Makima departed Lynvale with Kleto and Nino trailing behind her.
As they walked along the forested road, Makima unfolded the assignment paper, her golden eyes scanning its contents once more.
“So, our task is to hunt down a wolf-born thats also a magical beast.” She glanced toward Nino. “What is a wolf-born? And what does it mean for a creature to be a magical beast?”
Nino started to speak, her voice steady.
“A wolf-born is a creature similar to a werewolf, Miss Makima. The difference is that wolf-born are born as werewolves and cant shift into human form. Theyre also considerably stronger than ordinary werewolves.”
Makima nodded, signaling for her to continue.
Nino adjusted her pace as she elaborated.
“When we say a creature is a magical beast, it means it has been infected by magic and is now guarding a magical book.”
Makima tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
“Infected? Explain what you mean by that.”
Nino obliged.
“Magic in this world is a living force. Over time, it gathers and condenses in specific locations, eventually forming magical books. These books emit an aura that draws creatures like the wolf-born to them. If a creature gets too close, the book infects it, corrupting and transforming it into a magical beast. The stronger the book, the more powerful creature it can infect. And these magical beasts gain abilities from the book they guard.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Makima returned her gaze to the road ahead, her expression unreadable as she processed this information.
___
The group continued their journey in silence for a while. As they walked, Makima took out her whip, letting its coiled length unfurl. She began testing it, lashing at trees and nearby foliage with sharp, calculated movements. Each strike was precise, the whip snapping with an authoritative crack.
‘This feels... natural.’ -she thought, a faint glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes
‘It must be because im the control devil. How interesting.’
She lashed again, this time wrapping the whip cleanly around a tree trunk. A small, satisfied grin tugged at her lips. She could feel it, control was innate to her, in every movement and strike.
___
The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest. The fading light made it harder to see their surroundings, and the air grew cooler.
“Were here.” -Kleto announced, stopping in front of a crumbling stone structure nestled among the trees
Makima studied the ruins ahead, her eyes narrowing.
“This is the church where the creature was spotted?”
Kleto nodded.
Makimas gaze swept over the area.
She sharpened her focus, hearing what the small animals around her heard. The forest seemed alive, every rustle and chirp distinct. Then, she caught it, a low, heavy breathing coming from her right, paired with the faint crunch of twigs snapping underfoot.
Her golden eyes flicked to the source, and there, in the dim twilight, she saw them. Two blue eyes glowing with a predatory intensity, locked onto their group.