[Lifespan Remaining: 2 days, 5 hours, 8 minutes.]
A split second later, several streaks of green light tore through the fog.
The first sword struck the spear from the undead soldier’s hand. Two more then swept across its knees, severing both legs and sending its body crashing into the dirt.
The other soldier raised its axe in response, trying to get to Noct and stop him. But two more swords sliced through its wrist and pierced through its ribs at the same time, tearing the monster core straight out of its back.
The sickly green energy inside its skull vanished as it dropped onto the ground in a heap of bones. And before the other soldier could drag itself any closer, all five swords unleashed a barrage of attacks, piercing through any opening in its rusted armor they could.
It was like watching something get put in the blender.
And just a few seconds later, the monster was nothing more than just bone meal for the trees. The entire fight lasted around fifteen seconds or so, if that could even be called a fight.
Noct dismissed the wind swords, before pausing to catch a small break. He hadn’t been intentionally holding his breath, but controlling the swords manually took a lot more out of him than Noct initially thought.
[Lifespan Remaining: 2 days, 3 hours, 7 minutes.]
’2 hours for that kind of power? That’s not bad...but using Sylph’s power is definitely more efficient for more coverage instead of basic spells.’
But what Noct also noticed was the fact that he didn’t need to purify them using holy water as well. Usually, a mage would dispatch of undead using their spells and stab them using a knife or sword imbued with holy energy, or holy water in this case.
That was when he remembered his conversation with Amon before leaving Rexford. Was it because of innate divine energy from his mother’s lineage? Had it attached itself to his mana somehow?
Noct simply shook his head, not wanting to think about it any further and just accepting that it existed for now. Quickly and quietly, he brought the two monster cores toward his palm and tucked them in his cloak while his teammates were still processing what just happened.
〔Mana-Lifeforce Synthesis [★★★★★★★] — Activated.〕
’Guess I’ll save these for later. That 30 minute cooldown really is a hassle.’
Noct managed to pocket the cores before turning his head up, only to see all three of his teammates staring at him. "What?"
Finn’s mouth was wide open.
"I knew you were heralded as a genius," he admitted. "You always understood magic books the moment I brought them to you. But I didn’t know you could do something like this..."
"They were only 2-Star monsters," Noct shrugged, pointing at Alice. "You guys could’ve taken them out as well."
Alice returned from the remains of the Undead Mage, sheathing her sword as she approached. Unlike the others, her golden eyes remained fixed on the currents surrounding Noct.
"That was Wind Magic."
"Clearly."
"But last night, you used Dark Magic."
"Something like that."
"You said that before too." Alice pointed toward him accusingly. "Do you have two affinities?"
Both Finn and Annie looked toward him again, eyes overflowing with curiosity. Noct released an annoyed sigh.
"It’s not that uncommon, though?" He replied casually. "Most mages worth their salt would train in the two affinities that they were the best at. Obviously, specialists of one affinity were usually stronger, but well, there’s a reason why the Arcadias are the strongest mage family."
But before Alice could speak, Finn suddenly chimed in. "Well yes, but how is it that your two affinities have no relation to each other?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well usually, when someone develops their second affinity, it would be closely related to their first," the prince explained. "For example, those with a Water affinity would usually awaken an Ice affinity. In that same vein, someone with Wind affinity would be inclined to the Lightning affinity..."
Noct never bothered with things like that, but never in his life did he expect for the fact to backfire on him like this. From Finn, of all people, as well.
Looking toward the distant fog, he decided to change the subject. "Look, if we keep going that way, we should reach the abandoned chapel soon. I know Group Eleven thinks they can handle it, but they’re in big trouble."
Both Alice and Annie frowned at the mention. With Annie voicing her concerns quickly. "We—we’re really planning to hunt down a 3-Star monster?!"
"Not yet," Noct shook his head. "Here’s the plan."
He bent down, using a nearby stick to draw in the soft mud underneath their boots. "Alice, since you’re the fastest. Head to there quickly while also hunting for cores along the way."
"Then," Noct continued. "Annie will be in charge of mapping out the abandoned chapel as well as locate any dangerous regions as well as any potential hidden undead hordes and set up traps. Finn, you’ll be her bodygaurd, make sur enothing happens to her."
Alice nodded, but brought up a complaint immediately. "That’s well and good, but why do we have to set up traps?"
Noct tossed the stick away and dusted off his hands. "The abandoned chapel is located on the edge of the yellow and red zones. Obviously, monsters there are more dangerous. It beats getting surprised, doesn’t it?"
She nodded her head slowly. "Then what are you going to do?"
"Me?" a smug grin appeared on Noct’s face. "I’m gonna cull the surrounding area until it’s undead-free."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so we don’t get ambushed from the back as well," he nodded. "Once again, a contingency thing. If you encounter anything you can’t handle, activate the communication function on your bracelets and call me."
Finn still appeared uncertain. "Are you sure you’ll be alright alone?"
"I’ll be better than alright."
Without waiting for any further objections, Noct turned around and disappeared deeper into the Dead Woods.
Behind him, Alice headed toward the chapel’s outer burial grounds. Annie began unpacking the equipment needed to map the area, while Finn remained beside her as instructed.
Once enough distance separated them, Noct’s smug expression gradually disappeared. In truth, Noct knew that the "contingencies" he had set up was unlikely to happen, if at all.
What Noct needed to see know was if he could eliminate Annie from his suspects list. With her understanding of magic items and skills, she could easily tamper with the transportation mirror.
Once she finished preparing the chapel, he intended to steal one of the smaller traps and place it near the transportation mirror. If anyone attempted to remove the main power core, the trap would expose them.
More importantly, it would help narrow down Noct’s two main suspects.
Alice’s Abyssal Eyes allowed her to notice even the smallest changes in her surroundings. A concealed tripwire or pressure mechanism would probably stand out to her immediately.
Annie, meanwhile, would naturally recognize a trap she had built herself.
If the reservoir was emptied without the trap activating, then either of them could have noticed and avoided it. However, if the trap activated while both girls were accounted for...
’Then neither of them could be the traitor.’
Of course, there was still another possibility.
What if nobody attempted to steal the cores?
The original plot had already changed considerably. Noct was alive, Robin was no longer recognized as the Academy’s Hero, and Alice had joined a completely different group.
Perhaps the incident wouldn’t happen at all.
Noct reached into his pocket and stared at the mana cores in his hand, the smug smile returning to him once more.
"Then I’ll steal it myself."