Small Problem

Roran slowly crept up towards the band of Spartoi. They were crowding around the body of a large lion. He carefully crept forward, trying to move with the shadow of the clouds, and with the sound of howling wind. He then stood still inside a large group of bushes

Sylvian was positioned on the other side of the band, on top of a tree. Roran had commanded him to go and then wait until the signal to ambush.

One of the Spartoi thought something was off. He cautiously advanced in Roran's directing. The other four were also staring in Roran's directions, causing goosebumps to emerge all around his body. However, Roran restrained his emotions. They would only affect his thinking, so staying calm was the best option.

Roran, looking at the advancing Spartoi, suddenly came up with a wonderful idea. First, he took a branch from one of the bushes. He tried to do it without making too much sound. The Spartoi didn't notice anything.

"Good," Roran murmured to himself. He took the branch, and then threw it away. Instantly, the Spartoi noticed. He looked towards the branch, and then looked back to track its trajectory. Then its eyes landed on Roran. It instantly lunged, and the tried to grab Roran's throat. Then suddenly walls emerged from all sides, completely trapping the Spartoi. It turns out that Roran was already using his Mana the second he let the branch go. He was preparing to make walls at around where the Spartoi would attack. The branch served as a distraction, and although it lasted for only a second, it delayed the Spartoi long enough.

The other four had seen Roran too. They were all charging when flames charred the ground in front of then, impeding them from moving forwards. These were flames from Sylvian. Normal flames could not hurt the Spartoi, but this time, Sylvian had imbued some of his Mana into it. This will cause some major damage.

Roran knew that the flames couldn't last too long. He first jumped from his bush, and then plunged his sword into the Hellfire of the trapped Spartoi. It collapsed into bones. Then Roran told Sylvian to continuously spew fire for as long as he can, to keep the Spartoi inside and under control.

Five seconds later, spikes of earth pierced through the ground and killed the Spartoi. Roran instantly ran forwards, and cautious not to touch the flames, absorbed the Hellfire before they dissipated. The Mana storage inside filled up by five thousandths.

"That was worth it, Sylvian. Take some bones and then let's continue."

Suddenly, sounds of clapping floated through the air, "Not bad. I assume you are going to the Royal Academy?"

A young man came out. He was in his twenties, dressed in a toga.

"Um… Yeah," Roran stared at the toga in silent surprise.

"Don't look at it," The young man warned.

Then another person emerged, "Jordis!", Roran was ecstatic to see Jordis.

"Hey Roran. I didn't expect you to be here so soon, and with a pet too."

The young man's expression suddenly changed. He knew Jordis. He was one of the people on the board of the Royal Academy, yet he greets the guy as if he was familiar with him. He took a mental note not to get on the bad side of "Roran", as Jordis called him.

"Of course, Jordis. Am I near the Royal Academy?"

"Yes. In fact, you are quite close."

"How far?"

"Around a kilometer or so."

The young man suddenly interrupted them with a trembling voice, "Sirs, I'm afraid we have a problem here."