Reincarnation of the magicless!
"No magic?, No problem!"
Chapter 11: Shivers!
Elian steadied his breath, his heart racing as the massive creature loomed before him. It was a hulking beast, covered in dark scales that shimmered ominously in the dim light of the lair. Its eyes glowed like embers, and a low growl rumbled from deep within its throat, sending shivers down Elian's spine.
"Focus, Elian," he whispered to himself, recalling the training he had undergone at the academy. He had prepared for this moment, but nothing could truly prepare him for the sight of such a formidable opponent.
The examiner's voice echoed in his mind, reminding him of the importance of strategy. "Aim for the weak points! Use your surroundings!"
Elian quickly scanned the lair, searching for anything that could give him an advantage. The walls were lined with jagged rocks, and the ground was littered with debris. He could use that to his advantage.
With a swift motion, he loaded a magic-absorbing bolt into his crossbow, feeling the familiar surge of energy as the bolt absorbed the ambient magic in the air. He aimed carefully, targeting the creature's exposed underbelly, which seemed to be its most vulnerable spot.
As Elian took aim, the creature lunged forward, its massive claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. Elian dodged to the side, avoiding the blow by mere inches. He fired the crossbow, and the fire-infused bolt shot towards the creature's underbelly. The bolt struck true, embedding itself deep within the creature's scales.
Flames erupted from the impact site, spreading rapidly across the creature's body. The creature let out a deafening roar as it stumbled backward, its movements becoming more erratic. Elian seized the opportunity, dashing forward with his short sword drawn. He struck at the creature's exposed flesh, aiming for the vital organs.
The flames danced across the creature's body, weakening its scales and making it more vulnerable to Elian's attacks. The creature retaliated, its tail swiping across the room with incredible force. Elian leaped over the debris, using the environment to his advantage. He landed on a rocky outcropping, using the momentum to propel himself towards the creature.
As the battle raged on, Elian's training and instincts took over. He dodged and weaved, striking at the creature's weak points whenever possible. The flames continued to spread, engulfing the creature's body and weakening its resolve. Sweat dripped down Elian's face, and his breathing grew ragged, but he refused to back down.
The creature's movements slowed, its strength waning from the fire and Elian's precise strikes. With one final blow, Elian plunged his sword deep into the creature's heart, extinguishing the beast's life force and dousing the flames. Panting, Elian stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion. The examiner's voice echoed in his mind once more, "Well done, Elian. You've proven yourself worthy of the title." But as Elian turned to face the examiner, he noticed a figure watching from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity...
As Elian caught his breath, the examiner approached him, a wide smile on his face. "Excellent work, Elian! Your strategy and skill are truly impressive. You've set a high standard for the others."
The other students gathered around, congratulating Elian on his victory. "Wow, Elian, you're a beast!" one of them said, grinning. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone take down that monster so quickly."
The examiner's gaze fell upon the crossbow in Elian's hand. "Ah, Elian, I couldn't help but notice the... unusual device you're using. What is that contraption, and where did you acquire it?"
Elian smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "It's a, uh, a specialized crossbow, sir. Made by my little brother, Rolien. He's only 8, but he's quite the inventor."
The examiner raised an eyebrow. "An 8-year-old genius, eh? I'd love to meet this young talent. Perhaps we can even recruit him for our research team."
The students chuckled, and Elian shrugged. "I'll pass on the message, sir, but I think Rolien would rather keep tinkering with his gadgets than join a team."
Just then, Maria Antoinette stepped forward, her long, curly brown hair tied back in an elegant bun. Her eyes sparkled with determination as she drew her sword and began the exam, facing the same monster Elian had just defeated. The battle was intense, with Maria showcasing her own impressive skills. However, it was clear that Elian's speed and efficiency had set a high bar.
After a few minutes, Maria emerged victorious, her chest heaving with exertion. She glanced over at Elian, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned her head away.
The students whispered among themselves, anticipating the next participant. "The crown prince is up next," someone whispered. "I bet he'll crush it."
Elian nodded to himself, expecting the prince to perform well. The crown prince was known for his exceptional abilities, and everyone was eager to see him in action.
As the prince stepped forward, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The examiner bowed slightly, showing respect for the royal's presence. "Your Highness, please proceed when you're ready."
The crown prince smiled confidently, drawing his sword. "Let's get started."
The students watched in anticipation, wondering how the prince would fare against the monster. Elian leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, ready to witness the prince's prowess.
The crown prince stepped forward, his golden hair gleaming in the dim light of the lair. His blue eyes sparkled with an almost innocent intensity, and his chiseled features seemed almost too perfect, like a work of art crafted by the gods themselves. His skin was smooth and unblemished, with a subtle sheen that hinted at a life of luxury and pampering.
As he raised his sword, the prince's movements seemed almost ethereal, as if he were dancing rather than preparing for battle. His eyes shone with a fierce determination, and his smile was radiant, captivating the attention of everyone in the room.
But Elian's gaze lingered on the prince, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Despite the prince's innocent-looking face and charming demeanor, Elian sensed a disconnect, a subtle hint that there was more to the prince than met the eye.
Elian's instincts prickled, and he felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched the prince. It was as if the prince was hiding something, concealing a truth behind those piercing blue eyes. Elian couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the feeling persisted, leaving him with a sense of unease.
The prince charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light, and Elian's attention was drawn back to the battle. The prince's skills were undeniable, and he moved with a fluid precision that belied his seemingly carefree nature.
As the prince battled the monster, Elian's gaze drifted back to his face, searching for any sign of what lay beneath the surface. But the prince's expression remained serene, his eyes sparkling with excitement, leaving Elian wondering if he had simply imagined the sense of unease.
The prince charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light as he battled the monster. With a final, decisive blow, he decapitated the beast, its head rolling to the ground with a thud. The prince stood tall, his chest heaving slightly with exertion, as the girls in the room cheered and applauded.
Their admiration seemed to please the prince, and he smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. But as his gaze met Elian's, Elian felt a shiver run down his spine. The prince's smile seemed to be directed at him, and it sent a strange sense of unease through his veins.
As the applause died down, the prince approached Elian, his movements fluid and confident. "Well done, Elian," he said, offering his hand in a gesture of respect. "Your skills are impressive, and that contraption you used... truly remarkable."
Elian hesitated for a moment before taking the prince's hand, feeling a sense of trepidation. As they shook hands, the prince's grip was firm, his palm warm.
"You fight with a certain... flair," the prince said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And that crossbow of yours is quite powerful. I'd love to have you in my ranks when I become emperor. And, of course, your brother Rolien, the inventor... his talents would be invaluable. I'd like to extend an offer to both of you."
Elian felt taken aback by the prince's words, and he struggled to find the right response. "You praise me too much, Your Highness," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not worthy of standing beside you."
The prince chuckled, his smile growing wider. "Please, don't call me that," he said. "Besides, after your brother enters the academy, he and my sister Sophia will be engaged, according to my father. So, we're family now."
Elian's eyes widened in surprise as the prince turned to leave. "I'll have my people send over the details," the prince said over his shoulder, his voice dripping with confidence. "Welcome to the family, Elian." With that, he departed, leaving Elian feeling both stunned and uncertain about what had just transpired.
As Sir Valoric rode his horse through the rolling hills, the wind whipping his face, he could see the grand duke's banner fluttering in the distance. He quickened his pace, his sense of urgency growing with every step. The village of Greybrook lay before him, its thatched roofs and bustling town square a testament to the resilience of its people.
As he approached the gate, the other knights on guard duty looked up, their faces set with concern. Sir Valoric reined in his horse and shouted, "MONSTER!!! There's a monster stampede heading straight for us!"
The guards sprang into action, shouting warnings to the villagers as they opened the gates wide for Sir Valoric to ride through. He galloped into the village, his horse's hooves pounding the earth as he rode towards the grand duke's manor.
The grand duke's voice boomed through the manor, summoning his elite knights to assemble before him. "We have received word of a monster stampede heading towards Greybrook, and it's imperative that we take action to protect our people," he declared. "Sir Valoric, lead a contingent of our finest knights to intercept the stampede. We will also need strong soldiers to guard the manor and the town. I want adventurers hired to supplement our defenses and ensure the safety of our citizens."
As the knights and soldiers scrambled to prepare for battle, Rolien was busy gathering his belongings, determined to join his father in the fight. However, his sister, Elara, was quick to intervene, scooping him up under her arm like a sack of rice. "Hey, put me down, big sister! I can help defend this town!" Rolien protested.
Elara's expression was firm. "Help defend this town? You don't have magic, and your ability is just intelligence enhancements. You're not a fighting mage or even a knight; you don't even know how to use kigen. You're just a regular kid, so don't argue with us, young Roa! This isn't a game! We can't have you running around in this serious situation. Mom and Dad are going, so I'm in charge of guarding you. You'd better behave yourself."
Rolien struggled against his sister's grip, but she held him firm. "Tsk, fine," he said finally. "Just let me set up some of my defenses, you know, like a giant slingshot that I made. Can I at least do that?"
Elara raised an eyebrow. "You mean a catapult? I suppose that could be useful, but make it quick, and don't stray from my side."
"Yeah, a catapi, you said."
As it happened, Rolien had been anticipating this situation. While out buying ingredients for his inventions, he had overheard some of the merchants and store owners discussing the possibility of monster attacks, because some hunters and adventurers saw the increase of monster activity around the area where the soldier saw the stampede. One of them, Mr. Yohan, had mentioned that he had experience with defensive contraptions. Rolien had asked for his help in building a giant crossbow, similar to the one he had seen in a movie. Mr. Yohan was intrigued by the idea and had agreed to help Rolien build it, just in case.
With Elara's permission, Rolien set to work on his catapult while also explaining his plan to his sister. "I've been thinking about this, and I believe a giant crossbow could be just what we need to defend the town. Mr. Yohan is helping me build it, and I think it could be a game-changer."
Elara's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "Very well, but be quick about it. We don't have much time."
As the sun began to set, Rolien and the guards made their way to the gate, carrying the catapults and large crossbows. The guards were eager to set up the defenses, and Rolien was excited to see his creations in action.
The large crossbows were armed with magic-absorbing stones that had been imbued with fire explosion spells. These stones were known as "Inferno Cores," and they would amplify the crossbow's bolts with explosive force.
As the guards helped Rolien set up the catapults and crossbows, he explained how to use them. The guards were fascinated by the technology and quickly grasped the mechanics.
When they finished setting up the defenses, the guards couldn't wait to test them out. "Man, this is going to be awesome!" one of them exclaimed. "We're going to blast those monsters to kingdom come!"
Rolien chuckled and shook his head. "You guys are explosion maniacs, heh, have fun, meatheads," he said with a grin. And the four soldiers grin at him. "Don't worry, young master, we won't miss!" They say with confidence. "Heh, that's the spirit !"
Just then, his father, the grand duke, appeared beside him. "Rolien, finish up here and head home with your big sister and Lyra. While I and your mother stay to fend off the stampede, make sure you're safe."
Rolien nodded and quickly finished the last few adjustments on the catapults. As he did, his parents hugged him tightly. "Be safe, son," his mother whispered. Yeah, you too, Mom and Dad. If things get dicey through this," Rolien said and handed over a mangled-together fire-absorbent stone. That he called "cluster bomb," as his father accepted it, the grand duke smiled. "Don't worry, son , I'm the dragon slayer, remember?" Grand Duke said with a wink.
"Yes, Father! Be safe!"
"You too, kid!"
As they headed home, Mr. Yohan was sent along with them. The grand duke had insisted that the old dwarf be protected, and Rolien was happy to have his friend's company.
As they walked, Rolien looked back at the gate, where the guards were eagerly waiting for the monster stampede. He hoped his creations would prove effective in defending the town.
As the grand duke, duchess, Rolien, and Mr. Yohan walked away from the gate, they couldn't help but glance back at the horizon. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Suddenly, a cloud of dust rose in the distance, and the sound of thundering hooves echoed through the air. One soldier approached the grand duke and duchess. "Sir, the capital is sending their troops to aid us. Also, the nearby dukedom is sending reinforcements, but they say they're going to arrive within two hours," the soldier said with a trembling voice. And the grand duke closed his eyes, then spoke.
The grand duke's voice boomed across the town square, his words carrying to every corner of Greybrook. "People of Greybrook, today we stand together against an enemy unlike any we have ever known! We will not be intimidated by the sheer size of this beast, nor will we be swayed by the terror that grips our hearts, for we are not just defenders of our town; we are the guardians of our homes, our families, and our way of life!
"We have two hours—two hours to hold the line against this monstrous invasion, two hours to prove that we are stronger than steel and braver than the bravest. And after those two hours, reinforcement will arrive. The bravest knights, the most skilled mages, and the most valiant warriors will come to our aid, and together we will crush this enemy beneath our feet!
"So let us stand tall, let us stand proud, and let us show this monster that we will not be defeated! Let us defend our town, our people, and our very way of life! For Greybrook! For our families! For our future! Let us march into battle with hearts full of courage and souls full of fire! Cause I grand duke Edric! The Dragon slayer will fight with you!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their faces set with determination. The grand duke's words had ignited a spark within them, and they were ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead.
The group stopped in their tracks, their eyes fixed on the approaching storm. As the dust cloud drew closer, they saw the stampede of monsters, their twisted bodies and razor-sharp claws a testament to the danger that was heading towards Greybrook.
But it was what lay behind the stampede that made their blood run cold. A massive monster, its body as large as a castle, emerged from the dust cloud. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and its presence seemed to darken the very air around it.
The group stood frozen in terror, their minds struggling to comprehend the enormity of the creature. The grand duke's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke, "What in the world...?"
The monster's gaze seemed to lock onto Greybrook, and it began to move towards the town with a slow, deliberate pace. The stampede of smaller monsters seemed to be mere cannon fodder, a distraction from the true horror that was approaching.
As the group watched in horror, the massive monster's mouth opened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. A deafening roar echoed through the air, making the ground shake beneath their feet.
And then, everything seemed to slow down. The monster's eyes fixed on the town, and it began to charge...
"Please mother, father be safe"
To be continued....