-Afternoon - Nefiru's POV-

I headed back into the woods after leaving the Ragefire estate while brooding over the upcoming event with Shaila's mother reported ending her stay in the capital, and heading this way with high ranking magicians. I ponder what to do in the remaining days until Eleonor's escort arrives, then try to eliminate any traces of smells on my body using magic before using the aromatic bushes, and pace towards the lair while recovering my magic reserves.

Sighs... There's not much to do without mana crystals in the two or three days that Shaila will need to recover, and her mother also puts a random cap in the practice time. I review my options while approaching my sister waiting by the entrance of our wooden fortress.

"About time! And what did your human pets do to you?" Raiga said spitefully after sniffing out the wound on my hind leg.

"We had a disagreement," I replied looking at Reylus resting at his usual spot. "Anyway, how many wolves did you hear?" I ask her findings.

"More than five." The gray dragon reported.

"Then, let's go!" I ordered moving north.

"Wait!" The dragoness called me to stop. "I'm baiting again?" She asked distressed causing me to look back.

"Of course. You smell weak." I replied with a smug smile.

"GRRR!" She angrily growled before biting at my tail.

However, I saw it coming and move it out of the way, then smacked the top of her head, but she didn't give up.

"Will you quit it!" I scolded speeding up.

"You started it!" She rebuked chasing.

After running a few minutes, we arrive at a recently found section of the forest where trees are more isolated and sturdy shrubs reaching up to four meters grow in their place. We stop at a safe distance considering the wind direction, then yanked my tail out of Raiga's mouth, and laid down to survey the area as far as my senses reached before sending the dragoness into danger.

Hmm... I would just rush in to fight whatever is over there, but it's easier to deal with a high rank by ambush than alerting it since we are not made for stealth, and I can't exactly run at full speed through these shrubs. I affirm the tactic to lure.

"Alright, you are up." I turn to look at Raiga saying. "The wolves are a little spread out, but appear to be from the same group so they might chase you," I explain the vigilant dragon.

Raiga nodded as we powered down the collar, so it doesn't interfere with my mana sensitivity, and went into the bushes. However, I didn't expect a moment later she would encounter an unfavorable situation.

"GHUAA!" Sister screamed in surprise. "HELP!" She urgently called out from amidst several growls in her location.

Shit! Was there too many of them? I wondered rushing to Raiga's location up north.

However, before moving far, I noticed a conspicuous shadow moving at high speed between the trees on the northeast aiming for my right flank. I found threatening this inky mist bigger than my own dimensions and abruptly stopped running in panic.

*Sssshhh...* My paws slide over the fallen leaves and weeds, then carved the ground before achieving a foothold that allowed me to dodge left.

*WHOOSHH!* The dark spot bigger than my own dimensions passed next to me raising leaves and dust from the wind pressure, then stopped tens of meters away from the momentum.

It's a trap!!? I realized and immediately alerted Raiga.

"TRAP!" I growled loudly enough for the dragoness to hear, then turned back to face my attacker.

Hopefully, she can understand what's happening and will endure until I'm free or run away on her own. I asserted hearing Raiga's fighting grunts in the distance.

"GRWRR!" An unhappy growl came from the shrouded darkness user after it stopped moving.

I ready my magic while memorizing the surroundings to confront what appears to be a reasonably high ranking male wolf given the ability scale and the scent mixed with other strong wild weed aromas. The smoke melted away before daylight revealed a black wolf is standing taller than me, at most three meters high to his rump and hackles raised on a shiny black coat as if to look more intimidating.

That is one big dog-- a Wolf using hair-care products... I retorted inspecting the well-cared fur. To think another beast would lessen their body odor and use powerful fragrances to confuse other creatures... I evaluate as we exchange appraising glares.

I determined the beast to be within my magic range before sending out an energy string to probe, but encountering wolf's half-way indicated preparations for an ability while confirming a magic density of an upper Rank 6.

Woah... It's a good thing we met on daylight, or it would be too difficult and consuming to see through his absorption ability with my talent in light magic. I affirmed taking into account the vast gap between our ranks.

The wolf stared at my rear, seemingly viewing the early wound as a weak point in the fight, and took a pouncing stance right before my vision turned pitch black.

Ah--FUCK!! I cursed at the unexpected game-like blinding move but hesitated to act the same way as earlier.

Knowing a rear wound could hardly be considered a weak point, I realized the canine wanted me to think that was his aim, and dodging normally would leave me vulnerable to his speed inside a dark cloud of unknown size blocking my vision.

"HUP!" I jumped up with all my strength feeling a wind gust pass below me. *SHUUK!* I immediately unfolded my wings. *WHOOSSH...WHOOSSH...* I flapped until my vision returned at the height of over 25 meters from the ground.

Shit! I can't keep this up too long, and the wind doesn't affect that ability much... I affirmed looking for the wolf before losing more altitude. The shrubs are...too far away so the highest probability of the wolf's whereabouts would be inside this darkened area where he should also be searching for me using ordinary senses or magic since he's also blind in there... However, it won't be long before he realizes my position, and it's best to be the one giving out surprises. I analyzed the situation to decide a course of action.

I extended my probe down as the first thing needed was a target before preparing an attack. However, the higher rank's magic spreading over a large area caused interference, so I resorted to increasing the static electricity inside the field to pinpoint the location using the disturbances.

Er... I'm getting a moving reading with this vague method.... Whatever, good enough. I asserted flying backward to the south of the periphery of the dark cloud absorbing the light.

I made a dozen thin ice spears float in the air above the darkness ability and launched them down adding gravity to the acceleration when commanding elementals.

*Shiiing....Shuak!* The ice lances pierced the ground while some sounded like made contact with the lurking beast.

"HYEEK!" The wolf yelped confirming my thoughts as the darkness cleared up from the lapse in concentration.

*Thump!* I landed using the distraction.

Regardless of my stealthy descend, the wolf saw me and rushed while dragging the blinding field with him.

UGH! Not again! I cursed dodging the canine while using static a second time.

The high ranked circled around and aimed for the wound in my rear using magic directly to detecting me. But after discovering the massive wolf coming from an angle behind towards my wounded hind leg, I calculated the time of contact and connected to his lower jaw with a kick.

"HYUP!" He yowled having his snout kicked away which dispelled the darkness ability but quickly recovered and moved out of my magic range. "GWRRUF..." The wolf growled angrily showing its teeth and puzzled at the ineffectiveness of the ability.

I do not want to get bitten by fangs close to the length of human palms. I affirmed looking at the fur puffed from the static.

Still, this isn't a game where stealth is absolute, and knowing the opponent became invisible is already an advantage. I asserted preparing magic to counter his next attack.

The wolf just continued to face me standing still seemingly tired of biting. I tilt my head to the right puzzled, but quickly proved me he was concentrating when an intense burning pain appeared on the left side of my neck and partially on the cheek.

!...Youch!! HOT!! This bastard just used microwaves on me! I realized before quickly moving out of the way.

So this is what it feels to have your insides boil from high-intensity microwaves huh? I thought while counteracting the effects with water magic. He's not even Rank 7, yet the output caused this much damage with a brief exposition. But luckily it wasn't deep in the flesh because of that and missed my head... I ponder running around in a circle to avoid the invisible attack.

The black wolf stays still on the spot for what appears to be a continuous attempt at melting my brain. But knowing it has the most significant effect on water molecules, I covered my head in a layer of ice sticking to the scales to mitigate the impact while counteracting the heat generated. Noticing a protecting coat was impeding the effect, the wolf stopped his actions when I sensed a buzz in my head indicating he used radiowaves with greater penetrating force yet strong enough to influence my biology.

Ugh! Nasty... I shook my muddled head slowing my pace when pain appeared in my lower neck. OH COME ON!!... Stop trying to barbecue me alive! I complained enraged at the creature targetting the blood vessels in the neck.

I covered my neck in ice feeling a little rigid, then used lightning boost on my muscles for acceleration.

*WHOSH!* I closed the distance with a rush that caused bewilderment on the creature used to my pace until now.

I just need to grab or impale him... I aimed for a bite first while thinking of ways to inflict injury.

Although not as fast as wind snakes, the wolf barely managed to dodge my bite moving to the right and I turned my tail like a hook in that split second to impale his neck while passing through, but only managed to graze the fur. However, my attack didn't end....

*Shruussshh--* I jabbed my right paw on the soil to rotate 180 degrees before taking a pouncing stance. *Fooosh!* I dashed ahead at the highest acceleration within safety limits as the wind whistled in my ears.

My odd movements caught the wolf off guard once more, but I aimed for his right flank to force him to dodge left, and once he moved as I planed, a smirk formed on my lips. Already planning to turn right, I lodged my right front paw and left rear paw on the dirt before doing a sharp turn, and continued my sprint without losing much momentum, then extended my right forearm with claws fully open once close to the wolf.

*Riiiip...* I carved out three gashes from his right foreleg up to the belly.

I stabilized my body from the ill posture after landing the attack before turning around to look at the creature that bolted tens of meters away to the north where he stared at me.

"GRWRR...!" He growled visibly upset of the three red stripes decorating his right flank.

Hmm... Too far to chase... I concluded not being worth energy to rush from this distance.

I remake the icy cover, then slowly walk up to the beast while preparing another lightning boost, but the broad area light absorption suddenly returned to rob my sight. I stopped, then switched lightning to static effect for wide area detection, but the wolf appeared to have figured out this particular ability was doing something unfavorable as he was intentionally disrupting my magic arts.

The magic density from a sufficiently high rank can repel lower and occupy more space, but this effect decreases away from the body or closer to the low ranked similarly to that of spirit clashes.

Ah, I'm fucked.... Not going to let me do that again huh? I can still detect him closeby, but I can do that with my senses and preserve mana since it runs out much faster at low ranks. I review my options hearing the animal rush over the background noise.

I coil my body and whip the tail horizontally to keep the black wolf away, but the beast kept coming at difficult angles doing faint attacks and light bites which make me bite empty air when trying to retaliate.

This is getting me nowhere... He rendered my magic useless while relying on superior speed and stamina to deal with me. I ponder to break the deadlock when a bite landed on my tail.

"GHAH!" I cried out feeling my scales crack under pressure.

My body was dragged away to a side as if trying to topple me. Then, using the magic channels leading to my tail, I created high current around the bite area which made the wolf let go.

I need to even the playing field... I decided and sniffed before sprinting towards the bushes.

The black wolf followed trying to repeat the same action, but I rapidly turned my body counterclockwise while electrifying my tail and whipped towards his head aiming for the weak spot on his neck. He easily dodged going out of range when a bridge of elementals is extending several meters from the tip of my tail powered up to tens of thousands of volts that created a lightning bolt chasing the wolf.

*Shriaahh!* The attack effectively landed with a small explosion from the superheated air which left a burning smell in the air.

I didn't stop to continue attacking and instead ran into the shrubs on the periphery of the darkness ability where I spread the remaining magic carrying water elementals before he could block me.

As I thought... that wasn't enough to make him budge... I affirmed hearing the wolf enter the bushes searching for me in the dark.

Once the beast got close enough, I commanded all water elementals to create and sap thermal energy from any material touching water molecules.

*Crack...crackle....* The rapid descent of temperature caused breaking sounds.

However, I wasn't done splurging water elementals and multitasked growing ice lances from the ground at forty degrees angle pointing at the wolf from all directions while short, but hard spikes rose from the soil impaling his paws.

"WHUO!!?" The creature uttered inside the ice field before rampaging wildly.

Well, there goes all the water elementals that take more than a day to refill. It's no wonder beasts are reluctant to use magic from the get-go. But it was worth it! I happily realize the effectiveness of my attack.

*Snap!...Snap! Crash!* The trapped wolf lost control of his darkness ability and revealed a misty world of white as his blood was painting the beautiful frozen vegetation in struggles to break out.

The beast made it outside and stared back at me for a few seconds as if deciding to continue the relentless attacks or retreat if he judges to be taking more damage than me.

"WROUF!" The beast scoffed as if I was not worth the trouble and limped away quietly.

Ah, he gave up... Nice! Because I'm almost depleted... I rejoiced walking out on the path the wolf opened without water elementals to melt my own ice.

Still, that was terrible judgment.... Just because that wolf was taking more damage in our fight doesn't equate to my win since he still has plenty magic left to cook me alive. Although he couldn't measure my magic capacity during the battle because I only bring out what's needed for several reasons while he showed it off as a means of demoralizing and intimidation...it seems. In the end, any info might lead to a disadvantage, and he had plenty already in daylight, but...darkness seems a little underpowered at low ranks without the right conditions. I analyze the aftermath watching bloody pawprints retreating northeast.

Ahh! I still have a sister to save! I recalled running around the frozen zone heading north as the fighting sounds confirm the dragoness to be alive.

Meanwhile, a short howl of retreat sounded from the east confirming the previous high rank to be the leader of this temporary group attacking Raiga, and the other wolves quietly fled the battlefield where she remained in a terrible condition.

"You look like shit..." I judged walking over the bloody ground to approach her.

The dragoness had her tail munched on all over while also missing scales on her neck and legs where blood is seeping out paints her gray color before reaching the soil.

"And you are late!" She accused in disappointment.

Man, wolves this a number on you... But not all of this blood is yours... I stare at a dead wolf she walks over to grab before answering with a summary.

"Sorry. But I was fighting a High Ranking wolf that I couldn't stop or catch even with his paws injured. I explain my frustrating experience.

"Ugh! We survived a high rank again..." She grimaced recalling early experiences.

"So, what happened to you?" I inquired a summary while replenishing magic resources.

"It was more than 10 beasts... I don't know--I don't count well." She reported angrily passing by me carrying a low-rank darkness wolf in her mouth. "You didn't do this on purpose right?" The dragoness stopped to ask as I move on her right.

"There is no merit in that." I shook my head. "It seems these wolves targeted us with a plan, but they also underestimated us both..." I hinted at her prey from the side.

"Yes, but I'm not doing bait again either..." She defiantly declared before continued to move south.

"Ah, that's fine. I don't think it will work as well as in the past anymore, and I'm planning to do something about their hostility." I reassured. "Anyway, you did good surviving being outnumbered, and even got a kill in such a short time!" I praised.

"Yes... I had many targets. But I doubt it was possible to hold on any longer...." She replied before pondering. "That howl.... Ah, you fought the leader, didn't you?" Raiga asked

Haha! Funny how she was forced to fight like Shaila. I realized the similarities, then recalled my need of food soon.

"Yep. Well, at least one of us is not going hungry today." I shrugged.

"I'm thinking of giving half of this to Reylus who you harmed earlier..." She elaborated her plans.

"That's so cute! Nursing him like his mother." I teased.

"Mo-mother..." The dragoness stammered. "Don't be ridiculous...I just want to return the favor since he always has my tail." She affirmed nodding.

She doesn't understand what cute means, but somehow seems embarrassed about laying eggs... I don't get it. I wondered while feeling the need to scratch my head as she continues.

"However...I think I'm going to need it more...everything hurts brother. And I mean, everything!" She reaffirmed as an exhausted countenance oozes from her.

"I see..." I nodded in understanding. "I should start licking you now then," I said with a smirk.

"Didn't you say that it was bad to lick my wounds since they get infected instead? And isn't your healing magic the effective method?" Raiga narrowed her eyes questioning.

"Tch! I just want some contact with my sister!" I protested leaning on her.

"Idiot! What would you do if you meet a dragoness, and she smells my scent on you? She'll lose interest outside the mating season!" She rebuked.

Hmm... I guess this is some kind of dragon awareness like puberty they are awakening as of late considering we all sleep apart... I asserted realizing her point.

"Yes, Sis... I do plan to visit other dragons before this quarter ends." I admit before ending the subject. "Anyway, you go back to the lair, I'm not done with those wolves yet," I informed stopping.

"You are going to chase? Are you crazy? Your magic is almost gone isn't it?" She stopped to ask.

"Yeah, I'm recovering as we speak. However, since you fought hard, and taking into account those wolves aren't from a single pack, then they should be resting somewhere." I explain.

"In that case, you should know there was a familiar scent. I think it was a wind wolf that attacked us after coming down the volcano." Raiga informed before she paced away leaving me to ponder.

Oh? Mida's pack member huh? This could be interesting... I shouldn't need magic to fight lower ranking beasts, but catching a wind wolf will require the element of surprise... I resolved then tracked down the wolves who attacked Sister.