“For the Nines, both of you just love to overdo things, don’t you?” chided the cyan haired girl whose sporting pigtails. Even while reprimanding me, Nilin’s hand did not stop grounding some kind of seeds into powder on the table. “Don’t you two know the meaning of restrain?”

Me, who’s sitting across Nilin, can only avoid those reproachful gaze. Of course, by two, she means me and Hyx.

“Two?” asked Kirin who’s just sitting beside Nilin, plucking out the seeds and leaves from branches after branches.

“Hyx and her,” Nilin responded without her frustration. “They just don’t know how absurd their abilities are. Do you remember what happened when he first gave me a gun?”

Kirin shakes her head and still looks confused. Rather, she just doesn’t understand Nilin’s prejudice view of Hyx and I. And I doubt Kirin could comprehend that amount of words in a single sentence. Despite being over twenty, her mental age might be the youngest among all of us. Well, it’s either her or Indara. I suspect Indara is only putting up the act of a child considering he has always managed to read the mood.

Going back on track, Nilin’s prejudice did not exactly came without any justifications. I had overdid the test drive of my new abilities. Although the cottage itself isn’t affected, there were a few close calls with some of them going astray; namely, Dragon Roar and Sky Reach.

I have underestimated Dragon Roar as it did not spew out fire but energy. And boy, it travelled far. It was like a mega death beam from a space ship you would see in a sci-fi movie. Due to my negligence on that part, we lost our backyard. Nothing of importance was lost save for some crops but having a mini-crater for a backyard sure isn’t a fit to the aesthetics. Fortunately, Kirin and Nilin fixed it back with the abilities as Spirits of Nature.

Secondly, Sky Reach is an attack range extender ability. Its enhanced range far exceeds Shadow Blade’s. And unlike Shadow Blade, it consumes Mana instead of my mental stamina. Without those annoying restrains, I got overexcited and curious with the extend of the range I can manage. For the results… Let’s just say, we won’t need to worry about logs for quite a while. It sounds insanely overpowered but it wasn’t without a tremendous compensation. That feat alone had drained most of my Mana. I also found out five meters is the longest range I can afford. Any further would start to strain my mind and hinder my fighting prowess.

With those two volatile abilities out of the way, Shadow Assault is just a dash— a gap closer with the only special thing being it camouflages me during the dash. It might be invisibility put I’m not that interested about the difference.

Mystic Claws just gives me claws. No, it doesn’t transform my hand into one but cloaking my hand with a magical one. It’s like Mystic Skin but exclusive to hands and with razor-sharp nails. Its range is just a little further than my arm’s reach but it cuts incredibly well. Not as well as Talia but definitely a potential runner-up.

Last but not least, Storm Dance. I think this one derives from the Lightning Magic that Dragon Mystic Arts absorbed. It clad me in lightning and improves my speed and agility. It also seemed to shock anything close by. I don’t know if friendly fire is on for this skill but I don’t think I can find any volunteers right now.

I think that’s about it. Those are my new abilities.

I certainly feel stronger than before but still no where near Valuma or even Hyx. Senna is definitely on another level than Hyx but somehow, Senna’s position feels closer than Hyx’s.

“So what did happened when he first gave you a gun?” I asked after I done my brief reminiscing.

“What else? He overdone it like usual. There was no control over the amount of Mana it drains and one shot of a bullet travelled further than a Tree Slinger.” Nilin’s hands did not stop grounding the seeds as she recounts her tale. I took her for a dolt but she’s surprisingly versatile, to a certain extent.

“What’s a Tree Slinger?” I asked. I have certainly heard of it but I don’t think I know anything beyond the fact that it’s a plant-type monster.

Nilin sighed. I don’t know why she did so while looking so exasperated but if I have to guess, she’s probably looking down on my meagre knowledge. I didn’t miss the smug that lasted for a brief second on her face. “It’s a magical beast which has the form of a tree. Unlike a tree, it’s not that tall and it has legs. It fires wood pebbles from its sling-like branches. Those pebbles has been known to travel up to a thousand meters.”

“I’m not seeing the exaggeration though?”

She sighed again. “See, this is what I’m talking about. You don’t even realize it. Gosh.” She even puts her index finger on her forehead while shaking her head.

I’m pretty sure if Hyx is here, he would have let me hit Nilin.

“This gun he created, hit a target at such a distance while still retaining that much force and power. And it’s not even some form of advance-level Arcane Art. It’s just a magic tool which can be used by anyone with Mana. Yet, it has such power. How are you not seeing the exaggeration?”

Ah, I see. It’s due to our perception. Even with magic, only those in the advance-tier has the efficiency and power of a firearm. It sounds absurd to Nilin that a bullet from a gun has the capability to travel up to a kilometer while packing that much force but as someone from Earth, it isn’t that impressive of a feat. In fact, a kilometer is actually on the weak side for a gun. I wonder what’s the equivalent magic of a TAC-50.

“There is also one time where Hyx did—”

I have thought Nilin would stop there but she is not even close to finishing her rant. Looks like she’s letting loose all those pent-up feelings. She’s really irked by Hyx’s antics.

I do not want to hear this any further. And so, I change the subject while she’s taking a breather.

“What are you two doing, by the way?” I asked in the most natural way possible. This would not have worked on anyone else but she’s sort of an airhead, after all. I believe. “Is that our dinner?”

Nilin then gives me a complete dumbfounded look. “Of course not. Seeds for dinner? We’re not avian creatures.”

Oh. Thank god then. I don’t even want to imagine what it’s like to have grounded-up seeds for dinner. “So what are these seeds for?”

Her gaze alternates between me and the mortar and pestle which she uses to ground the seeds in. “Making Elixirs,” she answered.

I blink at her response.

She notices my absent gaze. “What?”

“Elixirs?” I parroted her. “Really?”

“What? Never heard of Elixirs before?” She looks at me like I’m an idiot. Kirin is mimicking her for some reasons. I’m guessing she wants to be included in the conversation.

I do know what’s an Elixir which is why I’m asking. They are stuffs of legends. Even for a big nation, it would cost a fortune. They are also known as All Cure or Miracle Potion. As its name states, they can literally cure all disease known to man and bring people back from the brink of death. It has even been rumored to extend a person’s life.

“Trial and error,” came the simple answer from Nilin when I asked how they come by the recipe. Apparently, Hyx had nothing better to do, literally, when they were in the dungeon. He kept looking for ways to increase their chances of survival. When he realized what Kirin’s Divine Art is capable of, he went to town with it. Due to his unique disposition, he could test his creation on himself. Through trial and error, he succeeded in creating an Elixir.

I’m starting to relate to Nilin’s headache.

“How long does it take for him to concoct one?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t sit by his side the whole process. I have my own thing to take care of, you know?”

“Okay okay,” I thew up my hands along with my rolled eyes. She’s quite a handful. I don’t know how Hyx put up with it but he did. This group wasn’t some band of like-minded individuals. It wasn’t a perfect match. The truth couldn’t be further from that wonderful image, but here they are. They managed. Even though Nilin has some degree of prejudice for Hyx, she listens to him, she trusts him. She claims that it’s all for her revenge but I can tell, that’s not the case. If anything, they actually a lot like a family. Terribly mismatched but isn’t that how family is suppose to be? Not that I would know but I can tell, they will be there for each other. Now, that’s family. I can see Nilin would never admit that. So I’ll kept my mouth shut about that for now.

“He’s nice. Takes care of everyone,” Kirin chipped in.

“Yes, I know that but he can go overboard with that now, you know?”

“Still nice,” Kirin is adamant about it.

Nilin sighed, subtle enough to escape Kirin’s notice but not mine.“Don’t worry. You’ll understand when you’re old enough.”

“Mwu. Old enough.”

“If you’re human or a beastkin, yes. But you’re a Spirit of Nature, just like me.”

“Mwu…” Kirin grumbled further.

Kirin wants to refute but we all know that’s the truth.

“Also, you know, Hyx would most probably never be able to see you becoming an adult in his life time. Even if that’s not the case, he already has Senna.”

I strike Nilin a look as my mind processes what Nilin had just say. I thought I’m bad socializing but Nilin is whole different kind of bad. Oblivious to her non-existent socializing skills, I might say.

An awkward silence quickly ensues as Nilin’s sentences finished. Kirin’s eyes look dead. Nilin is nonchalant about her own words. She’s just pummeling the seeds away. Okay… Now I really want to get out of here.

My lack of communication skills never really bothered me. Well, it did but never to this degree. I have never been in a situation where I can’t run away from. Well, had. Currently, I am tempted to just excuse myself from this dreadful and awkward situation but I can’t. That would just be rude of me. And unlike my previous acquaintances, I actually hope to connect with these ones. Who knows how long I will have to stay with them? If the whole situation with Valuma is resolved, what then for me? If I chose to stick with them, I will really need to brush up on my relationship with these peoples.

I really want to say something but I just don’t know what. Perhaps anything— I just have to say anything. At least something. It’s better than this silence.

“So…, where’s everyone else?” I asked. It’s a redundant question. When I came back, there were only Kirin and Nilin. I could not have known where they have gone if I didn’t have Abaddon. Nilin doesn’t know that. Or rather, she was told but I’m sure her bored expression back then is enough indication that she didn’t really take any of those into heart. To sum it up, I know precisely where everyone is. Well, almost everyone.

Without stopping her hands and giving notice to the still deadpan Kirin, Nilin answers, “Hyx and Senna are somewhere out in the woods having their lovers’ quarrel. Djin and Indara must be somewhere around here. Djin would never leave Kirin alone unless Senna or me and Cormac are with her. Indara is always either with Hyx or Djin. As for Cormac and Citra, didn’t you switch shifts with them for the lookout?”

Okay… I will admit I’m surprised that Nilin is almost completely correct on everyone’s whereabouts.

To be precise, Cormac and Citra took over my reconnaissance shift. The two are barely within range of my Divine Art’s detection. Djin and Indara are patrolling around the area. They are no more than thirty meters away from us. As for Hyx and Senna, they have left my detection range but last I checked, they were having some heated discussion going by their undulating Mana fluctuation. I’m guessing they left the vicinity out of consideration for their Mana fluctuation. Especially with Senna. I do not want to be near her when she’s angry.

The rhythm of the pestle meeting the mortar brought me back to the present.

Okay… I ran out of things to say again. Kirin looks better now but still a little dreadful on the eyes. Nilin is as always, in her own pace. Benefit for being an airhead. When I look at it closely, I seem to be the only one bothered by this silence. I can just walk out of this room but that’s just rude and it’s going to leave some lasting impression. Although, I’m sure Nilin doesn’t mind but I can’t help but think otherwise. Maybe I can just come up with a good enough excuse to leave this room. Good idea but if I can just think of one.

Then, my salvation comes knocking. It’s not exactly salvation but it did dispel the awkward silence. Something entered my detection range, something unfamiliar. Wild beasts and monsters often wander around these parts but I have familiarize myself with their presence. I can instantly tell what monster or beast is lurking around.

This presence is different. It feels familiar but there’s also something vastly different about it.

As I concentrate on my Divine Art, I can make out there’s only one presence, heading towards our location.

“There’s only one,” Kirin uttered. Looks like she felt it too.

“They might be hostile,” Nilin said, her hands have stopped.

“You two can sense it too?”

“We’re Spirits of Nature. We’re part of nature herself. We can tell when there’s something off in a forest.” Even in this situation, Nilin didn’t miss her chance to hold her nose high and look smug as she explains.

The presence is demonic, no doubt. However, it feels nothing like the Demons I have encountered. Almost as if it’s a different variant.

“A demon?” Kirin asked, her eyes snapping to me.

“Why aren’t you asking me?” Nilin protested—

—in which I ignored and responded to Kirin. “Could be but nothing like the Demons I know.”

As I will Talia, who was levitating in the corner of the room, to me, my spectral right arm materialized at the precise timing Talia flew into my grasp. It was a secret from everyone that I find this action to be thrilling to pull off. If this gets out, I will never hear the end of it from Hyx.

Talia’s voice resounded in my mind. “Demonic, definitely. But no ordinary demon. Traces of intelligence and curiosity.”

“A new breed?” I asked.

“Something’s definitely different about these ones,” it was Nilin who answered. “It feels stronger than any creatures that are lurking in this forest. It even scattered away the weak-willed ones.”

No shit. I didn’t blurt that one out. The more I concentrate on this particular presence, the more discomfort I feel.

“Strong like Hyx?” Kirin mused.

“Not quite but close.” Nilin instantly responded.

While this level ability does feel close to Hyx’s but Hyx’s isn’t discomforting. It’s astonishing but never discomforting. This one sews unrest into every fibre of my being.

Is it the Q’nu? But no way it could be. It would be too obvious then but that’s not entirely impossible.

“Passive?” said Kirin with her head tilted.

She isn’t wrong in this regard. Any Demons would have attacked by now. For some reasons, this one is only lingering around the border of my detection range. Demons are known to have intelligence but nothing too profound. They certainly don’t have curiosity. This is so unlike any conventional demon.

“Indara,” I called out. Even though there’s no response, I continue. “Can you go check it out?”

“We’re on it!” came an enthusiastic voice in my head. It’s Indara’s. It’s another trick I learned. I can communicate with Indara through Talia due to them being Mondra. And Indara relays the message to Djin.

Nilin and Kirin do not know about this but they accepted it on the spot that I managed to communicate with Indara. Maybe Hyx’s shenanigans have desensitized them.

“Hey hey! Call Hyx back too.” Nillin is tugging on my shirt as she asks. When did she and Kirin moved to my side?

“I can’t. They are too far away.”

“We’ll be okay,” Kirin is optimistic on this one.

Yeah, right. You’re grasping kinda tight on my shirt.

“I know we’ll be okay but just not unscathed okay.” Nilin however, is on the slightly pessimistic side.

“Um… Shizuka?” Indara’s telepathic message came back.

“What is it?”

“Djin says run.”

What?!

“Why? What is it?”

“A vampire.”