Chapter 38 - The Golden Fire Guy
Their eyes glowed with a warm amber hue, reflecting the strength and resilience of the earth. With their powerful limbs and muscular builds, they moved with ease and authority across the terrain.
At this moment, the young Elementalists were at a disadvantage.
"We're doomed!" one of the Elementalists cried out, despair coloring his voice as he hurled a fireball at an oncoming Terraclaw. Yet, his effort proved futile.
The Terraclaws, as Level 21 Beast Knights, had the upper hand over the Level 20 Elemental Soldiers. While this slight difference in levels could be overcome by genius Elementalists, it presented a formidable challenge for most.
"I-Im-Impossible for us to survive this time!" declared a blonde-haired girl, her voice tinged with despair.
"It's all your fault. You were too arrogant to push us into this area. Haven't we been explicitly warned against coming here?" retorted another girl, her hair a striking shade of yellow, as she scolded her companion.
Despite their dire situation, they resorted to blaming each other. Yet, given the emblems adorning their clothing, such behavior wasn't surprising. They belonged to the illustrious Grand William Family, renowned for their formidable prowess and control over elemental fire.
From a distance, Camille, observing the scene, nudged Elion with a teasing comment, "Why can't other Fire Elementalists maintain their cool like you, Elion?"
"Perhaps it's the pride that comes with being part of a prominent family," Elion responded with a gentle smile, a hint of amusement in his voice.
This wasn't a new spectacle to him; he had witnessed similar attitudes emanating from members of the Hayes Family. The same happened when growing up in the Waste District, where disdainful glances were all too common, he had become accustomed to such displays.
Glancing at his wrist, Elion's gaze lingered on the barcode, a stark reminder marked by laser five years prior. He had chosen to keep it as a testament to his hardships.
"So, you're still willing to help, then?" Camille probed, already anticipating his answer.
"Of course. I am a Fire Elemental Guardian, after all," Elion affirmed, his tone resolute.
He quickly retrieved a cloak and a phoenix mask from his elemental storage ring. Then, igniting the golden flames that burst forth from the soles of his feet, he 'flew' toward the group of young Elementalists, ready to intervene.
A Terraclaw charged swiftly, its sights set on the blonde-haired girl poised to unleash her family's forbidden techniques in defense of her life.
"Don't. Don't squander the life you possess," a voice interjected, stepping in front of her to intercept Terraclaw's looming attack.
Elion, with determination, positioned himself to block the Stone Bite attack, one of Terraclaw's most lethal moves. Known for its ability to shatter rocks, the Terraclaw's bite delivers devastating physical damage through its formidable jaws.
Yet, it met Elion's unshielded flesh, an intentional test of his physical resilience.
To the Terraclaw's astonishment, its mighty jaws failed to impact Elion. His status as the successor of the Phoenix played a significant role. Other than the Phoenix Sutra, the Basic Ancient Combat Arts, imparted by Solandar, there's a notable emphasis on body tempering techniques.
Solandar once explained that their world wasn't always intertwined with elemental affinities. Over time, as humans increasingly harnessed these powers, they began to overlook their inherent physical strength and rely heavily on elemental abilities.
According to Solandar, this shift rendered the current Elementalists substantially weaker than their ancient counterparts. Yet, the Supreme and Ancient Elementalists retain knowledge of body tempering, among other techniques, and stand as Solara's formidable guardians.
"Surprised?" Elion taunted, his demeanor unfazed.
With that, Elion unleashed a punch enveloped in golden flames toward the Terraclaw. The force sent it reeling, its body beginning to smolder, eliciting a scream of agony.
As Elion weighed his options, a thought crossed his mind, Maybe I should grant my enemies a quicker demise, he mused, feeling a pang of regret at the sight of a Terraclaw's prolonged suffering.
His decisive actions inadvertently drew the attention of the Terraclaw group, providing a much-needed respite for the beleaguered group of young Elementalists.
They seized the opportunity to catch their breath, choosing solidarity with Elion over retreat. From a distance, Camille observed the scene unfold.
"There's still a glimmer of goodness in them. That's reassuring," Camille whispered to herself, a smile on her lips.
In these desperate times, with the looming threat of demons returning to Solara, unity among humans was more vital than ever.
Facing the Terraclaw group head-on, Elion issued an ultimatum, his voice resolute, "You decide—meet your end now, or take this chance to flee." His disdain for harvesting beast cores from lesser Elemental Beasts was apparent; his collection was already extensive.
"Are you crazy?! What can you possibly do, kid? You're only Level 12," a bald man scoffed, underestimating Elion. The ability of higher-level Elementalists to sense the aura of those below them was well known.
"Didn't you witness his actions just now?" the brown-haired man retorted, defending Elion.
The two girls in the group exchanged quick nods, their hopes pinned on Elion's intervention. They resolved to leave Rekar Forest immediately after this, recognizing their inability to face higher-level Elemental Beasts.
The Terraclaws, sensing Elion's challenge, responded with aggression, advancing on him with a ferocity that betrayed their insult.
"Alright. I'll end your lives now," Elion declared, advancing towards the Terraclaws.
"Blazing Slashes!"
With seven precise strikes, golden flames arced toward each Terraclaw, targeting their necks for a swift execution. Elion could not escape the path soaked in blood, whether of Elemental Beasts or rival Elementalists, was unwavering in his quest for supremacy.
The Terraclaws could not evade or counter Elion's assault, collapsing almost in unison, lifeless. The spectacle of golden flames and sheer power left the young Elementalists in awe.
"Did you see the golden flames he wielded?" the blonde-haired girl inquired, her curiosity piqued.
The group murmured their agreement, equally astounded by the golden flames and Elion's exceptional prowess. Despite his modest Level 12, he had overcome Level 21 Terraclaws, a feat unheard of even among the prodigies of the Grand Families.
"Let's go thank him," the blonde-haired girl suggested, rallying her companions.
Without delay, Elion vanished, disappearing from sight before anyone could approach him. He rejoined Camille, who was waiting with an understanding smile. Together, they resumed their journey towards the nearest town, searching for a resting place.
Elion was unaware that his bravery in Rekar Forest had sparked a lot of talk among the people, and they had given him the nickname 'The Golden Fire Guy.'
Luckily, since no documented evidence of his deeds, he could avoid unnecessary attention, and their journey could proceed effortlessly.
Driven by his determination, Elion was eager to achieve greater heights, strengthened by the beast cores he had collected.
***
"Two rooms for tonight," Elion said as he addressed the hotel attendant in Lamar Town.
"Noted, sir. Would you like to add breakfast and dinner to enhance your stay?" the attendant suggested, aiming to elevate the guests' experience.
At the mention of food, a growl of anticipation escaped Camille's stomach, prompting a chuckle from Elion, amused by the reaction.
"That sounds wonderful. How much?" Elion inquired, already pulling out his card from his wallet.
"Two silver coins in total," replied the attendant, her smile warm and welcoming.
Elion presented his Globecomm without hesitation, swiftly scanning it through the device. A notification immediately signaled the payment's success on his Globecomm.
This watch-like device had become essential, mainly after Camille had thoughtfully set up his savings account and their companions before they departed from Estola City.
As their guardian since she was older, Camille had carefully helped them all to open a savings account to handle all their financial requirements—a prudent decision considering their youth.
"Thank you for choosing our hotel. Dinner will be served in the restaurant," the attendant said, her tone imbued with warmth as she gestured towards the dining area.
"This way to the restaurant," she continued, leading the way.
Elion and Camille walked gracefully, looking every bit like the perfect couple. Elion, towering at an impressive six feet and three inches, boasted a well-built and muscular physique, a strikingly handsome face, and a head full of snow-white hair that exuded a distinctly masculine charm.
Camille, standing beside him, was a vision of beauty herself. Although not particularly tall, her captivating presence and charming demeanor made her stand out. She looked stunning even in the simplest of clothes.
As they strolled, they caught the attention of many bystanders who couldn't help but admire the couple's grace and elegance.
While some onlookers showered them with compliments, others couldn't help but feel envious. A few even had less-than-pure intentions, which did not go unnoticed by the couple.
"Please, Camille," Elion murmured softly, extending a gentle invitation as he pulled out a chair at their reserved table for her.
"Thank you," Camille responded with embarrassment, warming her cheeks at Elion's chivalrous gesture.
"You're welcome," Elion replied, his voice carrying a tone of warmth as he settled into the seat opposite of Camille. With a familiarity that spoke of deep understanding, he anticipated her culinary preferences, placing their order with the ease of someone who knew her well.