It's been two days since our journey started. We've been moving on foot, we have a few horses to carry our supplies but that's it.

During that time I asked Alyss to help me with my staff. Seeing my magic enhanced with the staff made me happy but it looks like Alyss expected more. She gave me a look that said I betrayed her, maybe her expectations were just too high. I suppose that I should be more powerful in the magic department since I got to the academy but she seemed really surprised at my magic.

Blue hair needed no help with using her staff, it seems like she's already used one before. Not that they're really hard to use. For some reason she never used it to deal with stray monsters that attacked us.

Speaking of blue hair, we haven't talked much since the day we left the city. She doesn't interact too much to the group, only giving short responses when the others ask her questions. Despite that she and Claire seem to get along well. They're both a little quieter by nature I suppose.

The time that I didn't spend training was spent watching Aethel and Kazuo spar. I can beat the average adventurer in a sword fight but I wouldn't be able to hold a candle to those two. They've probably been training with a sword for most of their lives. A guy like me who focuses on speed and versatility couldn't compete.

Norman spent his time setting up camp and doing other jobs around the camp. He would occasionally practice with his daggers and throwing knives. I'd say that his aim is a bit better, his close combat skills seem to be slightly lacking compared to mine but he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. He also carries around a few tools that seem useful like his own smoke bombs.

So far none of them show any signs of knowing that I'm mainly a close combat fighter.

Right now we can see a village up ahead. Even from here I can see the destruction. Some houses look just fine, but others have entire chunks taken out of them. The broken wood is scattered everywhere. At least it didn't happen during the winter, if it did then I assume many of them would've died from the cold already. The past few days haven't been very kind in terms of temperature but they should've been able to take that much.

"Are we going to talk to the village elder or something?" I ask.

"Yeah." Aethel answers.

Everyone in the party's moving at the same pace except for blue hair. She walks slowly, taking in the destruction, most likely her first time seeing something like this. I don't slow down at all, I've seen one far worse than this, at least the most of the people were still alive.

We reach the elder's house. I can tell because it's bigger than the others or was at one point. An entire fourth of it is missing, I could see a woman sitting down at the table staring at the missing piece. Repairs have already started though.

"Where is Doran?" Aethel asks.

An older man rushes up to us. He's short, his hair is streaked with grey, his face covered in dirt, and his clothes are all ragged. The attack must've been really bad, a village this close to the Juron River shouldn't have much trouble growing and selling food.

"That would be me." he inclines his body a bit. "Are you the adventurers?"

Aethel nods.

"When did the giants and hell hounds attack? Where are they now?"

The old man glances at his house.

"Their attack happened just three days ago. We helped the injured first and are now working on repairing our houses for the winter. They went to the caves, follow the river and you'll run into that mountain right there." he points to the tallest one. "We had a hunter follow them. If you need someone to guide you he can help."

At this Avie shakes her head.

"I can do it mister."

"I see."

I ask a question.

"When were you first attacked?"

He looks at the men repairing the house.

"Three weeks ago." one shouts.

"How come no one has come to help you yet?" I ask.

The old man's face saddens.

"We asked for help from the empire and a small force was sent." he shakes his head. "They were wiped out. Another adventurer group before you appeared to assist us also. Their fate was the same as the small subjugation force."

"Why have they been attacking the village?"

"Each time they've come they've stolen our cattle and our crops."

I nod.

"We shall slay them before they cause you more distress!" Kazuo declares.

"Thank you." the old man smiles.

"Let us move on then comrades." Kazuo starts towards the mountains.

Everyone follows suit. Blue hair hangs back a bit.

"Let's go!" I yell to her.

"C-coming!"

--------

We tread quickly through the forest, eager to get to the caves before the daylight is gone. The leaves have already started to turn color, only a few lay on the ground. The thick brushes make maneuvering hard but it also helps in following the giants. With their large bodies the ground they've walked on has the grass patted down, many of the tree branches have snapped off.

My rough estimate would have them number around four giants.

"How many hell hounds do you think there are?" I ask no one in particular.

"My guess is fifteen hounds." Avie responds.

Norman nods his head in agreement.

"H-how many giants?" blue hair asks.

"I guessed four." I say.

Blue hair's grip on her staff tightens and Avie stops.

"Oh, not bad. Very good for a mage!" she slaps me on the back.

"I'm not just a mage." I say quietly.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, it's not important."

She turns around and continues walking.

A few minutes later and we arrive at a cave in the mountain. A go to the river and drink a bit of water. I notice the power of the stream and a largish drop a little further away. Depending on how big it is we could probably toss one of the giants down there.

I take no time getting back to the group, they're behind a few bushes in a circle discussing the best plan of action.

"Ellar, what's your biggest area of effect water spell?" Aethel asks.

"I can use the intermediate tier spell 'Expanding Torrent' but that's it."

"That's fine. Alyss, I want you to hit those that come out if either an ice spell or earth spell, aim for the hounds first."

"I can do that."

"Norman and Avie will back Kazuo and I up. Kazuo and I will be switching out here and there, they'll be our fire support."

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Both nod.

"What about me?" I ask.

"You'll be together with Ellar and Alyss, follow Alyss's commands. If we need it make sure to put barriers up on us."

"Got it."

Not my favorite role but my knives would have a hard time getting deep into the giants.

A decent formation. The weakest in melee in the back and the strongest in the front. Too bad that my magic isn't up to par.

"Go ahead Ellar, Kazuo and I will move to meet them."

Blue hair's knuckles are white, she steps forward and points her staff at the opening. A large ball of water starts gathering.

"[Expanding Torrent]!"

In an instant it shoots inside.

Nothing happens for a few second. The only sound to be heard is echoing crash of water as they go over the cliff and the blowing wind as it rustles the leaves. The smell of mildew and earth is all around but soon the smell of burning flesh starts coming through.

From the cave a few hounds run from the pursuing water, some are doused and the fire from their bodies are nothing but embers. Their skin is black, and their bodies covered in reddish orange cracks.

I hear the dull creak of the bow as it's being pulled back.

*WHOOSH*

It pierces the air and lands right between the eyes of the hell hound, the arrow reverberating as it hits. Another is stuck to the hound and it falls.

"[Flash Freeze]!"

Suddenly, four hell hounds are turned into ice sculptures. The giants rush out of the cave and Alyss casts another spell.

"[Virtue of Ice]!"

From the statues a plethora of icicles shoot out, impaling two giants and a few hell hounds.

As one of the four legged beasts rush towards us Kazuo, with a single stroke, cuts it in two. From a nearby bush he had ambushed the hound. Aethel follows his example and leaps out cutting down two more.

"Ellar and Rainen, focus on the giants with your spells."

"Got it, [Fireball]!"

I aim it high and to the giant's face, it bats away the spell as if it were nothing.

"[Ice Spike]!"

A large clear icicle goes towards the giant. It holds up its club to receive the spell.

"KAZUO!" Aethel shouts while running.

"GOT IT!"

A hound pounces from Kazuo's blind spot but three knives find themselves in its body before it could make it.

Kazuo and Aethel charge for the giants legs, its attention focused on blocking the spell. With their swords raised they swing and cut through its skin without resistance.

*GURAAAAHH*

It yells in pain. The ice spike collides with its club and sends the giant falling backwards.

Aethel and Kazuo quickly take advantage of its position and go for a killing blow, easily moving towards it with their enchanted boots.

The other giants rush to help their fallen comrade but their movements are restricted by the icy floor.

"[Fireball]!"

It is flung at a enraged giant. He too bats it away.

A few hounds rush at us mages. Avie releases a flurry of arrows and Norman flashes his knives at them. Three have fallen but two make it through. It leaps at us, its jaws wide open.

I kneel and push my staff forward catching its stomach. I toss it overhead and blue hair showers it with rock bullets.

Alyss creates a barrier, stopping the hound from breaking through and launches it into the air with an earth pillar.

Three giants and two hounds are left, all are injured with a few cuts and icicles still sticking out of their bodies.

Aethel dashes to a giant.

It swings its club, she does a side flip over it landing on her feet.

"[Enchantment: Extended Blade]!"

Blue strings of mana ooze from her gauntlets into her blade. With one swing she cuts through most of the shin.

"GURAAAAHH"

It swings its club in fury.

""BARRIER!""

Blue hair and I yell.

The weapon smashes through mine but is stopped on blue hair's.

The giant notices us and points the other two towards us.

Not good, I don't know if we can stop two.

"I'll handle this one!" Kazuo yells.

"Focus your attention to that one." Alyss commands us.

I hear a crunch like snow and the rolling of tiny rocks.

I turn my head away for a moment. Aethel was blown back but is up on two feet. One of her hands holds the sword low and pointed up at the giant and her other hand is free, helping her balance. She's in a low stance, one meant for a burst of speed.

I return my focus on the matter at hand and cast an earth pillar, predicting its movements. It steps on the pillar just as it shoots up, perfect.

"GRRRAAAAHH"

Unfortunately it puts all its weight on it and forces it down.

"[Ice Spike], [Great Wind], [Frost Arrow]!"

Ellar launches three spells at once. I follow her lead and use a spell I learned from my master.

"[Pyro Bomb]!"

The ice spike is smashed but the wind pushed it off enough to have a few frost arrows land. My pyro bomb explodes upon impact.

"GURAAAAAHH"

Even with a large black spot on its chest it charges at us, ready to swing its club. Ellar and I are side by side. The club comes down, it's glowing.

""BARRIER!""

Alyss and I put up a barrier.

*CRACK*

Both break. I grab blue hair and activate my body protection spell.

"GUH!"

I take the full force of the blow. Even after using the spell I can still feel some of my bones crack. We're catapulted into the river. The hit leaves me barely conscious.

This time blue hair is the one holding on to me tightly. We're both being taken away by the current to the cliffs. She tries to desperately cling onto the rocks but with me and the strong current she can't.

I would use my ability to get us out of here but I'm not able to use it with two people, my body is also not touching anything like the ground. I'm just surrounded by the water being taken to the cliff.

"H-help!" blue hair yells.

The others are doing a good job. The monsters are being taken down but not fast enough for them to save us. We're nearing the edge and I'm drifting in and out of consciousness.

At one point I'm staring at the sky with my hands in front of me lifelessly, blue hair's grip on my arm is tight.

We're falling.