What happened!" The youngest of the four guards was the first to greet us. The other two a few steps behind.
"Don't worry Lyu, he only strained his eyes with mana." Redan assured the young guard.
According to Redan I strained my eyes while trying to keep up with the animals movements. The pain is excruciating to the point where I had to have my left eye bandaged shut. My right eye's vision is slightly blurred and somewhat swollen but nowhere near as painful as my left.
"This Vector set its sight on me while I was finishing off our dinner." Redan said, tossing the two beasts on the ground. " Stephen here thought a Vector could pose a threat to me. Can you believe it! Worked himself up to the point where he unconsciously put all his mana into his eyes to track its movements."
"You fool, you think something like this can take down 'Redan the head hunter.'"The female guard said, kicking the humanoid monster. Her blue eyes cast an inordinate amount of scorn in my direction.
Apparently, the animal that attacked Redan is called a Vector. It's known for its absurd speed but its thin claws are unable to penetrate most of its prey's skin. Forcing it to be on the lower end of the food chain.
"I didn't know, I thought he was about to die." I protested.
"I sensed that Vector the moment it entered my space." Redan said, confidently. "Still you were able to deliver a fatal strike while keeping up with its movements."
"Well I guess that settles it, you really are from another world. Mana control is elementary, not being able to control it is like forgetting how to breathe." Lyu remarked, laughing along with the others.
"Yeah Redan explained earlier." I said, fed up with their mocking. At least they're starting to believe me. Evidently the people of this world all have the ability to use mana from birth. Infants are the only ones that have mana circulation troubles and that's usually only when they're teething.
"Hey, I'm only kidding, killing a Vector with a short sword, now that's impressive." Lyu complimented, patting me on the shoulder. "To do it with a single headshot, I don't even know if you could do that Myra."
Myra's face turned blush, caught off guard by Lyus' sudden jab. "I wouldn't waste my time hunting a Vector to begin with. Besides, you're the only one here who's ever been run over by an Eko." She shot back.
"Hey, I told you I was sick and I didn't get run over. I tripped!" Whined the brown haired warrior.
"Alright that's enough playing around, let's get the food ready." Iman ordered.
"Hey, this isn't half bad!" I said, in surprise. Taking another bite out of the sizzling Kotai.
"See, I told you!" Redan said, nodding in satisfaction.
"It's a little tough to chew." I complained.
"That's the fun part, you'll get used to it." He chuckled.
Seated beside me Lyu leaned over "You won't trust me, it's always this tough." He warned.
"Wait until Sowaa season comes around, that's when you'll taste a true delicacy." Myra declared.
I finished up the last of my dinner and sat my plate down on the log next to me. "Redan, how old are you? I mean not to be rude but where I'm from people your age don't usually move like that! Actually, people my age don't even move like that." I said. Recalling his battle from earlier.
It was like something out of a superhero movie. If I hadn't witnessed it in person I never would have believed it were possible for someone to possess such strength.
"Hahahaha haha, people my age you say? You should have seen me in my younger days, I would have killed both those animals in under 20 seconds." Redan bragged, taking another bite out of the glistening Kotai.
"Trust me after what I saw today, I don't doubt it. Do you think you could teach me how to fight like that?" I asked, unable to avoid the temptation. "It'd be nice to be able to defend myself out here."
"Yeah sure." Redan casually agreed.
Well that was easier than I expected.
"Hey! How come you'll teach him but not me!" Lyu complained, standing up from his seat.
"Because you're already a monster! If you get any stronger I'm afraid of what you'll become!" Redan argued, his expression a little too serious.
I glanced at Lyu who looked to be in his early twenties like me. He seemed harmless compared to every other Mahnion I've come across but I scooted away from him just to be safe.
Iman who'd been quietly eating his food until now scoffed "How pathetic are you? Are all the people where you're from this weak? You should feel ashamed asking another warrior for help!" He shouted, walking off before I could respond.
"Don't mind him, he's still upset he got put on prison duty." Myra said, her golden hair illuminating in the fire.
"Is prison duty looked down upon?" I asked.
"Depends on who you ask, I love it! It's way better than the Chiefs personal guard. Not dealing with crying babies, no house sitting and I can be out here in the jungle where a Mahnion belongs!" Lyu said, enthusiastically.
"Eh, you sound like my father." Myra grumbled. She continued " Most Mahnion warriors consider the Chiefs personal guard the pinnacle of life."
"You don't?" I asked.
"Huh, after what he did to Redan, not in a million lifetimes!" Myra snorted.
"Okay, that's enough chit chat for today. Time to get some rest. We've got an early morning, training starts at sunrise." Redan announced. As he headed off to his makeshift tent.
It's clear whatever happened to Redan he didn't want to talk about it. As a newcomer to this world it's none of my business.
"I was getting tired anyways, see you in the morning." Lyu said, yawning. Myra and him followed after Redan.
I waved to both of them before heading off to bed as well.
Approaching the house Iman walked out of the shadows blocking my path. "You may have those other idiots fooled but I see you. When you slip up and show your true colors I'll be there to do what should have been done this morning." He warned in a low tone, stepping aside.
What's his problem?