Eluard looked at the pile of corpses in front of him.
[ Name: Dark Luminous Wolf
Power Level: Normal-level demon beast
Rarity: Uncommon
Magic Affinity: Dark, Light ]
[ Name: Clawed Monkey
Rarity: Common
Power Level: Normal-level demon beast
Magic Affinity: Earth ]
He was conflicted about using the harvest method from the system because of the people nearby.
'Whatever, I'll have time to harvest more later.', he waved it off and faced the group of elves.
It wasn't a lie when people said that elves were one of the most beautiful species ever existed in Aludia. The middle-aged man that led the group had such flawless skin that made Eluard wonder if this guy was using the skin-care products used back on Earth.
Lierop widened his eyes when the robed man faced him. The mask was intimidating him and he couldn't determine Eluard's power.
"Se-senior, we thank you for the help.", he bowed, "May I know of senior's name?"
"Senior is enough. You people must be here to also hunt, aren't you?", Eluard asked.
"Yes, senior. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. We didn't expect a large nest of demon beasts hanging around here. I advise that if senior wants to continue hunting demons here, you must be careful.", Lierop advised.
Eluard was intrigued about the peculiar situation he was in.
'Did the system intentionally bring me here? Or was it just a coincidence?', he thought.
"Of course, senior can also follow us out of here and report this incident to the Alderian Terrestrial Corps.", Lierop suggested, "The students aren't in a good mental condition to continue so I'm hurrying to leave this place as soon as possible. We can go now if senior wants to."
"No need.", Eluard dismissed Lierop's suggestion. He was here with his students to hunt monsters, not let the others hunt the monsters for him, "You can go on your own."
Lierop understood Eluard's intentions. Furthermore, he could feel that Eluard can defend himself so he didn't have to worry.
"Senior, may I request of something, perhaps? It's okay if you ignore it. It's just that others are hunting here with us. If you find them, please help them. The Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary would be grateful for your deeds."
[ Special Task: An Elf In Need ]
[ The elven mage students of the Alderian Magic Haven have faced an unexpected disaster in the Leeveria Forest. Lierop, one of the wizard instructors is in dire need of your help. Find the stranded students shown on the map. ]
[ Note: Time is limited and the students might die earlier than expected. It is advised to finish the task as soon as possible. ]
[ Note: Once all of the students are gathered, return to this cave and wait for the Alderian Terrestrial Corps to arrive. ]
[ Rewards: Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary Favorability +10, Random Equipment x 3 (Rare) ]
[ Note: Rewards will be altered based on performance. ]
Eluard nodded in approval, "I will be visiting the Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary in the future. Know that your promises will be remembered by yours truly."
Lierop assured Eluard of his promise. After the slight interruption, the group of elves followed Lierop out of the cave and went back to their home.
When they were far away, Lierop realized that four of his students were missing.
"Damn it! Her Royal Highness' twins, and the other two!", he was about to return to retrieve them when howls resounded in the distance.
Lierop had no choice but to hasten his escape out of here, hoping that the masked senior would help the four stubborn students as their identities were rather important in the Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary.
…
"You should have joined your instructor, brats.", Eluard muttered under his breath. His voice echoed in the desolate cave filled with the stench of the corpses of the demon beasts.
Four small figures walked out of the shadows and approached Eluard, "Senior, please guide us in hunting demon beasts!"
Eluard felt like spanking these hot-headed young people for leaving their instructor just to experience hunting demon beasts.
[ Name: Rina Alderia
Age: 14 Years Old
Race: Elf
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary (Royal Family), Alderian Magic Haven
Magic Power: Apprentice Mage (Full Ring)
Magic Root: Complementary Twin Magic Root (Legendary)
Magic Aptitude: 9.2/10 (Apprentice Mage)
Magic Affinity: Fire, Lava
Complementary Magic Affinity: Water, Ice ]
[ Complementary Twin Magic Root (Legendary)
The twin siblings carry both the magic affinity of one another. Mana sharing is enabled between the two. ]
[ Additional Effect: Complementary Enhancement
The twins can cultivate together and increase cultivation speed by 200%. Distance must be less than 10 meters to take effect.
Note: This is different from the 'dual cultivation' you know of. ]
[ Additional Effect: Duplex Sense
Either twin can share their five different senses. ]
[ Degradation Effect: Complementary Death
The death of one twin will result in the death of the other. ]
Eluard narrowed his eyes on the girl with black and white hair and the boy beside her with the same hair color.
[ Name: Rono Alderia
Age: 14 Years Old
Race: Elf
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary (Royal Family), Alderian Magic Haven
Magic Power: Apprentice Mage (Full Ring)
Magic Root: Complementary Twin Magic Root (Legendary)
Magic Aptitude: 9.2/10 (Apprentice Mage)
Magic Affinity: Water, Ice
Complementary Magic Affinity: Fire, Lava ]
"Oh, a legendary magic root, and a rather interesting one as well.", Eluard chuckled before turning around to leave.
Rina and Rono, the twins, widened their eyes in surprise, "Senior, yo-you know what is our magic root?"
"If the four of you behave properly, I might as well tell you more about the secrets of your magic roots.", Eluard said with his back on their faces.
He did look at the other two's attributes but their magic roots were lackluster compared to Rina and Rono. Furthermore, he has no choice but to look over these brats and babysit while hunting for demon beasts.
'It takes more than just talking to the big guys about forming a… partnership.'
Since the Creed was about to enter the Heavenly Magic Academy, Eluard set up plans in making talks with the other factions as well. If he could finish the job properly, the elves might befriend him and be rewarded a valuable and trustworthy ally.
Hearing his words, the four of them straightened their bodies and obediently followed after Eluard.
The latter realized something and suddenly engulfed the corpses on fire.
[ Harvesting corpses ]
The fire concealed the harvesting process of the system, making Eluard praise himself for thinking of such an ingenious method.
[ Harvest completed ]
[ Received white magic crystal x 87, blue magic crystal x 10, iron claws x 44, clawed monkey hide x 22, dark luminous wolf's claws x 22… ]
A long line of loot appeared in Eluard's system panel.
'Good, things are going as expected.'
Amidst his victorious interlude, a system prompt altered his mood.
[ Warning: Multiple high-level demon beasts detected. Proceed with caution ]
Eluard stopped moving and went to the students tab. He sent out a message for them to be careful of their surroundings.
His system allowed him to communicate with the students of the academy wherever they were in the world. It proved very convenient to him to message the students in case situations like the one he is in now arise.
Rina and Rono, along with the other two students, looked at Eluard who stared at the air.
"Hey, what do you think he is doing now?", asked Rono.
Rina's eyes showed worry about Rono's decision to stay behind with Eluard.
"I don't know, brother. If something bad happens, I'm going to blame you for it.", the girl threatened.
Rono backed down in fear, afraid that something bad might happen to the four of them.
And his nightmare came into reality.
The ground suddenly shook intensely and demon beasts howling in the distance resounded. Some of them ran, flew, slithered, or crawled.
"Oh no, there's too many of them!", Rono cried.
Rina rolled her eyes on her brother's cowardice, "You were the one who said that we should stay behind and follow after that senior! Now, you're acting like this?!"
"Uhm, uncle Rono, aunt Rina, I think we should step out now…", one of the other students interjected.
Rina snorted, "It's too late for that! Stand up, you stupid little brother! Come and fight like a man!"
"But I'm a still a boy-!"
Rina slapped Rono and went near Eluard's side. The two other boys followed her.
"Senior, I want to help!", Rina offered.
Eluard only glanced in her direction and didn't say anything.
'Clawed monkeys, dark luminous wolf, bull horn, metal scaled snake, poisonous vulture…', he listed all of the demon beasts that were approaching the entrance of the cave at great speed.
'An organized attack. Someone's behind this, the demons, maybe?'
It was impossible for normal and elite demon beasts to group together and attack. At the very least, a commander-level demon beast or a demon is controlling their actions together.
Even though a catastrophe was about to befall him, Eluard remained calm and raised both of his hands. On his left was the fire element and on his right was the water element.
He combined the two of them, emitting hot steam around him.
'Gushing Geyser!'
Boiling water poured out from his hands and flooded the land in front of them. Some of the demon beasts were hit in the eyes, partially blinding them in the process.
Others were cooked alive. The painful howls of the demon beasts made Rina realize that she wasn't dreaming.
"How strong!", Rina hasn't seen that type of magic before. If anything, fire and water shouldn't be compatible with one another yet here she was.
'He must be a grandmaster magus! No doubt about it!'
Screech!
A vulture hissed from above, swooping down to attack Rina. Poison dripped on its mouth while its feathers were stained with green and dark color all over.
It was nothing short of becoming an undead being.
Now that she was being attacked, Rina could feel the pressure and threat of death. Her muscles stopped moving as she awaited her fate.
"Water Bullet!", a shout resounded behind her, hitting the vulture in the face and stopping its attack.
"Rina, are you okay?!", Rono ran to her.
"R-Rono!", she stuttered.
"You're acting strong when you're this dazed when a demon beast attacks you! Let your twin brother do his thing. I'll protect my dear twin sister even if I'm dead!", Rono swore in front of everyone.
"I admire your ideals but now isn't the time to spout such nonsense.", Eluard's cold voice reminded them of the threat in front of them.
The rest of the vultures saw their comrade fall in the hands of the human. They were enraged and attacked.
'Hundreds of them! So many!', Eluard was thrilled in his heart.
The mask of the magus resonated with his excitement and increased his enthusiasm to battle for more.
'Binding Light!'
Several rays of light emerged from his body, extending to the reach of the vultures, and seized them tightly. The vultures cried, struggling to break free but the light tightened its grasp before Eluard pulled them to the ground.
"Hah!"
His muscles enlarged as Eluard pounded the vultures towards their death. Most of them died from cracked necks by hitting the ground or colliding with the other demon beasts.
Eluard then casted several earthen spikes above each vulture and pierced their hearts, ending their lives in an instant.
Seeing that he was about to be surrounded by several demon beasts, Eluard gathered his mana and let out a dark wave.
"Wave of Ruin!"
The dark wave corrupted the demon beasts even more as they became insane and started ripping each other out.
The four students watched in awe as a single mysterious man obliterated a demon beast attack without using high-level magic spells.
Eluard alternately closed and opened his fists. He could feel the control and power of his mana increasing quickly unlike when he was cultivating.
'If this continues, it might be less than a month and my power could be comparable to an adept wizard. However, my knowledge is only on par with that of a naive mage.'
Regardless of the imbalance between his knowledge and power, Eluard let out a chuckle and looked at the devastated land in front of him.
The piles of demon beasts' corpses. Torn bodies, cracked necks, splintered body parts, gouged eyeballs.
All of it was seen by Eluard. He could feel the throbbing of his mask as if it was enjoying the view.
"It seems like battling is more fun than I expected."
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