Henry leaned forward on his hoverboard, the hum of its mana core blending seamlessly with the rustling leaves of the rainforest below. The wind whipped at his face as he glided effortlessly between the towering trees, their vibrant greens stretching endlessly in every direction. He wasn't just traveling; he was exploring, soaking in the sights, sounds, and energy of a world that had slowly become his own. His aura suppressor hummed gently on his wrist, keeping his overwhelming presence tucked away like a secret weapon.
Just as Henry was losing himself in the beauty of the forest, the air shifted. The warmth faded abruptly, replaced by an icy chill that sent shivers down his spine. The once-dense rainforest gave way to snow-covered plains in an instant, as though he had crossed an invisible boundary into a completely different world. Snow blanketed the ground, trees stood frozen in shimmering frost, and the soft crunch of his hoverboard's landing gear on the snow echoed as he slowed down to take in the change. "Well, that's new," Henry muttered, his breath forming small clouds in the frigid air.
The weather wasn't the only thing that broke the tranquil atmosphere. A distant scream pierced the silence—a woman's voice, sharp and desperate. Henry's instincts flared, and without hesitation, he redirected his hoverboard toward the source of the noise. "Someone's in trouble," he said, as he accelerated.
As Henry approached, the scene unfolded below him. A group of people surrounded a sturdy wooden carriage, its wheels half-buried in the snow. Their clothing—simple yet practical tunics, cloaks, and armor—immediately caught his eye. "Judging by the medieval fashion sense, this must be one of those fantasy cliché moments," he muttered sarcastically, angling his board to land just far enough to avoid being noticed prematurely.
Before him loomed the true threat: massive wolf-like creatures with pale, translucent fur, almost invisible against the snowy backdrop. Their glowing blue eyes reflected malice, and their movements were calculated, each step accompanied by a manipulation of the surrounding snow and water. "Giant snow wolves with elemental magic. Great," Henry said dryly, watching as one lunged at the woman who had screamed, its fangs bared and dangerously close to her.
Henry raised his hand casually, forming his fingers into the shape of a gun. With a flick of mana, he fired a single bolt of lightning that crackled through the air and struck the wolf dead in the head, sending its massive body collapsing into the snow. The woman staggered back in shock, her eyes wide as she tried to process what had just happened. Henry smirked, muttering to himself, "Not bad."
Without wasting another second, Henry activated one of his self-created techniques: Shadow Walk. His body dissolved into the surrounding shadows, merging with the flickering forms cast by the figures below. Moving swiftly as a blur, he reappeared in the middle of the group, standing directly in front of the flustered woman. She stumbled back, her cheeks flushed, as Henry stretched an arm behind her protectively.
"Stay back," Henry said with confidence, though his tone was light enough to seem almost playful. The woman could only nod, too stunned to speak. The wolves snarled and lunged toward him, but Henry was already moving. From each of his fingers sprang bolts of lightning, five in total, which shot through the air and chased down the creatures. The bolts connected with deadly accuracy, striking six wolves in rapid succession. Their massive forms collapsed into the snow, crackling with residual electricity. The remaining wolves let out guttural howls before retreating into the blizzard, their shadows disappearing into the storm.
The group stared at Henry, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief. The woman looked at him, her lips trembling as she tried to form words. "Are you—are you okay?" Henry asked, meeting her gaze. His draconic eyes glowed faintly, though his aura remained concealed.
Before she could respond, a young man pushed forward, his expression tense and defensive. "Thank you for your help," he said quickly, though his tone carried an edge. He positioned himself subtly between Henry and the woman, his jealousy and protectiveness poorly hidden. Henry raised an eyebrow, catching on immediately. "Relax," he said, amused. "I was just passing by. It's not a big deal."
Another figure approached—a man in his early thirties with a rugged yet approachable demeanor. "We're with the Thunder Ravens, I am the co-leader" he said, gesturing to the group and the carriage. "We're adventurers transporting…" He paused, motioning to a cage inside the carriage that contained a small, rabbit-like creature. Its fur was silvery blue, shimmering faintly with water droplets that seemed to hover around it. "This is an Aqua Hare. A water-element magic beast. These snow wolves were probably attracted to it."
Henry eyed the creature curiously, its passive glow captivating despite the chaos surrounding them. "Makes sense," he muttered. "So you're the co-leader of this group?" he asked the man.
The co-leader nodded, his expression firm. "Our leader was injured in one of the earlier attacks. He's in the carriage recovering. This is the sixth time we've been attacked while transporting this beast." His voice carried a hint of frustration, and Henry couldn't blame him. "It's been rough."
"That sounds harsh," Henry replied, glancing at the snow-covered battlefield where the corpses of the wolves lay scattered. "If you don't mind, care if I tag along?" He shrugged, suppressing the grin tugging at his lips. The woman he had saved smiled warmly, ready to answer, but the defensive young man cut her off. "We're fine, thanks. Don't worry about us."
The co-leader intervened quickly, ignoring the younger man's protests. "We'd appreciate the help. If you want, you can keep the materials from the snow wolf corpses as payment." His words were pragmatic, though he clearly knew Henry's presence was a potential lifesaver.
Henry smirked, his sharp intelligence showing through his seemingly carefree attitude. "I'll take that deal," he said simply. With a wave of his hand, the wolf corpses lifted into the air, encased in a telekinetic field that shimmered faintly. He manipulated the surrounding snow with ease, crafting a wagon from the frozen flakes and solidifying it into a durable structure. The corpses settled onto the wagon as Henry formed an ice chain, securing them neatly. The whole process took seconds but left the group stunned.
"Something wrong?" Henry asked, noticing their wide-eyed stares.
"N-No, it's just…" One of the younger adventurers stammered. "Are you a titled mage?"
Henry tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "What's that?" he asked.
The co-leader explained, "Mages who reach a certain level of mastery in the magical arts receive titles. It's recognition of their skill."
Henry chuckled, amused by the notion. "Nope, not me," he said casually. The group exchanged skeptical glances, clearly not believing him. Henry didn't bother correcting them—there was no point in making the situation more complicated.
With the snow wolves secured on the ice wagon, Henry walked alongside the party as they began their trek toward the nearby city of Frostbane. The Aqua Hare remained calm in its cage, its silvery blue glow almost mesmerizing. Henry kept pace, his demeanor relaxed but observant, his presence both reassuring and enigmatic. The group couldn't help but watch him, their curiosity growing with every step.
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