I slowly moved away from the group, my steps firm and calculated. Styg's words still echoed in my mind, but my attention was focused on something else.
"Laboratory! Check my body stats!" My mental voice was enough to activate the laboratory. In a second, the data appeared before me, precise as always.
["Beep!"]
["Status"]
["Name: Eclivel Rustel."]
["Sex: Male."]
["Age: 15 Years."]
["Strength: 1.6"]
["Agility: 1.7"]
["Vitality: 1.5"]
The Laboratory transmitted the information without hesitation. The numbers for my physical abilities had increased, but barely. Only about 0.1 points in each attribute.
Not much improvement, just around 0.1!
I frowned, dissatisfied. The effects of the homemade medicines I made with herbs, which had once given me some progress, were becoming weaker. I knew this would happen, but the frustration didn't fade.
According to the calculations, the optimized breathing technique should allow me to increase my basic physical stats to 1.9 before hitting the limit. After that... I can only improve by stimulating my inner life energy and becoming a Warrior...
I moved further away, keeping a watchful eye on the Alliance group while scanning for any subtle signs. A few minutes passed as I observed not just the deck but also looked down, watching the untouched forest that stretched in all directions.
Suddenly, I heard Styg's shout from a distance. "Hey! Eclivel! Time to come back!"
I glanced back, a little reluctant, but I knew staying further away would not only attract attention but could also be fatal. I took a deep breath, temporarily abandoning the search and heading back to the safety of the group.
But then, a new mechanical voice sounded in the back of my mind.
["Attention!"]
["Attention!"]
["Dangerous creatures are approaching!"]
The red alert made my heart race. The Laboratory had detected a threat. I stopped immediately, my eyes scanning the space around me, alert.
"Hurry! Show the map now!"
In a flash, the virtual map was projected before me, showing the red points moving toward us. It was a large group, and the points were closing in quickly.
["Beep!"]
["According to the databases, these dangerous life forms are 97.8% similar to a pack of Wild Hawks!"]
Giant Hawks!
I immediately remembered the data I had collected earlier about them. Giant Hawks... wild, cunning, and predatory creatures.
["Giant Hawk"]
["A species of Hawk that inhabits the Blood Mountains. They are wild and cruel, most hunt in packs. Their strength is estimated at around 2-3, agility at 3-4, and vitality around 3-4."]
My breath quickened. These were enemies far beyond my current capabilities. I couldn't face them alone.
That strength... they are definitely creatures I, a mere Warrior in training, cannot resist!
I quickened my pace, heading toward Styg without hesitation. The situation was becoming critical. Reaching him, I spoke quietly: "We have company!"
Styg quickly turned, his eyes scanning the area around. He noticed that most of the students were still busy with their own tasks, unaware of the impending danger. He quickly grabbed his water bottle, disguising his movement, but his gaze was already sharp.
"What's the situation?" he asked, as if everything were normal.
"A pack of Giant Hawks! I saw their wings! They're coming this way, flying alongside the airship!" I responded urgently, the weight of the threat crushing my words.
Styg didn't hesitate. He took a few sips of water and then made a simple hand gesture to alert some of the members of our alliance.
The situation unfolded with impressive speed, and, upon noticing the sudden movement of the escort team, a chill ran down my spine. The signal was clear: danger was approaching. With the experience of someone who had dealt with various threats, our reflexes kicked in almost simultaneously. The younger girls were pushed forward, protected, while all of us, the escorts, scattered with agility, taking defensive and alert positions.
The whispered voices, the alert eyes... everything was happening so quickly that, for a moment, time seemed to stretch, as if the universe were waiting for our reaction. Some of the other apprentice mages began to notice the movement, but most were still indifferent, lacking the necessary urgency. To some, the danger seemed distant, but for me, the only thing that mattered was mine. And if necessary, I would push even Styg toward death just to save myself.
Sometimes, when danger arises, the only thing you need to do is make sure you run faster than your companions!
I turned to Styg with a serious look. He, in turn, seemed to be handling the situation well, and I didn't hesitate to follow his lead. The members of the Alliance were retreating in an orderly manner, but without drawing attention. It was a silent dance of survival. I, personally, kept my mental radar active, recording any out-of-place movement. It was my job, after all.
"Let's go!" Styg said in a low voice, already preparing for a quicker retreat.
I followed him, already starting to mentally prepare for what would come next.
"Eclivel, you really are good at patrolling and reconnaissance!" Styg commented, still with a hint of surprise in his voice. He had always been someone direct, but there was a certain admiration in his tone. I didn't need to respond; he knew what I was capable of, and, deep down, it pleased me.
While most of the Alliance continued their retreat meticulously, I could see that some acolytes were starting to realize the gravity of the situation. The calm was broken, and panic set in overwhelming everyone.
Then, the shrill gong sounded, causing a wave of fear to spread over everyone present.
"All acolytes must retreat to their rooms!" The servant's voice echoed through the loudspeakers, reverberating in every corner of the airship.
It was enough to trigger a frantic reaction. Acolytes and students rushed to their rooms, visible fear on their faces. I knew that, in the end, our safety was temporary. The real fight was yet to come.
"No need to hide anymore! Let's run!" Styg shouted, drawing his sword with a swift movement.
I followed his example, knowing our time was running out. The first figures of the Alliance were already in their rooms, far enough to protect themselves. But my attention was focused on what was coming. The sound of the giant Hawks, with their hunting cries, was getting closer.
"Croak~~" The piercing cry of the Hawks reverberated through the area, and my fight instinct kicked in. The flock was almost upon us.
They were monsters, imposing, with wide wings and powerful bodies. When one of them passed near, its fierce eyes locked onto mine for a second, as if challenging me to run or fight. Its beak, large and sharp, gleamed in the light of the setting sun.
And then, everything happened quickly. The flock of Hawks attacked with ferocity. They weren't interested in anything but our flesh. A young acolyte, further back in the line, was the first victim. Before I could react, a giant shadow attacked her. Her terrified scream was muffled by the violent impact of one of the Hawks, which grabbed her midair with terrifying speed.
"Shit... Hhaha, you're screwed," I thought mentally. The Hawk dragged her upward, tearing her throat out with its powerful beak. Blood sprayed through the air as the monster swallowed the young girl whole with a quick movement.
It was the kind of scene that marked the soul. A brutal, merciless death.
I watched, still breathing heavily, as the acolytes fled in panic. Some couldn't understand what was happening, as if they were trapped in a nightmare. Screams of terror spread through the environment, while some looked back, as if unable to believe the horror unfolding before them.
"What fools!" I thought, irritated. "They're already starting to lose it!"
My gaze fixed on a young acolyte, running desperately, screaming as tears streamed down his face. "Mom! Mom! I want my mom!" he screamed, desperation written in his eyes.
Adrenaline pulsed through my veins as I ran toward the rooms. As I got closer, the chaos intensified. The scene before me was a whirlwind of movement, with the doors to the rooms being attacked by the giant Hawks.
I knew that if we kept this up, the giant Hawks would end up taking over the place. But then, in the midst of the chaos, a peculiar sound cut through the air.
Buzz~~
Seven shadows emerged from the rooms, as if they had come out of a fog of war. Each wielded an enormous sword, the size of a man, and they charged at the flock of giant Hawks with unrelenting precision.
"They're the Servants of the academy! They're attacking!" I thought, immediately analyzing the situation.
I looked at the map in my Laboratory, observing the red dots multiplying around. The stats of the giant Hawks were impressive, but there was something that humans, especially Warriors, had that the creatures didn't: the ability to wield weapons and their intelligence. That gave us a significant advantage.
Suddenly, the blade of a Servant cut through the air with a loud Psh!, the silver light shining as he split a giant Hawk in half. Blood exploded everywhere, and the Hawk's feathers and internal organs fell like a dark rain.
I saw the Warrior, bloodied, raising his blade, and a fierce laugh escaped his lips as he licked the blood from his mouth. "Hahaha… Filthy birds, that's why I prefer eagles," he boasted, immersed in the fight.
This is what I need to see! I thought, smiling inwardly. These Servants are handling the combat well. Finally, a real fight!
At that moment, a young acolyte, who had been saved from the attack, ran to the Servant and, with tears in her eyes, thanked him repeatedly.
"Thanks to... Thank you, sir!" She said, her voice trembling.
...
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