34 A Phoenix's Might (pt.1)

Once Alastor heard Vian's confirmation, he reached to touch the white orb made of light after holding her hand and pulling her closer.

"This is going to be a space spell, most likely. So, I hope you don't mind me staying this close with you, Vian."

The move was a bit sudden, but Vian could not react fast enough. Alastor's scent invaded her immediately, preventing her from moving as she felt a bit dizzy. In addition, the spell started to work on time.

The light seeped into the wood and the vines, turning them white and glowing, as their surroundings started to fade away.

"Close your eyes and focus on me, I suppose you are going to feel weird due to it being your first time."

Vian hummed and clung to him closer. True to his words, she was starting to feel weird. She was starting to feel nauseous, her surroundings were swirling.

Heaving a soft breath, the phoenix's master quieted down. She did everything she could to forget her surroundings and focus on the warm body she was leaning against.

'I thought his body would be cold,' her thoughts drift to that direction unknowingly.

Alastor was anything but warm for people. His attitude, laughter, and desire for destruction, all portrayed him as a cold person. Even his scent- it was not entirely warm, rather, it was spicy and left a different taste whenever she smelled him.

Everything about him was cold, but she was feeling it was warm instead.

'Maybe I just got too used to him.'

There was no need to drown herself in useless thoughts anymore, though. Soon enough, her surroundings started to stabilize, and she heard Alastor speaking to her.

"You did a good job, we seem to be in the correct place, now."

Opening her eyes, Vian was amazed by the place they were in.

"...Are we in a forest?"

Her eyes wandered around. The lush green and blue surrounding her made her pause. Her nose scrunched up as she asked again.

"Were we not supposed to be in some underground floor?"

In response to her, Alastor gave her the map he had again. Which she stared at dumbfoundedly.

The map that described something earlier changed completely now. From being some sort of underground basement, to becoming one wild forest that seemed to be an even dangerous place to navigate.

"How?"

"I am assuming this map was drawn by mana, and after being touched by another Mana, it changed to its original form."

Alastor lightly shrugged and let go of Vian before casting an observing glance around him.

'This place is more dangerous than I thought, how appealing.'

What was the fun about exploring some stupid basement? Alastor felt that this environment was better.

"We should move, the map points to the correct path. Move carefully, and stay as close as possible to me."

Both of them agreed on that silently as they slowly started to move according to the map. They could not let their guard down, as they were sensing how some creatures accompanied them.

The silence between them was growing heavier by the second, but Vian did not dare to say anything. She knew something must be watching them. Perhaps her innocent whisper will attract more, and such a risk was better not being taken at all.

Seeing how she was so cooperative and observant as they stealthily sneaked through the bushes. Although she was unable to see the danger clearly.

On the other hand, Alastor was able to see who was trying to ambush them.

'Amateurs,' he scoffed internally. Then turned back to look at Alexander.

The phoenix was lazily floating around them, not even flapping its wings. It was clearly bored and fed up with many things.

It was only a matter of time before something sneak behind them. Naturally, this did not go unnoticed.

"Little phoenix, are you able to feel the monsters around us?" Alastor asked teasingly, and Alexander made a soft grunt.

He was weighing his choices and whether he needed to use his own power to attack or just rest this time.

'I can fight, but that surely is going to complicate my condition.'

And looking at it from another angle, Vian was happy to help. In fact, she herself may get upset if he decides to fight.

'I suppose I better opt to not fight, then.'

Vian giggled as she explained, "Ahem, he was saying that they were such an eyesore to try sneaking up on him in such a crude manner."

"Hah. Are you going to deal with them then?"

As an answer, the phoenix spread its wings and flew higher, showing off its might. A few of the creatures squeaked and scattered around immediately, but one stood tall, coming out of its hiding spot.

The creature resembled a normal bear, but it was twice its size. A deep growl came out from within its throat as its fangs and claws grew bigger.

"Grrr…"

"My, quite angry, is it not?"

Alastor merely noted, and Vian immediately pulled him behind her. She shook her head before he could say anything.

"Yes, who knows why? Let's make Alexander deal with it, though?"

'Not fighting is good,' Alastor nodded, but still moved his fingers to draw a simple magic circle, 'I still would like to not receive so much protection.'

The small magical circle that was drawn on air slid down and settled below Alastor and Vian. A very soft gleam was emitted from the ground, and they were surrounded by a transparent barrier.

'If everything went accordingly, this shield is not going to be exposed, and I will have no reason to explain its origin.'

Alastor was not afraid of that, it was, however, a bit troublesome to come up with a plausible lie. Especially since Vian was very sensitive to mana, the way her eyes narrowed once the barrier was established was enough to tell.

"You are very mysterious…"

"I know. Let's watch how that little phoenix fights, yes?"

"Yes."