Ch 35 : First Kill

After a satisfying nap, Auron and his friends packed up their belongings and prepared to head back to the academy. They collected all their trash, changed into dry clothes, and made sure the area was as clean as when they had arrived.

Auron led the group, guiding them through the woods towards Swamp Enclave Academy. His goal was to reach the academy before sunset, knowing the woods could become dangerous at night. About halfway into their journey, Auron's mana detection skill picked up on four individuals hiding nearby, clearly intending to ambush them.

"You guys, stay quiet for a moment," Auron whispered, his eyes narrowing as he pointed toward a cluster of large trees. "We've got company. They're behind those trees."

His friends tensed up, their earlier relaxed mood immediately replaced by fear and apprehension. Auron quickly laid out a plan. "I'll try to negotiate with them first, but if that doesn't work, I'll hold them off. Walter, you'll take the front while the rest of you provide support with spells. Let's use what we've been practicing."

Alice, trembling in fear, protested, "It's too dangerous, Auron. We should fight together—you can't do this alone."

Thyra clung to Auron, her eyes brimming with tears. "Don't leave me, Auron. You promised my parents you'd take care of me."

Walter and Eliot also voiced their concerns, urging Auron to stay with the group.

"They're just five years old… how can I scold them?" Auron thought, realizing he couldn't leave them behind. In the end, he decided to stick with them.

"Come out!" Auron shouted toward the trees. "I know you're there. We're students from Swamp Enclave Academy. If you're not afraid of retaliation, then let us pass."

Three figures emerged from the shadows of the trees, each wielding daggers. They were rough-looking men, their faces and arms scarred from what must have been years of conflict.

"How did you know we were here, kid?" asked the tallest of the men, his voice low and menacing.

"There's another one behind the rocks," Auron added, his eyes scanning the area. "You think I wouldn't notice your leader moving around?"

The bandits exchanged surprised glances, taken aback by Auron's sharp detection skills. "How did this kid know about the boss?" they thought.

"You've got guts, kid," the tall man sneered. "You must be their leader."

Auron's mana detection had already gauged their strength. They were mid-tier 1 magus, no real threat to him, but he kept his guard up. He didn't want to underestimate them.

"Even if you know where we are, what are you gonna do about it?" the bandit taunted. "Remember not to wander in the forest in your next life." With that, the group of bandits began to encircle Auron and his friends.

Auron's anger flared at their audacity to threaten his friends. "You guys, close your eyes. Now," he instructed, his voice low and steady.

His friends, though trembling with fear, obeyed instantly.

Auron glared at the bandits, his fury building. "Since you ignored my warning and decided to threaten us, I'll make sure you regret it."

The bandits laughed dismissively, "What do you think you're gonna do, kid? Scare us with your little glares?"

Without another word, four fireballs materialized in the air around Auron, the heat from them causing the temperature to spike rapidly. Panic filled the bandits' eyes as they turned to run, but Auron had already marked them.

"Die," Auron whispered, his voice cold.

The fireballs shot forward like homing missiles, chasing after the bandits. In moments, four small explosions rocked the forest, and the trees where the bandits had hidden were reduced to ash, leaving only scorched earth in their wake.

As the silence settled in, Auron's friends cautiously opened their eyes, taking in the blackened land where the bandits—and the trees—had once stood.

"Did you… kill them?" Eliot asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Taking a deep breath, Auron nodded. "Yes. I didn't have any other choice. They threatened us."

Internally, Auron wrestled with guilt. This was the first time he had killed someone, and even though it had been in defense, it weighed heavily on him. "Crap, I shouldn't have done that," he thought. "They're just kids—they shouldn't be exposed to this so soon."

Thyra rushed to Auron, wrapping her arms around him as she sobbed. "Don't blame yourself, Auron. You were just protecting us. We should be the ones to blame—we couldn't do anything."

"I killed them, Thyra. Four people…" Auron trailed off, his voice shaky. "I've only fought illusions before. This is different."

Alice, still shaken but trying to stay strong, said, "You had no choice. In this world, strength is everything. The weak don't have any rights."

Eliot stood silently, staring into the distance. His usual cheerful expression had darkened, and it was clear the experience had left its mark on him as well.

After a while, they moved away from the scorched area and tried to regain their composure.

"I hope you don't see the world as a dark and cruel place," Auron said, his voice heavy with emotion. "There's still light—there's still hope. Remember the people you care about. Be the ones who light up the world. If this is too much, I understand if you want to leave. But if we're going to explore the world, this is the kind of thing we'll have to face."

His words hung in the air as they continued their journey back to the academy, each of them silently processing what had just happened.

Auron handed the herbs over at the Trading Hall and collected the points. His friends had already returned to their rooms, and after completing the transaction, Auron made his way back to his own quarters.

The weekend had been a tumultuous one for all of them. Each friend grappled with their choices and the weight of their actions. The aftermath of the confrontation with the bandits had left them in a reflective, somber mood. Conversations were sparse, even during their shared meals. They would gather for lunch and dinner, but the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken thoughts and lingering guilt.

By Sunday evening, however, a subtle shift began to emerge. The group's spirits seemed to lift as they gathered for their dinner. They talked more freely, their conversations more animated and hopeful. It was as if the weekend's trials had helped them forge a new understanding of their own strength and purpose. While the scars of their recent experiences remained, they found solace in each other's company and in their renewed sense of resolve.

The camaraderie and shared purpose at dinner marked a turning point. They began to see their challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as part of their journey towards becoming stronger individuals and mages. The weekend had been a trial, but it had also been a chance to reaffirm their bonds and clarify their goals.