Chapter 165: Death on the campus
Drawing his wand with swift precision, he summoned the arcane energies that lay dormant within him. The air crackled with magical intensity as Jaegar and the massive wolf locked eyes, a clash of primal forces. With a flick of his wand, Jaegar conjured a protective barrier, a shimmering shield that deflected the wolf's powerful strikes.
Arcane bolts of energy lashed out from Jaegar's wand, each aimed with precision. The wolf, an embodiment of untamed wilderness, responded with agility and cunning, dodging and retaliating with primal ferocity.
The forest bore witness to the magical duel, the clash of spell and tooth, as Jaegar weaved intricate patterns in the air. Sparks of magic and glimmers of moonlight danced around the combatants, creating an otherworldly spectacle. As the battle intensified, Jaegar's movements became more fluid, his wand dancing through the air in rhythmic patterns.
He uttered incantations with unwavering focus, the magic flowing seamlessly from wand to wolf.
The giant creature, though formidable, began to falter under the relentless assault. In the final moments, Jaegar summoned the culmination of his magical prowess. A radiant burst of energy enveloped the wolf, ensnaring it in a web of mystical forces. The creature, now subdued by the arcane mastery of the young wizard, succumbed to the transformative power of Jaegar's spell.
The moonlit clearing, once a battleground, now held an air of stillness. Jaegar stood amidst the magical aftermath, his wand raised, and the defeated wolf at his side, its primal spirit subdued by the wizard's mastery of the arcane arts.
As the echoes of the magical battle faded away, the massive wolf underwent a stunning transformation. In a swirl of mystical energy, the formidable creature morphed into a young woman.
With flowing blonde hair and piercing eyes, she lay on the forest floor, vulnerable and disoriented.
Jaegar, recognizing the profound shift, approached the young woman with caution. Stripping off his long robe, he gently covered her, shielding her form from the cool night air.
The ethereal glow of the moon highlighted the tenderness in Jaegar's actions as he watched over the transformed being.
As she gradually regained consciousness, the world around her came into focus. Her vision slowly opened up, and the first thing she saw was Jaegar standing at a distance, quietly observing her.
In an instant, she jolted upright, causing the robe covering her body to fall off. She found herself on all fours, glaring fiercely at Jaegar, her red eyes locked onto his figure.
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Undeterred by her aggressive stance, Jaegar remained calm, standing his ground. "I meant no harm," he assured her, his voice steady. However, she continued to growl, showing her teeth in a defensive display.
"Are you a student?" she asked, looking at the logo on his shirt.
Jaegar, unfazed, responded, "Yes, I am a student," as he looked down at his uniform.
"Where are those hunters? Are they more? Did you see any of them?"
Pointing to the bodies, he continued, "You killed those hunters."
The transformed woman, still on all fours, scrutinized Jaegar's attire. "Why did you attack me then?" she questioned.
Jaegar explained matter-of-factly, "You were attacking me. I just defended myself."
Gradually rising to her feet, she shifted her gaze from Jaegar to herself. Remarkably composed, she walked over to the fallen robe, picked it up, and began to wear it. The air held a tense stillness as the two figures assessed each other in the aftermath of the magical confrontation.
As she stared at Jaegar, her gaze lingered on him for a couple of seconds, scrutinizing his calm demeanor. He had overpowered her with surprising ease, leaving her with lingering doubts about his true nature. Despite her reservations, she acknowledged that Jaegar wasn't lying about the confrontation.
Jaegar, displaying concern, asked, "Who are you?"
Her silence persisted, prompting him to inquire further, "Did they chase you down here?"
She cast a wary glance to the dark woods, revealing the turmoil within her. Attempting to move to one side, she cried out in pain, knelt, and clutched her injured leg. The red and sore spots on her calves from the earlier clash left her unable to stand.
In the midst of the moonlit forest, where shadows danced beneath the canopy of old trees, the injured woman clutched her sore leg.
The dim glow from the enchanted night sky revealed the red and painful marks marring the back of her calves.
Jaegar approached her with caution, his steps muffled by the carpet of leaves beneath him. He kneeled before her, his expression laced with empathy.
"May I?" he inquired, his voice gentle.
She looked at him, confusion etched upon her face. She hesitated briefly before a spark of understanding flickered in her eyes. Nodding slowly, she consented.
Jaegar extended his hands over her wounded leg and began to chant an incantation, the arcane words flowing from him like a secret melody. The air seemed to shimmer with magic as he cast the healing spell, "Lo'rar."
Under the incantation's influence, the injured skin on her leg started to mend itself, restoring its previous state. As the spell took effect, the pain gradually ebbed away, leaving her with a profound sense of relief. She gazed at Jaegar with gratitude, her guard softening in his presence.
"Thank you," she murmured, sincerity lacing her words.
Jaegar rose to his feet, his eyes looking out around them.
She introduced herself as Ellamaria, her name carrying a unique charm as it rolled off her tongue. In turn, Jaegar shared his own name, and a brief understanding settled between them.
Ellamaria, her voice tinged with weariness, recounted her harrowing tale. She had been a leader of the wolf tribe, guiding her pack on a hunt that had taken a tragic turn. Their paths had crossed with ruthless hunters, who had mercilessly decimated her entire pack. In their pursuit of bloodshed, they had sought to end her life as well.
Alone and fleeing for her survival, she had found herself in the haunting depths of these woods.
After Jaegar had tended to her injuries, Ellamaria expressed her gratitude with heartfelt sincerity.
Swiftly, she made her departure, leaving behind only the echoes of her tale and the newfound bond she had formed with the young wizard.
Jaegar lingered in the forest, his gaze falling upon the lifeless bodies of the hunters who had crossed paths with Ellamaria. Their gear was well-crafted, hinting at their proficiency and ruthlessness.
With purpose in his stride, Jaegar eventually made his way back to his room, the shadows of the trees trailing him.
*
In the eerie, moonlit woods, the night held secrets of both life and death.
After a few minutes of their departure, among the bodies of the hunter lying on the ground, one of them seemed to still hold onto the last thread that clung to his life.
Amidst the shadows, one of the hunters who had seemed lifeless began to twitch faintly. The moon hung on the horizon, casting its brilliant radiance upon the forest, its light weaving through the old trees.
The hunter lay on the ground, his body maimed and his life hanging by a thread. His severe wounds painted a grim picture, and among the numerous injuries, a deep and gruesome bite mark marred his abdomen.
The teeth had punctured his flesh, sinking deep into the skin, and leaving behind a grotesque, bloody indentation. Within the cruel, fang-shaped cavity, blood continued to well up, forming a gruesome pool that refused to clot.
The man's breaths were faint and laboured, each one a struggle for survival. With each feeble rise and fall of his chest, the blood-filled bite mark served as a cruel reminder of the night's terrifying events.
As if by some miracle, the blood stopped flowing out and the wounds on his body were starting to heal.
The man, bitten by Ellamaria during the confrontation, was slowly undergoing a transformation. His wounds began to heal at an unnaturally rapid pace, and consciousness gradually returned to him.
However, the threshold of his endurance was reached, and he slipped back into the realms of unconsciousness. The last image that flickered in his mind was that of Jaegar walking away, leaving behind the mysterious forest and its enigmatic encounters.
*
As dawn broke and the first rays of the morning sun pierced through the darkness, Jaegar prepared for another day of classes. He dressed for the occasion, and in the company of his friend Pierre, he made his way to the morning assembly.
Upon entering the hall, they sensed a heavy atmosphere and overheard hushed discussions among their fellow students.
Jennifer joined them, her expression laden with concern. She addressed the two with a sense of urgency. "Have you guys heard the news?"
Pierre furrowed his brows and replied, "What news?"
Jennifer's voice was sombre as she shared the unsettling details. "One of the students was found dead in the early morning. A body was discovered in the corridors this morning, and the victim's arm was brutally torn off by something."