The next morning, the teacher let his students go to Gracia Continent again for some mission, when Arya going in teleportation device in the hall, he was followed by a certain red haired girl.
''Iroha-san, can you not following behind me like that..?'' With a smile, Arya speaks at her.
''W-what are you talking about ? I-I just, no, erm, you just walking in front of me, that's all.''
''... Sigh, come how about we going there together.''
''F-fine..''
Arya sighed and invite her to come together, without Arya notice Iroha show a smile and walked in his direction. When they arrived there, they use the device immediately.
Not long after their arrival, Iroha turned toward Arya with a serious expression. ''So Arya-san how about-''
With a refreshing smile, Arya turned his back at her and ask the troubled Airi. ''Hey Airi let's get some mission!!''
Being ignored again, Iroha grabs Arya collar and shout at him. ''Hey! let me finish my word!!''
With a smirk, Arya shrugged his shoulder. ''No, you only want to ask me to fight with you right. No, thank you.''
Iroha shouted and unconsciously drew her face nearer. ''Why?! You didn't have guts?''
Behind the background, the 2 Partners started their peace conversation.
Airi smiled at them and speak at Leon.
Leon laughed and folded his hand.
Airi blinked in confusion as she never told the situation to anyone.
When Leon mentioned about the ambush, she tilts her head then a certain pervert Partners appeared in her mind and she scowled.
So the entire Partners of the first year know that the one that always staying inside one of the rooms actually a girl, Airi keep on her mind to blockade her door after this.
When Iroha heard that, she approaches Leon with a smile and asks him it.
''Hm? Leon did you say that this guy fighting three times?''
Leon never saw his master expression like this and troubled, before nodding his head.
''How dare you- Eh? Where is he...?''
With shaking shoulder, Iroha turns her body with her eyes shining and yell at Arya, but the person in questions already disappeared.
*****
''That battle maniac. Is everything on her mind only filled with fighting?'' Arya kicks the innocent stone on the ground to relieve his stress before continued his walk.
Following behind him, Airi speaks her concern.
''Airi, you didn't know a person like that! If they are losing they will keep coming at you, and when they are winning they will brag about their win. It's troubling.'' Arya frowned and opened the wooden door.
Arriving at Mission board. Arya ignores her and searches for another mission, the mission with high rewards already taken by others. However, there is a mission which makes him interested.
[Unknown Kobold group in the West forest.]
'Description : An Unknown Kobold group detected in West forest, they looking like searching for something. However, no matter what their aim, they don't look too friendly at humans. Reward : 250 'Point' for finding their location and identify the unknown and reported at Guild Center. 20 'Point' for each kobold left ear.'
''Airi looks at this,'' Arya said while pointing at the mission sheet.
Thinking if her master found a good one, she frowned seeing that it was far from her expectation
''Right, but this is suspicious. The location is in West forest too, maybe we can find a clue?''
''Ah come on Airi, it's challenge you know~''
Airi showing her dislike about that mission, they do a mission to kill the Kobolds on their first mission, but the enemy wasn't a Kobolds but a group of Ogres instead.
Usually and Naturally, a Partner will always respect and listened to their master, but on Airi case that's different, she talking with her master naturally like a close friend instead. At first, she talking with polite speech, but who know why, gradually she talked less polite with time.
Because her master carefree action and somewhat childish, it's become a habit that Airi always reprimand him and told what on her mind.
Accepting the mission, they heading toward the West gate with a caution as to not being spotted by Iroha. When they arrived safely, Arya summoned his soldiers and briefed them about the mission content.
''Alright, we will go for another mission, check your supply and your equipment. Yes, Martha?'' As Arya checking his soldier's supply, one hand timidly raised and she becomes the center of attention.
With her shoulder trembled, Martha stepped up and saluted ''Um, my medicine stock..''
Seeing Martha holding a tear, Arya nodded his head and thought. 'I see, she look braver than before.'
''Alright wait a minute... done. Yes, Jack?''
One of the boys stepped up after Martha and saluted. ''We need more javelins, Captain.''
''Alright, I will buy more javelins and keep it at my own storage.''
To buy some supplies, a Champione must go to the market or use the command panel on the Anchore inside the city. That was the new features that Anchore have, at first the students complained about the inconvenience of going to the market and waiting for their turn.
Now with this features, they can easily access the market of the city and buy it directly without waiting as the 'Point' will be transferred to the shop they bought the items at. After some search on the market list, he found a magic bag that able to store 50 items, if the same type detected, it will stack to max 99, truly game-like inventory!
When they are ready, they set their new adventure.
*****
West Forest, with its thick and tall trees this place, was a heaven for the animals, a huge amount of foods and a place to protect themselves from any harm. However on this place, on certain clearing area, a numerous tent can be seen. The owner is not normal either. With a body that covered by brown fur and dog head, a Kobold.
After Arya and his troops arrived near that place, they manage to kill a Kobold scout on the way. Arya, himself decided to be a spy to check the clearing at a safe distance. What greeted him is many tents and the Kobolds was there.
''This is not a group anymore, it's already an army!! Hm,..?''
The Army of Kobold was preparing for something, and beside the normal-looking Kobold, Arya found a new type. A Kobold wearing a helmet made of bull bone and holding wooden staff.
''Hm? It looks different. Is it the Shaman or Mage.''
When he observed for a moment, that Kobold started to growl in weird tunes, not long a flame appeared from his hand and throw it at the pile of wood.
''It's Mage!? But, what with those chant.. its no good I have to warn the other, time to go- hm?''
After Arya saw this, he started to pale. Before he able to go back, he saw another new type. With 2 meters tall, wearing heavy armor that covering his body, black fur, and a scar on it left eyes holding a machete. His ferocious glare was intimidating.
''It's the Alpha Kobold, the Warchief. What with my luck! Am I cursed by a Bad Luck!?''
After finding the Information, Arya retreated toward his soldiers.
Saw her master rushing at their resting place, Airi wave her hand and ask.
With his face filled with sweat, Arya shouted.
''It's terrible, there are an Army of Kobolds!! I think the one that giving the mission isn't up to date.''
Airi blinked and ask
Expecting the carefree smile from her master, Arya turned Airi body to face backward while pushing her. ''Are you crazy? Does your mind only filled with fighting? It's dangerous, they have a mage, war chief, even their army is 100 strong.''
'''!!!!'''
When his soldiers hear their Captain report they were speechless. A mage, that spell caster truly troublesome. Their magic will kill them before they're able to close and the Warchief is a leader, the strongest creature.
hearing Arya accused her of being a battle maniac, Airi sighed and said.
''That is too late, they are gathered too many.''
After Airi suggestion is rejected, Arya started to think some plan and to Airi surprise, Arya devilish smile makes her sweating bullet.
''Let's defeat them, we will use the tactic to lure them to ambush.''
Accepting her fate, Airi sighed.
Before Airi can finish her sentence, a fast wind passed her face and hitting sound can be heard at the tree beside her, when she looking there, an arrow just almost hit her, she paled.
''Ambush, Wings raise your shields!!''
Without wasting time, Arya shouted commands and they raised their shields. As a greeting, a volley of an arrow flying at them like a wave, then followed by a Kobolds jumped from the bush and rushed at them.
Arya gritted his teeth for his fault while glaring behind his shield 'I forgot that they have a good nose for smelling a prey.'
''Wings, use your spear to keep them at bay. Talons prepare the javelins. ''
With coordinated attack, they able to take the advantage and keep their formation close.
Seeing that the Kobolds doesn't have the intention to seriously attacking, Arya increased his wary ''What with this weird feelings..''
Behind him, Airi moved closer and whispered
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
''It's just...''
A brave Kobold suddenly jumped and trying to attack the relaxed Arya, but another spear pierces its chest.
''Thanks, Rana. It's the Kobold mage we don't-''
The savior, Rana just nod her head. But before long, she turned her head in surprise with her eyes wide open. Suddenly series of small fireball appeared and hit the shield wall, the explosion made some of his soldiers thrown up and hit the trees.
''I miscalculated, they don't only have one Mage! Retreat, we leave this place.''
Feeling the situation become dire, Arya shouted his command. While helping their comrades, all of them leaving the clearing area and heading toward mountain range.
*****
''How are the soldiers?'' As Arya and his soldiers retreated far enough, Arya asks Airi about the condition of his soldiers.
Arrived at Mountain range, they found a river and decided to take rest here. When Arya asks Airi, its seems the soldiers have small injuries.
''It's my fault, I didn't check how many their total mage is.'' Sitting down at the nearer rock, Arya apologized at Airi who sitting beside him.
Shaking her head, Airi smiled and asked
Thinking Airi trying to be considerate, Arya smiled and said. ''They will search for us, it's just the time when they will find us shortly. The only problem we had on our hand was that annoying spellcaster.''
Smiling, Arya turned at a certain direction and said. ''Yes, I do. Hey, Rana what is those magic just now? Doesn't it looks different from the normal fireball.''
''''..!?''''
When Arya turns his head and asking Rana about the earlier magic, all his soldiers was stunned and looked at Arya direction. They are foot soldiers, how can they know the content of Magic, even Rana that looked smart and know much, how can she know something about that?
But as Rana also silent and stopped what she doing without denying Arya word, she gathered all the attention.
Rana closed her eyes and said. ''..How did Captain noticed?''
''Heh, I have spell caster friend you know? And the way you holding a spear is different. If someone already used holding a staff it's quite hard to change the habits.''
When Arya say that, Airi look at him with realization expression when Arya saw that, he showing an expression that saying 'You just know that?'.
Rana opened her eyes and with resolute eyes ''...Yes, I am a mage.''
Rana said that while clenching her hand in frustration because her surrounding is quiet as the others holding their breath.
''Are you, for real?!''
''Rana, you can use real magic too?''
''Rana, you are...'' ''...Amazing.''
''What..!?''
Starting from Maya, Martha, and the twins, and followed by her other comrade, they showing amazed expression. They started to gather around the shocked Rana. It seems for this resident, a spell caster is quite rare. Because the one that can use it just the monster and the Champione, if they want to become one, they must be hired by them.
'Is she thinking that the other will hate her?' Arya sighed and clapped his hand to take their attention.
''Alright everyone, you can interrogate her later. We have an angry dog on our back. So how is it, Rana.''
''Yes, that was 'Flame Bullet' the upgraded fireball version. It's strong magic but because the long Chant, they can't react if attacked.''
When Arya hear that, a smile appeared in Arya's face, Airi beside him started to have cold sweat, it seems that her Master already has a (dangerous) plan.
*****
In the certain clearing area in Mountain range, 10 figure can be seen make a defensive stance with the shield ready and standing in front is Arya, facing him, a huge number of Kobolds baring their teeth at them, lead by tall Kobolt with black fur.
''You have a courage, human.''
''Uwaah, you can speak?''
''Heh.. you are interesting but, this one job must be done, and that's mean you must dead today.''
''No thank you, I don't have any intention to die right now. So, I will humbly decline.''
'''.....'''
The one that started the conversation is the Warchief, because he talking fluently Arya and his soldiers are shocked. But After Arya second word, all of them is speechless.
Arya glanced at his soldiers with the eyes that saying 'What? Am I wrong?'.
''Wahaha... you are really interesting, This one will give you some honor. This one name is Graz'zark, may this one know your name, Human..?''
''Oh, you can call me Arya.''
''Very well, keep surviving if you can, Human Arya...''
After saying that, Graz'zark the war chief raises his left hand and series of a blazing bullet flying above them. Seeing this Arya raised his left hand too, with the signal his soldier take forward and make a square shaped wall from their combined shield.
They hold the line and the flame bullet hit them. With the explosion, a black smoke emerged and hiding their figure.
Before long, a lone figure, Arya jumped out and rushed toward the stunned Warchief followed by his other soldiers. Before Graz'zark face hit by the shield he jumped to right with his powered feet.
''Kill them, attack from every direction!''
''Wings, circle formation.''
Both the leader shouted their command and their soldiers moved immediately. The rushing Kobolds against 21 young people. When Arya seeing a small light in the back line of kobolds, he smiling and shouted a new order.
''Wings, Spread and Pairs formation.''
Hearing the command, the soldiers spread in every direction, before long another series of a flame bullet flying toward their previous location that already filled by the rushing Kobolds, and friendly fire claims their lives.
But the soldiers didn't stop to run away, they make a pair and rushing forward. When the smoke cleared the Kobolds already decreased by quarter and being ambushed by Arya soldiers.
They fight in pairs, so each other cover the back. And as the Kobolds leader is busy in their own fight, the chaos was unavoidable.
With his battle axe, Graz'zark trying to cleave his enemy in two by swing it downward. As the attack hit another empty air, he started to howl with a loud sound.
'What was that?'
When Arya heard that, he raised his guard. As he saw nothing happened he swing his head toward his soldier's location. The panic and disordered Kobolds already back on their sense and attacking carefully. And pushed Arya soldiers.
'He is giving commands? This is bad.'
Before Arya shouts the command, Graz'zark didn't let him and slashed horizontally. As his attack missed again, he jumped and started to Howl once again. This time a wave of arrow raining down.
When Arya glances his back in the midst of evading, the other Kobolds started to retreat and the arrow raining toward Arya and his soldiers. Some of them didn't take in time and an arrow pierces the shoulder, thigh, and some of the unprotected area. Seeing a chance the kobolds rushing after the rain down.
''Wings, Slice and Dice formation.''
'He makes an order even when to fight ? What a high caliber leader.'
This time, Arya soldiers throw their spears and unsheathe their swords. Once again Arya heard a howl and Graz'zark approaching. With no other choice, he planned to stop the leader first, Arya rush to engage a duel.
Between the fight, Graz'zark always started to howl in various sound and his army attacked in a more complicated attack. Between the constant howls, Arya understood that Graz'zark showing some confusion in his voice.
But, that didn't change the fact that Arya side getting get losing. He started to wonder if his choice to fight with this many is right.
'At this rate, we will be annihilated, where is Airi?'
As listening to his word, a scream can be heard on Graz'zark back. When they take a peek, Airi and the Talons division appears. With their bloodied spears, they attacking the back line of Kobold army.
Seeing the reinforcement arrived, the Wings division started to raise their spirit. While gritted his teeth, Graz'zark started to howl in long duration.
This time the howl is different, and Arya knows that this is not retreating command. With hurry, he followed the rushing Graz'zark, while taking a glance behind him.
True, the remaining kobold using frenzy attack and pushed his soldiers he even take a sight that one of his soldiers is pushed down to the ground.
But, he didn't have time for that, his aim is the Graz'zark because he have a bad feeling about him but his target is too fast. He stops his rush and make a stance, with the shield and tip of the spear in front, handle in his armpit to stable his actions. He has to use his ultimate skill.
Seeing the chance, some of the Kobold trying to stop and close his way. But they are too late. The Charging Strike activated and Arya body move forward at full speed.
Graz'zark closing his distance toward Talons division and throw his axe toward Airi, the spinning axe flying and hit her spear as Airi try to block and fall to the ground. With a leap, Graz'zark jumped to Airi with his Claw ready.
Airi that can't stand because her hand is numb because the impact just lay down with her eyes closed.
But before it hit, the instinct in Graz'zark shouted danger and he turns his body while covering his chest with his armored arm. That's when Arya hit him and throw him away
The thrown Graz'zark hit the tree really hard with a loud crash that makes the tree broken and fall at him. Arya condition isn't good either, some of his armor is cracked and he down on one knee.
Before long the fallen tree cracked and Graz'zark bloodied figure appear. His body is tattered, a deep dent in his chest and both of gauntlet in his arm is destroyed, exposed his bloodied arm.
'Strong.. he is still able to stand. Argh, I can't fight right now.'
''You Human Arya, this one can't believe it, you manage to make this one to this state.''
''Ahah..you are strong too, to be able to stand my attack.''
When the Graz'zark glaring at him, Arya soldiers already gathered. Although all of them is alive, but their condition isn't good for another fight.
''Tsk. it's regrettable, this one has no choice.''
While saying that, Graz'zark started to howl with long duration once again, hearing that Arya soldier started to tense.
''We have to retreat, for now, Human Arya, keep in your mind to not let anyone take your life.''
'No no... I didn't want too.'
''Just Arya, don't add Human, that's species not my name you Old-man dog.''
''Gahahah... this one know it, you are different... see you again.''
.
After that, the remaining Kobold retreated and following his leader and leaving this battlefield.
'Good grief, he is really strong. Is it how the real war is..?'
''It's fine. And you guys, we win this battle today...!!''
''''Uwooooh.....!!!''''
Arya word makes his soldier shouted in joy. They started to cry in relieved feeling, they just experienced a full scaled war, even the number is 10 times their own they glad to still alive.
In Arya mind he started to think, what is Graz'zark purpose, why did he bring that many armies with him, who is the one command him. He trembles thinking that he just find a great enemy leader that used various tactic himself, what if they have another.