Grave News

Even though there was almost no light after gauging my ability with dark magic, Paul easily managed to push me out of the room. From there, I just made my way back through the house from my memory and left.

So then, I have supreme magic power, huh... Well, it isn't gonna stop me from having a quiet life. As cool as being some hero sounds, I think I'm going to stick with my original plans.

Though, I am curious to see my magic powers in action...

Okay, one test run wouldn't hurt, would it? Nah, it'll be fine. I should probably go somewhere more secluded though, because if my powers are as strong as I imagine them to be, they could be disastrous.

I quickly made my way to the edge of the village and then sprinted at full speed away where no one could see me. After running for a few minutes, I finally stop at an open grassy field. No trees, no flower, nod damage, right? This should be a good spot.

Now then, according to Paul, my imagery determines my strength, so all I need is a strong image to get strong results. Okay then, let's try this out. I emptied my mind of thoughts as I closed my eyes and held the palm of my hand up, which was surprisingly easy, and imagined a small spark, growing slowly bigger as I supply it oxygen and fuel. I could make it hotter if I compact it as much as possible, so let's try that too. Okay, I have my image. Now then, let's open my eyes.

In my palm sits the tiny white flame. There isn't anything special looking about it. Maybe I failed. Well, I guess I could toss it onto the ground and see what happens.

I let the small flame drop from my hand, and as it falls, all the grass within a fifty meter radius immediately burned up, turning to ash. Everything within a two hundred meter radius is turned a black color from the scorching heat. Along with the heat, the sky around me turned a dark orange-ish hue. It was incredible.

Woah, this is too much! I should put this out straight away! Okay, let me gather a bunch of water, but make it as cold as the fire is hot. If I do that, the effects should cancel out, right?

After I had my image, I had a small teardrop of ice sitting in the palm of my hand. I let the small drop fall to the ground and the heat immediately disappears along with the ice. The strange orange sky also turned back to being blue.

Okay, note to self: Don't use magic seriously. Ever. Not even in a life or death situation, as I could literally destroy a small city with my capabilities. Instead, I should keep it on a low scale, so as not to cause complete and utter destruction.

Well, I'm satisfied with my little experiment, so I think I'm going to head back to the inn.

Sprinting back towards the town, I quickly arrive back at the inn. Thankfully, none of the effects of my toying around with magic were felt here, which is a great relief. I would have been heartbroken if I accidently hurt the town in any way. Instead of the town being damaged however, everyone was in a panic. Families were packing up to leave in a hurry, but why?

I see Lucy and Mildred with two rucksacks hopping into the back of a wagon that was preparing to leave.

"Lucy, what's wrong? Why is everyone in such a hurry?"

"Estelle, sweetheart, didn't you hear?"

Lucy had a scared and distraught look on her face, as did Mildred, who had tears running down her eyes.

"Hear what?"

"There is a huge pack of goblins that are preparing to attack the town. Footprints left by their scouts were found in the nearby woods, and there were at least a dozen. It's said for every one scout, there are a dozen goblins. With a dozen scouts, that would be somewhere around twelve dozen Goblins! The town is in danger with that many goblins preparing to attack, so we're all leaving to make our way to safety in the nearby city. You should come with us."

Goblins? You mean to say that a hoard of goblins are coming to destroy the town? As much as I would like a nice and quiet life, I can't have that in the city, and I rather like it in this particular village. Maybe I can do something about them...

As my mind was racing a mile a minute after Lucy's explanation, Paul came up to me. He tapped me on the shoulder, trying to get my attention.

"Estelle, the town is in danger! Please, will you defend it? This is our home! Everyone grew up here, raised a family here, and died here! This land is too important to lose! Please, defend it from the goblins!"

The serious Paul from only a ten minutes earlier had tears running down his face as he begged me to help protect this land. After begging like that, how could I say no?

"Okay. I will see what I can do."

"What!? What do you think you're doing asking this young girl to fight for our land?"

Lucy, suddenly enraged by Paul's words, lashes out. It isn't surprising considering she doesn't know my power.

"Lucy, please don't worry. I promise, nothing bad will happen to me. I will take care of the goblins and protect everyone's homes." After trying to console Lucy, I turn to Paul. "Listen, as soon as you get to the city, try and send people who can help fend them off. I have no idea if I can do this alone."

"Of course. We should be able to get to the nearest city by nightfall, but reinforcements probably won't arrive until midnight. Goblins, after sending out scouts, usually attack the following night. This means as soon as nightfall approaches, you will be under attack without reinforcements. You will have to hold out on your own until then, understand?"

"Yes, I do. Now go, quickly. The faster you move, the sooner those reinforcements arrive."