2 The Ethereal Forest

With a calm posture, Elise entered the mouth of the Ethereal Forest. A forest that is known as a hiding place for Hagraven and Infernals. They were behind those quite big amounts of people who had gone missing. The news spread like wildfire and it was all over the country. Everyone was informed and was instructed to never wander especially near the forest, once the sun sets off.

But little did they know there was a stubborn young woman who keeps on coming inside the forest every night, Lady Elise Delacroix, a noble who can't manifest mana, has a gut to enter a dangerous forest filled with unknown things. But she didn't feel scared, not a little ounce. Her reason for entering the Ethereal Forest was quite simple, to be her personal training ground.

Knowing there are beast and dangerous being who resides in the forest, she thinks it is the best place to train herself and maybe manifest her mana. But what the young lady never realizes her single skill in swordsmanship is enough to bring down a beast inside the forest despite her lack of magic. The young lady has a great level of expertise when it comes to handling swords.

But beside Elise, someone had also entered the forest, a man. Seeing Elise entering the forest confuse him. What would a dainty lady doing inside a forest with no one even accompanying her?

As she walks forward into the forest. A fury Infernal beast blocked the way. Quickly she gripped her sword and unnoticeably the beast head had fallen unto the ground with that little amount of time she was able to bring down a beast. But the action didn't stop as soon as she decapitated the beast a Hagraven popped out in the mid-air. It was about to jump over her but she quickly jerked away. Using her sword she countered it with a strong blow making the Hagraven unable to move. Without wasting time she stabs it on its back making the Hagraven lose its breath.

As the man quietly observed Elise. He was quickly amazed by her skill no it was not a skill it was a talent. She was extremely good at swords. As if her sword was a part of her body, it goes along with his fast movement. It was polished. 'That answers why she didn't have any companion at all she can manage all by herself.' The man thought.

"Looks like they know I'm coming I didn't expect them to emerge at this hour," Elise whispered under her breath. As she continues again she fought with a similar kind of a beast and easily took it down.

"Impressive, for a girl who does not have mana, it's a bit shocking." A woman emerged right in front of Elise. 'Is that a witch' Elise thought, taking a glance at the woman in front of her. She felt nervous realizing that if her guess is right then she's in big trouble.

On the other hand, the man who was keeping watch at Elise frowned by the sudden entrance of a woman which she recognizes quickly. "What on earth is that witch doing here?" He confusedly questioned himself.

"Who are you." Elise nervously questioned the woman. Using her sword she points it anxiously to the woman. She was never afraid of unknown things that dwell upon the forest instead she is afraid of foreign things who came inside the forest. She'll never know what they're capable of, unlike those beasts who she is familiar with. She knows how to handle them.

"I'm a witch." The woman introduced herself and formed a big smirk in her face, there was something up inside her sleeve.

"And it's a great pleasure to meet the Delacroix Heiress." The witch added. That brought a surprise to Elise, how come this woman knows her?

"How—"

"Oh poor young lady, your days are counted and there is nothing you can do about it. I actually pity you. But worry no more, this night I shall end your agony." The witch asserted pointing her hands directly to Elise.

"What do you mean—?"

"You need to die tonight, Young Lady." The witch added.

"Death Ray." The witch awakened her spell. Pointing it to Elise but luckily she manages to avoid it.

Elise was about to reach the Witch and slashed downwards with the sword. But the witch parried with one of her spell making a big barrier in front her, her blade clashed against the barrier and had formed little cracks around its edges. 

Quickly, before the witch could perform a follow-up, Elise swiftly strikes the witch but she effortlessly dodges it.

"Flame nova." The witch quickly chants forming a fireball.

But Elise can't avoid the spell this time. It directly hit her in the stomach. She can't avoid it. Her great skill in swordsmanship won't help her, it was clearly not enough. She needed what she lacks, a mana.

Looking at her stomach we're the spell hit her. She was shocked to see so much blood yet she did not feel any extreme pain. Her hands were shivering as she touches it. Staring at her pale hands all covered up by blood.

"Arghh." Elise groaned. She was starting to feel the pain that was absent seconds ago. For her it was unbearable. She feels like the spell that hit her was tearing her flesh.

"Now give up Young Lady, you are no match for me." The witch spoke confidently.

"Never!" Elise retorted giving the witch a glare.

"Then I shall kill you right now." The witch asserted.

"You can't kill her Leiria." The man who'd been watching the fight came in. He spoke in a calm, authoritative way. Elise's brows furrowed as she took a glance at the man. 'Who's this guy?' She thought to herself.

"I know you, you are Lord Vandran's son." The witch recognizes him.

"Good, you know me." the man emotionlessly utter. He looks at the witch with no sign of fear.

"Why are you barging in with someone's business?" The witch irritatedly questioned him.

"So?" The man sarcastically asks. That completely annoyed the witch. 'How dare he mock me.' The witch thought.

"How dare you! I'll teach you a lesson! Young man." The witch furiously asserted.

"Then teach me, if you can." The man with no glint of fear mocked the witch.

The witch chanted multiple spells but nothing landed on the man's body. He is using defuse magic.

"Now, it's my turn." The man said. "Asphyxiate." the man uttered. Making the witch unable to breathe. The witch stumbled on the ground touching her neck. She was becoming pale.

"S-stop, please." The witch begged. But she didn't receive any response from the man.

"I will spare you, if you promise to never harm this woman, again." The man asserted.

"I promise!"

"Now go." The man deactivated his magic. Letting the witch escape.

As soon as the witch leaves she confronts Elise.

But Elise couldn't stop to feel scared. Seeing how powerful the man is. "Who are you?" She nervously questioned the man.

"I'm—" But before the man could say his name. The pain once hit Elise.

"Arghh!" Elise shouted in pain. She can't take any more If this agony.

Her sight was starting to become fuzzy little by little. But before she could fall into the ground the man caught her into his arms.

"Sleep, Elise."