The red eyes gleamed from the darkness, unblinking and filled with an eerie malice. The creature had no defined shape, its form shifting like a shadow cast by a flickering flame.
Betty raised her bow, her grip tightening. "What the hell is that thing?"
Louis kept his daggers ready, watching closely. "I don't know. I've never seen anything like this before."
The moment his words left his mouth, the shadow lunged.
It moved unnaturally fast.
Louis barely managed to sidestep as a dark appendage slashed through the air, cutting into the ground where he had just stood. Betty leaped back and loosed an arrow, but the moment it touched the creature, the arrow was swallowed into the darkness.
Her eyes widened. "Our attacks don't work?!"
Louis gritted his teeth. "There has to be a way!"
The shadow twisted again, then split into multiple tendrils that surged toward them. Louis dashed forward, his instincts taking over, and slashed with his daggers—only to feel them pass through the shadow as if cutting through smoke.
No effect.
This thing isn't solid…!
Before he could react further, a sudden burst of energy erupted from the left side of the battlefield. A wave of bright green flames shot through the air, colliding with the creature. The moment the fire touched it, the shadow let out a horrific shriek, recoiling violently.
Louis turned toward the source of the attack.
A young man stood there, breathing heavily, his hands faintly glowing with residual energy. He had messy green hair and striking lime-colored eyes. His clothes were simple, nothing that stood out, yet his presence felt different—powerful, yet uncertain.
The young man's eyes darted between Louis and Betty. "Who… who are you guys?"
Betty, still gripping her bow, stared at him in shock. "We should be asking you that! You just used magic—!"
Before the conversation could continue, the shadow creature let out another unearthly scream. It had recovered and was preparing to attack again.
"We'll talk later—help us kill this thing!" Louis commanded.
The green-haired young man hesitated, looking down at his hands. "I-I don't know how… That was the first time I—"
Louis didn't wait. He charged at the shadow again, but this time, something in his vision changed.
A strange blue glow appeared before his eyes, and suddenly, lines of information filled his sight.
---
Analysis Activated
[Locob Hormen]
Class: Unawakened Mage
Magic Potential: Extreme
Known Skills: [None]
Affinity: Fire Magic (Locked)
---
Louis's eyes widened. "This guy… he has insane potential!"
Betty fired another arrow, this time wrapped in a faint magic glow. It struck the creature and slowed it down for a moment. "Louis, focus! We need a plan!"
Louis made a quick decision. He turned to the green-haired youth. "Your name?"
The boy looked startled. "Locob! Locob Hormen!"
Louis nodded. "Locob, you just used fire magic. That thing is weak to fire. Can you do it again?"
Locob hesitated. "I-I don't know how I did it the first time!"
The creature began shifting again, preparing to attack. They were running out of time.
Louis made a gamble. "Betty, cover us. I'll help him activate his magic again!"
Betty cursed but nodded, drawing her bow and firing enchanted arrows to keep the creature at bay.
Louis grabbed Locob's shoulders. "Listen to me. You have the power. You need to bring it out again."
Locob gulped. "But I don't—"
"Focus!" Louis interrupted. "Think about what happened earlier. What did you feel? What were you thinking?"
Locob took a deep breath, eyes shaking, then slowly exhaled. "I… I wanted to help. I wanted to protect."
Louis stepped back. "Then do it again."
The creature lunged toward them.
Locob's eyes widened. He instinctively raised his hand, and in that moment—
A roaring inferno burst forth from his palm.
The green flames surged forward, engulfing the shadow beast. This time, the flames did not fade. The creature screeched in agony, its form writhing violently as the fire consumed it.
Seconds later—
It was gone.
The battle was over.
"It droped magic stone" betty said.
"So it was magic beast" louis was confused.
---
Aftermath
Locob collapsed onto his knees, breathing heavily. "I… I did it?"
Louis let out a breath and patted his shoulder. "Yeah. You did."
Betty whistled. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
Locob looked down at his trembling hands. "I've never used magic before… I didn't even know I could."
Louis smirked. "Well, now you do. And I'll tell you this—you've got crazy potential. You should come with us."
Locob blinked. "Wait… What?"
Betty raised an eyebrow. "You're inviting him… just like that?"
Louis shrugged. "He's strong. And my new skill tells me he has insane talent."
Betty sighed. "You really do things your own way, huh?"
She turned to Locob. "Well, what do you say, kid? Wanna join us?"
Locob hesitated, looking between them. Then, after a moment, he smiled. "I… I think I do."
Louis grinned. "Good. Welcome to the team."
As they stood amidst the quiet village, a feeling settled in Louis's chest.
This was only the beginning.
To be continued...