[https://i.imgur.com/sfHqwWT.jpg]

“W-what?” said Fergus with despair in his voice.

“You are almost 5 years my elder. I think it would be a strange predicament.” Drac offered a hand to the kneeling Noble. “I can't be your master, but I can teach a few tricks.”

Fergus slapped the hand away and picked up the two swords as he got off the ground to leave. With each step back toward the camp his shame grew worse and his loss more real. He passed Brent his sword with a short “Thank you” and walked to the crowd in a huff. The party ran to him with concern on their faces.

“Fergus. You got whooped. Like utterly walloped.” Liam the archer said forcing a grin away

Lisa hit Liam’s arm, “Wait, Let me heal you!”

Fergus continued walking past the staring crowd. Eyes bore down on him, and his bitterness increased. Lisa struggled to keep up with Fergus as she healed and the rest followed behind.

“What did you lot talk about?” Liam asked innocently. Fergus scowled and finally passed the last of the crowd.

“Young man, in this world, there are just people who are in a different league from us ordinary people,” Uoro said.

Fergus smacked his sword down on the ground, his aura catching everyone around him by surprise.

“Ordinary!? I, and the heir to glorious history, am ordinary?!”

Uoro nodded his head. “He didn't even need his spells.”

Fergus was surprised out of his anger. “Spells?”

“If you had bothered to talk with the rest yesterday, you would know how unordinary this fellow is. Fire blasts out of his feet. The wind turns him like a reed. The air is just another foothold. Fists of aura can dent steel. A single punch can blow away the leader of the horde. Like his namesake, the sky is his playground. A black dragon.”

Dismay settled with every feat told. Uoro put a hand on the young noble's shoulder. “Please don't piss him off.”

Where’s the ginger? I haven't seen him since he hit his sword on the floor like a child.

Probably brooding in the back somewhere.

Drac rode his steed, Mist, beside the caravan while his copy read a strange tome. A particular part of the tome had caught Drac's fancy as of late.

Ah, I have been wanting to ask. That strange tingling sensation. Have you been trying weird things from the book?

What is that book anyway?

Just a book about evil shit and how to do evil shit.

It's not all evil shit. This knowledge in the right hands could transform the world. But the amount of bodies used to get these findings. I squirm at the mere thought of it.

And you're still fucking around with our body.

I am not fucking around! Merely using the scientific method. You will like this, I’m manipulating aura on my nerves and its endings.

I hardly get a lot of those.

Not those nerves. They are responsible for how you move and how you feel touch. How you know it's hot or cold. Whether you know how terrible Marina's cooking is, and how a blade feels on skin.

I know all this, Hood. Grandpa wasn't just teaching me the sword.

Then your handler should've added how to stay quiet when you don't know shit to your syllabus.

I will slice you in half.

Drac concentrated. His nerves were covered in a familiar warmth. The world suddenly slowed. Mist's mane moved as if floating. Wheels on the caravan slowed their turning. A dragonfly flew by as if swimming in sludge.

This will be useful indeed.

Bloody genius.

The world suddenly starts its speed. Drac held his reins breathing heavily.

Very good in a pinch.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

How did you-

Do it? It's just normal aura imbuement but localised on a single body part. By focusing my aura on my nerves, I can increase the speed information travels to the brain.

Ooh. Like how imbuing aura in the strings of my violin could change the sound. Lowering and raising the speed it vibrates.

Apt metaphor. I found that it increased reaction time manyfold. The only limits are the concentration needed and its short span.

Amazing. Imagine the possibilities if you got it to last longer!

Yes, but you don't need to imagine, because they tried on many, many patients. The amount of information their minds gathered drove many crazy, and death seemed to be a likely outcome.

Mmm.

There are so many more cases like this. The sacrifices for this knowledge are too numerous. But something else concerns me about this book.

What?

It's a copy.

This knowledge continues to be in the wrong hands.

There is a change in the air. Drac looked around and none of the walking adventurers seemed to notice. A caravan window opened to reveal a concerned Flida.

“You can feel it too, huh.”

Drac nodded and saw Marina come by the window to look up. “Someone's falling.”

Drac followed Marina's gaze. A comet of white fire slammed in front of the caravan blocking the way. Horses go wild with fright. Drac calmed his own with a whisper and stroke of its mane.

A figure stepped out of the smoking crater. Long strawberry blonde hair trialled smoke. The figure dusted off debris from their grey surcoat and black chainmail. Gleaming vambraces and greaves shine in the midday sun. A silver sword sheathed on her left side. A foot and a bit taller than Drac and a face almost as gorgeous as his crush. The woman looked around at the adventurers and shouted.

“FERGUS. HERE NOW!”

Fergus walked out of the crowd scared of his wits. “Yes, sister.” He met with her but never met her eyes. He put on a brave face.

“I am sorry sister, I just wanted prov-”

A slap echoed.

Daaaamn

Fergus stood frozen from the hit.

Drac looked for Brent and asked, “Who is she?”

“Brenna Gifaw, Guardian of Heartbrook.”

Explains so much about the ginger.

Guardian?

Leader and protector of a player town

We stand no chance against her.

That presence… Her soul is strong.

“Hello, tall lady,” Drac said from his horse.

Hood sighed from within. Axton gets excited.

“Sorry to interrupt your family bonding time, but you're kinda blocking the way.”

The Guardian looked sharply at Drac. Her blue eyes examine him. She came to a realisation and her expression softened a little.

“So it's you. What brings you to the great forest, Hood?”

Mmm, it seems the news did indeed travel fast.

You dare give a syllabus that you will fail.

“On the search for a dear brother. Went missing a while ago.”

“Gosh, that's a pity.” No care was shown on her face.

“I permit your stay in town since I know you will find a way in any way. Just don't cause trouble, kid, or I will be in front of your inn room with a blade ready.”

“Sorry Guardian, but my brother is missing, trouble is the least I will be making.”

Don't provoke the giantess, you fool!

Does he always act like he has a death wish?

Pretty much.

The two gave each other a glare for an uncomfortable amount of moments.

Brenna turned to her brother “My office, as soon as you're back.” she turned on her heels and walked away. Bob spoke aloud before she left.

“Guardian, any churches around Heartbrook?”

She turned to see where the low booming voice was coming from. One look at Bob and words got caught in her throat. “T-there one in the town square.” Her eyes glance down.

“Thank you, miss, God bless you,” said Bob as he gave a curt bow before he grabbed his reins again. The guardian's face goes red and with aura rockets into the air, fading into the distance.

Drac brought Mist close to Fergus who stayed motionless with a red cheek.

“Kind of a bitch ain't she?”

Fergus looked forward, ignoring Drac.

Think Bob will be his brother-in-law?

Brent followed close behind with his heavy rucksack, “Who the hell are you?”

Drac looked around in thought. "Dunno, mate, I'm trying to figure that out myself.”

Marina bit into an apple found on the way. “Should've asked her for her exercise regiment.”

Flida sat beside her “Ten slaps with each arm. Twenty squats from 100 metres in the air.” both giggle.

“If it weren't for the short ears, I would have thought she was an elf.”

“Nah. Marina, if I saw a real one ya wouldn't have ever been mistaken. All of ‘em as tall as our priest or even taller. Lanky as hell, their muscles are like tight like cords of rope. Faces as sharp as their ears and a green tinge to their skin like they’re born from the tree it self.”

Marina beamed excitedly, “You've seen them, haven't you?”

The tracker sported a wry smile and said, “Another reason I was needed. I know this forest like the back of my hand.”

Marina's face was full of glee. A first-hand account of the ever-elusive people. Many questions pop into Marina's mind like a corked bottle of wine itching to burst. But one came to the forefront.

“Is it true that they ride drakes like horses?”

Flida smiled with puffy cheeks. “We’ll see for ourselves, won’t we.” Flida stroked a sleeping black wolf as it snored. Flida looked at her furry friend with a quiet unease.

Marina's impatience collides with her fervent curiosity. A chance to see the strange creatures that roam across this large forest, to meet the elusive long-eared clan, to eat the aura-engorged fruits the Great Tree bore for its inhabitants. Her excitement gave Marina tingles. Following the brooding assassin was the best thing she had done.

Laying on a bunk reading a book, Drac finally spoke. “Heartbrook ahead.”