In this ancient-like and vast forest , giant trees towered into the sky. The thick branches and leaves grew outwards and gave the impression that they were ‘hiding the sky and covering the earth’.

Moreover, shocking roars and shrieks would bring about powerful strange mana fluctuations when they were heard from time to time in this boundless forest.

Roar!

Currently, somewhere within the forest, Lyle’s group was staring in surprise at the Demonic Beast in front of them.

The Demonic Beast’s body was covered with a silver color fur. It had a shape similar to a gorilla with blood-red eyes and even had a golden horn on top of its head.

Seeing this big animal, Lyle’s group which was consisted of over ten people seemed to stop breathing.

Snow Ape. B- Rank Demonic Beast. It had strength comparable to an A-rank mage or warrior.

Furthermore, the silver furs that covered its body made it impregnable as it was very tough. Because of its toughness, it was a very good material for leather armors.

On the surface, this was an existence both like monkeys and an orangutan, apart from a pair of ping-pong ball sized eyes with a crimson crystal like luster its whole body was entirely snow like.

This big animal’s body was actually majestic, its condition unimaginably awesome, not only was its body slightly enormous, but all over its entire body it was covered with muscles even tougher than granite, protruding like little hills.

But such an enormous animal did not make any noise while walking, not even the sound of breathing.

Beside the Snow Ape, there was a golden colored rhino as well. Although it was not as bold and powerful when compared to the Snow Ape, it still possessed the strength of a B-ranked Demonic Beast.

“Leave this big guy to me. All of you can deal with the other.”

Lyle pointed at the Snow Ape.

Although he had the ability to resolve the situation by himself, this would not benefit the others on his group.

Since everybody required honing their abilities to improve, it would not be beneficial for him to protect them too much. Otherwise, it would limit their progress.

Even though the Snow Ape isn’t an overly powerful spirit beast compared to an A-ranked and above beast, in the Strength Category, it’s attack power is definitely ranked very high. It was even assess to have a strength comparable to an A-rank demonic beast if not for its intelligence.

Lyle since climbing up off the ground had continuously kept his head raised, his voice was very calm, as if his mood was not at all disturbed.

“Okay.” The people behind him immediately nodded. They also understood that they could not rely on Lyle for everything. If they didn’t improve their strength, they would only be a burden to Lyle.

Besides, they are all prideful nobles. Being protected all the time by someone younger than them is really too shameful!

“Misuzu! Aster!”

When the group rushed towards the golden colored rhino, Misuzu and Aster who was planning to attack was suddenly called out by Lyle who was having a staring contest with the Snow Ape.

Because of this, they couldn’t help but stop on their tracks and immediately turned their heads towards him, along with some bewildered students.

“During these past few hours, I’ve already measured the extent of your abilities … ” Lyle said without turning his head.

Roar!

Then suddenly the Snow Ape slam the ground with its two huge hands creating ice spikes on the ground which was rushing towards him.

Lyle causally jumped and flipped in the air. With just a flash of his shadow, he suddenly appeared on top of the Snow Ape’s head.

“So noisy.” Lyle hated people who just cut him off like this the most. With a look of displeasure, he threw a roundhouse kick right into the Snow Ape’s face.

Boom!

The Snow Ape flew out several meters. Fresh blood flowed continuously from its mouth and nose.

“Listen first to the people who are talking before you attack … idiot!” Lyle snorted.

He then turned around and faced the Misuzu and Aster who was silently looking at him. Although there were calm outside but anyone still could see the flickering emotions appearing from their eyes.

“Anyway, what I wanted to say is that … ” Lyle ignored the sound of fighting from the distance and spoke with a smile. “… Both of your usage of your abilities wasn’t that great.”

Hearing his words, Misuzu and Aster didn’t know where to cry to. Is he boasting his abnormal and nonsensical strength ? Is he telling us that we are weak ?

However, they didn’t dare speak their true thoughts and could only lower their heads and bit their lips in frustration.

Seemingly understanding their thoughts, Lyle let out a sigh. “I’m not saying you two are weak, instead you both are actually strong … especially you Misuzu.”

Misuzu’s lowered head sudden rose up. Her eyes widened in surprise. Did he say … I’m strong ? Or did she just misheard it ?

Roar!

The Snow Ape once again rushed towards Lyle. Its eyes even more bloodshot and was even shining in red light. It seems it was really enraged this time!

On Lyle’s composed face was not a ripple, he raised his right hand straight up. “Misuzu, you are a water mage … right ?”

“Y-Yes” Misuzu immediately nodded.

“… although I don’t know how but from what I can see, you became stronger after that night and you said that you gained another affinity which was poison … am I right ?”

“Y-Yes”

“And that’s that … you aren’t using that strength effectively.” Lyle dodge the upcoming ice spikes that looks like stalactites flying at him with ease as he continued speaking. “Do you know what is water’s greatest advantage ?”

Misuzu suddenly realized that Lyle wanted to teach her. Seemingly excited, Misuzu immediately shook her head and opened her ears as widely as she can, afraid to missed even one word from Lyle.

” Lao Tzu once said that ‘There is nothing softer and weaker than water, And yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things. For this reason there is no substitute for it.'” He said as he raised his hands and a water tornado suddenly appeared right below the Snow Ape, causing it to be hurled midair without any chance to resist.

“… Most of all, just like what Iro* said to Zuk* ‘Water is the element of change.'”

While the Snow Ape tried to struggle out of the tornado, the water tornado suddenly vanished.

With a stamp of his feet, Lyle caused another pillar of water to explode from the ground, rushing towards the beast in midair.

The water pillar caused it to shoot up ten meters mid-air before dissipating.

Unperturbed, Lyle continued talking. “Water is a very versatile element. And its greatest strength is its great versatility. You can either use it from liquid, gas and solid substance… Do you think you wouldn’t be able to use Ice attacks if you don’t have any ice affinity? Then you’re greatly mistaken … ”

Misuzu tilted her head. Of course she can’t! People with Ice affinities can use ice magic and water affinity can use water magic. That’s how it is! So what did he mean by she’s wrong ?

“H-How am I wrong ? Ice and Water have different magical affinities …”

“That’s what I’m talking about …” Lyle cut her off. “Ice came from water … that is a universal truth. Besides, wait … ”

Turning his head, Lyle glanced at the side and sharpened his senses. “Sakura, Yuki play with those beasts for a while~”

“”Yes Master!”” The two black swords dangling on his waist immediately transformed into two beautiful foxes.

One was flaming red and the other was golden colored which was emitting electric sparks. Nodding their heads, they then disappeared into the bushes.

Seeing this phenomenon for the first time, Misuzu’s mouth couldn’t help but opened wide and could only look at Lyle silly until she heard his voice.

“What I want to say is that, all elements have relationships with each other … ” He explained when the enraged Snow Ape began to stand up.

Roar!

Drumming its chest, the Snow Ape seemed to realized that its ice attacks were ineffective and rushed forward. Ignoring its desperate attack, Lyle lunged over towards the Snow Ape.

He then opened his palm and summoned a ball of water. “… If you want to become a strong magician, then you just don’t follow the conventional way or what you called the textbook. Spells recorded in the textbooks or taught by the teachers are just simple spells like; Water ball, Water Blade, and such … there’s no conversion.”

“Conversion ?”