A forest of vast greenery spreading endlessly through the land, it was a scenery I've gotten completely accustomed to since I started my journey. Many small filtering lights shone through the small gaps between the tree leaves, brightening the dusky forest.
"Sigh... when are we going to leave this annoying forest already? I'm sick of seeing the same scenery."
The one who said that with a tone filled with annoyance was a woman who could be said to be too beautiful for this world. Her long waist, green hair swaying gently behind her back, her skin, which was white as fresh snowfall, looked dazzling beneath the sunlight. I couldn't help but gulp when gazing at her beautiful appearance.
"Haha... we've only been in this forest for four days, you know. If we keep going at our current pace, we should leave the forest in three more days."
I said while showing a wry smile on my face.
(It won't be too long now; Alberta's borders should be in sight really soon.)
I thought.
"But wouldn't it be easier if we flew? I really didn't get why you want to walk when we could just fly over this forest."
Alya said, gazing at me curiously. Indeed, flying was another method of travel available to them. As a wind monarch spirit, flying was as simple as breathing to Alya, and even though I have a decent amount of control with flight magic, my face distorted in hesitation. It would be better if we flew over the forest, but...
"Where's the fun in that? Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not about the destination, it's about the journey."
I said so while gazing at the clear blue skies with a bright smile. However, Alya looked at me with a dubious look before saying.
"Hmm... in our case, I'm pretty sure it's about our destination."
"I was being sarcastic. You Know."
I sighed quietly, then turned my head straight. What I reflected in my eyes was a cliff separating us from the other side, and the distance was approximately 100 meters long. And when I gazed downwards, the ground was too far for me to see the exact height with the naked eye.
However, as though she was rejecting gravity, Alya leapt into the air, and wind began to surround her body, raising her roughly 20 feet into the air. A sweet scent then drifted in the air as she moved her body. She then looked downwards and gazed at me with an expression that implicitly states "Can you follow along?" seeing that I smiled wryly towards her.
"Mother of wind, become my guidance, bless me with your flowing hands."
I quietly muttered the aria, and a magic circle then appeared around my body, wrapping it in magic power; my feet then started to rise from the ground. I continued my ascent into the air until I was at a distance of 20 meters. My flying was still slightly sloppy when compared with Alya, who was able to fly freely into the sky. Before long, we both lowered our altitude and descended onto the ground. Alya's landing was smooth. However, my landing was slightly rough.
"Fufu, it seems you still have a lot to learn."
Alya said, raising her hand to her mouth while giggling cutely. Watching her from the side, I rolled my eyes before walking away. The forest was filled with trees that reached a height of 500 meters. Due to their numbers, the Rays of sunlight couldn't reach that far inside the forest.
"Wait a second, I'll scan the area for any living creatures."
I said to Alya, who was standing beside me. I closed my eyes and sent magic power in all corners of the forest with the use of 'Magic sense'; it was easy for me to find any living creatures that had mana. However, the distance within my radar was only up to thirty kilometres; I couldn't go any further than that, considering my current abilities, this is my limit at least right now.
"Hm."
"What's wrong? Did you find anyone?"
Alya asked, tilting her head cutely. I then opened my eyes before speaking.
"Well, there is a powerful presence not too far from us. I think it was some kind of monster."
I said in a calm tone. However, a spark lit in my pupils. Seeing that Alya sighed in exasperation.
"Don't tell me you want to fight that monster, don't you?"
"Yes, while were traveling I've done a lot of training alongside you, so I wanted to see if my hard work bears any fruits."
I spoke.
"I see... well then, good luck. I'll be watching close by. If you need me, please call me while saying 'Please save me, my beloved honey'."
Alya said with an impish smile.
(There's no way I'm saying something so embarrassing)
I thought while trying my best to suppress the urge to sigh. Alya's figure then vanished completely from my sight. Even though I could no longer see her, I could feel her presence through our contract. I turned my gaze toward a tree 30 miles from my current location. Alya was seated elegantly on a tree branch, her slender feet hanging freely. I could feel her soft eyes staring at me.
I then turned my gaze straight ahead, where the monster was going to appear.
BANG!!! BANG!!!! BANG!!!
Many different trees began to topple as the sound of loud footsteps became louder to my ear; soon, a shadow appeared before me.
I widened my eyes when I saw the creature; it towered at a massive size, measuring 20 meters in height and wore torn clothing; its skin looked rough and dirty. The creature glared down at me with its single eye.
It carries a gigantic stone bat which measures roughly 40 cm.
"Hm."
I furrowed my brow when I saw the features of the creature.
(Eh, isn't that a cyclops?)
I thought with a somewhat forced smile.
(First phoenix and now Cyclops, I wonder if I'll see a dragon next)
While I was pondering such thoughts, the cyclops ran towards me at a speed unfit for its huge build. Before I could process its movement, the cyclops swung its giant stone bat downwards. The air rumbled by the force of its swing.
BOOM!!!
The stone bat landed on the spot where I stood moments ago. Unable to endure the force, the ground was burst apart by the impact; countless stones were sent flying as a cloud of dust was formed.
"Well, it seems the Deki forest is home to many powerful monsters, huh."
I said while gazing at the cyclops with an icy cold gaze. It was a good thing I had enhanced my body before the cyclops had appeared; if not, I'm not sure I would have been able to avoid that.
Without taking my eyes off the cyclops, I slowly reached towards my waist and drew my sword. The blade of the sword sparkled faintly due to the rays of sunlight passing through the tree leaves.
"Well then, let's get started, shall we?"
I said before charging towards the cyclops with great speed. As though it could feel my hostility, it immediately tried swinging its stone bat once more.
SWOOSH~
The air stung as the stone bat passed my head by a hair's breadth. Once the stone bat had touched the ground, I promptly jumped on top of the bat using it as a foothold as I ran towards its head.
"Rahahhh!!!!"
The cyclops shook the stone bat, attempting to force me off.
"Tch, how troublesome."
I muttered before jumping backwards, using the opening of my jump, the cyclops raised its bat before bringing it downwards at full force. Sensing the immediate danger, I twisted my body 360 degrees to the left, dodging the stone bat before it could come in contact with my body.
Once my feet had touched the ground, I tightened my grip on my sword.
"If that attack had hit me, my entire body would have been completely crushed."
I muttered as cold sweat ran down my back. When gazing at the giant crater created by the cyclops stone bat.
However, that wasn't enough to scare me away. I dashed straight towards the cyclops' giant body. Seeing that the cyclops made a face as though it was sneering.
"It seems I'm being underestimated."
I said with a small laugh. The cyclops raised its giant stone bat before bringing it downwards.
"Hah!!"
Before the stone bat could make contact, I slid my body beneath the cyclops' feet that were wide apart, using that wide opening.
I then promptly turned my body before chanting.
"Mother of wind, slice my target, Wind blade!!"
A magic circle was then formed, followed by winds which took the form of blades. Once the cyclops had turned its giant body, it let out a loud cry.
"Rahahhh!!!"
Its one eye was completely torn apart by my wind blade. Now that I had taken away its sight, it should be easier. The cyclops continued trashing and swinging its stone bat in irregular and random directions.
I then held the hilt of my sword before leaping high in the air, using the wind to propel me forward.
SWOOSH~
My sword flickered as the head of the cyclops fell noisily to the ground. Soon after its huge body fell forward, followed by a cloud of dust.
CLAP~ Clap~
"Well done, that was most splendid."
Alya said with a cheerful grin. Seeing her cheerfulness, I couldn't help but show a wry smile. If it were her, I'm sure she could've ended that fight much faster.
"Well, let's go."
I said that after taking a few minutes to rest and regain stamina, we finally went on our way.
***
"Interesting… I sense two powerful presences; one seems to be a spirit while the other seems to be human."
A low, feminine voice sounded. A woman with long waist-length silver hair and deep red eyes that sparkled like Jules. Her nine silver fox tails swayed silently. As she looked downward from the mountain.