Crossing the barrier did nothing to Vee or , and we entered the forest's more "untad" section. Although compared to the forest I started in, it was still remarkably prim and proper, as it seed like the trees were grown and nurtured in a clearly orderly fashion.
If that wasn't enough, there were even walkways with not even a single bit of wear and tear from invasive weeds. Clearly, the elves knew their stuff when it ca to controlling the plant life in the surrounding area.
Paeris offered to guide toward so monsters, but I declined, wanting an opportunity to flex my various sensory traits in addition to my often neglected [Tracking] skill.
I still wasn't entirely sure of the elven butler's actual class, and he hadn't revealed anything beyond the [Roleplay] skill, which he had already maxed, and now an offer to locate monsters for . My gut instincts pegged him as so kind of spy or assassin, tracking down threats towards his mistress and blending in where needed.
I'd even tried the obvious by simply asking him, but he rely chuckled and said he was prohibited from sharing such details as "my mother" ordered.
When my senses picked up so movent, I imdiately began stealthing, which Paeris easily replicated and only further fueled my assassin spy theory. We encroached on the area, and to my surprise, I found a pack of blade wolves!
Talk about a blast from the past!
They were currently eating the remains of what I assud was a bear-type monster and had clearly worked together to take down the larger foe.
"rely so runts," Paeris muttered. "We can follow their tracks to their pack leader for a better hunt. But feel free to warm up on them."
I refrained from ntioning that a blade wolf used to be strong enough to lead an entire pack where I originally ca from. I simply nodded and expressed my desire to take them out. Food was food for , and I was desperate to regain enough sli mass to reform Alpha without worrying about depleting all my reserves.
Let's see… I want to level up my Air affinity and magic, so let's stick to that for now.
I first used [Elental Shift] to align myself and my [Sub-Cores] to Air and began preparing. Thanks to [Subtle Afflictions] combined with [Magical Subterfuge], I easily applied the [Windswept] debuff to all of the blade wolves present.
Paeris took note of my actions but didn't say anything, which ant that casting my elental debuffs was still acceptable.
I would have preferred casting them on one monster and spreading them with [Contagion], but I had better not push my luck there. No way I could hide that as anything but [Corrosion Magic].
With the blade wolves all debuffed, I began orchestrating the multicasting of [Wind Cutter] spells with my [Sub-Cores], excluding the four newbies who were still disconnected from the network.
The transparent blades of wind were actually ideal for such sneak attacks. I even caught Paeris raising an eye, likely over the amount I was controlling without applying a projectile-splitting concept to the spell. My [Sub-Cores] were still one of my biggest trump cards, only revealed to Vee and Trixie so far.
With a re thought, the execution of the spells went off in perfect sync, blades of magical wind firing out from impossible angles thanks to breaking through my Mana aura. By the ti the blade wolves noticed the attack, it was too late, as the cutting winds were all aid at their necks. In near-perfect silence, I had decapitated half a dozen blade wolves; my past self, who struggled to kill even a single one, had to be smiling right now!
"Clean kills," Paeris said; it almost sounded like praise.
"I'm thrilled I finally broke through my own Mana aura," Vee comnted. "That really shows how crazy you can get with it."
"You've broken through? Excellent," Paeris comnted.
I could feel the smugness radiating off of Vee at her receiving a better complint. I shrugged it off and collected my spoils, pretending to throw them into my bag.
Paeris frowned ever so slightly as he looked at my waist, where a replica of the golden oak bag was. At this point, I had ford it out of habit, as it was my excuse to hide [Core Storage], but he didn't voice any complaint, even telepathically, so I figured it was fine to continue doing so.
I'm not big enough to really dissect them inside myself right now since their corpses are so intact. I have far too many [Sub-Cores] inside now, and Sylthaeryn's form is far too lithe. Although, I guess I could eat their heads, at least.
I extracted their heads individually, using my usual [Dissection] procedure to save the fangs and dissolve everything else. I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction at seeing so well-deserved sli mass, even if it was only from a few heads.
Next, we followed their tracks, hoping to lead to their den. anwhile, Paeris finally comnted.
"Your magic contains significant power and control but seems a little basic if I may offer so critique, Lady Sylthaeryn."
"I only have [Air Magic LV 5]," I explained. "I've not used it much, I'll admit."
"I apologize if I've offended you," Paeris quickly responded. "It's just that I thought the Elentalist class could produce results similar to Aeromancer, Hydromancer, and so forth."
"Can you elaborate?" I asked. "I know a Pyromancer, and while it's been so ti since I saw him, I think I've surpassed him even if he has reached his next level in [Fire Magic]."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"Yeah, please don't speak in riddles because I can't say either of us has seen too many of those classes in action," Vee added.
"Forgive , I forgot you spent so ti amongst humans," Paeris replied. "It's just that I've seen elven Aeromancers beckon and control the winds with a re thought, not even needing to cast a spell."
I frowned, not really understanding what he was getting at. I couldn't see the comparison if this was ant to be a subtle jab at my ineptitude. The only thing I could vaguely think of was he was referring to the various kinesis spells, of which I had only unlocked [Geokinesis].
I cast the spell and controlled so nearby rocks, having them float in front of and swirl in so intricate patterns.
"Is this what you are referring to?" I asked.
"No. I'm not talking about [Aerokinesis], although I can say the effects are similar," Paeris admitted, stroking his chin curiously. "If I had to describe it, it would be like wielding the elent as if it was your own body, without the need to cast a kinesis spell. You could say they replicate the effects of spells without actually casting them, rely by exerting their dominion over the elent."
I imdiately started trying to figure out what he was talking about. My mind rushed to the elentals and the amalgamation trait that they used to create their bodies, but that would be too strange for an elf to get.
What also ca to mind was using a combination of [Mana Manipulation], [Mana Infusion], and [Mana Reinforcent], but that also seed unlikely or at least not creating the effects he was describing.
I did consider that Paeris was perhaps just trying to unsettle , throwing out so lies and absurdities, but I couldn't see any logical reason why he would do that. If he was trying to sabotage , then he would have been better off remaining silent about it, so I made a fool of myself in front of an elven elental mage.
My gut told he was trying to help in his own strange way but lacked the knowledge to do so. It at least confird that Paeris was likely not a spellcaster and rely had so common and superficial knowledge about them.
"I'll have to speak with Llewel and ask him about this," I said, sighing.
"Indeed, I apologize for not being able to resolve your curiosity," Paeris said, sounding genuine.
By this ti, we were nearing the end of the trail. My senses picked up nurous wolves patrolling, but we easily circumvented them physically. But I knew the wolves had powerful noses, as I had borrowed their trait many tis, so for extra precaution, I cast [Zephyr Shroud] on each of us before venturing deeper into their territory.
That should counter their noses by keeping our odors contained to ourselves.
Paeris nodded approvingly and accepted the buffing spell, while Vee didn't even flinch as she was very used to receiving it. I wasn't sure I'd gain many benefits from it myself since I was already almost odorless, but I did it for appearance's sake anyway.
Once we'd removed their leader, I'd mop up any stragglers, assuming I was allowed to—the elves might have so rules about not wiping out an entire species so that they can still thrive without needing to be spawned in via essence.
I could sense sothing large and full of essence ahead and knew we had found our target. I cautioned everyone that we'd reached it, and we slowed down our approach.
I toyed with the idea of showing off a lightning spell or sothing else visually impressive. Still, I ultimately decided not to—Paeris sought sothing achieved without casting a spell. But to be a bit cautious, I flipped over a [Sub-Core] each to earth and water since those needed to get to level six for my "equilibrium" theory.
Nestled in a clearing were four wolves, one of which was absolutely massive compared to the other three and most likely the pack's leader. Although compared to the wolves I had killed earlier, even the other three were much larger.
Okay, so they evolved again, adding the Dire mutation. But the larger one is strange… It's way bigger than the other three despite being a lower level.
"Dire Blade Wolves," I said telepathically to the other two.
"All four of them?" Vee replied, her confusion evident in her tone. " Because surely that big boy is further evolved? Unless monster wolves are supposed to have such massive dimorphism?"
"No, sothing's up with it," I agreed. "I can't see its monster tier, and it's a lower level than the other three. But [Identify] is saying they are the sa species, so there's got to be sothing funny going on."
Vee looked at Paeris expectantly, but the elf said nothing.
"Well, if you want to fight the strange one, can I keep the other three occupied?" Vee offered.
"An excellent idea to demonstrate your teamwork," Paeris suddenly said. "I will form a protective periter to prevent any strays from wandering in and disturbing you while maintaining my observations."
"Great, sounds like a plan," Vee chirped.
I nodded in agreent, I didn't have to personally kill everything, and I could claim the bodies afterward for harvesting. My [Dissection] skill always proved its worth.
Oh, wait… actually, I think I forgot to tell the elves about that. I guess it will be one more surprise for them!
Vee used [Warp] to teleport from my shoulder to a better vantage point, appearing in the nearby trees. Paeris simply vanished like he was never there; it was so sudden that it even took a while to notice.
Wonderful, another elf assassin! Well, at least this one is contractually obligated to be on my side! I don't think he'd like to lose half his levels for attacking … I hope.
Since the pack of wolves had still not spotted us, I took the opportunity to debuff all of them. Even though the big one was my target, I might as well help Vee at the sa ti.
Let's see… I've not really used these spells; let's give them a shot!
"Get ready for my signal!" I inford Vee.
I began a coordinated casting of [Sand Pit], [Shatterquake], and [Cyclone]; I had my [Sub-Cores] join up to properly enhance each spell, and when all three were at their crescendo, I cast them in succession.
[Shatterquake] was first, causing an enormous, unexpected tremor and sending the wolves to the ground in a tumble. [Sand Pit] was next, instantly transmuting the ground beneath the wolves into the rugged terrain. Before they could even think to react, [Cyclone] went off re monts after, sucking the Air towards the center and kicking up a storm of all the sand and obscuring the wolves.
This was more of a crowd control approach than an assassination like previously. Seeing the three spells work together to achieve my desired outco was great, but I had no room to slack now as I began rapidly casting consecutive [Wind Cutter] spells into the giant trap. I nearly squealed with glee when I saw the spells reach the area of [Cyclone], be drawn in, and significantly sped up.
At the sa ti, Vee cast [Acid Dart] spells into the cluster.
"Gee, leave so for !" Vee teased. "Why did I even bother offering to help? I should've just sat down for so tea."
Our laughter was interrupted by a ferocious howl, so loud and fierce that it broke through and dismantled the [Cyclone] spell and sent projectiles, sand, and all sorts of other debris flying outwards.
My sli shuddered, and I was pretty sure I even gained a level in [Sonic Resistance] from that inhuman screech. That was when the source of the howl was revealed, and the true nature of that large wolf beca apparent.
The large wolf was now standing bipedally. Its upper torso had enlarged to massive proportions, while its front legs were both extended and buffed out to look like the arms of a bodybuilder. Where hands should have been were long black dangling claws, and its vicious maw was snarling and snapping violently.
"Holy shit, it's a werewolf!" Vee yelled in surprise.
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