As they walked towards the city gate, Noah noticed how peaceful the streets had become. The attacks on the human kingdom had almost completely ceased, a stark contrast to the constant threat that had defined daily life just weeks ago.
Clearly, the devastating raid that King Aldric had led against the underground base had dealt a massive blow to the extremist organisation. They had lost nearly fifty operatives of various ranks, plus a master-level demon commander.
They were casualties that represented a significant portion of their operational capability.
Fifty extremists plus a master-level leader. That’s probably half their local forces eliminated in one strike.
The king hadn’t been content with simply disrupting their immediate operations. After such a successful attack against the demon extremists, he had reinforced the city’s defences with unprecedented thoroughness.
Masters now stood guard at the east, west, south, and north directions of the city walls. The deployment of four master-level defenders represented an enormous commitment of the kingdom’s most valuable military assets.
With four masters guarding the walls. The king was taking no chances with the demons’ retaliation.
The guards at the gate greeted Valeria and her group with respect. When they spotted Noah among the party, their demeanour changed to the courtesy appropriate for addressing nobility.
"Good afternoon, Viscount Noah. Safe travels on your expedition," the gate captain said with a respectful bow.
Noah returned the greeting politely before their group continued toward the hunting grounds outside the city’s protective walls.
Unlike the demon kingdom, where hunting areas were carefully guarded and regulated, the human kingdom couldn’t afford such extensive security measures. Once you ventured beyond the walls into monster territory, you were entirely responsible for your own safety.
They arrived at a region where Tier 1 monsters typically spawned, the landscape shifting from human-cultivated farmland to wild forest that harboured creatures drawn by concentrated mana.
The monsters in this area turned out to be wolves, though they differed significantly from ordinary animals. These were called Dark Wolves, named for their distinctive black fur.
Tier 1 magical beasts. Perfect for warm-up exercises.
Valeria surveyed the area, noting several wolf shapes moving through the wild forest ahead.
"Warm up with these. They should get you in the mood for real combat. Then we’ll move up to the Tier 2 monsters further ahead." She instructed her companions.
Noah nodded, drawing his sword from his scabbard.
The Dark Wolves emerged from the forest shadows, having detected the approaching humans.
Three wolves separated from the pack, each selecting a different target as if they had coordinated their attack beforehand.
Noah and the two cat-siblings didn’t complain. That was better-suited for their warm-ups, anyway.
Alissa moved first with her incredibly graceful footwork and stance that had earned her recognition as a prodigy from Valeria.
Her sword emerged from its sheath in a single flowing motion.
The Dark Wolf lunging toward her never had a chance to complete its attack. Alissa’s swordsmanship had reached levels that made Tier 1 opponents seem almost comically slow in comparison.
One slice was all it took to separate the wolf’s head from its body without any resistance. The magical beast collapsed instantly, its dark blood staining the forest floor as Alissa smoothly returned her blade to its sheath slowly.
"Well done, that’s what I expect," Valeria observed with obvious approval. "Your foundational stance is simply perfection."
Adept-level swordsmanship against Tier 1 monsters was a complete mismatch.
Kip’s approach demonstrated why he had earned his status as an exceptional magical talent despite his young age. Instead of drawing a conventional weapon, he channelled wind magic through his hand, shaping concentrated air currents into a blade-like extension of his arm.
The technique required precise mana control and elemental mastery that most couldn’t achieve, but Kip executed it casually.
His wind-enhanced hand cut through the attacking wolf’s body like a sword through silk, the blade slicing cleanly through muscle and bone. The Dark Wolf collapsed into two pieces, its magical core disrupted by the elemental attack.
"Impressive spell work," Noah called, genuinely amazed by the young cat-boy’s creative application of wind magic. "I might have to steal that technique from you, Kip."
Wind magic shaped into cutting weapons. I should learn that approach. It would be helpful in case my sword was broken or lost.
The wolf in front of Noah, realising that he was alone, was about to escape, but he found himself stuck as Kip and Alissa surrounded him. He was no longer able to escape, seeing the strength of the cat-siblings, the wolf decided to go after the human in front of him.
It was his only chance to survive this encounter.
Noah’s own opponent provided an opportunity to test his skills at their current limit without worrying about injuring anyone.
As the Dark Wolf leapt toward him with its snapping jaws and extended claws, Noah channelled wind magic through his blade while executing a diagonal cutting strike.
The attack carried far more force than pure swordsmanship could provide. Wind-augmented steel cut through the wolf’s powerful hide and bone structure with devastating power, the creature’s momentum carrying it past Noah even as its life ended.
[You have killed the Tier 1 beast, Dark Wolf]
"Excellent use of your skills," Lola observed with obvious pleasure at his development. "You’re learning to find more ways to combine your abilities rather than treating them as separate skills."
Valeria nodded with satisfaction as she checked the three dead wolves. "Well done, all of you. Noah, your power is increasing rapidly as usual, your wind manipulation, mana control and your swordsmanship are approaching apprentice-rank. Well done."
Noah accepted the compliments without being humble or shy.
The warm-up combat had served its purpose, confirming that each team member could handle basic threats while demonstrating how their various skills complemented each other in actual battle situations.
"Ready for Tier 2 opponents?" Valeria asked, gesturing toward the deeper forest where more dangerous creatures waited.
Noah checked his weapon and magical energy levels, feeling confident that his abilities would prove adequate for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Continuing ahead to their next destination, they encountered several more Dark Wolves that attempted to intercept their progress. The pack predators proved no more challenging than their initial opponents.
Each wolf fell quickly to quick strikes from the group.
Soon, they arrived at the territory where Tier 2 beasts made their home. The forest grew denser here, with older trees and thicker underbrush that provided better concealment for more dangerous predators.
Valeria surveyed the area with a soft nod before turning to address the members of their hunting party.
"It’s still warm-up for both of you," she said, gesturing toward Alissa and Kip with obvious confidence in their abilities.
Her attention shifted to Noah with curiosity. "You’ve never fought a Tier 2 beast before, have you?"
Noah shook his head honestly. "No, I haven’t."
My combat experience is limited to sparring and Tier 1 opponents.
Valeria nodded with understanding before outlining her training strategy. "Alissa and Kip will fight first. After observing their techniques against this level of opponent, Noah will take his own turn."
"I believe you have sufficient power to handle a Tier 2 beast, but understanding how a monster will fight beforehand is always better. We don’t want you to get injured from the first beast, even if you have healing bread with you."
Noah nodded. "Alright, let’s see what this monster is."