The rustling of leaves could be heard as we made our way towards the mountain range. We had been walking for roughly 20 minutes, and we had to take short breaks in order to replenish our depleted stamina. Our walk had been rather peace full there hasn't been any monsters since our encounter with the goblins from earlier. I had to slow down my pace since Tracy wasn't used to the wilderness; he was struggling quite a lot, whether it was through walking through the thorny bushes or simply climbing paths which were obstructed with objects inside the dense forest.
We hadn't run into any other students on our way here, so I guess they're probably elsewhere inside this forest. I honestly hope we don't run into anything too dangerous on our way.
-Don't worry, if it comes down to it, I can materialise myself and appear in my physical form.
Alya said with a cheerful tone. I couldn't help but laugh a little at her words. They were reassuring, but I have to make sure that doesn't happen. So far, our journey has been going well. But I have to be prepared for an ambush or any monsters who might be lurking nearby. Just being attacked last time made me lose my cool at the sight of that spear. Of course, I've lived a peaceful life back home and had no experience in conflict, even that fight with the Hindu was only a practice battle; this was my first life and death match.
After approximately 10 minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the mountain range. We are now standing before a massive hill that measures roughly five hundred meters in height.
"Are we really going to climb this?"
He asked while looking at the size of the mountain with a pale face. This mountain was obviously too high to be climbed, not to mention that some of the stones and dirt were falling apart. It was way too dangerous, I could easily tell just by looking. I was able to glide through the sky using the wind, but Tracy isn't able to do that. Falling from such a height would most likely resulting in death. I honestly don't want to take that kind of risk with the duke's son.
(What should I do now?)
I wondered internally; we have to keep moving forward, going back would take a considerable amount of time. I then folded my arms and made a contemplative look. I could easily feel Tracy's expected gaze on my right, but I couldn't think about that now. I sighed deeply, not able to come up with a way to get through this situation. After pondering for a while, I opened my eyes before speaking.
"We're going to fly up."
I muttered quietly. Hearing my words, Tracy made a dumbfounded face while gazing at me with a look of amazement.
"Eh... wait, you're not serious, are you?"
He asked, staring at me for confirmation with a flustered face. I could understand his worries, even though I'm not that confident in my ability to freely control the wind. If I mess up and we fall, it's over. But after carefully thinking about the choices available to us at this moment, it's the only conclusion I can come up with.
-Now that you're in a contract with me, your wind element and control should have increased, as you now have the blessing of the wind spirit.
Alya said, giving her support to my decision. Yes, it should be fine as long as I can control the wind pressure, and our movement should also be fine with the wind guiding us.
"That's what will do. If you know of another way to get to the top, I'm all ears."
I said, giving him an option to decide after all this is supposed to be a team exercise, I'm not so narrow-minded as not to listen to the opinion of others, if he can think of another method, then that would be great, but Tracy shook his head, denying knowing of a way to get to the top, as expected. The height of the cliff is too large, and perhaps using magic to raise one's physical strength is one option, but the dirt and tarnished stones were falling apart; that method was way too risky. Hearing his reply, I nodded my head before preparing to use wind magic.
"Mother of wind, become my guidance, bless me with your flowing hands."
After uttering those words, a 1-layer magic circle came around my body and then released a gale, the wind went into a spiral form and circled my body slowly, my feet started to lift from the ground until I was hovering in midair. Seeing that Tracy widens his eyes.
(Amazing, it's different from when I did it last time)
I thought astonish of how easy I was able to fly. Flying is something many, if not every, human has always wanted to do. I wonder how fast I'll be able to go with a little practice. A small grin appeared on my face as it seemed my inner child had now manifested.
-Fufu... I love that expression on your face; it's definitely the face a boy of your age should be making.
She said cheerfully. At that, I made a puzzled face. Do I really not act my age? No, I don't think I behave in away someone my age shouldn't. I think she's just being a bit paranoid. Even if people say I'm too mature for my age, it's just the environment I was raised in. So, in the end, I'm still a healthy teenager.
With that, I slowly lowered my altitude and picked up Tracy, who was gazing at me with a look of astonishment, but then he made a surprise face; if I were to guess, it was probably from the sensation of being lifted off the ground.
With him in my arms, I slowly raised the altitude of my flying until I could see past the trees. The clear azure sky extended endlessly above our heads, and the scenery of the vast forest and mountains could be seen clearly. On the southern side of the forest, there was a long lake that stretched from a waterfall to the inner parts of the forest. The trees were blocking the view of the end of the waterfall, so it was impossible to tell how far the lake goes. I flew up towards the mountain peak at a slow pace. I couldn't go too fast since I had Tracy in my arms, but I'm definitely going to try this again alone.
Tracy had a look of amazement on his face as he looked at the scenery before him. This was probably his first time viewing the ground from down below. Just like how a child would react when travelling on a plane for the first time.
After reaching the top, I gently landed on the soft soil. Tracy had a disappointed expression on his face when his legs touched the ground, seeing that I could only smile wryly. We still had to find monsters to kill before the end. After reaching the top, I observed the surroundings and saw many freshly grown trees which were filled with fruit. It was the perfect place for monsters to inhabit. However, I couldn't feel the sign or any indications that monsters were living here.
(Alya, do you sense any monsters hiding nearby?)
-No, I can't sense anything as of yet; however, don't let your guard down, some monsters can conceal their presence.
She said with her voice full of carefulness. Some monsters can hide their presence, huh, isn't that going to be a bit tricky to deal with? Hearing her words, I raised my vigilance while focusing on my surroundings. I have to stay alert for an ambush or sneak attack from other monsters.
We then started walking towards an area with a vast amount of vegetation. When I noticed something in the distance, what is that I squinted my eyes to see clearly, but what I saw sent a chill down my spine. It was a four-legged creature, to be more precise, it was a wolf. But not the one I'm familiar with, this one was three times bigger. It had black fur, purple eyes and sharp claws that were digging into the ground where it stood. It didn't seem like it had noticed us as of yet, seeing that I sighed, feeling relieved.
"Th-that's a Black wolf."
Tracy said with a pale face. Seeing that, I guess he already knows what that thing is.
"Do you know what that wolf is, Tracy?"
I asked, tilting my head. Hearing my question, he nodded his head before explaining.
"You see... There are two types of wolf beasts in this world, the white wolf and the black wolf. Both types normally don't get along because of their different characteristics; the white wolf is normally peaceful and doesn't attack unless provoked or when the attacker shows their hostility. While the black wolf is normally aggressive and enjoys the pleasure of cutting down their pray."
He explained with a pale face. I see, I honestly wish we had run into the white wolf instead. I guess it's just my luck. I sighed tiredly. Well, it is a monster, so we might as well eliminate them that way will get more points. We then spend roughly 5 minutes coming up with a plan to exterminate the wolf.
With my footsteps concealed, I slowly made my way towards the wolf who was munching on the flesh of a dead animal it had killed; its flesh and blood was scattered about making it difficult to make out what kind of animal it was. I was now 7 meters away from the black wolf. I then quietly unsheathed the sword hanging on my waist before holding it upwards towards the wolf, who was eating the flesh of a monster. I tightened my grip and was about to bring my sword downwards when-
"Haruto! Behind you!"
Tracy suddenly shouted from behind me. When I turned my head, the first thing I saw was a sharp claw coming towards my head with great speed.