Chapitre 3: Chapter 3 : Direwolves
Leylin's eyes were calm, calculating, yet behind them lay an ocean of ruthless intent. His lips curled into a smirk as Ourin took a step behind shocked by Leylin's quickness.
Without wasting time, Leylin's footwork shifted. His weight centered, his muscles relaxed—ready.
Ourin also charged forward believing in his strength, his massive frame barreling toward Leylin like a wild boar. The force of his movement sent dust flying, and the ground trembled slightly under his weight.
[A.I. Chip, analyze movement pattern.]
[Beep! Analysis complete. Optimal countermeasures calculated.]
The moment Ourin's fist shot forward in a powerful hook, Leylin moved. He shifted slightly to the right, avoiding the attack by mere inches. His foot snapped up—swift, precise—crashing into Ourin's ribs.
Thud!
The impact was sharp, sending shockwaves through Ourin's torso. He staggered, coughing as pain flared through his side. Yet, his endurance was remarkable—he remained standing.
"You bastard!" Ourin roared, throwing another punch.
Leylin anticipated it. With a sidestep, he slipped past Ourin's guard and struck. His fist buried into Ourin's armpit—a vulnerable point. The blow sent the larger boy crashing to the ground, rolling in pain.
Seeing their leader who was almost a prepatory Knight in strength fall so quickly, the other noble youths hesitated. However, one of them, a red-haired youth wielding a fine saber, rushed forward, slashing horizontally at Leylin.
Clang!
Leylin's arm moved like a serpent. He snatched Ourin sword from the ground and intercepted the attack. Sparks flew as steel met steel, yet Leylin's grip did not waver.
[A.I. Chip, calculate opponent's attack trajectory.]
[Beep! Counter move suggested.]
Leylin twisted his wrist. The sword deflected the saber upward, exposing the red-haired youth's ribs. Without missing a beat, Leylin's knee crashed into his side.
Crack!
The noble gasped, his body folding as he collapsed onto the dirt, moaning in agony.
Another opponent lunged from behind, attempting to grab Leylin in a bear hug. Without even turning, Leylin's elbow drove backward, smashing into the attacker's nose. Blood spurted as the noble stumbled away, clutching his face in agony.
One by one, the remaining nobles fell like leaves in the wind. Every attack they threw was met with brutal efficiency. Leylin's movement was fluid, decisive—like a seasoned warrior rather than a mere noble youth.
Within moments, the battlefield was silent.
Ourin, still clutching his ribs, glared at Leylin with a mixture of fury and fear. The others lay groaning on the ground, their expressions twisted in pain.
Leylin walked toward Ourin, his steps slow, deliberate. Dust clung to his boots as he loomed over the fallen noble.
"Now," Leylin said, his voice smooth, calm, yet laced with menace. "Compensation."
Ourin shuddered but forced himself to meet Leylin's gaze. "I—My family—"
Leylin's foot came down, pressing against Ourin's face, forcing him back onto the ground.
"I won't ask for much, you are from a powerful noble family so you must have more magic crystals than required for fees. Give me just three magic crystals," Leylin demanded.
Leylin released some of the pressure, "So? What would it be?"
"Puah!" Ourin inhaled the fresh air in big mouthfuls. His face was now covered with mud and footprints, making him look hilarious.
Ourin was shocked at how accurate Leylin guessed, he exactly had 13 magic crystals! 10 for entrance fees of Wetland Gardens and the rest surplus, but he still hesitated. Leylin increased the pressure.
"Okay! I can give you the magic crystals! But I left them in the carriage! Follow me back to get them!" Ourin said in surrender.
Leylin shook his head, he knows that without pain Ourin wouldn't surrender. Leylin raised his foot and suddenly stomped on Ourin arm, breaking it in a snap!
Crack!! Ear piercing sounds of fracture could be heard, followed by Ourin's miserable scream.
"Now don't play games, hand over the magic crystals. Also no need to threaten me with black robed knights eithers. I am being very generous, I am not cutting your life line either just be a good boy." Leylin sighed, he only wants 3 magic crystals because its enough. He can't be sure that if he took all of them he wouldn't be attacked by black robed knights.
A pained grunt escaped Ourin's lips before he hurriedly fished out a pouch from his belt and tossed it over.
Leylin caught it, opening it to confirm its contents—three pitch-black magic crystals gleamed within.
Satisfied, he turned his gaze toward the red-haired youth who had wielded the saber. "And you."
The youth flinched. "W-What do you want?"
Leylin smirked. "Your knight meditation technique."
A sharp intake of breath came from the others. A knight's meditation technique was a foundation for martial training, often a closely guarded secret of noble families.
"I-I can't—"
Leylin's foot shifted, kicking up a small rock. The pebble struck the youth's already bruised ribs, forcing a choked gasp from his throat.
"You can," Leylin said softly, "or I break a few bones before taking it anyway."
The red-haired noble trembled before finally nodding. "F-Fine! I'll tell you!"
He began reciting the technique, and Leylin's A.I. Chip immediately recorded every word. Although Knight meditation techniques are important, but they are soon to he acolytes, who were much superior than knights, no need to cross Leylin for something like this.
[Beep! New meditation technique acquired: 'Steel Vein Breathing']
Leylin turned toward the others including Ourin. "Anyone else have a knight meditation technique worth my time? Or would you prefer some bone readjustment?"
A hesitant hand was raised. Another youth, pale and fearful, stammered, "I-I know 'Iron Root Stance'..."
Leylin nodded. "Recite it."
[Beep! New meditation technique acquired: 'Iron Root Stance']
Leylin's smirk widened. He had gained not just the magic crystals but also techniques that could further his training. Knight meditation techniques might be a thing of past for them, but Leylin knows that its a valuable source of information at least for the current him.
That night, as he sat in his carriage, Leylin's A.I. Chip ran simulations.
[Comparing 'Steel Vein Breathing', 'Stag Horn Technique', 'Iron Root Stance', 'Fanged Lion Breathing', with Host's current knight meditation technique…]
[Optimization in progress…]
[Beep! New hybrid meditation technique created: 'Serpent's Blood Refinement']
Leylin's eyes gleamed.
With this, his path to becoming a Preparatory Knight before entering the Great Plains of Death was secured.
Next morning, the deeds of Leylin spread amongst the various noble groups, George took the lead in welcoming Leylin to his Furze Alliance even gifting a crossblade. Leylin obviously accepted joining their group.
.....
"It's already been 15 days since we've entered the Great Plains of Death!"
Looking back at the carriages, Leylin could see some traces of damage on it.
"The Great Plains of Death have dangers that even normal humans or even Preparatory Knights would have trouble with!"
The marks on the carriages had been caused by a pack of plain direwolves. The very moment they had arrived, the carriages had suffered a siege.
Dong! Dong!
A rhythmic pattern could be heard as the doors to the carriage opened, revealing George. In his armor and carrying his long sword, George looked like a handsome Knight.
"Hey, gentleman! Ladies! Break time is here! If you need to loosen up a bit, just come outside. If you don't, then please stay inside, after all, the outside is quite dangerous…."
The carriage grew restless before a few red-faced girls looked at each other in the eye and walked out of the carriage.
Leylin grabbed his cross blade, 'Would it be today?'
Leylin knew that time for the showdown is fast approaching. Dire wolves will attack them in pack, and Black robed knights wouldn't be able to hold them off. The Magus wouldn't also wouldn't take any action till the death toll reaches the threshold of acceptance.
'A. I. Chip show my status. '
[Beep! Leylin Farlier. Strength: 2.2, Agility: 2.1, Vitality: 1.9, Status: Healthy ]
'I have already crossed the threshold of prepatory knight, I should be able to survive this ordeal.' Leylin thought.
"A.I Chip! Initialize scanning!"
Following the order, a three-dimensional scenery began to visualize within Leylin's head, showing off the vicinity of the nearby area.
Not too long after, every single nearby source of danger appeared within Leylin's mind. He was looking with vigilance because he knew the Dire Wolf will attack anytime now.
[Warning! Warning! Dangerous creatures are approaching!]
Leylin got the signal he wanted, he immediately nudged George and signal his alliance members to retreat.
*Bang* *Bang*!
A loud piercing gong sounded out, "The Lord Magus has sensed danger! All acolytes are to retreat back to the horse carriages!"
One of the black robed men's voice sounded out, thundering in all the acolytes' ears. The acolytes who were resting on the grass were all stunned into silence, before they all swarmed into motion, fleeing crazily for the horse carriages.
"No need for hiding anymore! Let's run!" George shouted as he drew his sword.
By now, all the members of the Furze Alliance had been alerted, and were already quite a distance, and the fastest amongst them had already reached the horse carriages.
"Aaawoooooo!"
At this moment, a long and drawn out howl sounded out, filled with ruthless bloodlust.
All around, the wolf howls sounded; since the prey had discovered their stealth attack, they would just charge forth!
Soon there was pandemonium everywhere, all kids who were left behind were scared shitless, and were swiftly killed by the Direwolves, their blood scent made them berserk and charge savagely towards the camp.
Black robed Knight jumped into fray to fight off the Direwolves, Leylin and other student were urgently order prepared a barricade and secure defensive perimeter.
For a time, the dozen or so black figures stood like an immovable fortress, blocking the direwolves.
"We should fight as well! We need to help the Knights and reduce their load!" George walked up to his alliance and said.
Under George's leadership, all the men including Leylin took up their swords and followed behind the Knights, attacking the ferocious direwolf pack from the side!
"Aowuuu!" The direwolf howls were unceasing, and Leylin was currently facing a 2-metre long huge direwolf.
As the direwolf continued snarling, Leylin could smell the stench from it.
"A.I Chip! Scan the battlefield and determine the most efficient method of killing!"
[Task established. Begin simulation! Begin assist mode!] A light flashed in front of Leylin's eyes, and a panoramic, 3D image appeared before him.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone