The soles of the shoes crushed the dry branches, making a crisp sound in the silent forest.
"Haha~ The snow leopard is here~ rua~"
Its fur is as white as snow, dotted with colorful black patterns, but it is not a fairy from the snowy mountains, but an adorable kitten that uses [wing] magic.
Cheese, holding the squeaking hamster Snowy, landed on the white-haired boy's shoulder and looked at him excitedly: "Noah, does my imitation of the snow leopard's roar sound good?"
Noah grabbed a smooth, white piece of snow and rubbed it in his hands. He had never seen a snow leopard before, only in books. The snow leopard's cry sounded like a cat's.
Although Cheese is a magical cat that can speak human language, it is still still a cat, so Noah nodded perfunctorily.
The kitten, feeling proud of its newfound approval, stood with its hands on its hips. Meanwhile, Snow White, the hamster monster, kept squeaking at Noah. Even though Noah couldn't understand mouse language, he knew it was hurling very offensive insults.
As a magical beast that has lived in the snowy mountains for hundreds of years, Snow White has probably seen real snow leopards, and it's likely that she's accusing Noah of deceiving Cheese.
Noah didn't care that he couldn't understand anyway, because he had something else on his mind that was giving him a headache.
Noah looked ahead at his brother, draped in a black robe, who was leading the way, and then, for the third time, at the old, crooked-necked tree that had been marked. Reluctantly, he stopped and called out to Mystogan:
"Brother, if you're lost, just say so, and I'll send Cheese to fly up and show you the way."
"Otherwise, I'm really afraid that my brother and I will end up hanging ourselves from this crooked tree."
Noah was in good spirits as he went to visit his brother's adopted sister, but when he arrived at the mountain forest where the "Demon Cat's Lodge" was located, he couldn't find the way to Mist Ridge, which he should have known well.
After going around in circles, we've come full circle again.
Listening to his brother's complaints, Mistgang remained expressionless (though no one else could see it) and walked towards the tree he had marked three times.
Reaching out to touch the faint markings on the tree trunk, Mistgang calmly said, "Even if the cheese guides the way, it won't work. Someone has covered this place with magic, not wanting anyone to go deep into the forest."
Deep within this forest lies the "Demon Cat's Abode," a place Mystergang had never encountered before when he secretly visited his sister.
Therefore, it is very likely that the magic was set up by outsiders.
However, the visitors were hostile, and Mystogan intended to forcibly break the magic that prevented them from going to the "Cat's Abode." His black robes fluttered without wind, and five magic wands glowed faintly behind him.
I just don't know if this magic is an illusion? Or...?
"It's [space] magic."
As if knowing what his brother was thinking, Noah gave the answer he had already observed: "Someone has distorted the light in this space to create illusions."
"You found out first, and you even watched your brother make a fool of himself. I should have kicked you a couple of times when the chairman beat you up."
That's what he said, but Mistgang's hands didn't stop working. After understanding the principle, breaking this "space distortion" was a piece of cake for him.
Mystergan suddenly flung out three wands and planted them in the ground. Three magic circles overlapped and unfolded, forming a clear mirror-like surface.
Triple Magic Circle - Mirror Water.
This magic can help Mystgang resist or deflect attacks from other magic, and reflecting light is naturally a piece of cake for him.
The moment the magic circle began to rotate, the surrounding scenery suddenly rippled and shook violently. Mystergan swayed, and his wand whipped up a whirlwind that cleaved through the surrounding landscape.
The trees and roads repeatedly burst open like bubbles, revealing a small village deep in the forest. Above the village gate was a cat-shaped sign with the words "Demon Cat's Abode" inscribed on it, which was Noah's destination.
When Cheese saw the sign in the distance, it excitedly picked up Snow White and was about to fly over. The reason they were willing to go out with Noah this time was entirely because of the name "Demon Cat's Abode".
It can talk, it can use magic, and it can walk upright, so Cheese thinks it is a monster. And just from the name "Demon Cat's Abode", you can tell that there must be many magical cats like it in this guild.
Thinking that he would soon meet other members of his kind besides Harpy, Cheese couldn't wait to unleash his [Wing] magic.
However, a hand suddenly grabbed the scruff of the cat's neck. Looking at the stunned and motionless Cheese, Noah thought to himself that the methods used to deal with ordinary cats always worked on magical cats as well.
Noah pulled Cheese back into his arms and explained, "Something's not right over there. Cheese, you and Snow White stay here. My brother and I will go scout ahead."
——————————————————
"The Abode of the Demon Cat".
A magic guild so ordinary that one might mistake it for just a small village.
Indeed, that's true. Calling the members of this guild ordinary people is a bit of an exaggeration, but they're only slightly better than ordinary people.
Living in the mountains far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the disturbances of the world, the people here do not live the life that a mage should have.
They work at sunrise and rest at sunset, without worrying about money, just like a real little village.
However, today, a group of uninvited guests arrived at our door.
A member of the "Demon Cat's Abode" collapsed with a scream as blood splattered from his back. Not far from him lay his companions, their fates unknown.
"Hmph, this kind of trash..."
The tall, thin man with long bangs disdainfully wiped the blood off his scythe, stepped on a member of the demon cat blocking his way, and turned to look at a dark-skinned man with his hair slicked back.
"Lord Brian, have we come to the wrong place? The mages here seem no different from ordinary people. Is the person you're looking for really here?"
Brian, one of the six Oración Seis, codenamed "The Mastermind," merely glanced indifferently at the scythe-wielding man he had promoted from his subordinate guild.
"Eric Gorky, are you questioning my judgment?"
With just one sentence, Erigor, who originally belonged to the "Iron Forest," was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. Although he had the intimidating title of "Grim Reaper," Erigor knew his own strength was only so-so.
It's one thing to bully the weak, after all they are are just ants, but when faced with a truly strong person, Erigor is just an ant too.
"You... let go of Uncle Bell!"
Just as Brian was beating his men, a little girl with long blue hair and wearing a skirt suit ran out, followed by a thin old man and a white cat wearing a little dress.
Seeing the old man and the little girl appear, the mage who was being trampled under Erigor's feet grabbed Erigor's leg tightly, shouting, "Guild Master, Wendy, Charlene, run! Waaah!"
The giant scythe swung again, and Bell fell into a pool of blood.
"Don't frighten the children, Eric Gor."
Brian bypassed his men and gave the little girl Wendy a kind look. "'Sky Witch,' I need your help to save someone."
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