Aurora stepped into the forest, her wand glowing softly as she moved confidently. The trees parted before her, a sight that was rather boring to her, a wanderer who had been through many forests before, now she just wanted to hunt some meat and get going.
Walking a little further, she soon spotted a giant boar, its tusks glinting in the dappled light under the trees. She entered a fighting stance, and with a flick of her wand, she released a beam of light, stunning the beast. Vines sprouted from the ground, binding it, and with a precise and powerful bolt of energy, she ended the fight—easily, almost playfully. Nearby, a demonic Bull growled, its eyes glowing red.
Aurora spun her wand, creating a shield of light to deflect its claws, then attacked with a single, graceful strike, taking it down instantly. She clapped her hands, a delighted giggle escaping her.
"Yeahhhh, we have meat!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the woods as she gazed at her catch.
Heilbronn's voice echoed in her head.
"You're just a glutton, and a terrible cook on top of that."
Aurora pouted, trying to justify herself but it didn't seem to work. Heilbronn and Aurora didn't usually communicate with words, they communicated with each other through thoughts, which was quite amusing but also mysterious.
On the way back, Heilbronn trotted beside her, lightly carrying the boar and the ghost Bull on his broad back. As they neared the edge of the woods, a scream rang out somewhere—a group of young adventurers, clearly new to the game, surrounded by five shadow hounds. The beasts snarled, their dark shapes circling the trembling group, claws tearing at the air. The leader, a thin young man with a trembling sword, screamed in panic.
"Help! We're done for!" he shouted, his sword shaking as the hounds closed in.
Aurora sprang into action, her wand flaring with a brilliant golden light. She raised it high, chanting a resonance spell that sent a wave of energy pulsing around her, driving the hounds back. With a sweeping motion, she summoned a towering wall of light, trapping two of the beasts and incinerating them in flames. The remaining three charged, but she countered with a barrage of energy, each strike precise and devastating, reducing the threat to ash. The forest fell silent, the adventurers staring in stunned silence.
The leader dropped his sword, hurrying forward gratefully.
"Thank you for saving us! Your power is incredible—taking them down so easily!" He exclaimed, his voice trembling with relief.
Aurora smiled faintly, brushing the dust off her cloak.
"It's nothing, I just happened to be passing by." She replied nonchalantly.
A young girl from the group, a mage with gentle eyes and a staff that emitted a pale blue light, stepped forward, her voice filled with admiration.
"I've never seen magic so powerful and graceful... Are you from the famous VeyraMage Family? Their power is as powerful as that—it's rumored that they control light and fire better than anyone!" She asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Aurora's smile faltered slightly, but she shook her head.
"The Veyra Mage Family? No, I'm just a traveler, I'm currently at Charlie's house—the executioner's house, just over the hill." She replied, pointing to my house.
The leader's face stiffened, his gratitude fading. He glanced at his companions, their admiration turning to concern.
"Baron Charlie, the Executioner? Are you his friend?" he said, his voice hard.
"We've heard—his family's cursed sword and axe bring bad luck. We can't risk being... Anyway... sorry, but we have to go. Thank you and good luck with... your choice."
The young mage hesitated, her eyes still on Aurora, but she followed the group as they packed up and hurried away, their footsteps fading into the forest.
Although a bit disappointed, she also understood their situation and discrimination towards me, an executioner, Charlie. Putting that aside, they continued to walk back home.