I smirk back and her and chuckle. She looks surprised.
"Fufufu…that is extremely impressive Alto, I mean it. However, if you're thinking that means I can't teach you anything new, I think you'd be wrong. Can you use spells to cast lightning, or cast powerful fire spells without an incantation?" (Mizuki)
Alto gives me a stupefied expression, and she responds after a moment of silence.
"Well, no, Mizuki. That's not possible. Any elven scholar will tell you that lightning is a rare dark class spell, not elemental class. As for incantation-less spells, they are exceedingly difficult to cast at all, and even then, they're far inferior." (Alto)
I smile at her textbook answer – she's the perfect student with which to test my theory about how magic works.
"You're correct…about what the scholars would say. However, I'm almost certain that they fundamentally misunderstand magic. After all, according to the same tests you probably took, I have no ability to use magic. What if I told you that I could teach you to summon lightning, fly, teleport, or use healing? If you study hard and keep an open mind about how the world works, I wouldn't rule it out." (Mizuki)
Alto's eyes go wide at that information, and she seems to ponder it skeptically while gazing out at the horizon. After a few minutes, I see her start smiling, and fierce determination is apparent in her eyes. Yeah, Alto…I'm excited to see what you can do, too. Oh, that reminds me…
"Hey, Alto, sorry to change the subject, but…if you're so strong how did those humans capture you? I'm not trying to insult you; it just seems to not add up. I've already confirmed that you're as strong as you say, so what happened?" (Mizuki)
Surprisingly, Zara is the one who answers. I guess she's been listening.
"She was taken the same way I was…they captured others before her and threatened to kill those already at their mercy if she didn't submit. If she'd been alone, or a woman of less character, she'd have been fine." (Zara)
That makes more sense…that's rough. I glance at Alto and nod sympathetically, but she just looks out at the horizon solemnly. I look back at Zara, and she's staring at me intently. Jeez, what gives?
She's not angry, but I also can't place her emotion. Before I think about it too long, she speaks.
"Mizuki, did I hear correctly that this woman is joining you and the other human on your adventures?" (Zara)
"Well, yes, that's correct. Also, the other woman, Nina, isn't human. She's the Elder Dragon that I mentioned whose nest you were staying in." (Mizuki)
I glance back at Zara, and she seems deep in thought. I thought she'd be more surprised about Nina.
"You only met this woman last night, correct? Why would you agree to take her with you? Strong as she is, it can't compare to the Elder Dragon's strength or your own." (Zara)
So, that must be the wolf-kin attitude, huh?
"Yes, because I respect her, and I can tell that she's reliable. When we met, she was skeptical, but she was level-headed enough to act appropriately despite that. Moreover, I liked how much she valued honesty, even when it was unpleasant. Finally, she overcame any bias against me based solely on my actions, and few people are that openminded. Plus, she's funny and I like her company." (Mizuki)
Alto looks over in surprise at my earnest praise.
"You were already thinking that when we met, while I was so cold to you? Fufufu…you continue to surprise me, Mizuki. Well, for what it's worth the feeling is mutual. I think I'm starting to like you more than most elves. I'll deny it if you tell any of them, though." (Alto)
I can't help but laugh at her last comment…good old Alto, I really am going to enjoy having her around. I glance at Zara, and…she's smiling!?
"Thank you for answering my questions, Mizuki. That was helpful." (Zara)
She looks back out to the horizon with a thoughtful expression, and a pleasant silence falls over our group.
When we approach the wolf-kin village, I can feel a bit of exhaustion from the sustained flight. The village looks kind of like a low-budget state fair from up here. There are lots of tents spread out informally around some central features like a cooking area, a bonfire with lots of seating around it, and what looks like a training ground.
I drop the invisibility spell, so we don't spook them too much. Zara directs me to land near the bonfire feature in the center. There are lots of wolf-kin in the surrounding area, and our appearance is noticed. A bustle of activity is breaking out below as we descend.
I set us down near the central bonfire and activate max body enhancement while deactivating all my other spells, and I put a max defense spell on Alto, too, just in case. As wolf-kin begin gathering around us, I see faces mixed with suspicion, surprise, anger, and relief. I see the three kids run towards several of the relieved faces. About that time, a 60s-looking wolf-kin man comes forward.
"Oh, thank goodness, our missing children have returned to us! Please relax wolf-kin!" (old wolf-kin man)
He aims a cautious but warm smile my way and addresses me directly.
"Greeting's visitor, my name is Vardo, the elder wolf-kin of this village. Do we have you to thank for the safe return of our missing children?" (Vardo)
Before I can respond, a large 20s-looking wolf-kin man comes barreling towards those of us left where we landed.
"You dare come here, you filthy human!? I'll kill you!" (young wolf-kin man)
He's running at me in a rage, and obviously intends to harm me. I groan internally and prepare to incapacitate him.
However, before I can do anything I see Zara flash past me and elbow him in the gut. The blow doubles him over, and then she does a flip forward and kicks him in the back of the head towards the ground. The blow slams him into the earth with tremendous force, and he seems stunned temporarily.
Holy shit…Zara's kind of a badass.
After a moment, he starts trying to get up and hollers out.
"What gives, sis, why'd you hit me like that!?" (Zara's brother?)
Uhm…what?