As they walked, an odd feeling settled over the forest, the usual sounds of the creatures fading into a silence. Then, without warning, a bright, blinding light suddenly erupted from the ground beneath them. It was as though the very air around them was being filled with raw, radiant magic.
Mari instinctively raised her hands to shield her eyes, but it was no use—the light was overwhelming. She could feel the surge of energy.
"It's light magic," Mari gasped. "I remember reading about this… It teleports everything within the radius of the burst to different parts of the forest."
Maxwell's eyes widened as he looked around, trying to stay focused amidst the overwhelming light. "Damn it! We need to stick together, Mari!"
But the words had barely left his mouth before the light exploded again, engulfing everything. Mari's feet were lifted off the ground, and In a matter of seconds, the light disappeared as abruptly as it had come. The world around Mari shifted, the blinding light replaced with an eerie silence. She blinked rapidly, disoriented, her heart pounding in her chest. When her vision cleared, she found herself standing alone in a new part of the forest.
Mari immediately began to look around her surroundings. The familiar warmth of Maxwell's presence was gone.
"Well, I guess this is exactly what I wanted," Mari whispered to herself. "But for now, finding Maxwell or Gladiolus is the priority."
Mari moved carefully through the forest, making sure to move as quietly as possible. She couldn't afford to alert any magical beasts. Each rustle of leaves, each snap of a twig sent a jolt of worry through her body. She had to be careful—one wrong move and she might find herself in the path of something far more dangerous.
Suddenly, a noise broke the silence—a rustling, sharp and distinct sound, coming from behind her. Mari froze, her heartbeat quickening. Her instincts kicked in, and her hand immediately went to the mana at her core.
It was exactly what they had been looking for earlier: a Fridged Boar. But this was no ordinary one. Towering over the typical ones, the boar's icy blue tusks glowed with an unnatural light. Its fur was shining with a layer of frost, and the air around it seemed to freeze with each breath it took. Mari felt the heavy pulse of its magic even from where she stood—this wasn't just a magical boar. This was an Alpha.
Its presence was overwhelming. The usual neutral nature of the Fridged Boar had been replaced with that of anger and desire to kill, and its frost magic seemed to pulse. She could almost feel the cold seeping into the air, and the ground around the beast began to frost over as it moved.
Mari's pulse quickened, and for a moment, all the doubts she had been trying to suppress came rushing back. This was dangerous—too dangerous. But she had no choice. The Fridged Boar's glare locked onto her, and its massive tusks began to glow brighter. It had noticed her, and it wasn't backing down.
She gripped her hands together, silently summoning the energy she needed. This is what I wanted… right? she thought, bracing herself.
The Fridged Boar charged with terrifying speed, its hooves shaking the ground as each step left a trail of ice. The air grew colder with every moment, the frost around it expanding rapidly. Mari's heart pounded as she focused all her energy on summoning a Mana Shield, but despite her desperation, it didn't manifest. Her fingers trembled, and for a moment, everything felt like it was happening in slow motion.
The boar's massive tusks glowed bright with icy magic as it bore down on her. She could feel the rush of cold air slicing toward her, a storm of ice shards closing in from all sides. Her instincts screamed at her to move, to get out of the way, but her body seemed frozen with panic.
At the last second, Mari dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the boar's charge. The ground around her was immediately covered in sharp shards of ice, each one like a dagger threatening to pierce her skin. She landed hard on the cold earth.
Breathing heavily, Mari scrambled to her feet, why isn't it working? The Fridged Boar had already turned, preparing for another assault.
The Fridged Boar snorted loudly, its glowing tusks glowing with energy as it twirled its head. Large, jagged ice spears formed beside it, each one hovering before the boar launched them at Mari. The air around the spears froze as they cut through it, leaving a trail of frost in their wake.
Mari's heart skipped a beat as the first spear shot toward her. She threw herself to the side, narrowly avoiding the ice, but the cold still stung her skin as it passed inches from her. The boar wasn't done, and more spears materialized in the air, each one aimed accurately. She tried again to summon her Mana Shield, her hands shaking with desperation, but nothing happened.
The ice flew faster now, and Mari was forced to move, she had to predict the Fridged Boars attacks. She dodged one spear, then another, the sharp edges of the ice grazing her clothes and narrowly missing her skin. Each time, the freezing chill of the spears sent shivers through her body. She was fast, but the Fridged Boar's relentless attacks was wearing her down.
This isn't enough, Mari thought, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I need to protect myself. But still, the Mana Shield refused to appear.
Suddenly the Fridged Boar jerked its head upward with a powerful snort, and in an instant, a massive ice ridge shot toward Mari. There was no time to dodge. The attack was too large, too fast, and the sheer size of it left her no room to escape. Mari's heart pounded in her chest as she braced herself for impact. She had only one choice—she had to rely on her natural magic barrier.
She could feel the cold as the ridge advanced. She quickly realized the reality: her barrier would only absorb so much before it shattered, and any additional attack would likely be fatal. A feeling of fear tightened in her chest, but there was no time for hesitation.
With a deep breath, Mari closed her eyes and extended her hands outward, feeling the pulse of mana within her core, her Ornament. Though it was still incomplete and her connection to it still raw, it was there. The shining energy of her Mana Shield began to manifest before her. The shield was imperfect, unstable, but it was there—sparking with raw power as it surrounded her.
The ice ridge collided with the shield. For a split second, it held firm, but the sheer force of the blow caused the shield to shatter upon impact. The remaining mana exploded outward in a burst, knocking Mari to the side, but it was just enough to prevent her from being directly crushed by the full force of the attack.
Still, the impact was brutal. She felt the sting of ice as the ridge scraped across her side, and the residual power of the blow left her natural magic barrier flickering on the verge of shattering. She staggered to regain her footing, the force of the attack leaving her dizzy and on the edge of unconsciousness.
Mari's body still shaking from the impact. She had to focus—there was no time for weakness. The Fridged Boar began to charge again, its hooves scraping against the frozen earth.
"At least Maxwell and Gladiolus must've seen that ice ridge... I hope they're coming soon..." Mari whispered to herself, her legs were shaky, her natural barrier was close to shattering, and her mana was running low.
The boar was closing the distance rapidly, and she couldn't afford to hesitate again. But despite her efforts, the shield she summoned was weak, flickering in and out of existence.
This wasn't just a test of her abilities; it was a test of her resolve. She knew she couldn't keep dodging forever, and she couldn't afford to fail now.
As the Fridged Boar charged, Mari focused with every ounce of her remaining strength, summoning her Mana Shield once again. This time, the shield manifested more strongly, more firmly, a solid wall of protective energy that glimmered with a faint blue light. However, the boar, its massive tusks of ice, rammed against the shield with incredible force, and Mari could feel the strain building. The shield began to crack under the pressure, its surface rippling as the boar relentlessly pushed forward.
"I'm running out of mana... No! I won't give up just yet!" Mari, her voice full of determination. Her hands shook as she focused harder, pouring every last bit of mana she had left into keeping the shield intact. The boar's relentless assault pushed her to the limit, the shield bending under its weight.
But just when it seemed like the shield would shatter, something strange happened. Mari felt the familiar drain of mana stop abruptly, and for a brief moment, the shield held strong, as if it had gained a life of its own. However, the cost was immediate and severe. Her nose began to bleed, she hadn't noticed it at first, but the more she exerted herself, the more her body began to react to the strain.
"No… I can't stop now…" she murmured, her vision blurring slightly as the blood continued to flow. Yet, she held firm, willing the shield to stay intact.
This was a power even unbeknownst to Mari, one she had unlocked in the heat of the moment, just as she had with her Mana Shield, created from pure desperation and the instinct to survive. With every ounce of energy she had left, she gritted her teeth, pushing herself to hold the shield firm. "Just a little longer!" Mari whispered under her breath, her voice strained as the Fridged Boar's relentless force nearly crushing the Mana Shield she had summoned. The sheer weight of its charge forced her to dig deeper into her reserves of mana, her vision blurring from the exertion.
The boar's icy tusks scraped against the shield, sending shockwaves through Mari's body. Her arms trembled as she struggled to keep the barrier intact. The Mana Shield shuddered with every impact, threatening to collapse. But then, just as it felt like the shield would shatter under the Fridged Boar's assault, the beast was suddenly thrown backward, crashing through several trees.
Mari blinked in surprise as she slowly lowered her arms, the shield flickered and dissipated, the remaining mana slipping from her grasp. She staggered slightly but remained standing, her body trembling from the strain.
"Sorry that we took so long, Mari," a familiar voice called out, filled with confidence. Mari's heart skipped a beat as she looked up, the sight of Maxwell's grinning face breaking through the fog of exhaustion. He approached her. "I'm glad to see you managed to create a Mana Shield. You really are amazing, you know that?"
Before Mari could respond, Gladiolus appeared at her side. His presence was reassuring, and Mari could feel the warmth of his protective nature radiating from him, even though he couldn't speak. He carefully assessed her condition.
Maxwell, sensing the tension, flashed a grin. "You're still standing, so I guess I'm not too late. You did well back there, Mari. I'm impressed."
Mari nodded slowly, still catching her breath. "I didn't think I'd make it," she admitted, her voice softer than usual. "But... I had to try." Her eyes lingered on the broken trees where the Fridged Boar had been sent flying. It had been close—too close.
Maxwell's grin softened into something more genuine. "Well, you did great. But next time, try not to push yourself too far, alright?"
Mari managed a faint smile, her body still shaking. "I'll try."
"We'll handle the boar. Just stay here and rest," Maxwell said, his tone caring. He took a moment to pull a small vial from his pack and handed it to Mari. "Here, a mana potion. Drink it, and use your healing powers to recover. You've done enough for now."
Mari nodded gratefully, accepting the potion with a tired sigh. The cool glass of the vial felt soothing against her fingers, and she uncorked it, the faint glow of mana within catching her eye. She brought it to her lips and drank the contents in one swift motion, feeling the familiar warmth of the mana spread through her body.
As she finished, she felt a surge of energy returning to her, though still exhausted. Despite the refreshing taste of the potion, her body had taken a heavy toll from the battle, and it was clear that her mana reserves were dangerously low.
"Be careful," Mari said softly. She met Maxwell's eyes for a brief moment, her gaze filled with both gratitude and concern. "Don't push yourselves too hard either."
Maxwell gave her a reassuring smile, his usual cocky confidence returning as he waved her off. "Don't worry about us. We've got this. You focus on recovering."
Gladiolus, standing silently beside him, gave Mari a brief glance before vanishing into the shadows.
Mari watched them go, she sat down against a nearby tree, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Slowly, she closed her eyes, allowing the potion's effects to settle in as she used her healing ability. She focused on mending the strain in her body, trying to repair the damage caused by the boar.
Her body felt heavy, but she could feel the healing warmth spreading through her, pushing back the exhaustion, if only a little.
Mari sat still as she slowly pieced everything together. Her hands trembled slightly as she touched the bridge of her nose, feeling the dried blood that had trickled down. The pain in her head still throbbed, but it wasn't just from exhaustion. It was something deeper, something that felt unnatural.
I was completely out of mana... she thought to herself, so why did the Mana Shield hold up?
Her eyes widened as the realization hit her like a wave. Her body had been drained of mana—there was no doubt about it—but the shield hadn't broken. Instead, it had stayed strong, protecting her from the full force of the Fridged Boar's charge.
Mari closed her eyes and focused, recalling the exact moment the shield had held when she should've been completely drained. It wasn't just a matter of willpower or sheer desperation. No, it was something more—something deeper inside her.
My life force... she thought, the answer now clear. Her body had somehow converted her life energy into mana to maintain the shield. It was an ability one that defied the natural limits of her abilities.
Her hand instinctively went to her chest, where she could still feel the faint pulse of her heart. She could almost feel the balance within her body, the delicate line between life and magic. The nosebleed, the faint dizziness—it all made sense now. Her body had been pushing its limits, using its life force to fuel the spell when there was no mana left to draw on.
This power... this ability... It was unlike anything she had ever expected, something even she hadn't the knowledge of. If she wasn't careful, this unintentional use of her life force could drain her completely. The consequences could mean death.
She inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself, but the truth was, she was more than a little afraid. How long could she continue using this new form of power without collapsing? Would her body eventually burn out?
"I need to be careful," Mari whispered to herself. "I can't afford to let this get out of control."
After resting for a few minutes, Mari decided to head toward Maxwell and Gladiolus. The sound of battle had quieted, and it seemed they had just finished their fight.
Just as Maxwell was about to land the finishing blow on the Fridged Boar, Mari stepped forward, her voice breaking the tense moment.
"Please, don't," she called out.
Maxwell hesitated, mid-strike, his arm raised but now uncertain. His eyes shifted between the boar and Mari. Before he could speak, Mari continued.
"This creature was only protecting its territory. And honestly, without it, I wouldn't have been able to unlock Mana Shield." She gave him a small, weary but sincere smile. "I wouldn't have gotten this far without it."
Maxwell's eyes softened as he assessed her, noting the exhaustion and the faint trace of blood still staining her nose. He looked between the defeated boar and Mari. The situation was complicated, but he could see Mari's point and despite his instinct to finish the beast off, he couldn't deny her decision.
After a long moment of contemplation, he sighed, lowering his mace. "Fine," he muttered. "Gladiolus, leave it. If Mari wants to spare it, we'll respect that."
Gladiolus gave a low, rumbling growl of disapproval, but he obeyed Maxwell's command, teleporting to his side without further question.
Mari walked up to the defeated beast, and the Fridged Boar slowly turned its head toward her, its eyes showing acceptance. It had been beaten, but there was no further aggression in its gaze.
"I always wanted to do this," Mari said softly, a small smile curving her lips as she gently reached out to pet the Fridged Boar's massive head. The boar flinched at first, uncertain of her actions, but then seemed to relax under her touch.
"I'm sorry that we invaded your territory," Mari continued, her voice full of sincerity. "Don't worry, we'll leave soon. Just give us a few minutes, and you won't see us again." Her smile remained gentle, the warmth of her gesture contrasting with the harshness of the battle that had just happened.
The Fridged Boar, still breathing heavily from its injuries, lowered its head slightly in a gesture that could have been interpreted as acknowledgment, perhaps even gratitude. It wasn't often that a creature like this would be treated with such kindness.
"Now, why don't we leave, Maxwell, Gladiolus?" Mari said as she turned to face them, her smile still lingering from the moment with the boar.
Maxwell let out a long sigh. "Yeah, let's get out of here already. This place gives me the creeps, to be honest."
As they began walking away, the Fridged Boar, despite its earlier defeat, slowly got to its feet. It wobbled slightly but then nuzzled its massive snout against Mari's side in a surprisingly affectionate gesture. With a low grunt, the boar turned and began to walk in front of them, leading the way through the dense woods.
Mari chuckled softly, glancing over at Maxwell with a bright smile. "I think it's leading the way out."
Maxwell's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of reluctance flickered in his eyes. "Ehh, I'd rather not follow a pig," he muttered. "But seeing as we have no idea where we are, I guess we don't have much of a choice." He shrugged his shoulders, a sigh escaping him as he followed the boar.
Gladiolus walked silently behind them, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The group followed the boar in silence, the creature's slow pace seeming to guide them through the forest.
Eventually, they reached the exit of the Elemental Forest. The Fridged Boar paused, turning back to look at Mari one last time. With a sudden movement, it leaned down and, without warning, licked her with its massive, ice-cold tongue. The icy saliva drenched her from head to toe, leaving her shivering slightly, but she didn't mind at all. She laughed softly, touched by the unexpected gesture.
"Well, that's one way to say goodbye," Mari chuckled, wiping her face with her sleeve.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the Boar's massive leg in a warm hug, the coolness of the beast's body contrasted with the sincerity of her affection. "If you don't mind," she said with a soft smile, "I'll come back to visit you every now and then, Mr. Ice Boar."
The boar tilted its head as if contemplating her words, then gave a small, slow nod. It was an odd sight, but the boar seemed to understand her words. After a moment, it gave a final look at Mari before turning away and lumbering off, disappearing back into the depths of the forest.
Maxwell, who had been watching, smirked. "You really have a way with animals, don't you?"
Mari smiled, wiping a final bit of ice-cold saliva from her cheek. "I guess I do," she said, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't expected after the chaotic battle.
"Now let's go back to Calla Lily. I'm really tired..." Mari said with a smile, her body still feeling the strain of the day's events.
Maxwell chuckled, walking beside her. "You earned the rest, no arguments there."
Gladiolus silently followed behind.
As the trio made their way back, Mari glanced over her shoulder, her thoughts lingering on the Fridged Boar and the journey that had forced her to grow stronger.
She knew this was just the beginning, but for now, she was content with the progress she'd made...