Ronin stared at Zane with a shocked expression. The child who was known as the weakest Thaleward, and the child who was known for having the lowest mana capacity, was casting an advance spell Infront of him. He simply couldn't believe it, I mean how does that even make any sense? A week has only passed, since Zane passed out from mana drainage.
And now, he came back to ask him to take him in Dreadwood Forest, one of the most feared forest? Not only that, but for some reason, he was now capable of casting an advance spell? Without his wand too?! After all, his wand was capable of storing a large amount of mana. Him casting the spell without his wand, just proved Zane's capabilities even more.
A smile appeared from Zane's face, he then said with a casual tone.
"I know you are confused, Ronin. But, please. I really need your help. I am going to move in the main castle soon, so I need to become as strong as possible."
Ronin paused for a moment, he could barely say anything at all. All of this was just too sudden and shocking.
"W-wait for a bit, I don't understand. I get that you have become stronger, but how? How the hell did you manage to become so strong in a week? You... you didn't make a pack with the demons, did you?!"
Zane's face turned somber, he then said.
"What?! Ofcourse not! Look, I will explain to you some other time, but, just not right now. We need to get out of here before the knights arrive. They must've have heard the commotion I just made, just now."
Ronin stared at him for a moment, still couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. But Zane was right, the knights were coming.
Ronin nodded, then said.
"...Alright, fine. I will take you there. I am still confused but, I trust you will tell me when the time is right."
Ronin knew Zane's personality better than most people, after all, he had been with Zane for as long as he could remember. Ever since Zane was a baby, he had already been with Zane. So, whatever the situation was, he knew Zane definitely didn't make a pack with a demon.
Ronin released a heavy sigh, he then started to move, sitting down in the front of the carriage, where in front of him was his horse.
Zane also followed, getting inside the carriage and sitting down inside. Without wasting any more time, Ronin started to move the carriage—before the knights could see them. He honestly doesn't know why they were hiding away from the knights, but he felt that Zane didn't really wanted to be seen.
Zane wanted to make this quick, he honestly had no time for a reunion. After all its only been a week. Aside from that, Ronin was not capable of such a magic spell, afterall he was an assassin, not a mage. So, that only leaves Zane, since everyone knew he had a lightning affinity.
He didn't really wanna risk getting discovered, because of the possibility of him getting accused of making a pack with a demon. Which would cause him a great trouble. He doesn't really wanna deal with that, so for now he will remain undiscovered.
...
It was currently late at night, a carriage can be seen in a dark forest alone. Only the two torches on the carriage lit the forest.
The forest seemed old and haunted, almost as if horror awaited for them in the darkness.
"This is as far as I can take you, young master. Sorry, but, if I go any deeper, monsters might damage my carriage."
Zane was standing before the wooden carriage, a faint smile appeared on Zane's face. He then said.
"It's alright, Ronin. This is far enough."
Ronin stared at Zane for a moment, his face still full of confusion, he said.
"I will wait for you near the city, and also please be careful, young master. I know you have gotten stronger, but, monsters are mindless and unpredictable, regardless of their rank. I advised that you don't let your guard down no matter what."
Hearing Ronin's words, Zane stared at him for a while, he then nodded. He could feel his heart racing faster, as seconds go by. No matter how much he persevered his self for this, he really couldn't help but feel fear. Although he was afraid, he was prepared atleast. He had already read books about monsters, trying to get as much information as he could. Knowing their strength and weaknesses was essential, as it could save his life.
Ronin started to move his carriage, away from the forest. Ronin had already done him a favor by actually taking him inside the forest, even though Zane was supposed to stop just near the city.
As soon as the carriage started moving away from him, Zane released a heavy sigh. He then started moving as well, heading even deeper into the forest.
As Zane walked deeper in the forest, he looked around him, scanning his surroundings. The forest looked ancient and hunted. Tall and large trees were scattered everywhere. Luckily, he doesn't have to worry about a monster killing him, since Velrath was with him, backing him up. Velrath could still cast a spell, even though he was a ghost, knowing that Zane felt relieved.
Supposedly, Zane should have an experience hunting down monsters already. Back then, when everyone was still in Ironveil. They would often go in a place were monsters were known to be lurking in. Ofcourse with the guidance of the knights, they would hunt down monsters to gain experience and becoming even more stronger. It was a mandatory task for those who have the blood of Thaleward.
[Kid, stop being so out of thought. I may be with you but, it doesn't guarantee your safety.]
Zane looked towards the floating human-like demon beside him, he then nodded.
[Right.]
Zane walked even more deeper into the woods. He doesn't really have to worry about meeting another person, since no one really hunts at night. But, just incase. It was better to be prepared, so he brought a mask with him.
Going even deeper into the forest, he finally heard a bunch of unfamiliar noises not so far away from him. The sound of a language he couldn't understand, no it doesn't even sound like a language at all. It just sounds gibberish.
[Goblins. Well, you should be able to handle this easily.]
Hearing Velrath's words, he focused on where the noise was.
[Goblins? They sure sound terrifying.]
Zane could hear the footsteps of the goblins, as well as their voices getting closer from him. Without wasting any seconds, he hid behind one of the large trees near him. Preparing to ambush the goblins.
Zane waited for a while, until finally. The goblins arrived to where he had been before. Zane was just hiding, not far away from them. The goblins were looking from left to right, scanning their surroundings, confused about the feeling they had earlier.
Goblins had the ability to sense someone, even in a far distance. Well, not just goblins but monsters in general have the same ability. It's technically what they have in common.
Zane waited for the right time, getting ready to cast a magic spell. He couldn't really see them clearly, because of how dark it was. He was using a magic spell that could make him see clearer in the dark, but the magic spell he was using wasn't really an advance version of the spell, thus still making it hard for him to see clearly in the dark.
However, Velrath was with him. With Velrath, being capable of going around anywhere, without being seen. He could just instruct Zane on when to start casting the spell.
Waiting for Velrath's instructions, he crouched still.
[Do it!]
Hearing Velrath's words, Zane didn't waste single second and casted a magic spell. Suddenly,
Without wasting any seconds, Zane casted his first spell. Which is called Frost Lock. The moment he casted the spell, the ground started to freeze, heading towards the 3 goblins looking for Zane.
Without even realising it, the goblins lower body started to freeze it self, making them unable to move.
As their lower body froze, the goblins started to panick. Even mindless monsters like them knows how to feel fear.
As the 3 goblins tried to resist the ice below them, Zane casted a second spell. The goblins could see lightning going through the frozen ground, heading in their body. As it headed in their body, they suddenly felt as if their body was being shocked, burning them and making them unable to move even more. The lightning shock was too intense for their body to handle, thus making them collapse on the ground.
Their body looked burned, smokes can be seen in their body as well. Zane waited for a while, making sure they were dead, before he showed him self. After making sure that they were dead, he finally showed his self. He then headed closer to the 3 goblins, who's body was burned from the lightning shock he just casted just now. The ice that prevented them from moving earlier had also shattered in to pieces.
[You put too much noise in the spell, Zane. If you keep doing this, you might attract stronger monsters.]
Zane paused for a while, he was still staring at the goblins he had just killed. He was still a bit surprised, and new to the feeling. After all, Zane had a soft heart, killing was simply against his principles. Although it was against his principles, he also knew the limitations of his own morality. In this world, you simply can't be too kind.
Aside from that, Zane couldn't help but feel much more amazed on his self. This was his first time hunting down monsters, yet, he was able to kill them much easier than he thought.