Chapter 18: Different perspectives

The Moonclaw roared, shaking the forest itself with its impotent rage. A licified beast was a very low level threat. No matter that it was S-class, it was still just that, a beast.

I shifted my weight to the side.

The Moonclaw then passed by at breakneck speed, slamming into the spot where I had been, shaking my hair and clothes with the wind caused by its movement.

It roared in frustration and waved its tail to the side, sweeping away leaves and dirt on its way to me.

I avoided the beast by leaping into the air, leaving it perplexed on the ground because it could no longer detect my scent. I was hesitant to perform a full vacuum, but I apparently had no choice. The only downside to creating a vacuum around me was that I couldn't breathe because oxygen couldn't even reach my nose, but this was a minor issue.

I went down. I cut. I ran. A cycle of mutual attrition in which the daggers I had vanished, leaving only the handles, leaving me with nothing but my fists to fight against the wounded beast.

In the battle-scarred forest, I was a blur. Because my scent was imperceptible due to wind magic, and the beast was blind and deaf, the cowed Moonclaw simply roared and bit the air in frustration.

However, regardless of how much of an advantage someone has on the battlefield, if the other enemy possesses overwhelming power, a stroke of luck or miscalculation is enough to turn the tide in a battle.

The Moonclaw's tail lifted and, at the last second, changed direction at breakneck speed, heading straight for me. A stroke of luck.

It was impossible to avoid it; while my mind was capable of keeping up with the pace, my body was not. It was almost certain death...

At least, for someone who did not foresee this situation.

The mana I had been saving for this moment burst forth from my core like a pulse of energy, reinforcing my skin like a sheet of the hardest metal while I crossed my arms in front of me to cushion the impact.

At the same time, the traps I had been laying since the beginning of this fight were activated, and I felt so many that the forest trembled. Stakes of earth, loops of ice, and vines of both elements entwined with the Moonclaw's legs did not escape. Everyone is waiting for this moment.

However, I will bear the brunt of its tail's impact. A small price to pay for ending this fight, especially since Ruri's location didn't take much damage. While I didn't care for her, Ellie did, so if I could save her body from being eaten, I would do so as long as it didn't jeopardize my victory.

The tail finally hit me, sending me flying in the opposite direction of my intended path. My forearm hurt a little, so I thought I might have broken an arm. Mom would undoubtedly chastise me.

The bloody gurgle of the Moonclaw's pitiful cry, on the other hand, sounded like a victory song to my ears. The beast collapsed in on itself, its eyes dull and lifeless, out of the corner of my eye.

I only needed to check on Ruri's condition now that the Moonclaw was dead, so I waited to fall to the ground and get up.... But that did not occur. My back hit the door of the dungeon we had discovered earlier, and my body was pulled inside as if by a vortex, without my being able to stop it.

My vision also dimmed as if I had blacked out. 'Was it a teleport door?' I wondered, the sensation was the same. However, before I could theorize further, I finally lost consciousness.

(***)

Arthur Leywin point of view:

"Kyu!"

'Papa, help!'

Sylvie's startled figure stormed into my room. Her paws scratching the marble floor made an amusing sound. She looked around the room with her little head for me, and when she found me sitting on the couches, her golden eyes lit up with relief, and she jumped right into my arms, snuggling down for comfort.

I smiled slightly as a result of her antics and stroked her back, enjoying the smooth texture of her black scales against my fingers. "What's the matter?"

Sylvie slid deeper into my lap, curling in on herself and making a pitiful little noise. "I'm going to be eaten," she lamented, as if it were an unavoidable reality.

I let out a slight laugh looking at Sylvie's trembling body in disbelief. "No one's going to eat you."

"She'll do it. Aeris is scary."

'She's right about that.'

Aeris was absurdly intelligent, and judging by the way she seemed to enjoy attacking me during training, she might be a sadist in the making. I was sorry for her future husband.

I was about to respond to Sylvie when I heard the creak of my bedroom door open, only to see the girl I was thinking about.

"fufu~ you have an interesting pet, Arthur," Aeris said as she walked into the room as if it were her own.

Her choice of words made me frown slightly. "She isn't a pet." However, Aeris only responded with her trademark 'fufu,' so I sighed and raised an eyebrow instead. "What does Sylvie mean when she says you're going to eat her?"

Aeris' eyes narrowed and she tilted her head up. "Oh~ why would little Sylvie be saying that?"

Sylvie, who was shaking like a leaf, summoned courage. She yanked her head out of my arms and glared accusingly at Aeris. 'She said she was curious to see what I looked like on the inside!'

Aeris glanced sideways at Sylvie before meeting my gaze, but said nothing and just held my gaze without taking anything in.

I sighed, knowing there was no way I could take away her smug smile. "Don't scare my bond, Aeris."

"Fufu~ sure, dragon boy."

I shook my head with a slight smile. "You know I don't like that nickname."

Aeris walked over to the couch across from me and sat down in a refined manner. "And why is that, dragon boy?" she asked, crossing her legs and smiling at me.

I could feel my right eyebrow spasm in annoyance. "I should never have said Sylvie was a dragon."

I sighed and shook my head; Aeris could be quite annoying when she set her mind to it, so I focused on something else instead. "Are you also going to Xyrus?"

"Certainly." Aeris confirmed nonchalantly, but I could see her smile grow a little. "My parents want me to represent the elves in the tournament there."

I spoke curiously as I stroked Sylvie, who had already fallen asleep in my lap, relaxing and feeling her soft scales. "You seem quite excited; I didn't think something like this tournament would pique your interest."

Aeris's green eyes glowed slightly, and her eyes became sharp. "I have my reasons."

The pressure she was radiating was somewhat uncomfortable. "You make it sound creepy." I joked

"Don't worry Arthur, I don't plan on hurting the other kids too much. " Aeris commented. "I just want to confirm something."

"What are you the strongest prodigy of the elves?" I asked curiously.

"fufu~ don't be silly Arthur." She scoffed and gave me a haughty look. "That was already confirmed the moment I was born into this kingdom."

Before I could respond, another little elf burst into the room, laughing. "I did it Aeris, I did it!." She jumped around the room, shooting harmless balls of air everywhere.

The sight made me smile. Tessia had awoken a few weeks ago, and I was grateful she had Aeris to practice with, because I was her personal punching bag for the first few days, but now Tessia sees Aeris as a sort of mentor because she's a pretty good conjurer.

"Fufu~ good enough, little Tess." Aeris said, looking with narrowed eyes at Tessia.

"Kyu!" Sylvie woke up with shock, but when she recognized Tessia she threw herself into her arms.

"Sylvie!" Tessia hugged her happily, caressing her.

Aeris looked at this with a faint amused smile. "Sylvie, why don't you come with me instead?"

Sylvie let out a terrified shriek and hid behind Tessia.

Tessia pouted. "Aeris, you're scaring little Sylvie, you mustn't joke about experimenting on her." Tessia scolded wagging a finger accusingly.

Aeris bowed her head in confusion. "What joke?"

"Kyu!"

'papa!'

"Aeris!" Tessia scolded, but only got a small chuckle from the girl in question.

Virion burst into the room at that precise moment. "Brat." He said it growlingly, but I could see amusement in his eyes. "Elves hate polygamy, I'm watching you." He said with a growl.

I was content to simply observe the previous scene, but this time I couldn't help but blush, not because of the idea of having multiple partners, but because they were both little girls! "Gramps! That is not the case!" I stood up for myself.

"Tell that to my fist, brat." Grandpa Virion throned his fingers. "It's time to train."

I felt sweat forming on my forehead. "A-Aeris is coming too, isn't she?"

"No." She interjected, "I've had enough practice for today."

"Tessia?"

"Nah, I'll play with Sylvie."

"Kyu!"

'Good luck, papa!"

My gaze swept around the room, and at that moment I realized something.

'I have been abandoned.'

I moved forward with my head down, but I was also a little sad that these events would never happen again. I would return to my family soon. Maybe I'll introduce them to Aeris and see if Kiyo and her get along.

However, for some reason, I had a feeling that it was a bad idea.