The next day, the carriage gets going before the sun can even be seen.

  It would be boring, as apart from watching the landscape, there isn't much to do, yet I have something to occupy me.

  "Now concentrate on the flow. Keep going until you are sure you have gathered every little drop. You will need it. Direct all of it into your palm. Make it gather, accumulate. Good, good! And now, will it out!" (N)

  I’m trying to learn how to do at least some small stuff and mess around a little with the energy Nuvia made me aware of.

  Following her instructions, I press all the energy I could find inside of me out through my palm.

  At first, I don't see anything.

  Then, suddenly, it starts to feel colder there.

  Swiftly followed by my hand abruptly holding onto some ice.

  "Clap, clap, clap, clap"

  Nice!

  The other passengers even give me a small round of applause.

  "Good job! At least this you can now perform with some consistency. It might not be much, but it will surely have some utility for you." (N)

  "Wow. Thank you!" (Y)

  It came from the heart.

  For her being a complete stranger to me, this is quite the present.

  Also, this task helped me to distract myself from the situation in Akaras.

  "But you shouldn't overdo it. You will quickly tire out and won't be able to do anything at all if you do. You simply don't have very much to spend." (N)

  "Is there really no way to increase it a little bit?" (Y)

  "The maximum concentration a body can hold is fixed, in accordance with the volume. But in your case, you are not even close to there. Your flesh and bones can currently only hold a shallow amount. There are some possibilities to force more into it, to make the limit expand over time. Like I said, diet and meditation help. Also, regular practice will allow your body to get used to taking more in, a bit like muscle training. But I wouldn't expect too much from it anytime soon. Other mages have a stronger connection to their magic and have been casting their spells since they were infants, so there's a very long way to go for you. In addition, those who stop their practice will quickly deteriorate in their abilities, as the body loses its ability to contain energies. Like I said, muscles! Magical muscles! Though there are other more forceful means, but those shouldn't even be considered." (N)

  Dark arts, huh?

  Not like I want to indulge in this.

  I nod at her comment and proceed with my practice.

  The terrain changes from Akaras' depressingly monotone planes to greener areas.

  This is the first time I've seen forests and this kind of green plains.

  The groves start to become more frequent, and the road leads right through them.

  "Whooaaa!" (coachman)

  Suddenly, the carriage stops sharply.

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  "Wh-what is going on?" (old lady)

  I look out and see some weird creatures on the street.

  Walking upright, albeit hunched, on two legs, extremely big, with fur covering them.

  Also, some bony spikes are sprouting out along their spine, while the face is just a leathery grimace.

  They draw closer, carrying big clubs.

  This isn't an orc, but I'm absolutely sure this kind of creature isn't going to leave us alive.

  I also notice that aside from the four on the front, three are coming from behind.

  With the trees, there is no way to dodge to the sides.

  This won't end well!

  "What are these?!" (man)

  "Orcs? No, but what..." (old lady)

  Contemplating that won't save us!

  I need to react now or it'll be too late!

  "Coachman! We need to break through or they’ll kill us!" (Y)

  This much I'm sure about!

  Such creatures aren't fine with taking valuables and then letting us go on our merry way.

  To them, we are meat, and stopping and getting caught means a death sentence.

  Fortunately, it seems the man understands.

  "Hah!" (coachman)

  He gives the horses the order to run at full force.

  Pulling as hard as they can, they’re able to achieve a decent speed before they meet the monsters.

  One of those creatures gets crashed aside, hard, but the others strike for the horses.

  And unfortunately, they hit.

  One of the horses dies instantly from a crushed head, the weight dragging on the lines.

  Like this, the carriage comes quickly to a stop, jumbling us all over.

  However, we did succeed in pushing a bit beyond these creatures.

  I directly check myself and find no injuries.

  Then I grab Nuvia’s arm and pull her out of the back of the carriage, away from these creatures, before dashing into the forest.

  None of the other passengers were in a state to get up, so there was no way I could've brought anyone else.

  I know we only have moments, but these creatures are quite bulky.

  If we can manage to reach the trees, they might have problems following swiftly behind us and lose sight.

  And grudgingly, I need to admit that they could be distracted dealing with the rest of the passengers.

  I was only able to grab Nuvia, who dealt best with the crash.

  "That you, in such a situation, can even think about someone else." (N)

  Quiet!

  They will hear us!

  I keep running with her as fast as I can manage.

  The terrain is difficult, and I quickly tire out.

  After some minutes, Nuvia forces me to pause by stopping, and my exhaustion catches up.

  "Puh, that was wild. That you would grab me of all of them." (N)

  "It-it was the best, huff, I could manage." (Y)

  "But what about the others? You just left them there." (N)

  "Even I have to admit that I had no chance! Huff! Those things are double my size! Huff, huff! I am no goddamned hero! I wouldn't be able to harm even one of them! Huff, huff!" (Y)

  Damnit, I can barely catch my breath, and this outburst just made it worse.

  "You aren't wrong. It is good that you still can make logical decisions. Yet I fear this will all be in vain." (N)

  "In vain? Huff! Why?" (Y)

  "For two reasons! First, this kind of creature works with scent! Outrunning them is not possible, and they will catch up eventually!" (N)

  Really?

  But... How does she know about this?

  "And... And the second reason?" (Y)

  At this moment, one of these monsters appears.

  I draw my knife and hold it with both hands before me, pointed at the monster.

  "Simple! You've chosen the wrong person." (N)

  Huh?

  "Zap"

  "Aaaackhh!" (Y)

  What is this?

  Something hit me!

  My whole body is numb!

  I cannot move!

  "If you wonder what hit you, just a small electrical current. You shouldn't feel any lasting effects." (N)

  Why?

  Promptly, the first and another one of these creatures stumble out of the woods.

  Will they kill us?

  They come to a stop close in front of Nuvia.

  "Ah, there you are! You took rather long! Have you caught the others?" (N)

  "Grmmph!" (creature)

  "Good! Then kill them off! I've got what I wanted! You there! Grab the girl!" (N)

  W-what?

  What is this?

  The creature seizes my arms I only just started to get feeling back into.

  "Yes, yes. I know. You are right now screaming things like 'deceit' or 'traitor' inside your mind and cursing me in numerous ways, but honestly, this doesn't mean all that much to me. Also, I never said that I'm a nice person. Curse your own judgment here." (N)

  "Y-you..." (Y)

  "Oh, already back to talking! But I'm sorry, your complaints would simply be annoying for me right now, and I am not in the mood to listen." (N)

  She grabs some vial and a piece of cloth from her shoulder bag and soaks it.

  "W-what are you going to do you... umphh!" (Y)

  "There, there. Please take a deep breath! This will make it a lot easier for all of us, my dear!" (N)

  This liquid has a strange scent.

  Soon my head grows dull, and a short time later, I pass out.

  "Great! I am sure she'll be perfect." (N)