Waves of mana rippled in the air. Hair stood on end as he dashed around, avoiding the slashes of tentacles that broke down brick walls like butter.
'Ghh- I did say I would kill it…but this thing is really tough.'
A holographic panel appeared from his watch.
[C-Rank Beast - Virident Amuser: A beast comprised of many tentacles and several eyes. Only one blindspot has been recorded in the Codex.]
Vicius dodged another fierce blow, flailing around like a piece of trash in the wind.
'Hell yeah! There is a way to beat this.'
He scanned the page carefully before his shoulders slumped.
'Seriously? That's the only way?'
There was very little time between breaths, but he spent half of those cursing at his predicament. Shadow magic would do little against a beast during day time, there was simply not enough to draw on, especially as the beast continued to level the field.
'Then that simply leaves fire magic.'
Like tiny rivers, particles of mana flowed through his veins and pooled in his hand. Though his core was exhausted from earlier training, there was enough for a fireball.
"Fire, heed my name and turn my enemy into sinders!"
Flame burst forward, singing the flesh of the Virident Beast.
AUGHHH-
Its violent bouts of pain flung its body against building to building. Water is what it desired. The pain had to stop once and for all.
Tears welled in its eyes, one by one being claimed by the flames. Vicius struck with his blade, slicing apart three tentacles in one move. His body contorted as his sword plunged into the beast's skull, ripping the bony structure in two.
Its body hit the ground with a deafening thud. Dust obstructed the view of the street. Vicius felt compelled to relax; the threat was eliminated, and his body fell limp as the tension melted away.
He stumbled against a wall ready to crumble. Fire streaked along his skin, and the scar carved into his arm burned intensely.
'C-Crap. I overdid it again…' He rubbed at its edges, cleaning off the blood that sprang from various little cuts.
But despite the pain, he was feeling delighted. Afterall, he was a mere D-ranker. Defeating a C-ranked beast was a great achievement. Despite that having been the process of how humanity regained its claim to its own land after the great rapture, in this day and age, it was rare for rankers to attack beasts of a higher calibre.
Just as the final beads of sweat vanished from his brow. A low, guttural growl filled the street.
Violet eyes peeked through the veil. White foam bubbled at the cusp of its maw, nose sniffing the air for traces of blood. It wandered closer cautiously, each eye moving independently of the other in ways no dog's could.
Its maw dug into the beast Vicius had slain. The foam melted away its flesh like acid. It gorged on his first kill. But that didn't bother him.
'D-damn it! I've got to get away-' His hand fell onto a rock, knocking it down the road.
And for the following moments, time seemed to stop for him. Vicius felt the hot breath of the predator lingering on his back. It was far too late to run; even turning back would be fruitless.
"Fire, shine a light on my path and leave only cinders in my trail!"
The world briefly turned red before a head plopped onto the ground. Its tongue lolled out, the white foam still gurgling from where the head had once been.
Beside him now stood Evie. Smoke lingered from her hand as the crimson flames retracted into her mana channels. A flicker of hate fizzled out from her expression, red eyes now looking down at Vicius.
"Are you alright?" There was not a single drop of sympathy in her tone, but he knew her. Deep down, she had been worried about his life, fearing for it enough to show off her most unstable spell.
Vicius grabbed her extended arm and pulled himself up, a smirk playing at his lips.
"I'm good. Your spell is coming along well. Maybe once you master it, you could tutor me."
A faint pinkness coloured her cheeks, but her mask failed to waver. A curt. "Sure." Was how the conversation had ended.
It had not taken long for authorities to arrive at the scene. Everything was neatly covered up, and several questions were asked, but nothing took too long. The three friends could finally relax again in the apartment.
Vicius plopped down onto the bed, leaving little room for Evie and Rowan. Rowan was quick to jump onto Vicius, knocking the air out of his lungs and making him roll around in agony for several seconds.
"What yourself jackass!" Though his words were rude, they held no bite. Rowan had always been this playful with him.
Evie sat in the corner, feeling a pang of jealousy that she could not casually jump on Vicius' chest. But she was content with seeing him smile.
In that moment, all three of them were content with how things were and wished nothing would change-
Three loud knocks struck the door.
"Open up, we have been sent here by the Empire's Guard. We wish to speak with a Vicius Aurelian." It was a stern and authoritative voice, but not threatening.
The door parted slowly, revealing Vicius, who stared wearily. Upon confirming it was indeed the Empire Guard, he opened up the door fully and allowed the three men inside.
"Forgive me for the intrusion, my name is Albert Luntrikov. Oh-"
His gaze fell on Rowan and Evie.
"This simplifies things. I won't have to make a trip to your homes later."
From his coat pocket, he retrieved three letters and handed them out accordingly. The men behind him smiled as if they had been granted a great honour.
"You have been formally invited to participate in the Empire's greatest academy. Lunaris Academy!" The two men clapped as Albert spoke.
"Of course, refusal is punishable by death." He offered a quaint smile.