Chapter 12: Mages

Mages are know to be flamboyant and arrogant. Why wouldn't they be? They are even rarer than people who obtained Blessings.

They believe that they are the 'Chosen ones' more so than people who possess Blessings.

In singing, there are many people who possess a beautiful voice, but there are only the select few who can move emotions by singing.

It's the same with magic. Everyone has the capability to possess and to control mana but there are only a very small group of people who have the talent and finesse to properly control mana to the minutes of details that they can bent the rules of the world.

Even having a Blessing is still a hit or miss. You can have a really strong, an average, or a really weak Blessing. Just like in Klein's case, he missed big time because he has a really bad luck.

But being a Mage is different, there is no such thing like a weak Mage. They are a group of elites, and all Mages are strong.

So it wasn't weird that tension arose in the air as soon as these three Mages arrived. Nobody wants to offend a Mage. Their status alone could crush a normal person.

But Klein was left disappointed when they arrived. He expected to see 'glorious' Mages. Are they really 'Glorious'? He wanted to see how they compare to normal people.

But he had to put that thought aside for later. The Mages arrive with hoods that conceal their identity.

'But why though?' Klein thought to himself.

He carefully observed the three Mages, hoping to find any clues. The only thing he could discern is that they are a group of two male and a female.

Looking at the female, a certain sense of familiarity comes to him. He felt that he had met her somewhere. He just can't remember when and where.

"Is the guide here?" One of the mage spoke. Klein wondered if he really was a Mage, looking at his hulking figure. His body can rival that of Saita.

'I thought all Mages must be skinny by studying magic all day long. I guess it's bad to stereotype even in this world.' Klein thought before raising his hand.

"Yes, I'm here."

"Good! Looks like we're missing one more person. I'll file a complaint after we get back. Let's go! There's no need to wait for him."

"Sir Mage," Ed, Edd or Eddy, Klein can't really remember, called out to the Mage as he turned back.

"What?!" The Mage snapped, and a black fireball appear on his stretched hand. Klein didn't know if the Mage has anger issues or just using a show of force. But, he knows that he wouldn't want to be in Ed's shoes right now.

"Are you trying to cover up for your comrade? We don't have any more time."

"No, no, no, of course not Sir," Edd ('Yah, he's Edd) stammered as he waved his hands in defense. "We just want to know the specifics of the mission. See here, we are only told that our job is to escort and guard. We don't know where and how long it takes. We just want more info."

"Yes, your job it to escorts us. That's all you need to know. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

One look and Klein can tell that Edd, together with everyone, are not satisfied with the explanation. But they can't do anything. Their pay is on the line, and if they're honest, the fireball had done its job perfectly.

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"You!" The burly mage points at Klein. "What's your name?"

"Klein, sir, Klein Sparrow."

"Lead the way!"

As Klein walked in front, a thought crossed his mind.

'I'll just deal with it. The rumors are true. Mages really are arrogant. They have a stick so far up their.... Wo, wo. It just three days anyway. I'll guide them to the place and be done with it. No need to escort them back. And there's really not much threat in the forest.'

Thinking of this, Klein's mood suddenly lit up.

Though, there's one thing where Klein is wrong. He didn't encounter anything in his last trip because first: he is alone and second: he had a cheat called Weak Presence.

A large group will surely attract wild beasts.

And it happened on the second day.

The first day had been peaceful. But as they went deeper in, they encountered enemies.

The first wave had been easy. They only run across some animals like wolfs, tigers and hyenas. The only magical Beast they encountered are slimes which are quickly dealt with.

But now, it is different.

Even Klein is forced to crouch down and hide behind a tree.

Sure, he was safe from any harm coming the beasts but not from friendly fire. Their fight may spill into his position, and Klein is not confident enough that he can dodge in time.

It's still good if he bump into his companions. But the same can not be said if he bumped into the beast. He didn't know if that can trigger the agro.

And his Weak Presence ability said that a beast won't attack him till he agroed them first. He only had been lucky the last time. He doesn't have the Gem anymore.

"Fuck. Fucking lying Rico. What once in a lifetime. There's clearly six Hungry Wolves there." Klein cursed.

Yes, Hungry Wolves. The magical beast that attacked Klein's caravan the last time.

Six large Hungry Wolves, larger than the one he saw last time, are besieging their group.

Even Klein can see that they are stronger than the previous time. Klein didn't know if he is only seeing things. But he can swear that he saw the largest Hungry Wolf shoot lightning from its forehead.

Kruce is currently facing this Hungry wolf, but she hasn't making any strides. It is faster than her and Kruce's attacks can't land. She even needs to be careful about the lightning attacks.

The three members of the axe gang are facing two Hungry wolves, while the brothers are facing one each.

As for Saita, Klein doesn't want to really talk about it. Saita is facing a hungry wolf of his own. Klein can tell that he's owning and just toying with his opponent, but he hasn't thrown any punches so far. He dodges the Hungry wolf's attack but he always immediately leaps for a grab. As if he wanted to give the wolf a suplex or something.

All in all, it wasn't looking good. The Beast are stronger than our side. It was only because of the support from Lasgole's arrow that they didn't suffer any casualties still.

As for the Mages, they were quietly standing in the center as if the ongoing fight is not related to them at all. If they didn't have any hoods on, Klein imagined that he would see a bored expression.

"What did you say?" Someone asked Klein.

He nearly jumped in fright. Klein turned around and saw Eric.

"Bloody Hell, don't scare me! You god-damned baboon!"

"Hehe," Eric gave a short laugh. "Sorry. Didn't mean to. So, what are you saying again?

"Those Hungry wolves! Someone told me that they are rare, and I can only see them once in a lifetime."

"Yes, that was true if you are a normal person. Even if you're traveling from one city to another but if you used the national roads, there's very little chance you'll encounter any magical beast. The country's knights exterminate any magical beast from at least a few kilometers. But this deep into the forest, it is a different story."

"So that's it! But still... Fucking Rico."

"By the way Klein, is this really the right way? Did you really found the cave?" Eric asked with a hint of suspicion.

"Of course. I just didn't encounter them last time. They must be scared away by my aura."

"Then why don't you help?"

"I'm the Guide. It's not in my job description. The real question is why don't you," Klein countered, appearing irritated.

"You know that I'm weak. And I'm not employed as a guard, I'm here for my specialties."

"What? Grave robbing?"

"No, tomb raiding. From what I gathered, we're gonna raid some ancient big shot Mage's laboratory. I'm here to dismantle some traps, if there's any."

"Look at your big head, tomb raiding really. I thought you're a grave robber."

"That's just a side job. I'm a tomb raider by heart. It's not everyday that someone will discover tombs for us to go into. Gotta put foods in my table, you know."

'Mage laboratory? Looks like this quest is more complex than I thought. Wait, is this where I'll find my first cheat?'

Klein thought to himself as he watches the fight progress.