Nia wasn’t the type to fight.

Sure she had learned Skills and Magic that can enable her to fight when need be but she had a gentle nature and a genuine concern for the well being of others. Though as an Elf she grew up with knowledge and natural abilities in Healing. Yet she wasn’t satisfied with just that. She wanted to expand her horizons and learn the many ways she can help heal people.

This was why she strived to become a Remedician, an expert in healing.

She had left her hometown in Bellofiore, where they were expecting some ridiculous things out of her and fled all the way to Medea. To survive she became an Adventurer which was actually one of the requirements of her goal. She started out as an Enchanter Class Adventurer then studied to become an Apothecary Class and Medic Class Adventurer. She learned techniques in Healing Arts and studied every known medicine and how to make them.

It was hard but she became a full-fledged Remedician in the long run. Though she need to use offensive Magic from time to time to deal with some nasty characters out there but she lived most of her days as a Healer. Tending to the sick and treating injuries.

Unfortunately…this isn’t one of those days…

This was supposed to be a nice day where she was going to accompany a new friend around the city and just relax…

So how did it end up like this?

She was here fighting some kind of unearthly monster that seemed intangible to almost every attack they throw at it!

Nia had taken the support role, using her Magic to manipulate the plants in the shop to aid them or heal them. But the guards Bronson and Eldon were completely exhausted and only Tenryu was left fighting the thing.

Tenryu had slashed and struck again.

But it seemed that all of his attacks just passed through Artificial Demon as it were made of smoke.

He was getting more and more frustrated as his continuous attacks were just proven to be ineffective. He shot another burst of flames from his sword and again it just passed right through it.

“Blast it! What the blitz is this thing?” Tenryu says in frustration.

However there were other things to worry about. From the looks of things, he was starting to feel the Manna Depletion Fatigue after firing countless Fire Magic enchanted blades. For a Knight Class Adventurer these are rare cases since they rely more on Skills than Magic. But he was a Swordsmage so He relied on both Sword Technique Skills and Magic equally.

From the looks of things, Tenryu’s legs looks as though they were about to give out. Knowing Tenryu’s mindset he probably thought that the Artificial Demon seemed to be mocking him but that’s probably that sharp teeth exposed in a menacing grin.

“I’m not done yet!”

Tenryu tried to stance himself and aimed his sword and slashed. But it just passed through

However, the Artificial Demon stomped it huge foot, causing a minor shockwave that knocked Tenryu off balance. Just as the Swordsmage was about to get his bearings the Artificial Demon loomed over him with its foot raised.

“Oh blitz!”

Just as it brought its foot down, Tenryu shut his eyes and braced himself for one heck of extreme pain.

But it never came.

A grove of trees had erupted from the ground! It not only blocked the attack but also surrounded and trapped the creature inside it.

Because at that moment, Nia had to use her last resort.

Nia clapped her hands together and started reciting the incantation.

“From the land I beseech you…Oh, mighty children of the Earth Mother… come forth and unleash the wrath of nature. Purge the evil before me!”

After which she slammed both her hands together on the ground. A green Magic Seal had appeared underneath her.

“Grove of Dodona”

Green light began to shine form the gaps of the trees.

There was a loud cry of the Artificial Demon until the green light completely engulfed the trees and then…

KABOOM!!!

The light exploded!

The Spell caused a significant shockwave that caused everything to be blown away. Including Tenryu, who was just at its immediate vicinity, to be blasted away!

“GUAHHHH!!!”

Tenryu tumbled over until he slammed straight into the fountain’s edge.

“NIA!!! WHAT THE BLITZ?!”

Tenryu shouted after being momentarily dazed.

Nia was panting heavily.

“I’m sorry…*pant…but there was no time…”

She felt all her Manna had been drained to invoke the Spell. This was the drawback. A powerful Spell required a significantly huge Manna. Hence this was something she could only use if things were really bad.

In actuality she failed to perform the Spell properly. Its true effect was something else and not an explosion. Yet it did give the desired effect in causing that explosion.

Nia noticed that singular attacks would just phase right through it. So she thought an omni-directional attack could have a chance.

…At least that’s what she hoped.

She thought she had succeeded but then she heard a menacing growl.

“GRRRRR…”

Nia looked in horrified disbelief.

“No…”

From amongst the cloud of debris, the Artificial Demon emerged completely unharmed!

No… There’s not even a scratch?! Nia thought helplessly.

“GRROOOOOAAAAARRRRR?!!!”

The Artificial Demon roared in rage!

It then pranced towards her like a predator aiming for its prey. Nia knew this thing wanted revenge. She quickly grabbed her umbrella and pointed at the Artificial Demon…but she could barely muster any Manna to cast a Spell.

“NIA, MOVE!!!” shouts Tenryu.

But she couldn’t!

Not just because using such a powerful Spell had drained her but because she was quivering in fear. Like a prey that had been caught.

The Artificial Demon loomed over. Its red eyes were staring down at her with its teeth bared.

Tenryu tried to get up but he too was exhausted and drained to move.

“Blast it! I can’t move!!!”

The Artificial Demon raised its right claw.

“NO! NIA!” screams Tenryu.

Nia could see the claws coming down at her.

She closed her eyes bracing for it.

“Light Sphere!”

BAMM!

“Huh?”

That was not the sound she’d expect to hear. It sounded like a gong ringing.

Nia opened her eyes.

Someone stood in front of her. His cloak was flapping around him. He held a long golden staff in his right hand, the top of which was glowing.

“Nia, are you okay?”

“B-Benjamin..?”

Nia realized that they were inside a golden sphere of light.

Somehow, Benny had gotten in between her and the Artificial Demon in the nick of time and casted this protective Spell around them. And from somewhere he had managed to procure a Magic Tool in the form of a staff.

The Artificial Demon roared angrily and started to attack the sphere multiple times.

Normally anyone casting a Barrier Spell would feel a slight backlash from whatever attacks the barrier but Benny acted as though it were nothing. Not like before…where he fainted from overuse of Magic.

Instead, right now he simply smiled in relief.

“OI! Benny you’re late!” shouts a smirking Tenryu who was also sighing in relief.

Benny replies with a grin of his own, “Sorry, I’m late…”

***

After he was sure that Nia was okay, he turned towards the Artificial Demon.

“Okay you freak of whatever you are... playtime’s over!”

Benny held the Spellbook aloft in one hand and glanced from it. He then pointed the staff and the sphere started to glow in response.

“Enchant: Expansion…”

In a blink of an eye, the sphere of light expanded to several meters in diameter! So rapidly in fact that the Artificial Demon was thrown away across a large distance!

“Wow…so that’s what an Enchantment Spell can do!”

The Spell was written in one of those languages but Benny had known that he can cast a Spell in that book using any language he preferred.

Nia looked at him surprised, “Eh? That was a-”

“An Enchantment Spell for rapid expansion.” Benny explains.

“An Enchantment Spell…? But…where did you learn?”

But then she caught sight of the Spellbook in his hand. She realized he must’ve read it from there.

Benny’s attention was towards the Artificial Demon that was getting up again, “Blast it…that thing is quite stubborn!”

But just now, I was able to physically repel it…Hmm…could it be… Benny thought to himself as he realized something.

Nia also noticed something rather peculiar, “Eh? Benjamin did you just…”

The Artificial Demon roared and lunged itself towards them.

“Nia, can you run?”

“No…”

The failed attempt at that Spell earlier had seriously exhausted her.

“But Benjamin casting an Expansion Enchantment on this barrier-”

“-won’t withstand another attack…I know…”

“Eh? You already know?”

Benny had read that the cost of rapidly expanded a hastily made barrier to that size has weakened it that a powerful swipe from that thing would be more than enough to break it

Wasting no time, Benny quickly placed the Spellbook back in his satchel and hurriedly picked Nia up.

“Wha?! B-Benjamin? W-What are you?!”

Not explaining things, Benny threw the staff in the air but instead of falling down on the floor it hovered in front of them. Benny quickly jumped on the staff with both his feet landing firmly on the staff. Nia could’ve sworn the staff moved on its own as though it intentionally caught Benny’s feet.

Benny stood atop his staff and was riding it like a hoverboard.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

“Eh?”

Benny and Nia zoomed away on the staff!

“EHHHHH???!!!”

And just in the nick of time because the Artificial Demon had just slashed its claws on the Light Sphere and it shattered instantly!

“W-We’re flying?”

Nia had never felt this sensation before. The wind blowing at her face, the weightless feeling, the feeling as though she was being cradled by…about that part Benny was carrying Nia in a fashion one would call the princess style.

“Better hang on!”

Benny says as he looked down on her with eyes full of concern (they were slightly red as though for some reason.) Nia saw he wasn’t wearing his glasses anymore. Without them, Benny’s appearance looked even closer to Tenryu’s.

Yet…

He had an expression that was both gentle yet brave. His hair fluttered in the wind, giving a blown away effect. Despite deep cut in his cheek (it had crusted over but Benny seemed to have not noticed it) there was definitely something to his face. From since she met Benjamin she only thought that he looked a bit like Tenryu.

Yet now…she just noticed that he was rather handsome.

Nia felt a rush in her cheeks that alarmed her.

“Nia? Are you alright?”

“Um…”

Benny looked behind him, “Better hold on because that thing’s coming right at us!”

True enough the Artificial Demon seemed to be mad that its prey got away and was now chasing them around the aisles like a dog chasing a squirrel. It kept clawing at them, which Benny neatly managed to dodge every time.

Meanwhile, Tenryu could only watch as he was exhausted to move.

“Blast it! If I can only muster a bit more Manna…”

There were some grunting sounds at the sides. Bronson and Eldon were stirring as they started to regain consciousness.

Took them long enough… Tenryu thought.

“Bronson…you okay, pal…?”

“Just barely…”

The two Animalians shook their head to regain their bearings.

“Where’s the monster?!” Bronson looked around in alarm as he held up his axe.

“Over there!”

“Wha-?! But…”

Eldon and Bronson found the monster they were looking for but their eyes were glued towards what the thing was chasing.

“Oi! Is that kid…flying?!”

“I’m seeing it…but I don’t believe it…”

“I knew it…I must be still unconscious…”

No you’re not… Tenryu shook his head as he thought that.

Benny leaned forward and the staff zoomed away faster, narrowly avoiding another claw strike. Knowing he can’t keep on dodging it forever, he quickly formulated a plan zoomed into a narrow aisle

“Nia, do you have any potions that when mixed can cause an explosive effect?”

“Eh? Um, yes I do…”

“Great! Can you take those out-“

“No, I mean I have a potion than can cause an explosion when thrown… ”

What? Seriously? She has something really dangerous in there?

Nia produced a small corked bottle from her purse. This one had black liquid inside.

“This is a Blasting Potion often used for offensive attacks.”

“Okay…”

Benny felt awkward that she had dangerous explosive in her purse.

“Nia, on my signal throw that at the Artificial Demon.”

“Eh? But Benjamin I threw another of these earlier and they had no effect!”

“I think I have a theory on how it can receive damage but you need to trust me on this!”

Nia nodded immediately, “Alright…”

She focused her attention to the Artificial Demon. It was gaining on them quick.

“At count of three, throw that bottle with all your might…”

Nia nodded.

“One!”

Instead of going faster Benny slowed down. Though Nia was surprised at his action, she readied the bottle.

“Two!”

They reached the end of the aisle.

Seeing its prey was drawing nearer the Artificial Demon raised its right claw to once again attack them.

“Three!”

Nia threw the bottle right at the Artificial Demon as it was about to claw at them!

“Full Throttle: Meteor Speed!”

A Magic Seal forms at the end of the staff and blasts a beam of light a rocket jet! It was a unique Spell that Benny thought of just now. In an instant they shot away from the Demon like a canon being fired.

In response to the sudden change of speed, Nia quickly threw her arms around Benny’s neck. This all the more made her look like a damsel in distress…and added even more to her embarrassment.

While at that very moment...

The bottle Nia threw struck the Artificial Demon right in the face!

KABOOOOOM!!!!

Nia wasn’t kidding about the effect. As soon as it smashed, the liquid within the bottle reacted and caused an explosion that engulfed the Demon! At the same time, the explosion toppled the whole shelves and their contents on top of Artificial Demon.

Benny and Nia hovered in mid-air as they surveyed what had just happened.

So that’s what Emrys was talking about! Benny thought.

From the hazes pouring out of the rubble, Benny knew that thing wasn’t down for the count but at the very least his theory was proven to be correct.

***

Benny and Nia flew towards where Tenryu and the others were.

“They’re…they’re really flying!”

“Oi, Oi, kid! How are you doing that?!”

“Doing what?”

““The flying thing!””

The two Animalians point out at the same time.

“And just when we all agreed that this should be kept secret.” sighs Nia quietly.

“Ah, this? It’s quite simple when you know the idea.” Benny jumped off his staff. “But never mind that, is everyone alright?”

“Yeah, albeit bruised but fine…These two just woke up though.” Tenryu nods toward at Eldon and Bronson.

Nia sheepishly tugged at Benny’s cloak, “Um, you can put me down now…”

“What… Huh?”

Being chased by that Artificial Demon and escaping it meant that Benny wasn’t really paying attention to what he was doing. Benny seemed to just realize that he was carrying Nia all this time…in a princess carry of all things. Not to mention she threw her arms around him at that time...like a…

“UWAAAH!!!”

His face turned bright red at the sudden realization and quickly puts her down on her feet and apologized fervently.

“I’m so sorry!”

“Ah! No, no, if you hadn’t saved me back then…so I won’t complain. But apart from that what happened to your glasses?” Nia asked him, noticing he wasn’t wearing them anymore.

“I sort of lost them in the explosion. Luckily, I had your eye medicine.”

Nia looked pleased upon hearing that, “See? I told you there was no need to worry! I know my potions very well!”

“Well, just a suggestion but can you make them without stinging part?”

“Tampering a potion will make them ineffective or cause weird side-effects!”

“Will you two get back to the issue at hand?” snaps Tenryu as he holds his sword aloft, “Let’s beat that thing up while we have the chance!”

He just wants some more piece of the action. Benny thought with a sweatdrop.

“Eh? But isn’t it already beaten?”

Benny focused his gaze on the rubble, “No, Tenryu’s right. That thing is still alive and kicking.”

“‘‘Huh?’’”

As on cue, the rubble exploded like a volcano and out emerged was the Demon.

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“It’s still moving?! Just how resilient is that thing?!”

Tenryu held up his sword, “Well, we have to think of something soon because it’s heading this way!”

The Demon was rushing towards them, with its claws flailing around like it wants to slash and pound them up.

“It’s coming!”

Benny had another idea. Just as everyone was prepared to attack, Benny made a circle in the air with the staff.

“Light Cage!”

In the nick of time a sphere of golden light surrounded the Artificial Demon. Since it was running at full speed, the Artificial Demon wound up making a peculiar face-plant as it slammed head on inside of the barrier. For something that was scary at first, the expression it made looked almost funny.

“Whoa!” says Tenryu.

The Artificial Demon struggled inside the sphere as it was suspended inside it.

“Batter up!” says Benny, just for the feel of it.

He swung the staff like he was playing baseball and the sphere of light with the Artificial Demon still in it shot away like a golf ball flying towards another heap of debris.

“That was some quick thinking kid!”

“Er, thanks…Are the customers alright? Did they get out okay?”

“Yes, Sylvia and the rest of clerks managed to get all of the customers out of harm’s way…” says Eldon.

“What about Mr. Venditore?” Benny asked.

From their expressions, Benny could tell the obvious.

“We still haven’t found him!”

“And with that thing around, we have no chance of finding him!”

Benny looked around the debris, fearing for the life of the old Animalian. But then he remembered he was able to detect the presence of those ruffians even if they couldn’t be seen. If he could do that…maybe he could find Mr. Venditore the same way!

Though Benny hasn’t seen a haze appearing over Mr. Venditore before but he had an idea he could tell to whom those haze would belonged to. As Benny focused his gaze, a streak of silver haze was wafting through a pile of debris! Benny knew at once it was Mr. Venditore.

“He’s over there! I think he’s hurt but he’s alive!” Benny rushed towards the debris.

Everyone gave him a startled look.

“How do you know he’s there?” says Nia, looking at him incredulously.

Benny didn’t answer back as he had a hard time explaining. He dug through some of the rubble shifted revealing a feathered hand that was still moving.

“He‘s here! Everyone come quick!”

Eldon and Bronson wasted no time and quickly rushed in to dig him out. In no time (and probably due to the two Animalians strength, Mr. Venditore was finally dug out of the debris. He was entangled in some kind of thick whip and looked battered. Tenryu help slice the vines off the guy.

“Boss?”

“Boss, are you alright?”

Mr. Venditore started coughing.

“He’s breathing!”

“Thank Merlin!”

Nia turns to Benny in amazement, “That was amazing, Benjamin! How were you able find him?”

Benny scratched his head, “I sort of saw his strange haze coming from that ruble.”

“Those haze things again? Just what are those hazes you keep seeing?”

Benny was still being pestered for an explanation from Tenryu when he sensed the Black Haze once again. The Artificial Demon had broken free from the rubble!

“Damn, that thing’s getting up again!” shouts Benny.

The Demon once more bared its fangs at them and roared.

“Blast it! That thing’s still up for a fight, huh? Let’s beat it while it’s still-ack!”

“Hold it!”

Benny had hooked his staff on the hood of Tenryu’s coat, stopping him though choking him in the process.

“What the blitz, Benny?”

“Are you in any state to be fighting that thing right now?”

Benny’s comment stopped Tenryu in his tracks.

Tenryu didn’t want to admit it but he was exhausted from overusing his Manna. Nia leaned on her umbrella, also feeling the exhaustion.

“You kids better go and bring the Boss to safety.” says Eldon.

“Yeah, you’ve done pretty well for Adventurers of your age but you should leave the rest to us! We may not look like it but we’re C-Ranked Adventurers ourselves.” says Bronson as he picks up his axe.

Tenryu and Nia didn’t look appreciative that bit. That’s because Bronson had assumed wrong.

But I’m an Adventurer too… Tenryu thought resentfully.

I’m not a kid exactly… Nia thought

Without looking back the two Animalian guards went to confront the Demon.

They attacked the monster thinking it was already weakened from the attacks earlier but their foe proves to be as resilient as ever! Every time they attacked it would phase through as though it were made of air. And whenever it attacked them it would do so in full force.

“I can’t keep watching this!” Tenryu picked up his sword but shows a noticeable effort in doing so.

“Hold it!”

BONK!

Benny smacked him in the head with his staff.

“OW! What the blitz is that for now?!”

“Are you crazy?! Going out there in that state and without a plan is suicide!”

“But we can’t just stand here and do nothing!”

“And if you go there what will you do? And even if way lay some damage in it what guarantee will it be to stop it?”

“But that won’t be a problem if we attack it in full force! We should strike while we’re at it!”

“Even when you were at full strength you couldn’t defeat it and you think can do it when you’re like this?”

Tenryu was looking at him as though Benny smacked him in the face (though he technically did hit him in the head just now.)

Benny, on his part, was already very much aware of Tenryu’s reckless and fiery nature. Many characters with his personality like to rush into things without thinking things through. Now he sort of understood what the level-headed characters feel.

Nia looks between them worriedly. As much as she agreed with Benny’s words she didn’t want an argument break out. Especially, now of all things…

“But I’m sure we can beat if we go all out now!”

“You’re saying that again?! Keep rushing in and hitting it? And if doesn’t work, keep rushing it and hitting it again?! Aren’t you being plain reckless?!”

Tenryu grits his teeth. He grabbed Benny in the front of his coat.

“T-Tenryu?!” says Nia.

“Oi Benny! You better watch it! Just because you’ve done amazing Magic on your first try! And now you’re starting to act like you’re all that?!”

“Tenryu, stop that!” pleads Nia.

Tenryu pulled Benny closer and bared his teeth at him.

“Don’t forget that I have way more experience as an Adventurer than you! I’m strong enough to beat that thing! I know I am! I’ve dealt with things more dangerous than that thing! So don’t underestimate what I’m capable of!”

But rather than being affronted, Benny calmly patted his hand.

“I don’t doubt your strength or your experience. And I’m sorry for acting a high and mighty there for a moment.”

Benny’s statement had off-footed Tenryu causing his grip slackened when he heard that.

“And you’re right. I don’t really know what it’s like to be a full-fledged Adventurer like you. However, I know of people with great strength and expertise got done in by something they do every day because they let their guard down.”

Benny’s gaze turned sharp and he grasped Tenryu’s hand tightly but in beseeching kind of way.

“I wouldn’t want something like that to happen to my friend!”

Tenryu looked at Benny in shock.

Normally, he’d be very annoyed by people trying to doubt him and actually thought Benny was one of them. But he was wrong. Benny was just very worried about him. In a way, he was very similar to Aunt Magma.

Benny was looking at him with those blue eyes of his…that seemed very familiar all of a sudden.

“Just because you’re strong it’s not always an answer! There are situations were strength won’t be enough and this is one of this situations. So please…Tenryu, try to consider…”

Tenryu looked at for a moment and seemed to calm down.

“So what do you think we should do then?”

“First, please let go because I’m starting suffocate here…”

Tenryu finally releases him, “Ah…sorry…”

They could hear some groaning. The three of them turned and saw Mr. Venditore stirring.

“Mr. Venditore? Are you okay?” says Nia, quickly rummaging in her bag.

Mr. Venditore managed to groan and stir.

“What happened-hoot? …Hoot… Where…” Mr. Venditore’s eyes flew open and gasped, “The Demon! Ugh…”

Mr. Venditore winced in pain.

“Please don’t talk! Conserve your strength.” says Nia as she starts giving emergence treatments.

So the Emrys was right in calling it a demon. Benny thought before answering, “Mr. Eldon and Mr. Bronson are trying as best they can to fight it…”

“It won’t be enough-hoot…”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Mr. Venditore struggled to speak, but he had to, “You have…to strike its Core Stone…otherwise… it will keep on reforming itself-hoot…”

“I see…this Core Stone you say…it most likely serves as its heart.” Benny scratched his chin. “No wonder it can reform after turning to immaterial substance or getting blown to pieces…”

“Yes…-hoot…”

“I see… hm…hm…If we can only make sure it stays put for just…”

Benny stops when he remembers something.

Of course! There’s that Spell! If I can just get near enough to cast it then-

While he was thinking, Benny was smiling mischievously that caused Nia to note how he suddenly looked more and more like Tenryu.

“Um…Benjamin? Are you okay?”

“Alright!” Benny got up and clapped his hands in anticipation. “Let’s go defeat that thing once and for all!”

““EH?!””

Both Tenryu and Nia gaped at him.

Just a few seconds ago he was against rushing into the battling that monster and now he’s suddenly change his mind?

Benny turned to face them.

“I may not have experience the same way as you guys but there’s one thing I’m pretty good at something that might be very useful in this situation.”

“And that is?”

Benny grinned.

“It’s called…strategy.”