A huge shadow fell over my head as a large black wolf suddenly jumped from behind me. It thrust its claw at my head using the momentum of its jump to increase the force of its stab.
"Tch."
I promptly moved my head to the side before its claw made contact with my neck; as a result, its claw managed to scratch a piece of my clothes. When I looked at the collar of my travelling gear, I noticed that a piece of my collar was ripped off. If I were a second late, it would have been my neck that was torn off from my body.
Noticing that my vigilance towards the beast before me was raised, I couldn't allow something like that to happen again.
--I'm sorry, Haruto, it seems this particular type of beast is good at hiding its presence.
Alya said regretfully.
(So even someone like Alya couldn't sense it, huh... in that case, I really shouldn't underestimate this wolf. I have to eliminate it no matter what.)
With that thought, I stared at the wolf who was growling at me from a safe distance. The wolf that was eating earlier was also growling at me with the eyes of a predator. After I had dodged its first attack, it seems it's become rather cautious of me.
"Owooo!"
A loud howl came from the wolf that had attacked me earlier; the howl echoed indefinitely inside the dense forest.
"Oowoooo!"
"OOwooooo!"
"Owooo!"
The sound of howling began to resound in the surrounding it was unclear how many of them they actually were, but I'm getting a bad premonition.
-Haruto, something is approaching us, a lot of them!
Alya shouted. Not long after that, many black shadows jumped out of the wooded area with agile movements. What appeared before us was a black wolf with sharp claws that were digging into the ground. Their snout was wet from the drool leaking from their mouth. Their eyes were a deep violet colour with vertically split pupils.
(So, they call for reinforcement, huh...)
Seeing that I had the urge to sigh. This could get tricky.
"Ehh... this many of them were in hiding."
Tracy said as the blood left his face. I'm going to have to face them while protecting him; that would be difficult with all of them there, at least 30 of them. Even if I fight all of them at once while keeping an eye on him, I'm not confident I'll be able to save him if he's attacked, especially since they can conceal their presence to the point that even Alya couldn't detect them.
As expected, it's not a realistic idea, with that thought. I have no other choice.
"Hey, Sir Tracy."
I called out to him with a serious face. Hearing my voice, his body flinches slightly.
"W-why yes."
He replied with a shrill voice. I then calmly turned my head towards him, who was hiding behind a tree roughly 10 meters away from me.
"I want you to run away as soon as I attack."
I said calmly. Indeed, this was the only conclusion I could think of. When I get out of this, I want to be spared from whatever punishment befalls the one who put the son of the duke in danger. So, I'll hold them off while he gets away.
"Wait a minute, Haruto! Wouldn't that put you in danger? I can fight too, you know."
He said weakly. While staring at my face as if determined. 'What is this guy saying?' I honestly want to yell in this kind of situation. Isn't it natural to prioritise your own safety? I can't understand.
--Fufufu... this boy is interesting even though you're both surrounded he still wants to help you fight that quite the spirit he has, Haruto isn't it fine for him to stay with you, after all there is no telling if this is all the reinforcement the wolf has you know, what if he gets attack by other wolf beast that hadn't shown themselves or some other powerful monster.
She said calmly. Indeed, that is a good point, isn't it? It would be bad if he got sent into danger because of me, right? After thinking about it, I decided.
"Sigh... okay, use long-range magic to eliminate the ones coming towards you!"
I shouted. A single wolf suddenly jumps forward while opening up its jaws.
"Mother of fire, blast my target, fireball!"
A magic circle was formed, followed by a ball of fire measuring roughly 5 cm in diameter, which went towards the wolf beast that jumped towards me.
"Agrah."
The fire collided with the body of the wolf and sent it flying backwards. The wolf then rolled on the ground with smoke coming from its body. The other wolves then charged forward with great speed. Five wolves then jumped towards me at a height of approximately 7 cm; however, at that moment, the wind gathered around and created a wind barrier shielding us from the wolves' sudden attacks. The wolves then lost their balance and were sent flying by the wind pressure. The wind then turned into blades and cut the wolves simultaneously in all directions.
-Fufufu... such pitiful creatures, you all should be grateful to be cut down by my hands.
Such a haughty voice resounded inside my head. I think she's enjoying this too much. I then slowly drew my sword and dashed forward. A wolf came straight at me with great agility. I swung my sword downwards, and the flesh of the wolf was then dissected as flesh and blood spilt from its body.
"Shining javulent!"
Many mini-sized magic circles then appeared in the sky. White light was then fired from each of the circles, annihilating each of the wolves who were unprepared to deal with the light that fell continuously from the sky. Light magic was extremely effective against monsters. The more power one puts into the spell, the stronger it becomes; it is also possible to summon any amount of light the user wants.
-That was splendid, wasn't it?
Alya said, not hiding her surprise tone. I also agree. With that, but 'shining javulent' was a high-level spell, it consumes a lot of magic power. Just looking at his pale face, it's obvious he used a large amount of power on that spell. At this point.
"Arghhh!"
Tracy let out a scream. I quickly turned in his direction. Two wolves were biting him in his arm, and one was biting his leg. Not good.
"Mother of wind, slice my target, wind blade."
A magic circle was then formed, the wind took the form of blades and sliced the heads off the wolf their lifeless bodies then fell to the ground.
"Hey! Tracy!"
I then held him by his back while calling him with a worried expression. There was blood coming from the place where he was bitten.
(Not good, I have to stop the bleeding)
"Mother of water heals my target, aroma bell."
I chanted the spell for using water magic, while doing so, my hands shone faintly. But his injuries weren't healing fast enough there was still a lot of blood coming from his wound. What should I do? Why isn't my healing working? Why is it so slow compared with my other abilities? At this rate, he will.
Tracy's face has already lost most of its colour, and his breathing was slightly distorted. I have to do something.
Swoosh~
At that moment, three wolves rush towards me with a speed too fast to follow. Seeing that I gritted my teeth.
"Now, now aren't these beasts being too unsightly since a while ago?"
The one who said that with such a carefree voice, standing before me with her long waist-length green wavy hair fluttering gracefully in the wind was, of course, the 'divine beauty' or should I say the wind spirit, Alya.
She was releasing a strong pressure that greatly intimidated all the wolves present. The three wolves then stop on their track while glaring at Alya wearily, sensing the pressure coming from her, perhaps the wolf beast instinctively knew they were no match for this opponent.
"Oh, it seems you're all quite smart for mere beasts, aren't you?"
She said while staring at the beast as though she had seen something quite intriguing.
"However, unfortunately, you all turned your hostility towards my partner, which means you're all my enemies. Be glad you all get to depart this world by my guidance."
She said as a wide smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"OWOOOOO!"
A loud howl resounded in the vicinity. As though they were all turning their fear into fighting spirit. They then ran towards her, then jumped into the air using their momentum to raise the force of their thrust. Seeing that Alya smiled deepened.
"What are you doing? Why are you just standing there?"
I shouted confusedly. Hearing my voice, Alya tilted her head cutely.
"Whatever do you mean? These are nothing more than mere ants waiting to be crushed."
She said before raising her hands with a cute gesture. At that moment, the wind in the surrounding became intense as the rustling of the trees became louder. The clouds also started to part and disperse into the atmosphere like mist.
WOOSH!!! WOOSH!! WOOSH!!….
(That is?)
Right before my eyes is a tornado; it wasn't of the same magnitude as when I did it in my battle against Hindu; this was a real tornado measuring approximately 700 feet and 200 meters. The wind howled noisily. As the trees in the surrounding area started to twist and fall apart, the earth separated as dirt and stones were sent flying in all directions.
The wolves gazed at the Tornado fearfully before fleeing at a speed incomprehensible from before; they were all pulled into the tornado by the strong wind pressure. Even the ones at the back who tried to run into the forest were mercilessly sucked into the tornado and were carried away by the heavy wind.
"Fufufu... It's been a while since I last got the opportunity to release my power, so for giving me this chance, I'll give you all a quick death."
Amidst such a sight, A carefree voice was still audible to my ears. Alya stared at the tornado with a bewitching smile on her face. Her wavy green hair and clothes were fluttering wildly in the heavy wind.
(She's completely lost it. Was it really okay to use something like this in this vicinity)
I thought.
"Death storm!"
The wolves were all carried away by the heavy wind, crashing into heavy objects that were also within the tornado. The wind began to take the form of blades within the tornado. Before the wolves were able to raise cries of agony, they were all simultaneously cut vertically and horizontally in all directions.
*Splat*
Flesh and blood began to fall like heavy rain, painting the greenery a deep shade of red.
"Hehehe... It's disappointing, but such a lowlife wasn't even worth it."
She said, muttering underneath her breath. Before coming in my direction. I stared wordlessly at her.
(So, this is what a spirit is capable of, huh, they really are amazing, but I have to do better.)
I thought, clenching my fist.