Chapter 209 - Not again

Adion woke up early in the morning. It was still dark around him, but as he glanced to the end of the nest he had slept in, he could tell that the sun had risen. 

It had been eight days since he crossed the valley where the army of beasts had passed. A few days ago, he lost sight of the mountain range and could no longer take shelter there during the nights. Sleeping in the middle of the forest was pretty nerve-wracking. He slept in a sitting position so he wouldn’t sleep too deeply. 

That would be fine for a while, but Adion knew it would catch up to him eventually, so the day before, when he stumbled upon a Bronze beast of the earth element, he had stalked it back to its burrow. 

That had provided him with both dinner and a place to sleep.

I didn’t expect it to be so comfortable. Adion thought as he rose from the collection of leaves and twigs that formed a somewhat comfortable bed. 

I really miss civilization, though. It would be wonderful to sleep in my own bed again. 

Adion walked out of the beast nest and looked around, breathing in the fresh morning air. He did a few stretches before sitting down to meditate.

He hadn’t missed a morning so far, and he spent more time on it now that he could feel he was getting closer to high Silver. 

When he finished his meditation, he took a few sips of Profound Water to be ready for any encounters with beasts he could stumble upon during the day. 

I’m afraid I’m getting addicted to this feeling. I don’t know how I’ll handle it when I run out. 

I need to figure out a way to get more Profound Water when I’m back at the Academy.

Feeling a little hungry, Adion conjured a fire and cooked some meat left over from the day before. 

Satisfied with his morning routine, Adion slung his backpack over his shoulder and continued his journey south. 

It was getting cooler, and the morning had gotten especially cold, but as Adion got his body moving, he soon warmed up.

He hadn’t run into any beasts stronger than Silver these past days, so he was gradually relaxing. 

I haven’t even felt the aura from any Gold or Diamond beasts. Maybe I’m getting close to civilization.

Adion felt his steps getting lighter at the thought of soon returning home. He could almost see how the trees in front of him gave way to an open landscape.

Unfortunately, it was all in his head, and the forest continued on unrelenting. 

A few hours after he had set off, he noticed a peculiar tree. Looking up to the tree cown, Adion smiled brightly.

Fruit!

If there was anything Adion was discontent about, it was how unlucky he had been in his search for fruit during his journey. He had craved to eat something other than meat for a long time, but somehow, he hadn’t spotted a single fruit or berry during his journey so far.

Adion didn’t hesitate and teleported a fruit down into his hand. 

This should be a…Hethia Pear? Could I be close to Iitha?

The pear wasn’t anything special, besides being quite tasty, it didn’t have any other quality. But Adion was still happy with it. He knew these things were common in Iitha, and he couldn’t help but get his hopes up that he was closing in on that place.

Well, it’s great if that’s the case, but I can’t count on it. These things could be common all over the Endless Forest for all I know.

Adion filled his stomach with four pears, relishing the taste. He then packed his backpack full to continue enjoying them in the days to come. 

Continuing his journey, Adion increased his pace. He didn’t want to spend even one more day in the forest than he had to. 

He continued his journey for a few more hours, but then, his steps unconsciously slowed. 

What…

Adion furrowed his brows. He continued walking forward, but he felt a growing sense of unease.

Don’t tell me…

He didn’t want to believe his senses, but each step forward confirmed his suspicions more and more. 

Adion came to a stop, looking up into the distance with a helpless smile.

It’s those damn beasts again. How did they end up here all of a sudden?

He could now clearly feel that huge cloud of aura in the distance, signifying a vast number of beasts had gathered ahead of him,

Or is it a different group? What are the odds of that?

Adion didn’t want to accept that he would be held up again, but the aura in front of him was clear. 

He took a deep breath before looking up to the tree crowns above him. He grabbed the space above the highest stable branch he could see and teleported over.

Landing on the branch, he looked out into the distance, but he couldn’t see anything from his position. 

I could try to get closer…I am a bit curious about what’s going on.

But that would be an unnecessary risk. Let’s stay here for a while and see what direction they are moving in. I’ll just have to walk around them. 

Adion focused on his aura sense and tried to determine any large movement. But as the minutes passed, nothing notable changed. The beasts seemed to be staying in place.

Well, I hope they keep staying still, then. 

He looked to the east and decided to take a detour. There was no point in staying where he was or going back to wait for the beasts to move. For all he knew, they could start heading in his direction any moment.

Adion teleported down to the ground and started running to the east. He wanted to pass the beasts before nightfall and get as far away as he could.

But this is a little concerning. Surely this isn’t normal behaviour. Could they be planning something? Is this an effort to get back land from the sapi?

I’ll have to take this up with the Headmaster when I get back. 

Adion continued travleing, running at a quick pace. After half an hour, the aura in the distance started to grow fainter. Looking up at the sun’s position, Adion decided to continue in this direction for another half hour before heading south again. 

Unfortunately, things didn’t seem to be so easy. Adion could faintly sense the aura of a Gold beast ahead of him.

Damn. Adion thought, coming to a stop. Did it notice my aura? I can’t afford to get into a fight here.

Adion decisively teleported back in the direction he had just come from and started running back north. He needed to get some distance from that beast.

He wasn’t afraid of fighting Gold beasts, but just like the snake he had run from before, he didn’t want to cause a commotion with so many beasts around. 

It’s aura…it’s not growing fainter. 

Adion stopped running. All he could hear was his own rapid breathing. 

It’s getting closer!

Adion quickly teleported away again. He tried to pull in his aura as much as could, even if he knew he didn’t have the ability to completely hide from a Gold beast. 

He teleported in three quick successions before stopping to feel for the aura of the gold beast.

It only took a few seconds for him to sense the beast approaching him again.

Just how good an aura sense do beasts have? This is ridiculous!

Adion hesitated. He could continue running. He had his teleportation and his Profound Water. But it would take a lot of effort to create enough distance from that Gold beast before it would lose track of him. 

Whatever. I can’t take the risk. 

Adion took out a bottle of Profound Water and held it in his hand to easily use. He continued teleporting away.

Ten teleportations later, he felt no signs of the Gold beasts anymore. He took a few sips of Profound Water before teleporting a few more times to the east. 

I hope this is enough.

Adion started running south once again. Hopefully, the Gold beast would continue hunting after him in the wrong direction while he slipped past the army of beasts further to the southwest. 

He continued running for half an hour, and he started to gradually relax. He couldn’t feel the aura of either the Gold beast or the huge army in the distance. Now, he just had to keep running until he was far away from them.

I should probably keep running through the night. I wouldn’t feel safe sleeping close to these beasts anyway. 

He slowed down his tempo to pace himself for the long night ahead. 

I’ll make sure to spend some effort to find a nice and safe place to sleep tomorrow so I can recharge.

Adion suddenly looked to his right.

Hm?

He hadn’t felt anything, but for some reason, his attention was pulled in that direction.

Could there b- Damn!

Suddenly, Adion felt it. The aura of a Diamond beast. 

No. Three of them! 

Adion had just felt their presence for a split second before they came into view. They should have hidden their aura until they were close enough to trap him. Now, their aura was flaring. 

Adion first spotted the Gold Talon Eagle, swooping over his head, looking down on him. Then, two Sun Fire Tigers stepped out from the trees, staring intently at him.

Adion immediately grabbed hold of a pocket of space to teleport. But then he realized that the beasts weren’t attacking, making him hesitate slightly.

Do they want to talk?

“What kind of magic is that?” The Sun Fire Tiger to the left asked, communicating through its aura.

“It’s not wind,” The Gold Talon Eagle said, now perched on a branch above him.

Adion hesitated slightly.

Did they notice my teleportation? How?

And why do they care? Are they just curious? Do they think they can question me and easily kill me after they’re done?

“I’m not sure what you mean?” Adion asked back.

“Hurrurur saw you. When you escaped from the Red Jewel Ape,” The Sun Fire Tiger said, taking a small step forward. “How did you do it?”

“I’m just fast,” Adion answered with a small smile, “I don’t want any trouble. I’m just passing through. Surely you wouldn’t gang up on a Silver mage?”

“Slippery. Suspicious.” The Sun Tiger to right spoke for the first time. 

“He lies. He lies well,” The Gold Talon Eagle said from above. 

“Should we report to the king? I don’t know how to make humans talk,” The Sun Fire Tiger to the left said, casting a questioning look to the eagle.

“I don’t know,” The Gold Talon Eagle said after a moment’s hesitation.

“This is meaningless,” The Sun Fire Tiger to the right said, taking a few threatening steps forward.

“Wait!” The Gold Talon Eagle yelled, “I will report this to the king. Keep an eye on him.”

Adion watched the eagle fly away, feeling his stomach sink. A beast referred to as ‘king’ by a group of Diamond beasts wasn’t someone Adion wanted to meet. 

He watched carefully the eagle beast as it flew away at an incredible speed. He wanted it to get as far away as possible before he made his escape. 

Unfortunately, the two Sun Fire Tigers seemed wary of his abilities, so they lunged at him almost immediately.

Damn. I hope that eagle doesn’t turn back.

Adion immediately teleported away. 

As soon as he arrived, he felt the beasts already closing in on his new position.

Fast!

Adion teleported away again. He now felt the Gold Talon Eagle’s aura closing in on him. 

This is bad. I didn’t realize how fast these beasts could be!

Adion teleported over and over again. He managed to create some distance from the Sun Fire Tigers, but the Gold Talon Eagle was actually catching up to him. It covered the 300 feet Adion could teleport faster than he could grab hold of a new space. 

This can’t go on. Do I really have to fight them?

Adion was confident in his abilities, but against three Diamond beasts, he felt his confidence waver.

Adion teleported again and again. 

I should have some time before those tigers show up. Let’s take down this eagle first.

But just as Adion arrived from his teleportation, he felt the aura of another Diamond beast approaching him from up ahead.

I’m screwed! Where are all these beasts coming from?

The eagle was approaching rapidly from behind, and the new beast was just ahead.

I don’t have a choice. 

Adion quickly chugged down a few big gulps of the Profound Water he still had in his hand and pulled out his sword. He turned to the Diamond beast approaching from the trees in front of him. 

I’ll try to do some damage to this new beast first. Then I’ll take care of the eagle. I don’t need to kill them, just injure them enough so they can’t follow me anymore. 

The aura from the beast ahead was closing in quickly, but just as Adion grabbed hold of space, preparing to teleport over for a sneak attack, he froze when the beast came into view.

This…

The beast didn’t stop, and a white blur passed Adion as the beast jumped past him.

He turned to look as the eagle behind him crashed to the ground, now entangled by the newcomer. 

Adion smiled widely and let out a laugh.

White!