It had been three weeks since I left Kenith. I had managed to hitch a ride with some adventurers who were escorting a merchant to the port town Orneo. Right now, I was working on my combat using the creature before me. It had interrupted our ride and I decided that I would use it as training.
'Coiling Serpents are known for their expensive scales and the bite force of their jaws.'
Dodging another attack, I pulled my scepter from my waist and channeled my Ikas into it. The energy began to form into a blade with the scepter working as the shaft.
'Now that I think about it…'
I pictured a bow within my mind's eye and watched as the energy formed into the shape of a longbow with the blade staying as it was.
'So the blades double as arrows? How irregular.'
I mimicked the action of drawing a bow while dodging. I had never shot an arrow in my life so I hoped that there was a lock on aid.
Jumping into a tree by using a boulder, I took a steady aim for the serpent's eye before releasing my imaginary hold. I watched as the projectile sailed through the air and…
Thuck!
The ground next to the serpent now had an indent in it while the creature observed the spot the projectile landed.
I hissed in frustration before drawing my imaginary bow string and aiming for the creature's eye again. With a swift release, the arrow sailed through the air while my heart pounded in my chest. It felt like I watched in slow motion as the arrow pierced the serpent's glowing orange eyes.
Not wasting a second, I leaped into the air before turning the scepter back into a spear. I brought my arms upward with the blade pointed downward before roaring in exertion once I was on top of the serpent.
'I thought its scales would be tougher, but I think it traded defense for a tougher jaw.'
I wanted to finish this quickly. Pulling my spear out of the body, I stabbed where Coiling Serpents were known to have their Ikas Mind. Most creatures besides humans and elves had this.
It was what kept them alive since unlike humans, monsters and beastmen needed an Ikas Mind to stay alive.
I watched in satisfaction as the beast stopped squirming before slumping down onto the ground.
"Not bad, kid!" Came the voice of the knight-class adventurer who led the party escorting the merchant. "I thought I would have had to intervene but you handled it pretty well!"
The priestess beside him giggled before walking up to me while observing my arms and face.
"Hektore, you sure have grown attached to a kid you called pipsqueak not too long ago." Klina, the priestess, said.
Hektore squawked indignantly before turning away while pouting. He looked to be in his early twenties with brown hair that barely went past his ears while his bans were parted. He peeked one of his silver eyes open towards Klina before huffing and making his way back towards the cart.
"Ignore that big baby, Esther, are you hurt anywhere?" Klina asked.
She had silver air with red streaks running through it that complimented her silver eyes. She wore the normal robes that a priestess of Nacht would wear while carrying a large scepter with a crescent moon as the centerpiece.
From what I understood, Hektore and Klina were half-siblings who decided to adventure together following the death of their father. They didn't mention their mother so I assumed it was a touchy subject.
"Hey, hey! How'd you learn to fight, Esther?" The fighter of the party, Fionna asked me.
"I was taught by a lot of adventurers who passed through my town. Even learned the concepts of healing from this eccentric guy with red hair."
Fionna let out a sound of understanding before brushing aside a strand of her blonde hair that was in the style of a bob cut. Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief that I utterly hated. Why? Because she continuously teased me due to our closeness in age.
"Does that mean a big, strong man like you can protect me?" She mocked.
I was raised to be a morally correct man. Fionna Nalser brought out the impulse within me to break those morals. Basically, I wanted to slap the bitch.
"I dunno, a gorilla like you? I think I need protection from you." I countered. "Fidelia, protect me, that gorilla wants my chastity!"
I hid behind the member of the party who uses natural energy. Fidelia was a dark skinned woman with silky, black hair that trailed down to her waist. She had green markings on her arms that symbolized her class as a Druid. She wore barely any clothing, something about being a true druid and her body was barely covered by a strange top made of leaves while she wore a skirt made of animal hide.
I liked her eyes because they were the same color as leaves you could find on trees.
"Shouldn't you be asking Klina to protect that, Esther?"
"Her religion is hedonistic, no way! She'll probably help that gorilla!" I screamed.
Klina was a part of the Church of the Twins. It followed the teachings of Nacht and Reina, just not in the way that the main church did. Her branch of the church was one that believed in the pleasure of the flesh. She often tried convincing me to convert and offered to help me induct.
Induction involved losing your purity to a priest or priestess.
"Besides, Fionna is so short I'd probably be safe on your shoulders." I said.
The mentioned fighter developed an annoyed look while cracking her knuckles. Before she could do anything, Klina intervened and made us both sit in the back of the cart quietly.
I examined the Coiling Serpent scales in my bag before closing it. That type of beast was common around these parts and weak. I doubt that it was anything to brag about if you were aiming to be stronger.
"Esther, if you want I can teach you healing invocations." Klina offered.
I nodded my head absentmindedly while contemplating what I needed to become stronger.
"I think I'll accept. Anything to help towards my goal of being a soldier." I said.
"Oh, you're wanting to serve in the war?" Hektore asks. "Funnily enough, we are too."
I look up in surprise at that. It makes me smile a bit as I wouldn't be alone in my journey towards becoming stronger.
"Although, we won't see much of each other considering you'll be undergoing two years of training."
I look up in shock at Hektore's statement. He chuckles at my confused face before deciding to elaborate.
"Adventurers with at least one quest under their belt can fight on the front lines without having to do mandatory training." He explains while scratching his cheek.
I tightened my fist at that. While basic training may sound like a good foundation, that wouldn't help in becoming stronger. Learning a fighting style everyone can counter would be a hindrance.
"Is… Is there any way I can become an adventurer?" I ask.
Hektore, Klina, Fionna, and their other companions gaze at me in a serious manner. It was like being evaluated by a proctor during an exam.
"Esther." Hektore says, gaining my attention. "War is not for the faint of heart, if you truly want to fight, you need to temper your resolve."
My intentions were obvious considering the subject of the conversation. I could understand their concern but this was my chance to become strong. I needed this.
I recalled how when that man arrived in my village, I froze. His blue flames and his attitude that screamed superiority complex. I needed to be stronger in case a threat like him came again.
I needed to be strong so that I would never freeze again.
"I know that it may seem like I'm giving up on my dream to be a soldier…" I said. "But that's not the case. I want to become strong enough in a way that doesn't hinder my progress."
By their faces, I would need to elaborate further. I could even see the merchant peeking glances back here. I chuckled before I began to play with a strand of my hair, twirling the bang while glancing down into my lap.
"I'm taking this journey to be strong enough to protect those I love. I can't do that while being predictable."
Hektore didn't seem satisfied with my answer but he nodded nonetheless. Klina and Fionna offered me looks of pity. I didn't know what more they wanted me to say. Was my reasoning not good enough?
"I can understand that, I guess." Hektore said while smiling. "I feel you should reflect more on your dream but what you have now is enough to get me fired up!"
I watched as his eyes began to glow. The air around us became heavy, even the wind had quieted down, and Hektore placed his armored hand on my shoulder.
"I'm going to train you." He said with no room for argument.
I didn't know how to respond so I just stared at him. I didn't blink, speak, or move for a few seconds.
"What?!"
Following my shout was the laughter of his entire party