A small distance away, a young girl could be seen facing off against three red feathered eagles. The ground was parched black while trees were so burnt they turned to charcoal. In contrast, arrows made of ice littered the black grounds quickly melting into puddles of water.

Panting was May as parts of her attire were slightly burnt while she nocked her bow and arrow. These pesky eagles were quite calculating with their attacks. Though she tried there was no opening given to May, who all this time was seeking a means by which she could counter.

" How would it look if not one of you have fallen by the time Taf returned? Wouldn't this lady appear incompetent in her dealings? Now that's a no no....."

She sighed within as she assessed the situation. Soon she recalled some advice given by Taf as they had sat before that spring during their training.

" Never allow the numbers of your enemies to lower your moral In fact, this in itself can be your greatest asset. Numeric advantage gives way to complacency. Take a small breath...

Exhale..., Now look and assess. What is their biggest flaw that you can identify? Do their numbers act as a counter to the flaw or is it highlighted even more....?

If it is.., then this is your opening. Be decisive and provide the killing blow"

The words of Taf kept echoing in May's head. She then took a moment to inhale and then exhaled slowly.

" What flaws are you birdies hiding. Open this girl's eyes...."

As she uttered those words the three readied themselves to swoop down for the fiery kill. Soon both the Eagles at the 6th stage took the lead to descended in one swoop opening their beaks as sparks of flames could be seen.

Suddenly something caught May's attention while the two launched their attacks.

" That's it..., inflexible movements when using their inherent art. Their flight patterns then become predictable as the art is active. Since this is the case...."

A slightly wicked smile could be seen on May's face.

" I'll only have one chance before they catch on..."

A cry then went off in May's head...

☆Elemental Art (Air) Repulsion☆

The red feather eagles had torrent flames aimed at the lonely figure of May threatening to burn her to crisp.

Her cheeks became puffed as she inhaled before powerfully exhaling. What followed was gayle force winds blown from her lips as she repelled the scorching flames.

☆ Elemental Art ( Water) Ice shards☆

Then above May ice particle began to form. Their edges were as sharp as razors as they reflected red from the above-repelled flames.

" Now for the finishing touches.."

☆ Elemental Art ( Air) Wind Vortex☆

May aimed her hands as small spiral winds could be seen before within seconds growing to hundreds of feat in the air.

First, it took shape around the ice shards that created a razor filled vortex below the still descended eagles. They looked on in sheer horror at what was awaiting them...

" Now this lady has been thinking of the perfect name for this combo....., hmm, let's call it Mincemeat. Now shred."

May grinned as she pushed the vortex higher meeting the now inflexible eagles who tragically weren't able to change trajectory.

As they entered the vortex they bellowed in agony while shards met flesh piercing and slicing from all angles. Their flesh though thick might as well have been butter. While they were chopped their hard bones became nothing more than toothpicks.

Blood and flesh washed the black parched ground red...

" Guess I overdid it a bit huh.., the cores are nowhere to be seen. How will I spin this with Taf?"

May lamented as her breathing became much harder. With that combination of attacks, it can be said that she was now a oil lamp running dry.

Above within the sky, the last remaining eagle at the 7th stage looked on infuriated at the demise of its counterparts. It then shrieked in fury as steam could be seen escaping its beak.

Below May could only sigh. At the moment the amount of qi she had remaining could be said to be negligible.

" Guess in the end I do need to stall a bit and wait for that brute.."

The red feathered eagle bellowed as it prepared to charge.

" Oh pipe down...."

A voice was heard above the eagle but before it could see its owner.

Boooom!!!!

A hammer smashed down on its back seemingly shatter all its bones.

BAMMM!!!!

Within moments it came to a crashing fall. When May looked in the sky, there was Taf with a grin on his face while falling.

" What is this brute up? Since when can he fly..?"

She wondered as she knew he had something up his sleeves. Suddenly a large red feathered eagle with tinges of yellow within its features could be seen diving behind him.

Just as she was about to warn Taf, she saw him wink at her. He then wheeled some black chains in his hands before comfortably saddling the eagle.

" You...you damn brute. Now I'm convinced you want me dead. Are you trying to give me a heart attack "

May fumed as Taf landed the eagle whose pupils still remained black. On his face there was still a grin as he jumped, dismounting from the large eagle.

" Here I am, a dashing prince arriving to rescue his fair maiden. Slaying the ghastly beast who dares to hold you hostage.

Didn't you see that awesome pose I made? I would think I'd be greeted by honeydew kisses and hugs. Didn't you miss me, my lady?"

Taf playfully said as he approached May who tried her hardest to hide her smile.

" Hmmm miss my foot on your bum..."

She then couldn't help but poke him in his gut as he neared before smiling. Taf saw her heavy breathing and knew she had a tough battle on her hand.

He then summoned a clean towel with some water while wiping some smug off her face. Before something dawned on him.

" May.., what happened to the other two eagles"

Taf asked as all he saw was blood and flesh littering the ground. He then saw a smirk starting to build on the side of her face.

" With their ancestors in birdie hell.."

She then replied before telling Taf how she had managed to defeat the two. Taf was quite taken back by her methods. When he thought about it, she had handled the situation perfectly.

After May finished disclosing the detailed she eyed the red feathered eagle.

" How about the cores?"

He then asked as he didn't recall her mentioning it.

" Who knew this lady was so powerful. Turned to bits, my prince. "

She then winked while a proud smirk was displayed.

" Hehe.., in that cause be more delicate with me. I don't want you crushing me by accident.."

Taf chuckled as he heard the response before replying. As his words were uttered he felt a slight pinch to his side from May who totally declined from responding.

" You used that darkness art to get yourself a new pet I see. Why though..?"

She asked Taf after seeing the slight shadow chains around its neck.

" It simple really, I've been thinking about this trial and how it's set up. So far we have been in this fixed area waiting to be attacked.

When since have we done things the conventional way. This definitely does not suit us. So let's turn this trial on its head. From today onwards we will be the predators and every single creature within this zone our preys.

Forget six month, this trial will end when we say it does. Tomorrow we begin our hunt. let's show this Draconian what we are capable of when we smell blood"