Chapter 4: Salamander.

Red eyes gaze in my direction.

I know; my instincts scream; this is no coincidence.

The Salamander, at least 6 meters in length and 2 meters in height, looks at me like a predator to a prey.

I return it's gaze, holding it with a stare.

...It can't be helped.

I focus all my attention, giving it a hard glare, a warning.

The Salamander tilts its head, seemingly amused, and takes a step back, but then slowly advances towards me.

Well.

That's when I bolted.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

...I want a refund!

I curse in my mind, remembering the lessons I paid for years ago.

"When encountering a beast you can't handle, remember to give it a long, hard look; it will make it think that you're not easy prey and let you avoid the fight."

I vividly remember someone asking, "Is there proof of that?" back then, and how the instructor answered.

"Of course, you can ask anyone who successfully used this technique to testify."

I just now realized that dead men tell no tales, dammit!

[Correction.....Such a tactic is indeed effective for humans; unfortunately, you are not one.]

...I can see that!

Looking behind me, I saw the Salamander chasing and slowly closing in the distance. It's speed way faster than something that big should be.

How can I escape this? Think, think.

Aha!

...The Codex! Echo, show me a Salamander's weaknesses.

[Accessing Codex]

[ Salamanders, like all fire elementals, are mostly immune to heat based attacks and are very vulnerable to freezing based ones. Unlike other fire elementals, a salamander is protected by steel-like scales, reminiscent of a dragon, and often hides its core either inside its skull or heart.

Weaknesses include. shockwave type, freezing type, and impact type.

Note that, unlike others from this plane, a Salamander is relatively civil among the fire elementals.

- His Excellency Chase, from his book "Traveller's Guide: The Plane of Fire"]

...Lies! Which part of that is civil?!

[Relatively civil. A Salamander is usually not interested in flesh and blood, but you have neither. For the Salamander, you are but another elemental food.]

I turn and look at the hulking lizard that is closing in on me. As a Red Mage, there is nothing in my arsenal that can defeat, hell, even damage that thing.

...I only need to escape.

I calm my mind, remembering the routine almost every mage is familiar with.

Sense.

Gather.

Unleash.

Relying on my instincts, I control the mana near me, willing it to my desire.

Master Class magic.

Tidal Flame!