Second morning after the exile.
The green tree crowns filtered most of the light, but the warm rays of dawn still persisted.
In the midst of trees with fairly good spacing, a pile of burnt-out wood stood with makeshift seats on opposite sides.
In a loose shirt and pants, Jules stood a short distance from camp, practicing downward swings with his black longsword.
Ryan sat at the seat closer to him, watching with a pack of unopened cigarettes in his hand.
As he watched Jules train with the sword, he couldn't help but wonder how the boy who struggled to use a shortsword a few days ago was getting accustomed to a longsword.
As he wondered, Ryan smiled.
He was glad to see Jules was no longer wasting his gift! The Jules he disliked was actually changing!
Putting his hand to his chest, he mimicked his father and muttered, "Oh, glory to Noctharis!"
Ryan shifted his attention back to Jules, and saw he had stopped swinging.
As Jules walked closer, he said:
"Y'know, it's a shame you wanna kill yourself now that you're finally getting somewhere."
Wiping his sweat, Jules's eye twitched as he replied, "I don't plan to kill myself."
"Yeah, right," Ryan retorted, "Dude, forget hunting the damn beast! If you die, I'll be the one to wear your shame!"
Jules's eye twitched more, but he remained calm. "I don't plan to die either."
Ryan observed him for a bit before wearing a mask of worry.
He opened his pack of cigarettes and extended one to Jules.
In a mother's tone, he said, "Jules, you suspect you are unwell due to recent stress. Here, take this, I hear it keeps your mind clear."
Remembering his past with cigarettes, Jules frowned, "I don't smoke. I hate cigarettes."
"Whoa! Calm down!" Ryan said in exaggerated surprise, "Don't hate on cigarettes, they're cool!"
Retracting his arm, he put the cigarette into his mouth, and sparked its end with mana.
As he inhaled it, Ryan's eyes widened as he started coughing and fuming smoke.
Seeing this, Jules suppressed his laughter to a smile. "In a way, this is cool."
"Fuck you, fucker." Ryan said sharply, facing the opposite direction.
Serves you right, damned two-face!
Jules watched the scene a little while longer and laughed inwardly.
After seeing Ryan calm down, he sat down and pulled out a diary, drawing sketches of magic circles and sword movements.
He wanted to recover as much as possible before facing the beast—his drawing also reflected the fighting style he had in mind.
While he did this, Ryan had thrown the cigarette away and drank water, then he forced himself to cook.
- - -
Donning leather armor, Jules walked through the forest, the fresh air blowing coolly against his face.
Standing with a similar stature to Jules, Ryan trailed behind still grumbling about how Jules doesn't value life.
I've probably been in more near-death situations than you. Also, I've technically experienced death once. I most definitely value death more than you!
Jules commented inwardly, choosing to ignore Ryan.
After talking to the air for a while, Ryan got tired and sighed. "If you want to do this, at least hear me out."
Jules slowed his steps, signifying he was listening.
"When you're in a dire situation, please, retreat. Not for your sake, but mine! I'll support your retreat using my skill, be expecting it cause it's likely to affect you too."
Nodding, Jules said, "No problem."
After walking a little while longer, the sound of flowing water could be heard, ushering Ryan to stay back.
Using his skill and taking cover, he was sure to be missed by the beast Jules was aiming for.
Leaving him behind, Jules thought, If I wasn't using this to train, his skill would have allowed us to take down this beast easily.
As he thought, he caught a glimpse of the river flowing, a couple of meters between him and it.
Blending in with the grassy field, the beast lay in wait, with no trees between it and the river.
Staring intently, Jules saw the carapace that seemed to be wearing the earth as a coat.
Its long legs, despite most of it boring into the ground, were like rocky spikes that surrounded it.
Jules stopped at a comfortable distance from it, and stared, It's exuding bloodlust, yet it hasn't attacked. Heh, how patient.
Keeping his sword in his dominant right-hand, he prepared a spell.
With his exceptional mana control, the basic elements—excluding Water—could be controlled by him as if he had a low-tier affinity with them.
And for water, he had an impressive mid-tier affinity.
Jules felt the mana course through his circuits. His left hand glowed with a red magic circle.
Tightening his grip on his sword, he shot a fireball at the concealed monster.
The fire flew through the air until it was met with a long claw, dispersing it without effort.
As the beast blocked, it revealed itself.
A Crawler Crab, a hulking beast with rough, grassy carapace, long sharp legs that looked like ancient spears and a slender pointed claw that could destroy a man's head with ease.
It stood tall at almost 7 feet.
Here goes nothing…
Gulping, Jules darted forward, sword glowing a gentle red.
The beast claw came down, faster than he expected.
Forced to halt, he swiftly raised his sword diagonally using his two hands to support.
The claw hit the sword with a clang, sliding Jules back a bit, his feet almost digging into the floor.
It's heavy!
Recalling his lesson, he pointed his sword down, letting the claw slide off as he twisted his body.
Jules managed to force the claw to pass him, but a mere graze had caused a bump at his side.
The Crab was relentless.
It shot its front leg forward instantly, forcing Jules to speed up a Barrier Spell.
It broke instantly, but it lessened the impact his sword took on as he flew back a bit.
Pain flared through his shoulder, his sword hand shaking as he tried to regain his footing.
Seeing the beast's tall figure, Jules was about to feel like he hit a wall, but it quickly cleared.
I have fought in wars! This is nothing!
The crab covered the distance as its claw shot at Jules again.
After experiencing it earlier, Jules was now familiar with this, his mind clear as patterns appeared.
It was faster and stronger this time, but he pushed himself.
He slid beneath the claw, feeling the wind blowing his hair back as he bent forward and moved.
The beast had overextended and used its long leg to cover.
Like a thrown spike, it aimed for Jules's head.
However, Jules was prepared as he sensed the beast's intent.
He forced a halt and jumped back, a blue magic circle formed as he muttered, "Water Bullet—Barrage!"
In succession, multiple bullets hit the front leg of the Crab.
A web of cracks appeared as the beast reeled the leg back.
Jules smiled as he darted to the side of the beast. He now had something to work with!
At the same time, the Crab had pulled its claw back, moving it horizontally to sweep Jules.