30 Chapter Six - 5 || True Knight-Mage (1/2)

Back at the house, they ate the mushy stew in silence for some time. Essairyn roved through her mind for possible causes as well as fixes.

Although she expected more demons to pursue Akari, not all of the incidents directly connected to her like with that humanoid demon. Thinking back to the reptilian jaguar, the valguarkin, it was possible that it had raced over to the tent in the middle of their battle because of Akari.

Otherwise, there was nothing in the tent that could possibly entice it over an injured, defenseless human. And with these wolves, they must have been targeting the barn and only redirected their aim to the farmhouse because of Essairyn. They were smart enough to know where the humans lived. She needed more clues. After eating, she would have to inspect the barn with Akari.

”Mr. and Mrs. Welfort.” Essairyn broke the oppressive silence. ”I'm sorry that this happened to you again. I have an idea how to protect the farm from any further instances.”

The couple cut in before she could continue.

”No no, not at all Essairyn. It's not your fault that this happened again,” Mrs. Welfort assured with commiserative concern after which Mr. Welfort added, ”Those demonically possessed wolves might have been chasing after the ones from last night. If I think about it now, those wolves from yesterday looked like they had been running away from something. Perhaps some rogue horde of demons attacked their pack? I can't imagine any other reason for them to leave the forest in such a panic and not care about crossing over human territory.”

Essairyn listened intently with a partially closed hand resting on her chin. ”I actually encountered some demons before this, and I think they were acting bizarrely too. It's possible that it's as you said. Something is causing the demons to go rogue.” She flicked her eyes to Akari for the briefest of glances. The almost imperceptible action was not unnoticed by the fox.

”Anyway,” the girl continued. ”I can try setting up a magical barrier system around the farm. Demons seem to dislike my magic, so it's possible that it can ward them off.” Essairyn faintly gulped. It felt odd pronouncing that demons were averse to her magic. She felt like she was boasting about that as well as being able to set up a defense mechanism; even though, she really wasn't sure about either being true.

”Can you really do that?!” The couple started back in astonishment. ”What rank are you if I may ask?” They were sure that Essairyn couldn't have been anything less than C-rank based on the abilities she had displayed.

The girl hesitated before replying, ”Umm, I'm not sure to be honest. I just arrived in Sol'h'meyr the other day…”

This news further stunned the elderly couple. They would've never imagined that the gifted human mage was actually a traveler! They were surely lucky that she had been put into their path as the wolves might've destroyed a great part of their living. Agog, they turned to Darren expectantly. He hadn't shown any magic, but his strength was rather high too.

Seeing the couple on tenterhooks about him, Darren sweat-dropped. ”I just arrived a few hours ago and met Essairyn…” He oddly felt defeated by the girl whose frame was rather petite. Although he knew he wasn't the most skilled even back on Earth when he played basketball or anything competitive, he still prided himself on being one of the best. This prick of envy about another person was unfamiliar to him.

The couple nodded in understanding with mouths somewhat agape. They finished eating while Essairyn explained her plan.

She would cast a spell on the fence so that if demons came near, it would activate and expel them from the premises, much like a warning. Should the demons continue provoking it, the system would go into combat and eliminate the threats. The system could be supplied with magic, and it would save on magic by remaining dormant as long as demons didn't come near.

When Essairyn inspected the barn with Akari after dinner, the fox queried, ”That magical system you were talking about before, are you really able to cast such a protective spell?”

The girl honestly replied, ”Nope. But it doesn't hurt to try. I never guaranteed the Welforts that I would be successful anyway. And if worse comes to worse, I can probably make a magic sword or weapon for them right? Will it be useable by them even after I leave?”

The fox sighed. She really didn't know why she even asked such a question as Essairyn's answer was exactly as she had expected. This girl was always trying to do the impractical. Akari wondered if that was why her magic was so anomalous. Magic had a direct connection to the soul it was bound to. Although lineage was important, a stronger spirit often related to a stronger magical ability. This was one of the rationales for unlikely talents.

”Yes, that magic weapon creating ability of yours is a skill only demonstrated by full-fledged Knight-Mages. Ugh, you wouldn't have to be an incarnation of the Knight-Mages of old would you?” The fox peered at Essairyn with jesting, suspicious eyes. The girl merely shook her head with a light, entertained smile. She had been born on Earth, so there was no way that she could be connected to anyone living in Sol'h'meyr.