This expedition truly was a learning experience. Wolf’s teammates learned how to fight, how to effectively use magic in real combat situations, how to set up camp…

Wolf also learned a number of useful things. For instance, he should be mindful of others and their belongings. Or if you made a single mistake women would hound you like crazy and nag for days. Well, at least one woman in particular.

“Where are we going to sleep?” Anna shouted.

“What about our privacy?” yet another shout from Wolf’s girlfriend.

“Why did you use a fire when you had perfectly functional magic items?” she nagged some more.

“Are you an idiot?”

That last one had cropped up a number of times even before this incident. And in retrospect, it wasn’t limited to women asking.

Wolf could tell that Wayde wasn’t too upset with the idea of huddling together for warmth. At first he thought Wolf should destroy everyone’s tents more often. But then Anna stated that women will huddle as one group, while men huddle as another. After that declaration Wayde popped the idiot question, however, he did it more sincerely.

He also realized that when faced with a choice of hugging his naked roommate for warmth or freezing to death the latter seemed more appealing.

Meanwhile Wolf inwardly grumbled that there’s no need to huddle.

Firstly, in Silverhound duchy temperature never dropped considerably below freezing. And even that was only during the coldest part of winter.

Secondly, they were constantly under the effect of Protection from Elements. Unless exposed to magical frost effects the party was impervious to the elements.

Thirdly, and most importantly, if anyone was supposed to be hugging in the nude it was him and Anna. He didn’t care about Barbara’s, Matilda’s and Wayde’s formation.

Unfortunately, Wolf couldn’t say anything, especially two words - Anna and nude. He knew that if he opened his mouth Anna would send a barrage of words at him. So Wolf silently endured, inwardly cursing about how spoiled his friends were and how the collateral damage amounted to several gold pieces at most.

Over the next twenty-odd days the combat strength of Wolf’s party steadily grew and improved significantly. Wolf and Matilda were tasked with picking Snow Petunias, while the other three stood guard and killed Monster Beast attracted by their loud chatting.

Initially Anna, Barbara and Wayde cast their spell together, instantly exploding Quill Rats which showed up every now and then. However after a couple of instances they made an arrangement on who should cast a spell and how they should rotate.

Wolf didn’t explain this strategy to them. Not because he didn’t want to teach them, but because he had little to no experience in fighting as a team.

In fact he was pleasantly surprised with Wayde’s suggestion, but he still paid more attention to Matilda. When picking flowers she remained perfectly composed. She had no form of protection, yet remained unaffected by the Snow Petunia pollen.

While they harvested herbs, Wolf explained to Matilda which spells could compliment her archery, or enchant the bolts she fired in order to increase their accuracy and lethality.

Days passed and soon enough it was time to leave.

This day started much like every other. Anna opened her eyes, finding herself sleeping on a blanket in the middle of an evergreen forest. She took a moment to process where she was, how she’d ended up here and why she was sleeping out in the open.

Under her breath she cursed the brainless idiot who’d burned down their tents. There was morning frost on her hair and face. Thanks to Protection from Elements it didn’t melt and Anna had to rub off the ice crystals.

Wolf heard her muttering and completely disagreed with her grumbling about the glittering water crystals which covered her.

As far as the youth was concerned, Anna looked like a fairy. A very foulmouthed fairy, but still a fairy.

Tomorrow morning they were supposed to head back to Silver City. Otherwise they risked missing Barbara’s birthday gala.

Maybe Anna and I should go on a mission for two next time? Wolf thought.

Wolf naturally wished to help Anna mature as a Mage as fast as possible, but this thought had very little to do with his altruism.

Ever since this mission had started he didn’t even get to hold hands with Anna because it wasn’t proper. He wanted to sneak a peek when she was bathing, but the girls went to the streams and ponds together.

If Anna caught him peeking at her she probably wouldn’t say anything, but if she ever saw him peeking at Matilda and Barbara accompanying her, he’d be toast.

Maybe I could scry on them? But wouldn’t that make me a pervert? Them? Her, her! I would only look at her. Why am I making excuses? Wolf suddenly wondered. If I’m already using magic to watch over them it’s no problem if I see the other two. Besides, I don’t think they are padding their bras like Anna.

“What are you grinning at stupidly? I bet you’re thinking something improper.” Anna rebuked Wolf when she saw the lecherous face he was making while staring at her.

“I’m thinking that you need help the most in the entire party. You know, one on one training. So I thought the two of us should go on a mission once we get back,” Wolf said seriously, confident that Anna wasn’t like his big brother and couldn’t actually read his thoughts.

Not that she needed telepathy to figure out why he invited her to go somewhere secluded with him.

Anna nervously looked around. Wayde still slept. Matilda squeezed her eyes firmly shut, but couldn’t help blushing. Anna could only see Barbara’s back, but that back was shaking while noiselessly laughing.

She probably covered her mouth, but still made some odd snorts and chortling sounds. Anna felt angry and ashamed, but neither Wolf, nor she knew why. There were a lot of people who already had a child or two at their age. Finally she calmed down and replied in a shaky voice. “We’ll talk about it once we get back to the academy.”

Thankfully distant snapping of branches came to her aid.

Wolf frowned. Except on the first evening, he took care to erase all tracks and scents in the area. He never lit fires and they kept their voices down around camp. The young Mage awakened his senses and heard a large number of Monster Beasts rushing closer and closer.

“Everyone get up and hide in the trees,” Wolf said while taking a deep breath through his nose.

There was a queer scent in the air, but he didn’t recognize it.

In a well practiced manner everyone except Anna got up and started climbing the surrounding trees. Anna on the other hand frowned at Wayde.

That bastard! He was awake the whole time, she silently cursed the faker.

“Anna! Move!” Wolf’s shout jolted Anna back to reality, and she moved towards the nearest fir tree.

Because of the campfire fiasco everyone slept fully dressed. Luckily their tents were destroyed. Otherwise, the girls would’ve probably been in their sleeping gowns. Then they would’ve caused a ruckus when Wolf ordered them to climb the trees.

While Wolf thought of the advantages of his “decision” to burn their tents, the noise grew louder as a mass of Monster Beasts rapidly approached.

Before Anna managed to climb to safety, a Dire Wolf jumped out of the bushes.

Three projectiles created by a Magic Dart spell struck its head. Blood splashed, but the wolf didn’t seem too badly injured. To make matters worse, an entire pack followed after it. Another Magic Dart struck the second Dire Wolf, again causing minor injuries.

“Barbara! We said focus on one until it drops dead!” Wolf shouted with frustration.

They’ve been over this at least a dozen times and she still couldn’t follow the basic tactics.

“Oh, shut up,” Barbara shouted angrily. “I thought Wayde was going to kill that one! I can’t change targets just like that!”

She grit her teeth, already aware that they shouldn’t switch targets until they finished off the one they were attacking, but up until now every monster they encountered died from a single spell. One Magic Dart was often an overkill. How was she to know it wouldn’t kill these horse-sized wolves?

“For crying out loud, it’s not a rat!” Wolf shouted as he cleaved the charging wolf’s skull in two. His blade moved like flowing water, gracefully splitting the bones like cutting butter.

After the first seven, even more Dire Wolves appeared, but the rustling behind them didn’t get any quieter.

Why are these Monster Beasts charging at us? I didn’t do anything to attract them. Did I prepare something unusual for dinner last night? No, they would’ve appeared last night. They wouldn’t wait for the crack of dawn. Was it one of them? Wolf wondered, thinking about that strange scent.

“Hey guys! Has anyone done anything that would piss off these Monster Beasts?!” Wolf shouted his question as his sword danced, annihilating the Dire Wolf pack.

Unfortunately, the guys couldn’t respond. They were busy chanting spells and launching them at the endless stream of monsters which were jumping out of the underbrush.

“You can use Fireball,” Wolf shouted since nobody answered him.

Enemy numbers were annoying; dodging stray Inferno Rays even more so. At least with Fireball he knew nobody would lob the damn thing targeting him. A few moments after he gave the command, four orbs of fire landed about ten meters away from him.

Quill Rats and small critters were momentarily turned to ash. The evergreen trees and undergrowth disintegrated and the forest suddenly became a clearing. The treetops rustled as they fell to the scorched ground and charred corpses.

Some of the tougher Monster Beasts were still alive, covered in serious burns and whining in pain. Several lucky Threehorns dashed back into the forest, scared witless. Other surviving Monster Beasts followed their lead, retreating at top speed. Animals and low Order Monster Beasts have an innate fear of fire and loud noises. Four fiery explosions in rapid succession scared the living daylights out of them. It only took the shortest of moments for the surviving monsters to start dashing away with their tails between their legs.

Wolf looked at the receding tide of Monster Beasts and realized something was off. Among the stampede he heard a distinct sound of heavy footsteps steadily approaching. To hear a single Monster Beast in a horde like this meant that the one approaching was something really large and most likely very powerful.

“Everyone cast Chameleon Skin! Now!” Wolf roared, feeling afraid for his friends. If they caught the Monster Beast’s attention before he slew it, they could get seriously injured.

Prior to leaving the Mage Academy the party had agreed that everyone should prepare Chameleon Skin every day. In case of emergency they would turn invisible and hide. Matilda and Wayde started chanting right away and after a moment Anna followed suit. Barbara on the other hand looked around in panic.

“Just cast the spell Barbara! There’s no real danger, so don’t panic.” Wolf tried to reassure her, but Barbara only looked more nervous.

“I stopped preparing it a week ago,” she screamed in panic. “We were easily dealing with those monsters, and I didn’t think we’d need it!”

Wolf heard Barbara’s terrified excuse and rolled his eyes. He wanted to spank the spoiled noblewoman, but there was no use crying over spilt milk, those footsteps were already very close.

“In that case just climb up as high as you can!” Wolf ordered.

A week ago he’d noticed someone watching over them. He believed this guardian would intervene to save Barbara if she faced any real danger.

It would be better for the gang’s morale if they managed to resolve the danger on their own, but having a guardian intervene was much better than someone dying, or Wolf revealing one of his contingency measures.

As Barbara climbed, Anna, Matilda and Wayde blended into the trees they sat on. Even with his senses awakened, Wolf couldn’t clearly perceive them. He just noticed the blurry outlines where the camouflage and the scenery behind them differed in depth.

The only one in danger is Barbara, Wolf thought. Well, I like her the least anyway. And it’s her own fault for not preparing the spell.

He was angry with the spoiled brat throwing off his calculations and ignoring his orders, but still Wolf didn’t really want her to die.

*Crash! Crack!*

A pine crashed into the clearing, revealing a Monster Beast the size of a small hill. A huge bear walked out of the forest. Vines and lichen grew on its massive back, adding to the impression that it was a part of the scenery.

Even though it walked on all fours, the ursine monstrosity was over four meters tall.

When it saw Wolf, the Monster Beast paused for a moment, evaluating its enemy. A moment later the bear let out an earthshaking roar, spraying the scorched earth with its slobber.

Wolf was calm and collected as he ignored the stench of rot the breath carried. This monster may have had a dangerous appearance, but in reality it was only a Dire Bear, a peak Fifth Order Monster Beast, maybe Sixth. Nothing he should be afraid of.

The fact that this bear, unworthy of his attention, would eat his companions without suffering heavy injuries in the process never crossed Wolf’s mind.

There was only ten or so meters between the two. The bear stood up, reaching nearly seven meters in height.

Wolf barely reached up to its knees, looking very fragile and weak, but the boy didn’t panic one bit. He heroically looked at the giant monster without so much as frowning.

Anna watched the scene and felt her heart race. Wayde’s gaze was fixed on his roommate, when suddenly something obstructed his line of sight.

*Squelch!*

With a sickening, stabbing sound blood sprayed from Wayde’s chameleon-like figure. The young man screamed, looking at the assassin in dark-green clothes, who stood straight in front of him.

The man held a short-sword, pinning Wayde to the pine in which the young man was hiding. Wayde’s form was still obscured, however the blood which gushed out of his wound and ran down the tree was just as red as ever.