Counterattack

In the woods outside the manor, two figures in hooded cloaks lay in wait.

One, leaning against a tree, stood barely a meter tall. The other sat on a nearby rock.

"The employer said our target is only a Level One Wizard Apprentice," said the one on the rock. "I don't think we need to waste a Witchcraft Trap."

"The employer's paying generously," said the short wizard. "The target might be hiding his strength. Better to use the trap. He'll have to take this road back to Whitestone Town. Once it catches him, he won't escape even if he's stronger than we were told."

After a while, the wizard on the rock spoke again. "The banquet ended an hour ago, and he still hasn't come out. Maybe our target is with Lady Alsha..."

"He's coming out!" the short wizard cut in.

A black-haired boy with naturally curly hair had emerged from the manor.

The wizard on the rock sprang to his feet. He stood over two meters tall but was as thin as a pole.

He looked toward the manor gates. "So he is. I thought he might spend the night in there..."

"Shut up," said the short wizard. "The target's coming this way."

But a moment later, things took an unexpected turn.

The target turned into the woods across the road. The short wizard's face darkened. "Why's he going into the woods? He couldn't have spotted us from this distance. He's not a Formal Wizard!"

The tall, thin wizard turned to him. "What now? Do we keep waiting?"

The short wizard thought of the generous bounty the employer had promised and gritted his teeth. "No! We attack together. Even if he's a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, he won't survive the night!"

Matthew straightened his collar and left the Back Garden.

The hall was empty now. The long tables laden with food and wine had been cleared away.

Lady Alsha had spent a long time chatting with him in the Back Garden, so long that he'd almost felt as though they were on a date.

Afterward, Lady Alsha had invited Matthew to join her Exchange Meeting.

Since arriving in Whitestone Town, Lady Alsha had organized an Exchange Meeting for wizards.

It provided a place for wizards to share information and trade.

She held it once a month.

Still, Lady Alsha had an unusual way of extending an invitation. She'd almost made Matthew wonder whether he had Veela blood. It would have been all too easy to get the wrong idea.

Once outside the manor, Matthew planned to find a nearby patch of woods and leave by Apparition. Over the past few days, he had tested both Apparition and the spell for making a Portkey. Both worked in this world.

He had not gone far when his gaze sharpened. His Magic Sense picked up two wizards in the woods to his right.

The road to Whitestone Town divided the woods, leaving another stretch of trees on his left. Not wanting trouble, he headed that way to avoid the two wizards.

But as soon as he entered the woods on the left, he sensed them following him.

Matthew frowned. He realized they were after him, and they meant trouble.

His right hand twitched, and the wand hidden in his sleeve slid into his grip. He cast an Illusionary Body Spell on himself, concealing his figure.

Behind him, the two figures, one tall and one short, stopped.

"Damn it! He's gone!" the tall, thin wizard cried.

A sharp whistle split the air. The short wizard's expression changed, and he rolled aside as a translucent, curved Wind Blade swept past.

A chill ran through him. The Wind Blade had nearly cut him down.

"Did he spot us after all?" he said grimly. "How? Only Formal Wizards have Magic Sense!"

"He's too young to be a Formal Wizard," said the tall, thin wizard. "He must have a Wizard Tool that detects magic."

Greed flashed in his eyes. Tonight's haul might be better than expected. Wizard Tools that detected magic were in high demand.

He took out a fist-sized eyeball. "Disillusionment Charm!"

Once activated, the eyeball floated above his hand. It could nullify Invisibility Abilities nearby.

A faint red glow lit the eyeball hovering above the tall wizard's hand.

Matthew felt an unfamiliar wave of magic sweep over him. The effect of his Illusionary Body Spell was forcibly dispelled.

He was forced back into view.

The short wizard had begun preparing a spell the moment his companion took out the Eyeball Wizard Tool. A translucent blue arrow appeared in midair before him.

Ice Crystal Burst Arrow was the First-Circle Spell he knew best. By the time Matthew reappeared, he had finished guiding the spell model. He swept his hands forward, sending the arm-thick arrow hurtling at Matthew.

Matthew swiftly raised an Iron Armor Charm. A translucent, circular barrier appeared in front of him.

His expression changed. The blue arrow had tremendous penetrating power. His Iron Armor Charm held it off for only a moment before the short wizard's Ice Arrow Technique shattered it!

Matthew rolled forward. The blue arrow skimmed over his head and exploded behind him.

Countless Ice Cones shot out in every direction.

Matthew gripped a Sapphire in his left hand. It was a Wizard Tool Link had given him, capable of instantly casting Mage Armor once activated.

The Sapphire glimmered as he activated Link's gift.

Mage Armor took effect. A shield made up of translucent polygons surrounded Matthew and blocked every Ice Cone flying toward him.

The Sapphire's glow faded, leaving it clear and colorless.

The enemy's spell had been powerful. Matthew had no intention of dragging the fight out.

A forest like this was ideal for his Shapeshifting Technique. He chose a tree so thick it would take four people to encircle it and waved his wand. The tree beside him began to twist.

Its branches divided in two directions, weaving together into a pair of thick arms.

Matthew had drawn inspiration for his Treant Guardian from a game in his previous life. It attacked by throwing stones and smashing enemies with its enormous hands.

Because it was winter, however, this Treant Guardian was bare of leaves.

Matthew made a few adjustments. He waved his wand again, transforming another nearby tree into a Broad Greatsword.

The Treant Guardian seized the Greatsword and swung it down toward the two wizards.

Horror filled their faces as the Greatsword came crashing toward them. Could a Wizard Apprentice really do this?

They had been set up. The short wizard hated their employer now. There was no way the target was a Level One Wizard Apprentice!

He no longer cared about the bounty. "Run!" he shouted.

Then he discovered something far worse: branches had wound around their feet without either of them noticing.

All they could do was frantically raise their Shield Spells.

The Treant Guardian's massive body gave the Greatsword tremendous momentum. It came down on them with a roar.

Boom! Snow flew up from the ground at the impact.

Snowflakes drifted through the air.