Tier 1 classification meant that such creatures were comparable to novice-rank mages in terms of combat capability.
They possessed magical abilities, some intelligence, and survival instincts that made them genuinely dangerous opponents rather than training dummies with claws.
They’re not weak by any standards. This would be a real test.
Noah turned toward Lola, who had been observing his beetle massacres with obvious amusement. Her expression suggested she viewed it as entertainment rather than serious combat training.
"Do you think I can handle fireflies at my current strength level?"
Time to get an expert opinion on my actual capabilities. I don’t want my new strength to get to my head.
"Hmm...That’s a good question."
Lola’s ruby eyes studied him for a few seconds, evaluating his experience, wind manipulation skills and overall combat readiness.
She’s calculating my survival odds. That’s either reassuring or terrifying.
"You can, but it will be difficult. You’ll most likely get injured during the fights," she replied after carefully considering his question.
After answering his question, Lola’s expression turned to her usual teasing one.
"But don’t worry. I’m here to protect you... Darling." Lola winked.
The wink she delivered made Noah roll his eyes at her constant flirtation attempts.
Even discussing potential life-threatening combat, she finds ways to be seductive.
The Ed brothers positioned themselves with alertness. They knew that their job as protectors was going to be tested soon enough.
Noah felt excitement building despite the acknowledged risks. Fireflies represented a legitimate advancement opportunity. They were creatures that could push his developing abilities toward their current limits.
Real combat against worthy opponents. This is how skills actually improve.
Fireflies waited in their hunting zones, ready to test whether Noah’s rapid development translated into genuine combat effectiveness.
Time to find out if wind manipulation works against opponents who fight back with magical abilities.
The hunting grounds for fireflies lay deeper in the Crimson Mountains, where the terrain was slightly more rocky.
This is definitely more dangerous territory.
The Ed brothers had arranged themselves in a protective formation around Noah, their weapons drawn.
Bound by an oath, they took their new responsibilities seriously.
"Fireflies nest in the thermal vents; they use the natural heat sources to amplify their magical affinity," Ed explained.
So my enemy has an environmental advantage. That makes it more difficult.
Lola moved beside Noah, her expression relaxed and confident.
As a master-level mage, her power far exceeded anything they might encounter. For her, this expedition was more of a stroll rather than genuine danger.
She’s enjoying this, probably curious to see how I handle the fireflies.
The first sign of firefly presence came through sound rather than sight.
The firefly had a distinctive buzzing that made it extremely annoying.
The sound made Noah’s teeth ache with its piercing frequency.
That noise is incredibly annoying. How do these things not drive themselves insane?
"There," Edd pointed toward a cluster of thermal vents where multiple fireflies moved with agitated energy.
"It’s probably attracted by our approach."
The fireflies emerged from their nesting area with hostile intent immediately apparent. Each creature was roughly the size of a large puppy, but their proportions were abnormal.
They had oversized wings that generated the maddening buzzing sound, bodies that glowed with internal fire, and prominent pincers that clicked.
They’re bigger than I expected. And those pincers look sharp.
Three fireflies rose into the air with aggression, their wings creating the maddening sound.
Here we go. This is the first real test of wind manipulation in real, life-threatening combat.
Noah drew the Zealous Quickblade and immediately began channelling wind magic around the blade’s edge.
The elemental enhancement created visible air currents that increased cutting power and provided ranged attack options.
Unfortunately, the enhancement wasn’t significant. As a tier 2 weapon, the Zealous Quickblade didn’t have the elemental channelling that stronger weapons offered. Nonetheless, it still did the job.
Wind-enhanced swordsmanship. Let’s see how this works.
The first fire fly dove toward him with alarming speed, its pincers spread wide for a crushing attack. Noah attempted to dodge while launching a wind blade toward the creature.
That attack was too slow!
The firefly’s natural agility exceeded his expectations.
It twisted mid-flight, avoiding his elemental attack while raking pincers across his shoulder. The impact sent him stumbling backwards, blood seeping through torn fabric.
They’re fast. Much faster than beetles.
The second fire fly attacked from his blind spot, breathing a stream of concentrated flame.
Before it could reach him, Lola raised her hand and did a casual swooshing gesture.
The stream of fire was immediately extinguished. As for the second firefly, it was squashed to death by Lola’s casual gesture.
Seeing Noah’s gaze land on her in astonishment, she smiled.
"Continue, don’t worry about any interruption. For now, just focus on one. You can worry about multiple targets later," She added.
Noah nodded, a grateful look on his face.
Okay, that second firefly had given me crucial information. They can use fire breath.
Eddie stepped forward, about to give Noah some clues on how to tackle the firefly.
"Let him learn," Lola interrupted smoothly, her ruby eyes fixed on Noah.
The first firefly circled Noah, clearly looking for an opening, its compound eyes tracking his movements while maintaining distance in the air.
The firefly launched a concentrated flame stream that forced Noah into desperate evasion. The magical fire scorched the stone where he’d been standing, leaving smouldering patches that radiated heat.
Okay, I can sort of understand its attack pattern. It uses the fire stream as a ranged attack, plus those pincers for close combat or maybe to defend itself up close.
Noah attempted a wind blade counter-attack, but the creature’s aerial mobility made targeting difficult. It twisted through the air with the flexibility and agility that only flies have in the air.
Too slow, again. My attacks can’t keep up with its speed.
The firefly dove suddenly, pincers spread wide for a crushing strike. Noah raised his sword defensively, but the impact drove him backwards with bone-jarring force.