Lucian darted through the trees, his form a blur as he utilized Cloud Steps, each leap precise and effortless. The scream that had pierced the air moments ago now lingered in his mind, its desperate tone urging him forward. As he approached the source of the disturbance, the distinct clash of steel against steel became audible, mingled with grunts and shouts.
Breaking through the dense foliage, Lucian halted atop a sturdy branch, his violet eyes scanning the scene below. A battered carriage lay in a clearing, its finely carved wood splintered and adorned with scorch marks. Surrounding it, a chaotic melee unfolded between a group of armored knights and a band of ragged but vicious bandits.
Lucian narrowed his eyes, his senses sharpening as he gauged the combatants. He muttered to himself, "All of them seem to be in the Mortal Realm. Looks like the knights are holding their ground, but barely."
His attention shifted to a figure draped in a tattered black robe, standing apart from the fray. The man exuded a dark and heavy aura, his presence unmistakably commanding. In his hands was an old, grimy grimoire emitting a faint green-brown light. As the man began to chant, a magic circle materialized in the air before him, its intricate design brimming with raw power.
Lucian's heart skipped a beat. "Magic? No not just that he's an Adept tier mage, capable of wielding C-tier spells. This just got worse."
The mage finished his incantation, and the air trembled as he unleashed his spell. "Tectonic Toss!" he roared, his voice carrying over the chaos. The ground erupted beneath the knights, chunks of earth and stone propelled skyward, slamming into them with devastating force. Several knights were sent flying, their armor dented and cracked as they crumpled to the ground.
Lucian clenched his spear, watching as the carriage rocked violently. Inside, he caught a glimpse of a maid shielding a young woman with fair pale skin, golden hair, and piercing amber eyes. The maid's trembling hands gripped a dagger, her resolve evident despite her fear.
The mage smirked at the sight of the injured knights and began chanting again, his gaze fixed on the carriage. Another Tectonic Toss circle appeared, its ominous glow casting shadows over the battlefield.
Before the spell could unleash its fury, Lucian propelled himself forward, Cloud Steps carrying him into the clearing. The glowing circle burst forth, sending a massive boulder hurtling toward the carriage. Lucian tightened his grip on his spear, golden Qi swirling around its tip.
"Sky Piercer!" he yelled, thrusting his weapon forward. The spearhead met the boulder mid-air, shattering it into harmless fragments that scattered across the ground. Dust and debris clouded the scene as Lucian stood tall, his spear leveled at the mage.
The bandit mage's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Who are you, boy? Do you have a death wish?"
Lucian tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Not really. But I've been itching to try out a new move. Let's see if you're tough enough to survive it."
The mage's expression twisted with fury. "You insolent brat! I'll teach you some respect!" He raised his grimoire, chanting rapidly as multiple Tectonic Toss circles formed around him. Massive boulders shot toward Lucian in a relentless barrage.
Lucian dodged with grace, his body darting like a leaf on the wind. He leaped atop one of the larger boulders mid-air, balancing on it briefly before kicking off and flipping toward the mage. "You're predictable," he called out, his voice light and teasing. "You've got all this power, but you're using it like a sledgehammer."
The mage's face twisted in rage. "You little pest! You think you're clever? Let's see how smug you are when I crush you!" He slammed his hand onto his grimoire, causing a large rune to glow ominously.
The ground beneath Lucian erupted, creating a fissure that sent him hurtling into the air. He twisted mid-flight, planting his spear into the ground upon landing to steady himself. "Alright, you've got some tricks," he admitted, brushing dust off his clothes. "But I think it's time we raised the stakes."
He dashed forward, Cloud Steps propelling him at blinding speed. As the mage unleashed another Tectonic Toss, Lucian spun his spear, deflecting the boulders with practiced precision. Each strike sent shards of rock scattering like sparks.
"Is this all you've got?" Lucian taunted. "Come on, I expected a little more excitement from an Adept tier mage!"
The mage growled, his grimoire flaring with green-brown light. "You think this is a game?!" He unleashed a barrage of smaller, faster projectiles, forcing Lucian to weave and dodge. One grazed his shoulder, tearing his sleeve. Lucian glanced at the torn fabric with mock dismay.
"That was my favorite shirt," he quipped, lunging forward. "Now you've really made me mad!"
With a burst of Qi, Lucian used Iron Palm, slamming the mage's shield of rock and shattering it into fragments. The mage stumbled backward, his face pale with shock.
"Who… What are you?" the mage stammered.
Lucian smirked. "A dead man doesn't need to know."
The mage screamed in frustration, channeling his remaining energy into one last attack. The air grew thick as a massive magic circle appeared above him, larger than any Lucian had seen. "Die!" the mage roared, unleashing the full power of Tectonic Toss in a titanic surge.
Lucian's eyes glinted as he spun his spear, gathering all his Qi into its tip. The golden light blazed brighter than ever. With a yell, he leaped into the air, thrusting downward with all his strength. "Sky Piercer!"
The two forces collided in a blinding explosion, the shockwave flattening trees and sending dust billowing into the sky. When the dust settled, Lucian stood tall, his spear planted firmly in the ground. The mage lay crumpled at his feet, his body broken and unmoving.
Lucian exhaled, calming his Qi as he muttered, "That was fun. But you're not much of a test dummy."
As the knights cautiously approached, Lucian leaned casually against his spear as he used a finger to clean his ear. "Relax, I'm not here to fight. But I think I deserve a little payment for saving your hides."
The knights exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond. Before they could speak, the carriage door opened, and the young woman stepped out. Her amber eyes locked onto Lucian's, a mix of gratitude and curiosity in her gaze.
"I am Auriene Worblade, daughter of the Worblade family," she said, her voice steady. "You have my thanks for your assistance."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Great. So, about that payment…"
Auriene blinked, then smiled faintly. "You are… direct."
"Not much for pleasantries," Lucian admitted with a shrug. "But I just fought an Adept tier mage for you. I think that's worth something."
She chuckled softly. "Very well. You'll be compensated. But I have a proposal as well."
"Oh?" Lucian said, intrigued.
"Escort us to Eldralis," Auriene said, her tone confident. "You seem more than capable, and I believe we could benefit from each other's company."
Lucian considered her words, then grinned. "Fine. But you're paying for my meals."
Auriene smirked. "Agreed."
As they set off, Auriene glanced at Lucian. "So, do you always fight like that? Charging into danger with a smirk on your face?"
"Pretty much," Lucian replied, twirling his spear. "Keeps things interesting. What about you? Always getting rescued by strangers?"
Auriene laughed, a sound as clear as a bell. "Not usually. But I'll admit, it's a refreshing change."
Their banter continued as the carriage rolled toward Eldralis, the tension of the battle fading into the distance. Though their paths had crossed by chance, it was clear that their journey together would be anything but ordinary.