23 Meeting the Grandparents (2/2)
”Various children from noble families attend the academy. Since the academy can not risk any serious damage happening to the students, they receive missions from the middle and upper-class areas. So they feel it as unimportant to truly inform students about phantom-type creatures.” While snacking on her lunch, Maria paid attention to the words her grandfather was saying.
”Phantom-type creatures are sinister and vile creatures that feed on human flesh and fears. They are extremely dangerous and are twice as hard to take down compared to beast-types. Luckily, you'll never have to encounter such creatures, since beast-types outnumber phantom-type creatures. But if you ever encounter one... run.” Seeing such a heavy and intense gaze in her grandfather's eyes, Maria felt a cold chill sweep over her body.
Mentally taking heed of his warning, Maria felt a large hand settle on top of her head and fondly rubbed it. ”But that is not the problem at hand; it seems you are afraid to battle a magical creature and must overcome such fear if you are to move up a grade.”
”In order for Maria to overcome her fear, the best place to send her would be north, outside of Regulus City, where a small number of beast-type creatures reside in a forest. Taking her there would be a good place to start training,” advised her grandmother. Maria took notice of how the atmosphere around the table had changed some.
Listening to her grandparents and mother converse with one another, Maria felt a sense of dread, warning her that she would not like the plans they had in store for her.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
'I knew I wasn't going to like this...' Maria had changed into a different set of clothes more appropriate to maneuver around the thick forest she was currently traveling with her grandparents and mother. Kuroka and Shirone had expressed their desire to come along as well but were ordered to stay behind.
The forest they entered was called Xale, a small forest not that far from the city, covered with thick trees, small lakes, and even a few fruit trees could be spotted. Maria stuck closer to her grandfather and mother; the mishmash of animal sounds kept Maria on edge.
When the group suddenly stopped, Maria wondered why, but when she got ready to ask, her eyes locked onto what was blocking them. It was a large black bull, smaller than the griffons that the Rosendrey family had, but yet still large, the same went for the intimidating fire horns prodding from its head. Huffing and glaring at them, it was as if it was getting ready to charge.
”Oh, a Fire Horn Żubroń! It has been a long time since I saw one,” mused her mother, not even the slightest bit scared; the same went for her grandfather who laughed out loud.
”Back at the beginning of your training, the first thing I put you up against was a Fire Horn Żubroń. It took you three days to defeat it.”
While father and daughter reminisced over the old times, Maria was close to wetting herself, wishing for nothing more than to be back under the covers of her bed. Maria was ready to flee when she heard her grandfather speak up.
”Maria, there is only one lesson you need to learn when facing a beast. Stand your ground and face your prey right in its eyes. You must never show weakness, 'cause they can sense your fear. Channel the inner beast inside you and fight!”
Those fierce lion-looking eyes locked with the Fire Horn Żubron; just from their posture, one could tell both were challenging each other to a duel. In one quick succession, both took off with an animalistic yell.
Balling his fist, Maria's grandfather swung it forward. Maria was in awe at what she witnessed next; the Fire Horn Żubron was sent rolling on the ground, before it slouched to the ground, completely down for the count.
With a wide smile stretched across his face, Maria's grandfather turned to her and said, ”Alright, Maria, now it's your turn!”
'Come again..?!'
”The next prey we stumble upon, I want you to be the one to take it out.”
'This old man is trying to get me killed!'
”Haha, don't worry, grandpa completely believes in you!”
'...I'm gonna die.'