Bird Watching: Ironclaw Vultures

Artillian's slim figure stood tall in the rustling winds as he slowly built up a reserve of Spiritual Energy.

A large spell matrix started to form beneath his feet. It was a complex matrix made up of lots of irregular shapes interweaving to form a complex geometrical design.

"Those shapes, they look like animals?" muttered Eden in confusion.

A large majority of the shapes started to resemble animals. Once the matrix was complete. With the appearance of the matrix, a shockwave of Spritual Energy spread, while a thin milky energy membrane rose from the matrix and enclosed Artillian. Artillian's left eye shone with brilliance as a small matrix made up of simple 2-dimensional shapes overlapping each other appeared. Each of the shapes rotated, half going clockwise and the other half doing vice versa.

Artillian's right eye materialized a mirror copy of the same matrix. The shapes in the right eye rotated in opposing directions when compared to their left-eye counterparts.

"Caw, caw, caw, caw!"

Above the clearing in the skies, a large flock of birds appeared. They were, according to human standards, quite ugly.

"Ironclaw Vultures."

With a large frame, a bald neck, wrinkly skin and an uninviting appearance, they were without a doubt vultures.

'Man these things are ugly. If looks were proportional to strength, they would be nigh invincible.'

To others, Artillian seemed like he was in a daze most of the time he did not speak, but he would in fact be communicating with Hestia. Divine Spirits were usually quite intelligent and capable of speech. But this was not widespread knowledge. Only those born in noble houses or those who had the opportunity to go to high-tier schools even knew what a Divine Spirit was. Not to mention even if one did not, they would not link such an amazing creature with a plebian like Artillian.

Such high-tier talent with Spirits was usually passed down through bloodlines in noble families. This is why marriage was an important event for all noble families.

"Don't let their appearance fool you. You have experienced their viciousness first-hand in the last few days. They are rather nimble for their size, not to mention those claws." said a cold Hestia to Artillian the day before. If Eden were not present she would have warned Artillian again, but she wasn't sure just how secure their connection was. So she hoped he would remember her words. All she could do was observe from within.

'She was right. Those claws are not a joke.'

"Caw caw!"

They were called Ironclaw for a reason. Their talons were long and sharp, made out of an iron-like metal. It could easily slice through bone, like a hot knife cutting butter.

Artillian had had a few close shaves thanks to these claws. These vultures were not solitary and loved to herd together in groups. Attacking one meant gaining the ire of hundreds.

Artillian had only avoided deadly injury thanks to his improved body and his vast repertoire of skills.

When the birds had now entered Artillian's range, he notched an arrow and pointed at the vulture in the lead. The matrices within his eyes rotated fiercely as the membrane around his body thickened.

"He is able to buff himself, interesting. But he's not enhancing or enchanting his weapons at all. He only enhanced himself. Since that's an ordinary bow and those are ordinary arrows, that means he plans to..."

Eden was afraid of finishing his sentence because what he was about to say sounded ridiculous.

"It's exactly as Young Master believes. He is aiming for their eyes." said a flat-faced Kane.

Eden swallowed saliva in anticipation.

'This is going to be quite the show.'

Ironclaw Vultures not only had sharp claws, but their defence was also nothing to scoff at. It was easier to piece a tree with an arrow than to penetrate an Ironclaw Vulture's skin. Their feathers were also as hard as metal and their edges were razor-sharp. So they could also attack with their wings.

Alas, nature was fair and all creatures had weaknesses. The eyes of an Ironclaw Vulture were large and very soft. The creature was also quite stupid, attacking in singular and predictable patterns.

Artillian loosed an arrow that headed straight for the lead vulture. With a sudden dip, the bird fell from the skies with an arrow lodged in its skull. Its figure crashed unceremoniously into the ground as if to signal the bloodshed that was on its way.

The birds in the sky entered a frenzy. Hundreds upon hundreds of the birds suddenly shifted their trajectories as they formed a spiral in the sky. Those that were in the centre of the spiral dropped and flew straight for Artillian, as if Zeus was hurling a brown javelin of stormy winds from the skies.

Artillian readied himself by letting loose. One arrow, two arrows, 3 arrows. Within a few seconds, Artillian's quiver was empty as the dozens of arrows that had dwelled within were on their way to their targets.

As soon as the quiver emptied, Artillian held out a hand. As if guided by a ghost, an arrow came to his hand. Artillian grabbed it and released it with one smooth motion. Without pause, like flowing water, his hand was already reaching for another arrow. Then the same action repeated itself.

One arrow, two arrows, three arrows. The number of arrows Artillian was firing off from his hands with each stroke was changing. Sometimes 3, sometimes two. Most of the time it was only one arrow that was released, but that was more than enough to cause stupendous loses to the vultures above.

'This kid is something else.'

Eden could not help but compliment the lad in his heart.

'All fighters can be placed in one of two broad categories. Power types, who seek to overwhelm their opponent with sheer quantity and force. And technique types, that target their opponent's weakness while improving their own strengths. Defeating an opponent with quality and control are the main factors for technique types.

The flame spell he cast during the war was clearly of the power type. Now he is exhibiting technique-type tendencies. What kind of Divine Spirit does he possess?'

Artillian had without a doubt enhanced his physical abilities with a spell, but there was no doubt that he was using supreme archery technique. Eden was a decent archer himself so he knew. Artillian's movements showed a shadow of honed skill.

'Yet the boy has only cultivated for just under two months.'