Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Twenty-Seven [Pt.5]

Spirit and Goodbye [5] Battle for Kalghaya

BEING pushed to this extent proves that this woman truly is in the Superior level.

Sharp razor-like claws that release magic blades in every swing, eyes that can freeze someone upon meeting. Out of all battles, this one so far is the hardest for Zaire. Maybe because she's up to someone human but can transform to that of a monster.

Tsk! If I only rely on my light magic and elemental magic I might have been done for. Damn it. Zaire gritted her teeth as she evaded another series of blade attacks.

Protected by light magic, Zaire twist, turn and flip to avoid getting sliced up to bits by Irga's attack.

Irga. It was a miscalculation on her part due to a misunderstanding. The pet Norman was pertaining to was actually Irga, the only woman in that group who possesses the magic to transform into that of a human and monster, right now she's in her humanoid form except that her face looks that of a combination of a wolf and spider. Six eyes, the one in the upper center has the ability to freeze someone, render them unmoving while her extra pair of hands, much so like that of a spider carries poison. Irga is furry, dirty, and dangerous. No offense meant but she really is hideous.

Zaire backflipped to avoid the attack upfront and casts [Momentary Concealment] to hide her presence for a moment before taking one of the daggers out of Luxes.

Aside from Irga's nimble and quick movement, the anti-magic barrier around her is also bothersome. The long-range attack won't work, it'll only tire her out so if a long-range attack is a no then, she might as well close the gap.

[Physical Enhancement]

[Speed Boost]

[Heavenly Eyes]

[Third Perception]

[Dagger Arts]

[Simultaneous Magic Spells, Granted.]

Like a bucket filled with ocean waters, Zaire gasped. "Hooooh!" Using multiple spells and magic at the same time really is exhausting but since she doesn't specialize in close-combat, she needs all the help she can get.

She closed the distance between them thanks to speed boost and swung her dagger aiming for the neck but as expected of a monster-type human beast, her reflexes are frighteningly sharp.

Irga tilted her head to the side, Zaire missed which then made Irga smirk.

Through Zaire's peripheral view, Irga raised her left hand to lunch an attack, this time, Zaire smirked. She swiftly jumped which resulted in her landing on Irga's back, without a second thought, Zaire buried the dagger onto her back, right behind her heart. "Checkmate," she whispered.

Irga wriggles then suddenly released magic power. It bursts suddenly that Zaire has no time to react. The explosion pushed Zaire against the wall, it it we're for her barrier she might have broken a bone or two.

The magic explosion caused a shallow crater around Irga while cell bars around them bent, some even broke.

Zaire glanced at Skele inside the other three protected by the light magic barrier she placed on them before her battle with Irga started.

"GRRRRAAAAAAWWW!!!" Irga growled loudly, the veins on her body now visible.

Zaire frowned, "give it up. That's a special dagger. The more you resist the more it'll hurt." She warned but instead of listening, Irga continues growling channeling her magic to attack, as result, her nose is now bleeding, her veins grew more visible. Zaire cringed, "are you a masochist?" She voiced sarcastically unable to stop herself.

"I... I will kill you!!!!!" Irga screamed enrage. Because of her form, her voice sounded deep, vastly different from how she sounded back when they were talking. Zaire can't help but think that her voice right now is the polar opposite of her sultry and seductive voice back then, right now she sounds like a monster from the deepest part of hell.

Yikes! Zaire crossed her eyes watching Irga struggles to free herself. "hey, won't you answer my question— "

"— No, I won't, wench! How dare a mere human like you ask me?! I will kill you!!!!"

Instead of feeling annoyed, Zaire can't bother to feel anything at all. Irga is acting like a mad cat right now, not a cute one though. She shrugs and crossed her arms, if Irga won't talk, willingly, why not force her to do so.

In Irga's case, she seems to value her pride very much, and considering how she's unable to move right now, it already means game over for her.

"Kill me, wench! What are you still waiting for?!" Irga yelled while throwing a deadly glare her way. She growled, "Don't even think about asking me questions because I will answer none. You can die for all I care!!!"

"Aww," Zaire cooed mockingly, "you're not that important, Irga." She emphasized her name. Irga obviously did not expect that she knows her name. She will use that to her advantage. Zaire smirked just thinking about it. They played with other people's lives as if it's insignificant, why not let her have a taste of their own medicine? "Besides, why would I need to interrogate you when I already know your plan?"

"LIES!!" Irga growled, mad. She might go crazy because of her anger; she must have learned her lesson not to use magic but she still trying to break free.

Zaire chuckles, "what you're doing is but a futile struggle, Irga. And to think you thought only hunter struggle meaninglessly. Right?"

"Wha... How did you know about that?! You were there! You were listening!"

"Wrong. I was eavesdropping." She corrected with a roll of her eyes, "Say, your plan in Griselda would be a total epic fail once you fail here right?"

Irga glared at her while growling. "b***h!!!"

Zaire laughs loudly. "My, my, my, Irga. What's wrong? Isn't the strong one will always be the winner? In your case, we happened to accept this quest and happened to be stronger than you are. I don't know who your master is but... such a shame. Your master wasted his or her efforts for such a weakling like you."

"You...!!!" Just like a time bomb, Irga exploded. Although she looks so unsightly. "HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY MASTER!!! MY MASTER IS A SERVANT OF THE GREAT GOD!!! THEY... THEY WILL CHANGE THIS ENTIRE WORLD FULL OF LIES!!! THEY WILL FREE US!!! ONLY THEY DESERVE TO STAND AT THE TOP!!!" Her saliva is flying everywhere because of her anger and desperation, she's ugly inside out, not only that, she's too desperate to prove her point.

I don't know what she's talking about but this may not look as simple as just having Griselda involve. This could mean they're up to something that might threaten this world itself.

"You're a fool! Living in this world thinking this is already it, you're blinded!!" she then laughs maniacally, "Join us, You're strong, if you join, I assure you that you will receive wealth and other things these humans cannot offer and more!!! Immortality... the Great God can grant you immortality!! He takes care of his followers more than those crook royalties."

"Oh? That sounds nice..."

Irga beamed, "Right?!"

She then smiled at her, "but I'm not interested. Sorry~" Without looking back, Zaire turned her back at Irga and walks towards Skele and the survivors. They are still shivering in fear.

"Father...! Father... Uwaaaa!" It's the youngest one. He seems to be 9 years old or something, he's been crying nonstop. Zaire just looked away and covered the man's body. He's no longer unrecognizable because he's been devoured, and to think that young boy witnessed his father die and eaten in front of him. If only she was... Zaire shakes her head. She can't save everyone, it's sad but it's the reality.

She turned to the remaining three. "It's painful but the least I can do is help you out of here. Would you like to bring his body with you?"

The mother of the two and the man's wife nodded her head unable to say anything. She might just cry if she does. Zaire collected the man's body and placed it on the storage ring. The content of the storage ring has been taken out, "here, weapons and items to protect yourself. Here's a cloaking spray so that monsters and beasts won't attack. Go to the western part of this village and stay there, my companions are coming."

"T-thank you..." Zaire turned to Skele and gestured the latter to accompany the three of them. They successfully got what they need, it's time to end this charade once and for all.

Once the four of them are gone, Zaire turned to Irga who still hasn't stopped resisting. She's persistent she will give her that. Zaire might find her determination admirable if only this was a different situation.

"I'm not a hero, nor am I a saint. For your sins of killing innocent people, Irga..." she looks at Irga dead in the eyes, "you may rot in hell. I hope you suffer just as the people you killed. And oh, I'd like to inform you that your plans? I. Will. Stop. It. You're making things difficult for me but well, I have no choice." With that, Zaire turned her back but not before burying the dagger on Irga's chest. "Bye."

"NOW THEN," She'll have to go back to the lake using the underground passage. Good thing they still haven't discovered the existence of the passage. Zaire safely left the village and quickly made her way back to where the lake is located, when she's at a certain distant closer, Zaire felt the explosion and collision of magic power.

"Oh, s**t!"

It must Elise and the others! Damn it! She took too much time and she also forgot to inform Eufema of the status of her mission!

I'm stupid! It's confirmed!

Just as she predicted, Odalf and Ice are engaging against the Distinguished level one while Blake and Fema are up against Oli. The jerk's face is swollen as if punched. Oh, he must have been hit by Von because of his failure in guarding the crystals.

"Lol," Zaire mumbled before assisting Blake and Eufema. Elise is nowhere to be seen so she must be safe with the spirit. Better. They made the right call leaving her safe since she will surely be their target first since she's a healer.

'Who are you?!" Oli screamed after he was able to evade her earth magic.

"Don't need to tell 'ya," she sassed before smiling at Eufema who looked like she has seen a ghost. "Sorry, I was busy I forgot to update you!" She said smiling awkwardly.

Eufema didn't say anything, she only nodded her head. She has a weird expression Zaire couldn't figure out.

Oli grumbled under his breath before attacking them. He summoned multiple skeleton soldiers! Almost a hundred of them!

"He's a necromancer too?" Zaire muttered. Norman did not mention someone who is a necromancer. Did he not know?

Let's see...

"Let us handle this, Master. He's not someone you need to concern yourself with." Blake bluntly stated looking as serious as ever. He looks bored too!

"Pfft!" Zaire stopped herself from laughing. Oli's expression upon hearing that is ridiculous. "Okay then. I'll be assisting you on the sideline. Good luck!"

While Oli might be powerful, with Blake and Eufema matching up against him, Zaire is confident that they'll be able to defeat him just fine. The only problem is... Von.

Not only is he on Distinguished level, but he is also like Irga, his movements are swift, quick, and precise. He moves like an assassin. He wields a twin sword. Between Odalf who's a warrior and Ice, Ice can surprisingly match up Von's movement. Zaire admits, she did not expect that.

Another troublesome thing is that Von's puppetry magic works on anyone and anything. Just like how he's fighting and using pulled-out trees.

Zaire doesn't know the condition of how Von uses his magic. "BE CAREFUL, ODALF, ICE! HIS PUPPETRY MAGIC MIGHT WORK ON YOU AND NOT ONLY THE DEAD!!!" She yelled, "FEMA, BLAKE!! HE'S NOT A SUMMONER, THAT DUDE HAS ILLUSION MAGIC!!!"

She looked like a veteran coach. Wait. Right! I have things to do!

Now that she's sure Oli and Von are occupied, it's time to break the crystals under the lake. She looked around before one of the crystals, when she did, an enormous amount of malice and magic surged from the crystal.

"Whoa!" The amount of magic contained in one crystal blew her hair wildly.

"AUSTIN, GET HER! SHE HAS THE CRYSTAL!!!"

Austin. Of course, Zaire expected that that's why even before Austin, who can summon those so-called phantoms, could move, she whispered, "Earth Wall," she lifts her hand, "Earth Spikes, Light Barrier." She can feel the amount of her magic decreasing but it's not to the point of exhaustion, even she is surprised at herself.

"Ugh...!" Austin groaned in pain inside the wall.

Zaire jumped into the lake before she might release Austin because of his voice when she realized something. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM!!!

Panicked, she broke all remaining crystals while holding her breath, once done, she created a water ball and guided it back on land. The lake visibly changed its aura and color, it started to clear, the darkness creeping on it slowly dissipating.

Zaire sighed when Von suddenly screamed.

"GLORY TO THE GREAT GOD!!!!" Zaire shifted her attention in his direction, she witnessed him as his mouth bled and choked on his own blood, Von, followed by Oli, died. She released her barrier on Austin only to find out he too is dead.

Suicide? Poison? She's not sure, for now, that isn't her concern but the emerging people from the lake inside a huge bubble. Among them is Elise.

"My lady...!" Elise came running in her direction and embraced her in a tight hug. Elise is crying, Zaire can't help but smile and caressed her hair. "My lady...! What you did was dangerous!"

"Haha... I know, I'm sorry, Elise. You've done well..." She said smiling at Eufema and Blake too. "I'm glad you three are safe..." She couldn't imagine what she could have done if she lost one of them.

A red small orb appeared before her and broke. "Hm, she's dead, huh," It was an orb connected to the dagger. Once it breaks it means the person where the dagger is buried had died at the same time the dagger lost its effectiveness and turns into an ordinary dagger.

"Waaaaaa! Miss Spirit!!" Series of children crying caught her attention, it was what Norman said, some of the children that the spirit was able to protect. There are six of them and they're forming a circle.

"Miss Spirit..." Even Elise sounded sad.

"What happened?" She asks but Elise did not answer. Elise took her hand guided her to the children, only then Zaire realized they're circling a certain being, her blue wings, pears adorning her blue hair and her blue dress was not what caught Zaire's attention. It was the state she is in.

Sher's becoming transparent with her eyes closed.

"What happened?" She asked again. The spirit opened her eyes, Zaire watches as Kalghaya, the spirit's eyes widen while looking at her. Then, she smiled.

Zaire blinked confused why the spirit is acting as she knows her.

"You saved the village... thank you..."

"No, I didn't. I was only doing my job." She replied casually.

Still smiling the spirit spoke, "will you please come closer?" Without asking further, Zaire obliged. She flinched when the spirit suddenly touched her cheek, smiling. A smile of relief and satisfaction. "You're back..." What surprised her more is that a lone tear fell from the spirit's eyes.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

She unconsciously grips her chest when it suddenly started beating irregularly. She felt... familiar. "Who... are you?"

Kalghaya's eyes widen in surprise before she shakes her head and smiled again. "Now is not the time for you to know but once you're back, I want you to know that I, and the others have always waited for you and are grateful for all eternity until the last glow of our wings dims. Thank you..." With those last words, Kalghaya, the guardian and spirit of the Kalghaya Village disappeared.

When the children found out about Norman's situation, she took them to where Norman is only to find him with a peaceful expression with his eyes closed, beside him are scattered bones of what could be Skele. One of the children said, Norman would always summon one skeleton to accompany him, everywhere and anywhere he goes. When Zaire asked why the children smiled. They told her that Norman once told them, the skeleton was his lover. Emilla.

Their love transcends even death. It was beautiful... Thank you, Norman.

The matter regarding Kalghaya village finally came to an end, however, Kalghaya village is no more. The result from the magic and attacks of monsters and magic beasts devastated everything. The surviving children cried for their families, parents, and friends who they wouldn't be able to see once again.

Kalghaya Village...

Zaire's forehead crease when she looked up to the sky and saw Kalghaya, Norman, and other people who seem to be smiling down at her. At them.

It was heartbreaking... still, at least the children are still here. They, along with the hunters will spread the tale of this village blessed by the spirit Kalghaya and despite everything, will continue to strive forward with their next generation.

Kalghaya Village: End.

Note: I cried writing Norman's death and about Skele I don't know why ? Am I the only one?