Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 118 (Part 1)

The beast that lay in wait to attack the caravan turned out to be goblins. Though generally weak creatures that rely on sheer numbers, goblins could be cunning, setting traps or using tools to their advantage.

They formed an encirclement, but the caravan didn’t enter the trap. Instead, the carriages and wagons stopped just outside their reach, forming a defensive formation.

The goblins found this unexpected and unsettling.

They wasted time debating whether to wait for the caravan to move closer for an attack or to charge out immediately.

“Does this mean their habitat has changed because of the monster?”

“That’s my thought. Monsters do attack humans frequently, but their habitats are usually far from places where humans live or travel. They only ambush humans when they need to hunt. But now…”

“You’re saying that human routes have become part of their habitat.”

“Yes. Hunting when hungry and living in a place are completely different matters.”

Cant’s insight made sense. If it was the monster he had seen while sharing vision with Jito, it was entirely possible.

That creature was massive, its sheer musculature radiating strength just by being observed.

A creature of that magnitude would disrupt entire territories of monsters just by moving through them.

“We’ll continue to encounter monsters, then.”

“If we head in the direction that monster traveled, yes. Luckily, we plan to turn south after passing the border town of Asir. What about you, Rodin?”

“We’ll keep heading west. Although our path won’t intersect with the monster’s, we’ll still feel its effects.”

“Kiyaya!”

The goblins formed a semicircle and launched an attack from the front. They had realized waiting any longer was futile.

―“Kriya!”

―“Kriya!”

Their incomprehensible cries made Bianca frown, and she began chanting in the language of runes.

“Oh, Fire Wall.”

Rodin conjured three walls of fire using a 4th-circle spell, effectively sealing off one flank.

The scorching heat made the mercenaries glance back in surprise.

“I’ll handle this side.”

Nodding briefly, the mercenaries dipped their heads and moved to support other fronts. Meanwhile, Bianca completed her spell.

“Strength!”

Bianca used not an offensive spell but a support spell, enhancing the physical strength of one of the mercenaries.

The sudden surge of power made the mercenary stumble, losing balance momentarily.

But he quickly regained his footing and fiercely pushed back the goblins. Despite being a bronze-ranked mercenary, he fought like someone silver-ranked, overwhelming the goblins.

“If you’re going to use a support spell, you should warn your ally first.”

“Hehe, I’ll remember that next time.”

Bianca stuck out her tongue sheepishly but soon hardened her expression, glaring at the goblins.

“Keep using your magic.”

“Understood.”

“Brother, can I join in too?”

“Yes, it’s a good chance for you to gain combat experience.”

With Rodin there, as well as Karis and Jena, there was little risk of Larry or Bianca getting hurt.

“We need to thin their numbers a bit.”

“Should I step in?”

“No. I need to cast some spells myself.”

Rodin began chanting in runic for a 6th-circle spell. Though hidden by his long sleeves, his fingers were forming intricate hand signs.

“Flame Strike.”

Whoosh! Boom!

A massive explosion of fire erupted where the goblins had gathered. Over thirty goblins were caught in the blast, and more than twenty others were burned by the sparks that scattered.

“Strength!”

Bianca cast the spell again, once more enhancing the strength of another mercenary.

“You’re not fond of offensive magic, are you?”

“I can’t… not yet.”

“There’s no need to rush. Someday you’ll wield magic effortlessly.”

“Larry fights so well.”

Larry was locked in a fierce battle with three goblins at once.

The training he had endured hadn’t been in vain. Pushing back the goblins, he soon managed to slice one’s neck halfway through.

“Master Rodin.”

“Yes, Karis? What is it?”

“Larry has asked me to critique his swordsmanship.”

Last night, Larry had approached Karis. Rodin had seen it but hadn’t heard their conversation, as it was too far away and quiet.

“Swordsmanship? Does he not like the style he’s learned?”

“No, it’s the opposite. He wants to refine the techniques he already knows.”

Larry had gained confidence in his swordsmanship after battling Dorian’s group in the Richmond Marquisate. Rodin’s training had equipped him with formidable skills.

Yet he remained unsure whether he could truly master such advanced techniques, uncertain if he was training properly.

“Well, there’s no better teacher for him than you and Jena.”

When unsure, one should verify. Fortunately, he had two exceptional masters right beside him. There was no reason to hesitate.

Larry had humbly bowed to Karis, asking for help and requesting to be put through the paces as if in real combat.

That had been last night.

“What do you want to do? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“I’d like to, but I don’t know how to teach. The only thing I can offer is sparring… Larry might get hurt.”

“That’s fine. Just don’t kill him. I can heal him.”

Rodin gave his approval.

Karis watched Larry’s fight, assessing the level of sparring needed.

“Hyaap!”

Slash!

Larry’s sword struck another goblin, slicing its side.

The goblin, grievously wounded, scurried away. Unfortunately, Larry couldn’t chase it down to finish it off.

This was the limitation of the sword style he had learned.

The techniques taught by Frouval’s projection were designed to protect mages. Among countless forms, there were few offensive ones.

Thus, against stronger foes, it was devastatingly effective, but against weaker enemies, it tended to drag out the fight. He would not attack unless an opportunity was clear.

“Strength!”

Bianca seemed set on only using Strength. She repeated the spell, and each time, a mercenary fought with the strength of two men.

‘Not a bad approach.’

A mage didn’t have to excel at every type of magic. If one’s talent lay in support and auxiliary spells, focusing on that was just fine.

‘I need to advance to the 2nd circle quickly.’

The 2nd-circle spells included Haste, which boosted speed, and Stone Skin, which hardened the skin—spells that suited Bianca’s style perfectly.

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