An Encounter Within an Encounter
Two weeks after the Fiamma incident, my brothers and I were back in the forest. Yes, it’s the promised post-birthday monster hunt with Brother Chris.
"I wonder what will happen today.” Knight Meyer, who always stays by my side when we enter the forest, said with an amused tone.
"Sorry, Brother Chris, but I don’t think anything will happen. I don’t have any power to grant wishes, after all."
The saying "What happens twice will happen a third time" doesn’t exist in this world.
It’s truly just a coincidence.
Today, we’re capturing female Cocottes as we make our way through the forest, eventually reaching the usual clearing.
"We’ll take a break now, but don’t let your guard down," Captain Kyle reminded everyone.
Brother Chris is sitting on a log away from me, and I can tell he’s disappointed.
Brother, there’s nothing I can do about this...
I don’t have the power to grant wishes. I muttered to myself.
Shortly after, two knights who had gone ahead to scout the area came running back.
"Captain, there’s a Brown Bear by the river up ahead. It hasn’t noticed us yet."
"A Brown Bear? We can’t risk it attacking us on the way back. Will, Mike, Ash, go ahead and check if there are any others nearby."
"””Yes, sir!””” The three of them ran off.
"Let’s head toward the river. Meyer’s squad, stay with Young master Reinhardt. Hunt’s squad, stay here with the Cocottes. We’ll move ahead." Captain Kyle said, and my brothers ran off with him.
"Young master Reinhardt, let’s hurry and catch up."
"Got it, let’s go.” I said, breaking into a run.
After about 15 minutes, we reached the river. My brothers were already there, hiding and observing the Brown Bear.
"Meyer, they haven’t attacked yet. Did something happen?"
"The scouts haven’t returned. We need to make sure there aren’t any other monsters nearby before dealing with the Brown Bear."
Brown Bears are D-rank. A single knight can take one down, but since they often travel in groups or with their families, it’s better to handle them with multiple people, as I read in a book.
"Oh, right. If other Brown Bears show up during the fight, it’ll be trouble."
"Exactly. Let’s keep quiet and observe for now."
"Got it."
Soon, the three scouts returned.
"There are no other threatening monsters nearby. The Brown Bear is alone."
"Good. First, Young master Chrisford and Young master Gerald, you two attack. Ashley and Zack, follow up. Then Mick and Raul, finish it off." Captain Kyle ordered.
My brothers cast their spells simultaneously.
"Ice Ball!" "Wind Cutter!" Brother Chris aimed for the head, and Brother Gerald aimed for the legs. The spells hit perfectly, and the Brown Bear collapsed.
Seeing this, two knights rushed in and delivered the final blow.
The coordination was smooth, and the bear was taken down in no time.
After confirming the area was safe, we approached the Brown Bear’s body. It was a young male, about two meters tall.
"It seems to be a young Brown Bear, around three or four years old. They usually stay deeper in the forest."
"It probably came out chasing food. Good thing it was alone."
Captain Kyle and the others watched as the knights began draining the bear’s blood.
I approached my brothers.
"Brothers, your spells hitting the Brown Bear was amazing!"
"We’ve encountered Brown Bears many times. It’s all about experience."
"Hardt, once you start practicing magic manipulation after your eighth-year magic appraisal, you’ll get used to it too if you come to the forest often."
"I’ll do my best once I can start practicing." I said, clenching my fists with determination.
"Only two more months until your magic appraisal. You’re almost there." Brother Chris said, patting my head.
"Brother Gerald, is it okay to run with Ripka in your pocket?"
"Ripka’s used to running with me in my pocket every day." Brother Gerald said, stroking Ripka’s head. Ripka closed its eyes, looking content.
Brother Gerald and Ripka can’t talk yet, but he seems to understand Ripka’s feelings somehow.
When it’s hungry, wants to go outside, and so on.
Brother Gerald is looking forward to when Ripka grows a bit more and they can communicate.
Thanks to Brother Gerald’s magic, Ripka has become much healthier over the past two weeks, with shinier feathers and fur compared to when we first found it.
But Ripka’s favorite spot is still Brother Gerald’s pocket.
Maybe it’s Brother Gerald’s body heat, or perhaps being close to his magic feels comforting.
"A Vendaval!" one of the knights shouted, pointing across the river.
Looking across the river, we saw a white tiger-like magical beast staring at us.
What do you think about this chapter?
