Forest of Malvis

[Myla]

We are close to our destination. Only a few more days and we will arrive soon.

Right now, we are in some forest, surrounding a campfire.

Perhaps this is the time when I have to assess our manpower.

As we gather around the fire, roasting our meat, I then speak. "All of us went through a lot, huh? It's unbelievable. We changed a lot ever since we got transported."

I stand up. "By the way, let me introduce myself once again. My name is Myla Carren, level 55, I have the title of Vampiric Magus. My unique skill is what you would expect from a vampire."

Sena looks slightly worried. "Uh hehe, you have no plan on biting us don't you?"

"Don't worry I don't have such urges."

Mike stands up energetically. "My-Myla if you want so-some blood you can drink mine."

"Denied," Simon says as he hits him on the back.

"Ouch."

Simon smiles confidently while crossing his arms. "You idiot, if she is to drink someone's blood it's mine."

"What?!"

Sena then steps between them. "Guys, both of you I think you need to calm down."

I then laugh lightheartedly. As I thought, it's good to be in groups. If only you were here Verni.

I still can't stop thinking about him. I wonder if he is even okay.

Simon then introduces himself. He seems to be the calm strategist and the brain of this group. He was responsible for managing the supplies and estimating the food and water needed for this journey. "My name is Simon Rowell, level 21, I have the title of the Arcane Scribe. Most of my skills are centered around magical editing."

"Magical editing?"

Simon nods proudly. "I was confused with it at first, but after studying it, it seems I can read and modify ancient arcane texts of the magical tomes."

I stroke my chin to think about it. The texts in magical tomes are written in ancient texts that no one can decipher, not even the royal scribes.

To think that he can read them, not to mention modify them? Isn't that pretty amazing?

The ancient texts written in the book are elaborate and specific that no one bothers to edit.

For example, a magical tome for learning fireball has around 300 pages of arcane texts. If one intends to edit it, depending on the errors it can mess up the fireball's damage, MP consumption, cool down, range of attack, effectiveness. There's a possibility the spell might not even work. However, if done right the spells can be improved.

"Simon, isn't that quite cool? I think it's pretty impressive!"

Simon smiles while blushing. He does his best to hide it. He scratches his head. "Well, uh, it's nothing. So far I only managed to create a new fireball spell called [Splitting Fireballs]. This time it shoots into three directions with the same cooldown and MP consumption."

"Depending on how you use it in the future, it might be very powerful."

Mike speaks confidently. "Check out mine and by the way, Mike Leonard, level 25, my title is Gluttonous Predator, my unique skills revolve around acquiring the physical features of the monsters I eat."

He then looks down for a moment. "But so far, I have only eaten two since I'm afraid to get poisoned."

Looks like this one is not bad too. They got a lot of potential. I guess the only thing that holds them back is their low level.

Sena stands up at last. "Sena Ramriel, level 18, Nature Tamer, as you can see I can tame monsters and summon them as long as I can fulfill some conditions."

"I see. I think all of your titles are filled with potential. They are powerful if you ask me."

Simon shakes his head to disagree. "I don't think that's true Myla. Yours, Alfred, President, and even the Vice are way better. Besides the 3 of us are the lowest and the weakest among the class."

The 3 of them lower their heads in disappointment.

Sena says with a dismayed look. "My title is second to the weakest, just after Verni. Simon comes after me and then Mike."

"Cheer up guys, level is not everything besides you might even surpass me."

Simon says. "Thanks for cheering us up Myla. As I thought you never changed."

"It's nothing."

Since I know that Simon is an Arcane Scribe is it possible he can help me with the dark affinity tomes? Maybe I'll ask of it him one day. It is still too early for that.

The journey is farther than we expected. We had lots of stops and it takes us a few days but it seems we are close.

We are riding Hemmel, the fox. We are fortunate that this guy has lots of stamina to carry us across long distances.

We can already see the Northern Death Pass. A narrow path between two giant mountains that leads to the Malvis Forest and the dark territory.

Between the mountains is the Great Fort of Thermiz. The fort is the boundary that protects Silvia from powerful monsters of the Forest of Malvis that might cross their borders.

Malvis is only a walking distance from the fort. We are expected to stay in the fort when we take breaks.

Tall and mighty walls are surrounding the fort. This is higher than the walls from the capital. One can see, they are taking more precautions.

The ramparts are heavily guarded as well even though this side is the one without monsters.

I haven't read much about the dark territory but maybe it's just that dangerous.

As we come close to Thermiz, in front of the tall gates, a child is being kicked by a guard.

When we see it, we felt bad for him.

Sena gasps. "That's horrible."

"Tsk, what is that guard doing?! Why don't we beat the hell out of him." Mike says while punching his hand.

Simon readjusts his glasses. "Why don't we ask first what happened?"

"Alright, I'll handle this." When we arrive close. I then dismount and approach them.

The guard is still at it, constantly kicking the child. "Tsk, get out of here you shithead brat!"

"No!" The child is gritting his teeth. Even though he is being harmed, he has no plan to leave. "Please, I won't get out of here until you help my village."

Village?

However, I'm still annoyed seeing the violence happening in front of me.

The guard unsheathes his blade out of anger. When he is about to swing it down, in an instant, I come between them and stop the sword between my fingers.

The guard squeals from fear upon seeing me. He then steps backward. "Wh-who the hell are you?!"

"I know it's none of my business but this annoys me. Can you explain what happened?"

The guard harrumphs. "That outsider is asking help from us Silvian Knights that his village are being attacked by bandits. Who does he thinks we are?"

"What do you mean?"

"Myla, can you come here for a second," Simon calls out for me. He seems to be talking with the boy.

When I come close, Simon is spreading out a local map. He then briefs us on the situation. "Right now, we are close to the northwest border of Silvia. It seems this kid's village is right here just outside the border of this country."

I see, so this kid is asking for help from foreign soldiers. I guess that's why.

The boy approaches and clings at me. "Could it be, you guys are strong?"

"Well, what can I say?"

It's the first time someone stares at me with these eyes ever since I came to this world.

"Please, save my village! It is being attacked by bandits. We have no time to lose."

Bandits, huh? I guess the time has come where we will fight against humans. I then face the guard. "Then you have no problem if I help him right?"

"Hmmph, do as you wish."

"No, that is certainly a problem." It is the voice of an old man which I have never heard of before. It is coming from inside the fort.

The gates open slowly. Then out comes an old man in formal, religious robe. Templar knights also follow along acting as guards.

It alarms me that the guys from the church are here.

"What do you mean?"

The old man laughs my question off. "So you are the vampire. You are quite a beauty. You interest me slightly. Hehe." He licks his lips as he stares at my figure from my eyes to my chest and waistline.

"Huh?!" It turns out he is just an old perv.

"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Archi-bishop Triford Lervin the third of the Holy Light Church." He has a friendly and approachable look but I know he is just pretending.

Triford Lervin, I heard about this bishop from some of my classmates. He has a high position in the clergy hierarchy that he is responsible for the command of a large division of the Templar Knights army. He is a popular and influential figure that is seen highly by the citizens.

He is one of the leading figures when it comes to wiping out the forces of darkness.

Lara appears behind the bishop. "Hello, I'm the beautiful priestess of the holy light church." She says with spunk. She then poses with two fingers out while sticking her tongue out.

Looks like another troublemaker appears.

They play it off like they were only here for casual chat, but I can feel the heaviness of the air.

I speak. "Father, why is dealing with bandits a problem?"

Father Lervin the third says, "in other words, we can't have a potential vampire to be killing humans. Because you might acquire the title of a child of darkness."

Lara pouts. "Hey father, why did you tell her that secret."

"Well, it's better to warn her so she won't do anything reckless that might incur our anger." The friendly look of the priest turns into a deep glare. In that instant, I know he is serious.

I look away looking disgruntled. I have no reason to listen to them.

"I have no plans in staying here just to listen to your nonsense. I have lives to save."

"Is that so? But this isn't merely an order. Defying the church is considered a great sin." Lervin speaks in a threatening tone.

Several templar knights unsheath their blades. They then point it at me.

These bastards!

I have to escape! I then dash away to run!

"Capture her!"

Lara chuckles with malice. "Holy Magic, Light Bringer!"

Magical light chains are summoned from the ground. It then wraps on my arm and legs, causing me to fall.

Huh?! This is light magic?

Lara comes in front of me and looks down at me.

"Ever since we came here, I always wanted to see the looks of despair on your face Myla! To think that a beautiful and popular girl like you have fallen this low!"

In an instant, Lara looks angry and steps on my head causing me to kiss the ground. She continuously stomps on me. "Here! Here! Hahaha, this feels so good! You are not so pretty are you Myla? I'm even prettier than you now! To think all those boys fell for this stupid face."

Mike leaps and pounces on her. "Lara, you fucking witch!" His nails turn into sharp claws, but before he can land an attack, a Templar Knight knocks him out.

Simon and Sena gasp. When they are about to join, I take a deep breath and yell. "Simon, Sena, Mike stop!" I pant heavily and pretend to be well. "You don't need to worry. I'm fine."