Peerless Beauty.

A beam of ice rain down from the sky, each of the beam of ice was cold enough to freeze anything it touches instantly in layers of ice. The trajectory of the icy breath was frighteningly accurate.

"Tch, mother of fire blasts my target, flare ball!"

With my arm outstretched a magic formation was formed, followed by a blast of fire, which converted into a giant ball of flame.

The icy breath and ball of flame met from the front.

The two-attack made contact as the flame ball was easily overpowered.

"Not good."

I said with a stern expression, I then put strength into my legs preparing to get out of the range of the incoming ice beam. However, before I could move, my hand was tightly grasped by Alya who had a nonchalant expression on her face. Before I could glance at her, she gently yanked me towards her!

She then raised her hand upwards as a vortex of wind surrounded us in a spiral motion.

The icy breath made contact with the spiral of wind. As a result, we were completely ensnared in a dome made of ice.

"My, my, I didn't think this beast would be this strong. I guess going easy on it would be suicidal."

Alya said in a grave tone, however, contrary to her words her expression was extremely relaxed.

"If you're going to say something like that, why don't you look a little bit concern?"

I muttered in exasperation.

"Fumu, it's been a while since I last fought a tough opponent. You know, the silver fox race is known to be extremely good fighters, I want to have a good fight against this beast."

She said in a cheerful tone, completely pumping herself up. I'm glad one of us is enjoying this. But my fire magic was easily overpowered by its ice. I need a stronger fire attack and then its lightning attack was also extremely strong and fast at the same time. Letting my guard down now is a bad decision I really need to start using some strong attacks.

I looked at the two ring which were still placed on my fingers,

(I wonder if my attacks would be stronger if I removed these rings?)

I wondered internally, however, when thinking about the consequences that could happened if I ever were to remove the rings I hesitated. Eventually deciding against doing so.

"For the time being let's leave this place."

Alya said raising her hand upwards as a strong gust of wind then shot out of her palm and made a direct hit on the dome of ice.

CRACK~

The dome shattered as fragments of ice fell from the ceiling, rays of sunlight then shone inside the dome brightening up the insides. Alya then leaped towards the opened space made by her wind. I also followed her lead. And landed on top of the dome.

The nine tailed fox beast stood on top of the shrine. A look of caution presents in its crimson eyes.

"Hmm… why didn't it attack us while we were trapped? It was the perfect chance to attack, wasn't it?"

I asked aloud completely confused.

"Hm… perhaps it's trying to safeguard its territory, their species are known to be very territorial."

Alya said somewhat dubiously. A look of contemplation presents on her face. Noticing that I cocked my head in confusion.

The silver fox tails all started glowing as electricity started flickering around its nine long silver tails. The electricity then quickly condensed and fired blasts of lightning bolts. All coming straight towards our direction.

Alya then turned into wind and disappeared from where she stood, while I promptly jumped towards the ground and prepared a spell to counter its lightning bolts.

"Mother of earth protect me from all danger, mud wall!"

A magic circle was formed, before long the ground elevated and formed a wall of dirt, which was 10 meters tall and 20 cm wide. The electricity then made contact with the mud wall.

BANG!!

The mud wall was able to endure the impact of the lightning bolts, though a small crater was formed where it was hit.

The silver fox glared down with obvious hatred present in its eyes.

"Ignoring me is going to be your last mistake, you know."

A sweet yet cold voice sounded from behind, before the silver fox had the chance to turn around. A strong impact landed on its head forcing it downwards, small cracks appeared on top of the shrine. Alya's fist, which was imprinted on the silver fox's head then, she created a spear of wind Alya then mercilessly stab the silver fox through the arm which was placed downward.

ROAR~

A loud painful shriek escaped its mouth. Watching that scene from the ground I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the silver fox who was making a pained expression as though going through the most gruesome torture.

Swoosh~

The nine silver tails swayed roughly like blade attacking Alya where she stood. However, she casually leaped downwards avoiding the nine tails coming towards her.

"Mother of earth strike my target, earth spears."

A magic circle was formed on the ground, as many earth impalement then raised upwards. Heading towards the silver fox, however, as though sensing the incoming danger the silver fox tried leaping to avoid the attack coming towards it.

ROAR~

A painful scream then escapes its mouth as its right leg was impale from the earth impalement, due to the pain from getting stab from Alya's earlier attack it was unable to avoid the countless earth impalement rising from the ground. And so, its legs were pierced through. Blood painted the ground as the silver fox fell from top of the shrine and onto the ground.

The silver fox continued glaring at us as though cursing us. It once again tried standing up but fell due to the pain.

"Curse you! Curse you human!"

The silver fox shouted hatefully. Eh?!! Wait did it just talk? How? Aren't monsters supposed to be creatures who aren't capable of speaking in human tongue….

I immediately looked towards Alya demanding an explanation. Seeing that she lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"The silver fox races are the few beast races in this world who are able to speak, in human language. They're also the second most intelligent second only to the dragon race."

Alya explained fluently. I see… if I knew it could speak then I would have at least tried negotiating first instead of simply attacking. I face palm myself before heaving a sigh.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"You didn't ask."

She replied coolly. Meanwhile the silver foxes body started to decrease in size, the silver fur then started to fade as a smooth and delicate porcelain skin then appeared. Before long the silver fox had turned into the form of a human, no it wasn't just any human. It was the appearance of a beautiful woman who one could easily call a "Peerless Beauty" the woman seem to be approximately 19 or 20 years old.

Two silver fox ears could be seen on top of her head, as well as nine silver fox tails swaying about behind her back. Her beautiful long waist length silver hair hangs down her back, her rounded eyebrows and well-shaped face was extremely beautiful and well formed.

She wore a bright yellow semi-transparent dress that stuck to her body showing off her curves perfectly. Her voluptuous breasts also fit well with her neatly refined figure, although there were blood stains on her white thigh it didn't damage the exquisiteness looks of her smooth legs.

Seeing that my mouth was flopped opened, however, I quickly coughed to clear my throat when I noticed Alya's icy cold gaze.

I then tried to approach her but, she waved her arm and a wall of ice appeared around her preventing me from approaching any further.

"W-wait I just want to talk; I'm not going to hurt you."

I said gesturing to her I meant no harm. However, towards my word the woman sneered coldly.

"Tsk, you expect me to believe you? The person who suddenly attacked my home out of nowhere, even though I didn't have any enmity with you?"

The woman shouted, well I guess I can understand we did invade her territory and launch an attack on her without warning. But still…

"We came here because you keep attacking the people who lives in the nearby villages, I just want to negotiate with you that those people no longer meet any hardship with you attacking them anymore."

I said to ease her anger, she then gritted her teeth in annoyance before standing up. Using the shrine as a means to support her weight. There was still a lot of blood pouring from the wounds on her arm and leg.

Eventually the woman collapsed where she stood and lay in a puddle of blood. She breathes weakly as white mist came from her mouth as she breathes in and out.

"Can you heal her?"

I asked turning to Alya who stood beside me.

"Mhm."

She nodded her head as she prepared to use her healing spirit arts.