Chapter 83.3 - The First Year at the Academy - Fierce Warriors (3)
"Um… Are you okay?"
With the Shamshir hanging from my waist, I stood there motionless.
They noticed me, and Lola and Nails rushed over.
"Alter-sama!"
In contrast to me, Ted and Elliot were desperate.
"Restrain it! Strike!"
Gemma at the forefront shouted, and Ted and Elliot spread out to the left and right, launching a coordinated attack.
The children displayed remarkable teamwork.
Dodging their attacks was a large goat.
Yeah, definitely a goat. It's even saying "baa.".
Looking at the [Appraisal] again, it only said "Goat (Horber Breed)." There was no mention of it being a monster.
Well, a snake is also an animal. So why not a goat?
It was larger than a normal goat if you read the [Appraisal] carefully; it was level 8, unnecessarily high. Ted, who had no combat experience, was at level 2 to 3, and even Elliot was at level 5. It was clearly a superior opponent, despite being a goat.
The battle between the goat and Ted and the others continued.
It had no skills or magic, and its horns were rounded and safe. Its only means of attack seemed to be headbutts and kicks.
Even if you took a headbutt to the head, it wasn't instantly fatal like claws or fangs. Potions were sufficient for dealing with it.
"You guys, protect your heads. Nails, Lola, take care of their defense. Join in."
"Understood!"
Saying that, Nails also leaped into the battlefield.
"Um, are you sure?"
"Probably. It's just a goat."
Lola looked surprised and then looked back.
The goat, full of energy, was engaged in a fierce battle with Ted and the others.
"It… looks bloodshot…"
"But it's still just a goat."
Lola seemed to remember something and clapped her hands.
"The adventurers said something like that before. There are unusually aggressive goats in the mountains."
"That's right. I think it's the Horber breed."
"Horber breed… Oh, we also deal with clothes here. The threads are sturdy, you know."
Seemingly completely relieved, Lola said casually.
As it could be used as material for clothing, the goat had longer fur than usual.
That seemed to diminish the effectiveness of slashing attacks. It made sense that Ted and the others were struggling.
The goat suddenly lifted both of its front legs high in the air.
Gemma froze at the sudden movement.
"Dodge!"
The warning came too late, and a headbutt struck from a height of over two meters.
The shield shattered, and Gemma was blown away and crashed into the ground.
It was obvious. But he lacked experience.
"Gemma!?"
"I-I'm okay!"
In response to Ted's call, Gemma raised her hand.
He had avoided the head, and it seemed his arm wasn't broken. It was fortunate that she was lightweight.
And the goat itself didn't pursue him but stood in place, stomping its feet. It was calmly looking down at the agitated children. It's just a goat, right?
"Rest, Gemma!"
Ted said and jumped into the frontlines.
The exchange of slashing and headbutting began.
People could acquired skills, and magic can through training, but levels hardly increase without experiencing actual combat. Whatever it was, this goat had been fighting longer than Ted and the others.
However, in the end, it was still just a goat.
Its means of attack were overwhelmingly limited, and Ted and the others began to get used to its movements.
They gradually cornered it, but the goat showed no signs of fleeing.
It kicked while splattering blood and delivered headbutts.
Even Ted and the others were shaken by its determination and fierce appearance.
It might have been a good opponent for their first real battle.
There aren't many opponents with such strong fighting spirit. Even Elliot, who had experienced fighting Dorkol, was overwhelmed by the goat's determination.
Perhaps they would now understand the meaning of wielding a sword.
And thus, the intense battle finally came to an end.
As the goat charged, Ted swung his sword downward.
The goat's head was split open.
Splattering fresh blood, it dashed through the forest, crashing into a large tree and collapsing.
The goat ceased moving.
Even so, Ted and the others kept their weapons ready.
An opponent that would keep standing no matter how injured it was. They couldn't be sure if it's truly dead.
After a while, Ted approached and peered inside.
"…It's dead."
At my murmured words, everyone let out a sigh and slumped down.
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