16 First Battle

"We've found our first ingredient." Janis declared triumphantly as we ventured deeper into the forest. Eventually, our exploration led us to encounter a wild creature.

Sensing Janis's mana stirring, I observed her actions closely. In a blur of motion, the creature, resembling a cross between a giant hamster and a rabbit, had its head pierced as effortlessly as paper. It was a stark reminder of Janis's formidable abilities, her mastery of wind magic demonstrated with chilling efficiency.

Janis had crafted a minuscule wind thread, propelling it faster than a bullet to dispatch the creature. Witnessing the skill of a seasoned wind mage proved invaluable for future reference.

"Janis, as someone who commands the wind, can you fly?" I inquired, recalling stories where individuals with mastery over wind often possessed the ability to take flight.

Although I could attempt to test it now, the thought of plummeting to my demise filled me with dread, causing my complexion to pale at the prospect.

"It's not entirely impossible," Janis replied after consideration. The creature she had dispatched was absorbed into her magical tool, and we pressed onward.

"Flight, however, is both dangerous and mana-intensive. Sustaining flight would require a significant expense of mana, a feat achievable by those of the fifth rank or higher. Moreover, you'd need to remain vigilant against the hazards of controlling such magic. If you were to attempt it, the longest duration you could sustain flight would likely be around half an hour." She explained, providing a rough estimate. Half an hour seemed sufficient for traversing considerable distances if necessary.

Our journey led us to a plantation field, though it was unclear if anyone tended it. Some vegetables piqued Janis's interest, and she effortlessly plucked an unidentified one from the ground.

"Janis, is it permitted for us to do this? Even if it seems abandoned, what if someone planted these crops intending to harvest them later? Won't we be causing trouble?" I voiced my concerns, wary of intruding upon someone else's property.

"Don't worry about that. This area is left untended intentionally, serving as a natural farming spot. Anyone passing through is welcome to take a portion, as long as they leave the seeds behind for regrowth." Janis reassured me, her nonchalant demeanor alleviating my worries. Among the items she collected, only the potato seemed familiar to me.

"How many ingredients are you looking for?" I hadn't had the chance to ask, so I wondered how long this journey would be.

"Until we feel like returning," Janis replied casually. For her, this expedition had no fixed endpoint; we could decide to head back whenever we pleased. With nothing compelling us to return home, making the most of our time by being productive elsewhere made sense.

"Wait," Janis suddenly interjected, a smile appeared on her lips.

Her abrupt halt filled me with dread. Was there danger lurking ahead? I desired to ask, yet hesitated to voice my concerns.

"There's a monster up ahead," Janis announced, confirming my suspicions. Unlike her, I couldn't sense the creature's presence.

"This is your perfect opportunity for your first hunt. Even if you make a mistake, I'll handle the rest," Janis reassured me. However, the prospect of taking the life of a wild creature weighed heavily on my conscience.

I pondered whether I'd feel anything from this act. If I intended to continue on this path, such experiences were inevitable. In that sense, I was grateful to Janis for this opportunity.

As the footsteps drew nearer, signaling the approach of the monster Janis had warned me about, I focused intently on tapping into my mana reserves. Unlike Janis, who wielded it effortlessly, mana was a new and unfamiliar energy source for me.

Once I felt confident manipulating the mana to my will, I began charging it up in preparation for an attack.

Before long, the monster, a minotaur, emerged into view. It was a formidable and imposing creature, reminiscent of the mid-level monsters in fantasy worlds. With my mana charged, I unleashed a wind blast in the form of a beam toward the minotaur.

Though my aim was true, the attack didn't strike a lethal blow, merely grazing the creature's tough, beefy exterior. Despite the lack of immediate impact, it was a significant step forward in honing my magical abilities.

"RAH!!!" The minotaur roared furiously as my attack grazed its left arm, rendering it useless. However, my assault only served to enrage the beast further, and I couldn't suppress the trembling coursing through me.

Being subjected to such brutish aggression was an entirely new experience for me. While I knew I was at fault for provoking the creature, witnessing its intent to kill firsthand was jarring.

Unlike the minotaurs depicted in games, this one lacked weaponry and relied solely on its brute strength. It charged at me relentlessly, its eyes filled with malice, as if I were its mortal enemy.

Fearful of its impending approach, I frantically searched for a means to hinder its movement. Focusing my magic on the minotaur's legs, I conjured a small gust of wind, causing it to stumble and lose its balance.

As the monster toppled to the ground, I breathed a sigh of relief, though I knew the battle was far from over. Until the creature lay lifeless, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

To ensure the monster's demise, I opted for a more potent attack than the condensed beam I had previously utilized. Recalling the move Janis had demonstrated the day before, I channeled my mana into creating a massive wind blast.

The sensation of my mana being drained was unpleasant, but I pressed on, unleashing a colossal burst of wind capable of uprooting trees. Before the minotaur could evade, the powerful gust struck, resulting in a gruesome scene. The creature was left with a gaping hole in its left arm and bloody wounds scattered across its body, rendering survival impossible. In hindsight, my actions may have been excessive.

"Did I do well?"