"Master, the wolf packs should be this way," Lia said softly, pointing toward the dense forest that loomed ahead.
Ethan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the tree line. After spending the entire previous day in the tavern scouring for information, he felt the need to get out and do something more tangible.
The questions about registration and the risks it posed still lingered in his mind, but he decided to take some time to figure things out. There was no need to rush into a decision that could change his life entirely—especially when he still didn't fully understand the kingdom's rules or the nuances of its bureaucracy.
More precisely, he was waiting for one of the random check days. From what he had gathered in the tavern, the city's random check days were a regular occurrence, particularly after significant events like the portal crisis.
The guards patrolled the city, questioning adventurers and checking for valid registrations to ensure compliance. Ethan wasn't about to volunteer himself for scrutiny.
Instead, he intended to observe one of these checks from a distance. If the guards' procedures were as predictable as the tavern chatter suggested, he'd have his answers soon enough.
But that was a problem for later.
Today, his focus was on something more immediate and grounded—hunting. The wolf packs in the nearby forest were known for their valuable pelts and fangs, which could fetch a decent price in the market.
More importantly, the hunt offered him a chance to level up, level his minions and practise his new skill, Mana Bolt.
Lia stopped suddenly, crouching low and gesturing for Ethan to follow suit. "Tracks," she whispered, pointing to a set of paw prints pressed into the soft earth. The tracks were fresh, the edges still sharp. "They're heading south, toward the stream. It's likely the pack is resting there."
Ethan nodded, crouching beside her to examine the prints. His sharp eyes traced the subtle signs: broken twigs, disturbed patches of grass, and the faint smell of musk in the air. He immediately summoned Tweety.
In a couple of minutes, the bird confirmed the location of the wolves. The area seemed to be quite deserted too because of the recent disturbance from the portal, probably from the fear of some of the insectoids still hiding in the forest. It was a perfect time to let his minions stretch their limbs and take on a pack.
But before starting any kind of fight, he first wanted to test out the magic spell. Ethan had already studied the scroll a lot of times. The basic principle seemed to be easy enough but mastering its execution was another matter entirely. Its efficiency depended on precision, control, and mana flow, all things Ethan was eager to practice firsthand.
"I'll try the spell first," Ethan murmured, his voice low as he glanced at Lia. "We'll see how effective it is before bringing in the summons."
Lia nodded. "Understood, Master. I'll keep an eye on the surroundings in case anything else decides to join the fray."
Ethan took a deep breath and then held out his hand, focusing his energy. The instructions from the Mana Bolt scroll played through his mind as he channeled mana into his palm.
He could feel the faint resistance as the energy swirled, forming a glowing orb of pale blue light. It crackled softly, a tangible weight in his hand. This much was easy enough. He accomplished it last night when he practiced a few times.
Now for the next part.
He flinched a little before he released the gathered ball of energy onto a nearby tree.
The Mana Bolt shot from Ethan's hand, crackling with a sharp, almost electric sound as it streaked through the air. It hit the tree dead center with a burst of light, leaving a charred mark on the bark and a faint wisp of smoke curling upward.
Ethan lowered his hand, flexing his fingers as a faint tingle lingered in his palm. The spell had worked as intended, though the force of the impact wasn't as strong as he'd hoped. Still, it was a start.
"Master, you did it!" Lia cheered for him from the side.
Ethan glanced at Lia, her hazel eyes bright with excitement as she clapped her hands softly. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and despite himself, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Yeah," Ethan said, shaking out his hand. "It worked. Not bad for a first attempt in the field, but I still need to refine it. The power is decent, but it's not going to scare off anything big."
He stepped back a few paces and raised his hand again. This time, he let the mana flow more freely, channeling a larger amount into the spell. The orb in his palm grew brighter and denser, crackling with energy. With a sharp motion, he released it toward a nearby boulder.
The bolt slammed into the stone with a resounding crack, leaving a visible scorch mark and sending small fragments flying. Ethan grinned, feeling a thrill of satisfaction at the increased force.