In the early morning light, Ronan carefully packed a few Recovery Potions and Mana Recovery Potions into his Storage Ring, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He jogged towards the academy entrance, where Ms. Amara was waiting, her posture confident and her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings.
"Good morning, Ma'am," Ronan greeted with a respectful bow, his voice steady despite his nerves.
Ms. Amara turned towards him, her stern expression softening slightly. "Good morning, Ronan," she replied, her tone carrying a hint of encouragement.
Before Ronan could say anything further, a deep voice spoke up from behind him, laced with scepticism. "Oh, so this is the brat you've been talking about?"
Startled, Ronan turned around. It was Mr. Alden, a veteran swordsman known for his no-nonsense demeanour. "Good morning, Sir," Ronan said politely, though his voice was quieter now.
Mr. Alden crossed his arms, his sceptical gaze shifting to Ms. Amara. "Amara, are you sure about this? You're really taking this brat?"
Ronan's shoulders slumped slightly as he glanced down, his confidence wavering under the scrutiny. He was accustomed to the strict swordsmanship training under Mr. Alden.
Ms. Amara's eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a wry smile. "Don't you teach him swordsmanship?" Her tone was laced with mockery.
Alden raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Instead, he touched the storage ring on his finger. With a flash of light, a medium-sized flying ship materialised before them, its sleek design and enchanted runes humming with power.
"Fine," Alden grumbled. "The ship's here. Let's get this over with."
Ronan's jaw dropped as he stared at the flying ship in awe. It was the first time he'd ever seen one up close. The smooth wooden hull, lined with shimmering magical glyphs, seemed almost alive as it floated gracefully a few feet above the ground.
"You coming, or should I leave without you?" Alden barked, snapping Ronan out of his daze.
Flustered, Ronan scrambled aboard, his eyes wide as he took in every detail of the vessel. Ms. Amara followed, her steps purposeful. Once aboard, the ship began to ascend, the hum of its magical engine blending with the rustling wind. As they soared through the skies, Ronan couldn't help but press himself against the railing, marvelling at the breathtaking view. The endless greenery below stretched out like a living tapestry, interspersed with sparkling rivers and the occasional glimmer of distant villages.
The world seemed vast and full of possibilities, and for a moment, Ronan forgot his earlier nervousness.
"Enjoying the view, kid?" Alden's gruff voice broke through Ronan's thoughts.
Ronan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's... incredible."
Ms. Amara smirked faintly as she leaned against the railing beside him. "You'll see plenty more if you keep up. But don't let it distract you. We're headed to a magical beast den; it's no place for daydreaming."
Ronan straightened up, her words grounding him. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be ready."
Ms. Amara handed Ronan a book about monsters and said, "Ronan, you are going to hunt Rank 1 and Rank 2 flame monsters if we find any. Even though they are the lowest rank, don't underestimate them. Their power is equivalent to an Adept tier, anywhere from tier one to six, while you're still at Novice Tier Four."
Ronan smiled and said, "I will try my best, ma'am."
The ship glided forward, carrying them toward the unknown, the vastness of the world below serving as a reminder of both the challenges and the opportunities that lay ahead.
After several hours of flying, their destination came into view—a densely wooded area cloaked in an eerie silence. The stillness was broken only by faint rustling sounds that hinted at unseen movement within the shadows. The group landed on a nearby ridge, overlooking the monster den below.
Ms. Amara narrowed her eyes, her voice calm but commanding. "This is a Tailed Fox den. They rarely roam alone. If the information is accurate, there should be four one-tailed foxes and a single two-tailed fox leading the pack. Be cautious. Once a fox evolves to two tails, it gains the fire attribute, making it exponentially more dangerous."
Ronan clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "I've taken down one-tailed foxes before," he said, his tone resolute yet tinged with unease. "But I've never faced a two-tailed one."
Ms. Amara studied him, her expression unreadable. "This will be your fight, Ronan. Consider it part of your training. If the situation spirals out of control, we'll intervene." She cast a quick glance at Mr. Alden. "Understood?"
Ronan nodded sharply, his fiery resolve growing. "Understood."
Mr. Alden scoffed. "Hmph, after all, he is my student. I can't really let him die here, right?" His voice was as cutting as the edge of his blade, and his piercing gaze settled on Ronan.
Ms. Amara shot Mr. Alden a disapproving look before placing a steady hand on Ronan's shoulder. "Don't let him get to you. Focus. Trust your instincts and remember what you've trained for." Making fun of Mr. Alden, she added, "And you should reconsider your swordsmanship teacher. You know Alden is not good at teaching."
Ronan replied, "There is no chance I am changing Sir Alden. He is the same as my old teacher, Sir Gideon."
Taking a deep breath, Ronan stepped forward, two daggers in hand. His heart pounded, adrenaline surging through his veins as he approached the den's perimeter. The sharp cry of a fox echoed from within, and a pair of glowing amber eyes emerged from the shadows.
Ms. Amara looked at Mr. Alden and asked, "Daggers? Isn't he a sword user?"
Mr. Alden replied, "One time I saw him practicing with a dagger, and I asked him why. Ronan replied, 'A sword is a good weapon, but a dagger is deadly. I can be very stealthy, very agile, and I can take down fast ones who are distracted.' So that's why he uses daggers."
A one-tailed fox, smaller than its evolved counterparts but still formidable, prowled into the open. Its fur bristled, and its sharp fangs gleamed as it growled a warning. Ronan gripped his two daggers tightly, his gaze unwavering.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered to himself. "Let's see if I'm ready for what comes next."
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his daggers slicing through the air as he engaged his first foe.
Ronan stood amidst the dense forest, his daggers gleaming with a faint crimson hue, ready for battle. The cries of one-tailed foxes echoed ominously, but his stance remained unyielding. With a single slash, he cut through the air, cleaving the first fox with such sheer force that the beast barely had time to react. Undeterred, he dispatched four one-tailed foxes in rapid succession, each swing of his daggers deliberate and powerful.
As he steadied himself, a sudden rustle from behind caught his attention. Ronan felt a rush of mana behind him; the signature was the same as the fox monsters. Without turning, Ronan thrust his daggers backwards, impaling the fox that had attempted a surprise attack. The creature let out a strangled cry before collapsing.
"Did he just sense that attack without looking?" Ms. Amara murmured, her brow furrowed in astonishment.
Beside her, Mr. Alden's eyes widened. "That... that..."
Ms. Amara's gaze snapped to him. "Is this some kind of perception skill? But there are no perception skills available at the Novice tier; they are all for the late Adept tier."
Mr. Alden shook his head with a smile. "Yes, yes. This is 'Keen Eyes', a remarkable skill."
Amara frowned. "No wonder you are smiling. This is the same skill you use. And this 'Keen Eyes' is not a remarkable skill."
"Shh," Alden replied, his voice carrying a touch of mirth. "Just watch."
Amara huffed but turned her attention back to Ronan, who was already taking down the last fox. Three lay slain at his feet, their bodies still smouldering from the heat of his blades. Then, the air grew heavy with a new presence. From the shadows of the den emerged a two-tailed fox, a rank two beast. Its fur bristled with a fiery aura that seemed to challenge the very flames Ronan wielded.