Chapter 6 - Visiting the City

A magical beast emerged from the forest, its eyes fixed on them with the intent to attack. The beast was a wild dog, much larger than any Alaric had seen before.

Its enormous size was not the only thing that set it apart from a normal dog. Ashley pushed Alaric behind her, standing between him and the dog.

"Don't worry," she said, "this is a common magical beast, and it's not that powerful."

Ashley took a few steps forward, her eyes locked on the dog. The dog growled, baring its sharp teeth. Alaric wondered how Ashley planned to protect him from this fierce creature.

The situation left Alaric feeling helpless, like he was unable to defend himself. He tried to stay calm, thinking, "I'll get stronger; it's only a matter of time."

Ashley gripped her sword, her hands steady. She wasn't a powerful mage who could handle the wild dog with ease, but she was far from weak, either.

The dog growled and charged at Ashley, its jaws wide open, revealing long, sharp teeth. She sidestepped the attack and slashed her sword at the same time, striking the dog in the torso.

Alaric could only watch the fight, unable to do anything to help. He still clutched his dagger, ready to defend himself if needed.

At first, Alaric felt scared to face a magical beast, unsure if Ashley could defeat it. But as the fight unfolded, he realized that he had no reason to fear. Ashley was stronger, and the wild dog didn't stand a chance against her.

The wild dog was bleeding heavily from its many wounds. It was only a matter of time before it died. But then, it let out a loud howl.

When Ashley heard that, she knew they were in trouble. "We need to run! This dog is calling for backup!" she yelled.

A wild dog, especially a magical one, was never alone. It was a type of creature that enjoyed hunting in packs.

Ashley was sure they wouldn't win against a pack of wild dogs. Since Alaric couldn't help her, she decided that the best thing to do was to run away.

Alaric did as she told him. They both ran as fast as they could away from the wounded wild dog. The dog didn't chase them. It was too wounded for that.

Yet the problem was not the wounded wild dog Ashley won in battle but the other wild dogs that would show up in no time. Remaining in that location was a reckless choice.

Alaric had a hard time. Different from hers, his physique wasn't good. Not long after he started running, his lungs were already screaming for help.

But enduring the pain in his lungs was better than staying and enduring the bites of those dogs. Alaric kept looking over his shoulder, checking if the dogs were chasing him.

They were not. Ashley acted fast, and she knew the right path to follow. They managed to flee from the group of wild dogs.

"Are you sure we are safe?" Alaric asked as he stopped to catch his breath.

"Yes, I am. We can rest for a moment before continuing."

Ashley wanted to keep moving, but she realized Alaric needed a moment to rest, or else he wouldn't make it. So, she decided to stop.

It would lengthen their journey. There was a small chance the wild dogs could track them. Still, she believed it was the best choice.

To their luck, nothing happened while Alaric recovered his breath. He wanted to stay longer to feel as good as new, but Ashley ordered him to move. It was not wise to stay in the same location for longer periods.

Their journey continued. Alaric hoped that no more beasts would show up to attack them. One time was enough.

Hours passed. The cabin where Ashley lived was on the other side of the island, so they were crossing the island. Even though the island wasn't big, it still took them the whole day to cross it.

The sun was almost down when they reached the town. When Alaric saw the city, he couldn't help but praise it.

"This town isn't that bad," he said, "I thought it would be a lot worse, to be honest."

Ashley didn't get offended by that. "Way different from the middle of nowhere where I live, right?"

"You bet. But hey," Alaric asked, his tone a bit more serious, "your family won't see you or come to talk to you, right?"

Ashley's relationship with her family wasn't great. In fact, it was pretty bad. Alaric hoped that she wouldn't come across them. That could ruin their trip.

"Don't worry. I've come to see my friend recently, and they haven't come to speak to me."

"I see."

The town had no name. It was close to the beach, and the main source of income was fishing. There were many restaurants and shops, but they had few customers. The island was, after all, in the middle of nowhere. There were no tourists.

When they entered town, all eyes were gazing at them. To be more precise, at Alaric. He was a new face—someone they had never seen before. Of course, that would draw attention.

So much so that one of the few guards from that town came to speak with them.

"Hey, Ashley," the guard said, "who is this guy?"

She couldn't explain that Alaric came through a magical portal made by the headmaster of a magic academy. So, she said, "I found him on the shore on the other side of the island."

Still, that was enough for the guard to raise an eyebrow. "So you're saying he is not from the island?"

Ashley shook her head. "He is from the island. You know, the island is far greater than you think, and no one goes to the parts where I live."

The guard scoffed. "Of course no one goes; it is dangerous and there's nothing there. Anyway, stay safe, you two."

Alaric and Ashley went straight to the restaurant where her friend worked. The restaurant was close to the beach. Everyone who ate there had an incredible view of the ocean.

It was chill. Peaceful. Exactly what Alaric wanted.