Chapter 11: Wolfly Hunt

The morning breeze carried the scent of damp earth and straw. In the distance, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the fields surrounding the city of Rango. The hills looked serene... but that calm was just an illusion. Nearby farms lived under constant fear of the wolflys—winged wolf-like creatures with glowing eyes and fangs sharp as daggers. They descended in packs at nightfall, tearing through pens, stealing livestock, and even attacking farmers.

At the outdoor training grounds, the students of Group 4 were gathered in front of Professor Trébol, who, as always, stood with arms crossed and an impassive expression.

"Your first exam as official members of the Academy will be a real hunt. Not a simulation." His voice was firm. "One hundred wolflys. You have seven days to eliminate them. Your performance will determine how many levels you gain at the end of the mission. Oh, and in case anyone's thinking of sitting back while the others do the work…" —he glanced sideways at Agust, then gave Ares a slight sneer— "there are no excuses. If you don't contribute, you don't level up."

Ares swallowed hard, but his eyes gleamed with determination. Liana, beside him, nodded calmly.

"Any questions?"

Agust raised his hand with a smug smile.

"Do the ones we defeat count separately? Because I'm not interested in sharing credit with… certain teammates," he said, shooting a pointed look at Ares.

Professor Trébol shrugged.

"Each count is individual. But the hunt is in groups. Figure it out among yourselves."

When the meeting ended and the group entered the forest near the farms, Ares tried to make conversation.

"Hey, Agust. I know we started off on the wrong foot… but we could work together. Wolflys are dangerous in packs. We don't have to be enemies."

The prince glanced at him coldly.

"I don't need help from a dwarf imitator. Stick to your enhanced punches. I'll use real magic."

Liana frowned, but Ares stopped her with a gesture. His eyes burned with a spark that had nothing to do with his magic.

"We'll see who needs help when we're surrounded."

The forest thickened around them, and it wasn't long before they heard distant howls. The hunt had begun.

The trees whispered to one another, stirred by the wind. A thick fog began to settle on the forest floor, and with it came the howls.

"They're coming…" Liana murmured, preparing a root spell.

But Agust didn't wait.

"Stand back. I'll handle this alone," he growled arrogantly as he stepped into the clearing with confidence.

From the shadows emerged five wolflys, with metallic gray fur and bat-like wings. They moved swiftly, nearly silently, surrounding the prince with calculated precision.

"Ice Magic… Frost Chains," he declared firmly.

Frozen pillars surged from the ground, rising like whips toward the wolflys. Two were immediately ensnared, their bodies paralyzed by the cold. The other three launched at him from above, but Agust raised his arm toward the sky.

"Ice Spear." A crystalline projectile formed and shot through the first of the flying beasts with deadly force. It dropped to the ground, lifeless.

The remaining two went for his back.

"Watch out!" Liana shouted.

But Agust spun around, releasing a wave of frost that burst outward, engulfing everything in its path.

When the steam cleared, all five wolflys were down. A display of ice, precision, and arrogance.

Agust brushed the dust from his cloak without looking back.

"Too easy."

Ares, hidden in the bushes, had seen it all. His expression was neutral, but his fists were clenched.

"He's strong…" he admitted quietly.

But then, more howls. And not just five.

"A whole pack!" Liana exclaimed, pointing to the sky.

Over twenty wolflys were descending from the hills, drawn by the noise of the earlier battle. Agust readied himself, but even he seemed uncertain.

"This… wasn't part of the plan."

Ares stepped forward, his gaze resolute.

"Leave them to me."

"What?" Agust scoffed. "Planning to punch them until they get bored?"

But Ares didn't answer. He closed his eyes, his breathing deepened.

His enhancement magic surged through his body, glowing with a bluish light along his veins. Every muscle tightened—his speed, strength, and reflexes surged to the maximum. And in his eyes… a different spark: a silent blue ember.

"Enhanced Mode: Triple Boost." His voice was deeper, steadier.

When the first wolfly lunged at him, Ares moved so fast he seemed to vanish. An upward strike sent the creature crashing into a tree before it could even scream. The second fell to an airborne hook. The third tried to bite him from the side, but Ares spun mid-air and slammed it into the ground with a spinning kick.

Every movement was clean, calculated, beautiful. Like a dance.

Liana watched with a quiet smile.

Agust, for the first time, was speechless.

In less than two minutes, fourteen wolflys were down.

Ares landed on his feet, chest heaving, his hands still glowing. He hadn't used his blue fire—but something inside him was close to awakening.

"Don't underestimate those who fight with their fists," he said, glancing sideways at Agust. "Sometimes, we're magicians too."