Chapter 6: Instincts of a Hunter

"Let's begin today's exercise," Professor Palladium started the outdoor lesson. "As I was saying, it's going to be challenging." A student interjected, "Professor, a mosquito just bit me." I ignored the student, who was trying to make the shy professor flustered, especially since the bite was dangerously close to her booty shorts.

This raises the question of why we have to wear booty shorts for outdoor activities to begin with. I suppose it's to make us feel comfortable in our fairy forms, since our fairy forms are more revealing and these shorts to come pretty close to the freedom of movement our fairy clothes allow us.

"A good fairy must listen to what nature tells her," the professor continued. "Today's exercise is to test your skills. Form groups and spend three hours to get out of the Black Mud Swamp and reach the clearing in the middle of the forest. Remember, always listen carefully to nature and follow its advice." With a sparkle, the professor teleported away.

I pondered the professor's advice to listen to nature. The only guidance I receive by trying to listen to anything, was to go solo in this team exercise. But that's, unfortunately coming from my own magic, not the swamp or anything else that you could define as nature.

Bloom once told me to have faith in my abilities, so I should also listen to the advice of my own magic, right? "Girls, I think I'll go alone for this exercise. You'll do fine without me," I said with a reassuring smile, then slowly made my way into the swamp, away from any other groups.

To connect with my magic, I first had to meditate and concentrate. It probably isn't any different now. As I sat on the mots comfortable stone I could find, I closed my eyes and remembered my last meditation session.

Focusing on nature, I tried to communicate the same way I did with my magic. I projected my intent to find the location of the clearing. After meditating for half an hour, something shifted. More precisely, my magic and nature reached some kind of equilibrium and were pulling at me to move in a specific direction. So I ran.

Running through the swamp was easier and easier with every step I took. I moved with more speed, agility, and ease, jumping from branch to branch, running on the ground, and climbing trees effortlessly. The feeling of excitement and focus expanding was exhilarating.

I ran with a goal in mind, and the thrill of accomplishing it was even more exciting than waking up as an attractive young woman. I ran, taking turns when my magic and nature told me to, and soon, my these pushes in the right direction blended into my own instincts. Not only that, but I was so focused that I almost forgot everything around me when my magic suddenly roared, bringing me back to reality.

I was about to ask, "What do you…?" but something that felt similar to my magic but different at the same time interrupted, shoving an image of Bloom being attacked by a blue troll into my mind. I realized that my magic had stopped me to warn me.

I thanked nature, because it was probably it that showed me these images and followed a direction that just felt right.

Normally, nothing out of the ordinary should happen, but this situation is far from normal. Due to the exercise, she will not be able to use magic but this reality and not some kids cartoon, she could get seriously injured or worse, die.

The safety of my sister is at stake. With this in mind, I focused on my goal of saving my sister, not fully realizing the changes that my magic and I were undergoing.

And there it was, a large blue troll, wearing some cloth around its hips, with nipple piercings, and shackles around its arms. Upon seeing the troll approach the Winx but more importantly my sister, my emotions boiled over, and I charged at the troll, tackling it and using my newfound strength to choke it. To my surprise, it worked better than I had anticipated.

As soon as the troll was unconscious, I ran over to Bloom and hugged her. "Are you okay?" I asked, relieved that my sister was safe, the dread I felt at the thought of my injured sister and my anger at the troll already forgotten. "I am fine. But how did you find us? I know that you started later than us." My smart sister always had to ask the right questions.

Since Bloom was alright and the Specialists already making their way to the Troll 50 or so meters away… wait 50 meters?! Yep, I just body slammed a f*cking troll 50 or so meters far. Ignoring my new monstrous strength that slowly turned into exhaustion, I decided to return to my usual cheerful and mischievous personality and answer Bloom's question.

"Of course, by doing what this girl here is best at, listening to nature." I cheekily replied while swinging my arm around Floras shoulder, almost leaning on her due to my exhaustion.

"And how did you wrestle against a troll and won?" *Sigh* Sometimes I hate having such a smart and beautiful sister. "I may or may not have used some amount of magic." I grumbled, already being able to hear some kind of lecture from the professor.

I ignored any further questioning by simply pulling Flora with me in the direction of the clearing, making the others follow us and part with the specialists, which I chose to ignore.

"Would you be so kind and don't mention me being so exhausted?" I whispered to the nature fairy, who smiled at me in affirmation. "Hey Flora, since you are some kind of nature fairy, I wanted to ask you about a phenomenon that happened while I was alone. My magic somehow build, I don't really know how to describe it, some kind of equilibrium with my own magic and this somehow enhanced me. Do you know if that is normal?" I asked because I seriously didn't want to spend time searching the library in my current state.

"Hmm. It could be something similar to my own power. I grow stronger the more nature is surrounding me, which also makes me weak in places where no plants can grow." So a connection to nature, huh? Was it truly a connection to nature, or was it simply my hunting instincts taking over? I am the Fairy of the Hunt, being strengthened while pursuing something doesn't necessarily have anything to do with magic.

*Sigh* So many questions and so few answers.