=====
**Leticia's Elementals Affinity:
Water: C
Fire: E
Lighting: E
Earth: E
Wind: E
=====
A/N: I can't add the status window atm, sorry.
=====
—Boom!
A deafening explosion reverberated throughout the space and the ground began to shake violently.
"W-what is happening?"
Leticia tightly grasped Adrian's arm.
"I don't—"
Unexpectedly, the floor beneath them cracked and they plummeted downward, Leticia's voice echoed in the darkness.
"Kyaaa!!"
Noticing the Mana swirling around the area, Adrian swiftly caught the girl with one hand.
He then created several earth plates imitating a zigzag stairway leading downward and conjured a wisp of fire to light their way.
—Splash!
Water jumped around as he landed, soaking his shoes and Adrian could feel the dampness seeping into his socks.
"Haa… haa…"
Leticia gasped uncontrollably as adrenaline surged through her body.
Adrian set her down, and as a sudden realization struck her, Leticia faced him and urgently bellow.
"We shouldn't be here!"
Adrian furrowed his brows, confused by her sudden outburst.
Before he could ask for an explanation, Adrian turned sideways upon sensing numerous presences coming at them at rapid speed.
—Splash! —Splash! —Splash!
Immediately, he seized Leticia's hand and took off running.
Nevertheless, Adrian couldn't help but feel relief.
Thanks to the Elixir she had given him; the pain in his body had subsided slightly.
"Kiiieeekkk!!"
"Kiieeekkk!!"
The moment the Chimeras' screeching echoed throughout the space, Adrian understood what Leticia meant.
"They dumped the monster here!"
She explained as they ran.
Well, Adrian was so focused on the man he was about to fight that he didn't pay much attention to what was truly happening in the room.
Peeking over his shoulder, he saw numerous children chasing them.
Black veins protruded from their skin, their sclerae were dyed black, their irises had turned red and some of their limbs had transformed into Chimeras.
"Kkieekkk!!"
"Kkiieekk!!"
Their screeches grew louder and more menacing with each passing moment.
Knowing that they couldn't outrun the Chimeras forever, Adrian let go of her hand and pushed her forward.
"Keep running."
Leticia stumbled but quickly regained her footing and faced him.
"N–no! I don't want to!"
She vehemently protested, but Adrian had no time to respond to her nagging.
Ignoring her, Adrian pivoted to face the Chimeras and unleashed a powerful gust of wind to create some distance between them.
"Kkkieekk!!"
"Kiiieekkk!!"
The creatures screeched in frustration as they stumbled backward, colliding with each other before falling to the ground.
—Splash! —Splash! —Sash!
But their momentary setback didn't last long.
A hoard of Chimeras from behind jumped in and sprinted toward them, stepping on their own kind in haste to catch their prey.
Since they were incomplete Chimeras, their hearts shouldn't crystallize yet.
Soon, two magic circles appeared on either side of the boy and released volleys of wind bullets aimed directly at their hearts.
—Bang! —Bang! —Bang!
Black blood sprayed into the air like a macabre display of fireworks as the bullets ripped through their chests, shattering their crystallized hearts.
"Kkkieekk!!"
"Kiiieekkk!!"
The putrid smell of blood permeated the air, the Chimeras writhing in agony on the ground before eventually turning motionless.
—Splash! —Splash! —Splash!
One by one, they fell into the water, but there seemed to be no end to their numbers.
"Tsk."
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Adrian cast another powerful gust of wind.
"Kkkieekk!!"
"Kiiieekkk!!"
With a deafening wail, the Chimeras hurled backward, crashing into their comrades like a tidal wave before slamming into the ground.
—Splash! —Splash! —Splash!
Wasting no more time, Adrian swiftly turned around and grabbed Leticia's hand, and started to sprint.
Nonetheless, attempting to outrun the Chimera was futile given their remarkable speed.
And just like Adrian had anticipated, the creatures began to close in on them after just a few minutes of sprinting.
"Kkiieekk!!"
Sensing something hurtled at him, Adrian looked up and a Chimera was seen hovering.
Lifting his hand, Adrian shot up a wind bullet.
—Splash!
Sensing another one approaching at his left flank, Adrian shoved Leticia away and swung his sword.
—Splat!
Adrian could feel the cold blood splatter on his face as he delivered a blow to the chimera.
The creature stumbled backward, its chest ripped open, revealing a crimson, glowing heart.
Covering his blade with Fire Elemental, Adrian took a step forward and plunged his fiery sword directly into its heart.
"Kkiieekk!!"
As another creature ran toward him from his right side, Adrian kicked the Chimera's abdomen to retrieve his weapon, then spun his body to the right along with his sword.
The boy thrust his weapon into the monster's heart, sending its body plummeting below.
—Splash!
"Kkiieekk!!"
Adrian summoned a powerful gust of wind in an attempt to create some distance.
Nevertheless, the chimeras on the backline persisted, leaping and rushing towards him with ferocity.
Adrian spotted three Chimeras charging toward him.
Without delay, he fired three wind bullets aimed straight at their hearts.
—Splash! —Splash! —Splash!
As a shadow loomed over him, Adrian sprang into action, swiftly evading it.
He deftly drove his sword into the creature's heart just as it landed, causing it to collapse to the ground.
—Splash!
Sensing something hurtling towards him from his left side, Adrian quickly fired a wind bullet at its chest before it could land.
Black blood spurted out and showered him as the creature fell.
Leticia bit her lower lip upon watching Adrian swing his sword, cutting down every Chimera that crossed his path.
Exhaustion was evident on his face, even his breaths become more haggard with each passing second.
'There must be something—'
Leticia's gaze fixated on her palms, studying every line and crevice.
After a moment of deep contemplation, she clenched her fists tightly.
Despite her lack of confidence in her magic, she resolved to try anyway.
—Splash!
The chimera in front of the white-haired boy slumped down to the ground.
"Haa… haa…"
Adrian's chest heaved with each labored breath; his stamina waned, his clothes drenched in a mixture of sweat and black blood.
It seemed like this underground had been built over the years because the monsters kept coming to him as if there was no end to them.
"Kiieekkk!!"
A Chimera was spotted leaping toward him, Adrian lifted his hand, however—
—Boom!
"Kkiieekkk!!"
A fireball struck the beast before it could reach him, sending it flying away.
Adrian darted over his shoulder and saw Leticia extending her hand and a sharp surge of pain shot through his head, causing him to bellow out in rage.
"Stop—"
Nevertheless, Adrian's attention snapped back to the front as Chimeras charged toward him, prompting him to swing his sword once more.
Even though Adrian's repeated shouting for her to stop, Leticia persisted in casting fireballs.
And within less than an hour, they exterminated the Chimeras in the area.
"Haa… haa…"
As he caught his breath, Adrian swept his eyes to the surroundings and saw a sea of corpses strewn below.
Turning around, Adrian felt a surge of anger coursed through his veins upon seeing the girl who stood in the distance.
Wasting no more time, Adrian approached her.
"Ah…"
Leticia's heart raced with fear and trepidation as she watched him approach her.
Although his seemingly indifferent expression, Adrian's blue eyes glinted with anger, a sight Leticia had never seen before.
Arriving in front of her, Adrian spat out his grievances.
"Lady Leticia, do you even comprehend the gravity of your actions?"
Wrath dripped from his voice.
Adrian knew she meant well, but this VERY young lady just jumped straight into danger not only once, but thrice!
Leticia's head hung low, her eyes fixed on the ground.
A sharp pang of emotion pierced her heart, her chest constricted with a painful squeeze.
"...I'm sorry."
Leticia's voice came out in a choked whisper, barely audible.
"Show me your hands."
"!"
Leticia's head snapped up with a gasp, her eyes widening in disbelief.
'He knows!'
As the girl in front of him remained silent, Adrian repeated.
"Show me your hands."
"Your Highness—"
"Don't make me repeat myself for a third time."
Adrian interrupted sternly.
"Your Highness no need to fret, I have an Elixir."
Leticia reached into her pocket and winced in pain.
"Ugh…"
Soon, she forced a smile and held out her trembling hand, revealing an Elixir resting in her palm.
Adrian threw his face sideways the moment he caught the sight of her palms.
His heart sank and Adrian felt so frustrated.
Shifting his gaze back to Leticia's palms, Adrian noticed that they were covered in severe, burning wounds.
Feeling his frustration build up, Adrian let out a deep sigh before taking the Elixir from her outstretched trembling palms.
With a serious expression, he opened the lid and warned.
"Just so you know, this might hurt."
Adrian locked eyes with Leticia and she nodded in acknowledgement.
With that, Adrian began to pour the elixir onto her palms, causing the girl to grimace and wail in agony.
"Ugh…"
Adrian let out a tired sigh as he tended to Leticia's wound.
"I know you meant well and wanted to help, but that doesn't justify putting yourself in danger."
Leticia hung her head low, feeling guilty before muttering under her breath.
"I just… don't want to be a burden—"
"Do you even know what burden is?"
Leticia shook her head in slow motion and Adrian explained.
"A burden is something that someone is not willing to carry. On the other hand, you—"
Adrian lifted his head, and their eyes met briefly before he returned his attention to tending her wound.
"—I'm willing to carry you."
Leticia felt a warm sensation spread through her heart, and in a gesture of gratitude, she leaned forward to kiss Adrian's cheek.
But before she could make contact, Adrian turned his head, causing their lips to accidentally brush against each other.
"Ah!"
Leticia gasped, pulling away in embarrassment.
Adrian's expression was a mixture of shock and confusion.
"What are you doing?!"
He exclaimed, clearly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.
Leticia's face flushed, realizing her mistake.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
—Clang!
A loud metallic clang echoed through the air, forcing them to turn to the noise.
There, they saw a figure with black hair standing a few meters away, his sword lying on the ground beside him.
Nathaniel's eyes widened in surprise.
"What the hell! Did you two just kiss?!!"
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com