Breaking through lasted around an hour. In that time, Jessica and Saleh didn’t have much to do. Though that was relative.
Neither of the two, had ever seen an animal breakthrough. Because of the insane amount of mutations, it became even stranger sight to behold.
Jessica had never really asked too deeply about the difference of animal tribes and normal animals. However, judging from his vivid expressions, it seemed the two were very different.
Though, that also called into question if Saleh had ever seen another of his kind breakthrough. He said they were like one entity, while also stating that not everyone got along. From everything she heard, Jessica had the thought that such sensitive things might still not be common place.
This was ignoring the fact that Saleh was human. Touching very briefly on this topic, Saleh had said that he was in the process of becoming a blue wolf. Azeban commented on the fact that Saleh was in the process of going from human to animal, while the normal route was animal to human.
Watching the snow wolf breakthrough, caused many thoughts to enter her head. As someone that wasn’t completely human, it made her wonder if she was different from other humans, in the same way the snow wolf broke through a completely different way.
Then again, that would go against everything she learned. So far, everything she heard, she was on the standard human path.
After breaking through the energy waves coming off the snow wolf had reached Grade E. Being bigger than everyone here. That didn’t change. While being much smaller, the snow wolf seemed a bit more elegant, which caused a strange sight.
One part came from the difference in size after breaking through. Secondly was that so much of its bulk was gone. Before it was a monster made of muscles, now it was just a very large normal looking wolf.
Jessica had to admit, its fur looked even softer. If not for her new first impression, she might find it hard to fight off the desire to touch it.
Once the breakthrough was over, Everblood removed the barrier, as the first thing it did was howl. This was a sound wave attack. Not intended to be, it was simply a release of pent-up emotions and energy. Once released, all that energy and mana was pushed through its throat as a feeling of wind for the first time since the barrier had gone up.
This wind caused everyone’s clothes to flap heavily away from the snow wolf. At that moment, both Jessica and Saleh’s face hardened as their facial expressions became strained. Neither of them had time to pay attention to the other, still as if subconsciously the two took a step closer to the other.
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Regardless of which one of them you asked, they would answer the same way. The snow had eyes, that was the best way to explain it. It was clear the gaze came from the snow wolf standing a hundred feet away.
With just a glance, the two felt as if they were locked on by all snow in the surroundings. Knowing its abilities, neither of the two thought this false impression was untrue. As quickly as it came, the gaze disappeared as they let out silent sighs.
Luckily for both, there was no malice in the gaze. As if sizing the two up, trying to gauge its new-found strength. If they fought, neither Jessica nor Saleh believed they would lose. Neither would it be a simple nor easy fight.
In just as quick a moment, the snow wolf disappeared as a wave of mana tunneled through the snow. As if light was shined and tilted to reflect off the snow. From point a to point b was a hundred feet, give or take. With running, it might take a second, with the use of mana.
Similar to teleportation, the wolf appeared on the snow next to Cassie as it rubbed against her as she jumped at it as she hugged it tightly, laughing.
“I know it has been hard on you, being stuck for so long. Now you are free of that restraint.” Cassie’s voice was filled with heartfelt joy.
Making room for the two, Everblood came over to them.
“There are small things here and there. Even if I myself fight, it wouldn’t be hard to nitpick at my own actions. In the end, it could be said that you two handled this fight fairly well.”
This could have many meanings. In a normal situation, having abandoned the carriage, it could be said to be the last thing one should do in a situation they’re escorting. However, escorting was just that.
While you guarded them, the Adventurer’s Guild, never punished a person for failing a request. If you made a mistake, it was possible. Though, if a situation occurred in which they were not able to protect their protectee, they were not expected to die for their request.
Protecting Cassie was very important, considering who she was and who she was connected to. That also meant them abandoning the carriage with the information available to them was the right move.
For one, the wolves weren’t attacking the carriage to begin with. Cassie’s snow wolf was also in charge of moving the large and heavy carriage. If something happened to it, that would impact their ability to protect Cassie.
Cassie would without doubt have means to protect herself. Helga would never allow her out with things like an inventory ring without such means. The carriage was one of those.
What was within question was Cassie’s ability to move around. Jessica wouldn’t doubt there was something she could use to escape, however, to use to move around. That was unlikely.
For these reasons and a few others, it appeared that to Everblood their choices weren’t too bad. From her perspective, it appeared he was also telling them to think over their own actions. Jessica tried to do this, that wasn’t to say she always did it. Therefore, a reminder was useful.
That was as far as Jessica was helped. Everblood pulled Saleh aside to go over what he did. What he could do, and a bunch of minute things that Everblood was trying to mold into Saleh’s subconscious.