CHAPTER 21

Gripping the hilts of both her katana Sapphire prepared to fight, slightly startled on seeing the familiar face. The person in front of her showed no intention of fighting however.

"Don't worry now, I wouldn't dare to anger or harm someone like you. There are many who have high expectations of you after all." The alchemist chuckled, raising her arms harmlessly.

"What do you mean by that?" Sapphire growled, drawing both her katana.

"It will be better if you find out yourself when the time comes." The alchemist shrugged as she took a step forward. "As for why I am here currently, I would like to have these wolves under my care."

Sapphire instantly activated her intimidation skill, causing the alchemist to stop in her tracks, an amused smile on her face.

"I will only take them back to the Winter Wolf territory, where all the wolves are currently present." The alchemist offered with a wave of her hand.

"How do you know all the wolves are there?" Sapphire snarled, growing more anxious and confused.

"The answer is very simple, isn't it?" The alchemist said and waited for a moment. "The answer is," she continued on receiving no response, "I am one of them."

As the alchemist revealed that her hair color changed, along with the color of her outfit. It was evidently a kind of transformation spell, as the person now in front of her was not the alchemist, but the Winter Wolf Elder. Sapphire and all the other wolves stared wide-eyed as the Elder gently smiled at them.

"Staying here for far too long is not safe, so let's conclude our discussion quick. What do you say?" The elder offered with a smile.

"I don't know why you are here, but you can take all of them back, I have something else to do in mind." Sapphire replied, deactivating the intimidation and retrieving her hat and cloak.

"And what might that be?" The elder wondered as she walked closer.

"Taking back everyone they took. The alphas can wage the war or whatever if they want, I will work from behind the scenes to save everyone, who knows what the humans will do to them after the war starts. If my assistance is ever required, I will be more than willing to help." Sapphire explained as she put on her hat and cloak and prepared to leave.

"That is a big resolve for a ten year old little girl," The elder laughed.

The other wolves stared at her in awe, surprised on how young but powerful she was.

"Take it however you wish, but I believe you are also aware of all that I have achieved since leaving." Sapphire pointed out, having no clue how long the Elder has been following her for.

"I certainly am, though I won't count the poison dragon as your victory, it allowed you to put up a near fair fight, by letting you lower its health to slightly lower than your own," The elder pointed out.

"I guessed as much when it didn't attack for so long, but I won't be needing anything like that any longer. I will fight and win myself, I do not require my enemies going easy on me anymore." Sapphire responded, pulling her hat lower.

"Very well, you are free to do as you wish." The elder said with a smile.

"Return them safely, their condition seems to be much better than Shadow's, I would really not forgive you if something happens to them." Sapphire warned, glaring at the Elder from under her hat.

"My, my, what a demanding little one you are." The elder chuckled as she walked to the other wolves.

"Um, can I request something?" The Winter Wolf that was at the very side asked, the one who was the first to notice.

"Depends on the request," The elder responded

"Can I accompany her? It seems far too dangerous for just one ten year old to be doing all this by herself. I am older than her so I guarantee I will protect her with my life," The Winter Wolf requested.

"Denied," Sapphire replied without giving it any thought.

"Wha- why?" The Winter Wolf questioned, shocked to see her offer denied so quickly.

"Far too dangerous, I doubt you are strong enough anyways." Sapphire replied with a shake of her head.

"You shouldn't jump to conclusions, why not appraise her first," The elder adviced.

"As you wish," Sapphire sighed, Appraisal?

"Winter wolf (female), name: Winter, level 29. HP: 639/1370, MP: 1670/1670, Stamina: 1769/2020, Strength: 523, Defense: 397, Speed: 764, Hunger: 45%, Skill points: 3800. List of skills: <Greater Howl> level 7, <Transformation > level 10, <Leap > level 10, <Evasion > level 8, <Enhanced Bite> level 4, <All Senses Enhancement> level 6, <Greater Endurance> level 6, <Greater Strength> level 4, <Greater Acceleration> level 3, <Enhanced Claw Slash> level 4, <Greater Fist Mastery> level 14, <Enhanced Status-Condition Resistance> level 4, <High-speed Processing> level 4, <Elemental resistance> level 3, <Enhanced Pain resistance> level 9, <Freeze Nullification> level 10, <Greater Ice magic> level 9, <Freeze Enhancement> level 4, <Spatial Maneuvering> level 9, <Sneak > level 13, <Camouflage > level 9, <Rapid HP Regeneration> level 4, <MP Rapid Regeneration> level 3, <MP Drain Minimization> level 4, <Stamina Rapid Regeneration> level 7, <Stamina Drain Minimization> level 6, <Desire > level 3, <Freeze Attack> level 8, <Thought Acceleration> level 8, <Impact Resistance> level 7, <Fear Resistance> level 9, <Faint Resistance> level 8, <Ice Pulse> level 8, <Perception > level 8, <Healing Magic> level 6, <Light Magic> level 3, <Light Attack> level 2, <Water Magic> level 3, <Water Attack> level 4, <Lightning Attack> level 5, <Wind Magic> level 6, <Freeze Fang> level 9, <Wolf Claws> level 8, <Ambush > level 8, <Reflex Enhancement (Greater)> level 3, <Foresight > level 6, <Lightning Fang> level 4, <Quickstep > level 6, <Exhaustion Resistance> level 8, <Pain Mitigation> level 9.

Titles: None."

"Welcome to the team," Sapphire sighed, holding her head in her hand.

"Eh?" Winter questioned. "Why the sudden change of heart?" She questioned glancing between the Elder and Sapphire.

"Seems like her power is satisfactory." The elder said while healing the injuries of the other wolves with healing magic.

"More than mine. Hasn't even evolved yet and already stronger than me from the looks of it." Sapphire groaned as she clutched her head, not liking to be outclassed by someone around her age.

"I am the strongest Winter Wolf in my generation so it makes sense I am stronger than you." Winter chuckled patting Sapphire on the head.

"Why not just rescue yourself then instead of waiting for a rescue?" Sapphire questioned batting away Winter's hand.

"The collars suppress a fair amount of your power, from my guess about half, otherwise I could have easily escaped long ago. I tried escaping several times but failed because of the collars." Winter shrugged.

"Wait, they suppress power?" Sapphire inquired, realising she wasn't fighting on her full potential so far.

"Not all of them, they only use the power suppressing ones on the stronger wolves," Winter explained.

"Makes sense then," Sapphire sighed as she realised hers wasn't one.

Winter again patted Sapphire on the head, her hand instantly being smacked away.

"I don't mind having you accompany me, as long as you don't hold me back that is." Sapphire warned with a glare.

"I will do my best to stand up to your expectations." Winter reassured with a teasing bow.

"Then let's get moving quickly." Sapphire said pulling her hat lower and walking towards the exit.

"Already?" Winter asked turning to the elder. The elder gave a nod and Winter followed Sapphire with a sigh as she rolled her eyes. "Seems like she is a reckless one."