Chương 57: Philon's First Time

"These are all trivial requests..." Philon muttered to himself.

Shane laughed, "Frilian really enjoys doing these unofficial commissions."

Why?

"Because when you ask for payment, you will receive some unexpected magic."

Upon hearing about folk magic, Philon nodded.

"No wonder Ms. Frilian's magical skills are so high. It turns out she has been accumulating very powerful magic all along. Her efforts are amazing."

Try your best...

Shane laughed.

Philon quickly walked a few steps to catch up with Frilian ahead.

"Ms. Frilian, what kind of magic did you receive?"

"It's a very powerful folk magic."

Upon hearing this, Philon's eyes widened.

"Impressive..."

"Hmph, this kind of magic can [generate warm tea]."

"..."

Philon's eyes got stuck.

Shane laughed.

Young man, you are still too young.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

It was midday.

The three people set up camp along the way to prepare for a meal.

Philon was in charge of starting a fire, while Frilian and Shane went around looking for edible wild fruits.

After walking for more than ten minutes, the two successfully found some raspberries. While they were picking them, Frillie sensed something was wrong.

"There are demons nearby."

Upon hearing this, Xia En cautiously looked around.

At the same time, they heard a heavy, dragging footstep approaching in their direction.

He instantly activated the Goddess's Barrier, and he and Frilian vanished from the spot.

Before long, the footsteps came to them.

Immediately afterwards, a stench of rotting rats filled Xia En's mouth and nose. He couldn't help but gag, frowning and covering his mouth and nose.

It was a tall but slow-moving monster, covered in rotting flesh, with two heads, four arms, and a lower body that resembled a heap of elastic flesh, slowly writhing on the ground.

It stopped in front of Shane and the others, looked around, and seemed confused.

Finally, its upper body slowly sank down, and its entire body lay flat on the ground.

It was disguised as a pile of mud.

"It's a ghoul."

Frillie gave her judgment.

"This kind of monster can mimic and disguise itself, often disguising itself as a grave mound or silt, and will suddenly attack when someone gets close."

"Although its attack power is not high, this kind of sudden attack is still hard to defend against."

Xia En nodded and drew the sword from his waist.

"Then I'll go and take it down, so as not to scare Philon."

"Wait a moment."

Frillie stopped Shane, stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment, and continued, "These dumber monsters are perfect for Philon to practice on."

"Practice?" Xia En thought for a moment, her tone hesitant.

"Isn't it a bit too early? That child is only 15 years old, and it's her first time going out... Let's wait until she's a little older."

Frillie shook her head.

"The earlier a mage begins to engage in real combat, the more important it is."

"Experienced mages can seamlessly and perfectly coordinate their offense and defense in battle, which is key to increasing their survivability."

"These things cannot be truly mastered through theoretical teaching and imaginary exercises alone."

Xia En understood.

Theoretical discussions and actual battlefield combat are two completely different things.

He agreed with Frillie's point of view, but after all, it was the little girl's first time...

"Alright, then we need to make some arrangements in advance to avoid any unexpected situations." After thinking for a moment, Xia En continued, "In my imagination, there are generally three possible scenarios."

"First scenario: Philon might have performed exceptionally well and defeated the demons. In this case, we must praise her highly."

"The second scenario: Philon might not have performed well and ran away. That's okay. It's right to run away when you're scared. In this case, we must praise her."

"The third scenario: Philen may have mustered the courage to fight, but she lost. That's okay. She can continue to hone her skills and one day she will be able to win. At that time, we must praise her properly."

Every time Shane described a situation, Frillie nodded in agreement.

After considering all the possibilities, the two prepared to return to the camp to call Philon.

Just then, Frillie suddenly said, "Could there be a fourth possibility?"

"?" Xia En asked, puzzled.

"What if Philon gets so scared that she cries?"

Xia En thought about it and realized that such a situation shouldn't exist... right?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Back at camp, the two began a clumsy performance in an attempt to lure Philon to the area where the ghouls were.

cough cough.

Xia En cleared his throat.

"Philan, I saw a lot of beautiful mushrooms over there, let's go pick them together."

Philon was taking bread out of his suitcase when he heard this. Without turning around, he said, "Beautiful mushrooms are all poisonous, Mr. Shane. For safety's sake, it's best not to touch them."

"Actually... it was Frilian who wanted to drink mushroom soup."

"Is that so, Ms. Frillie?"

When her name was called, Frillie nodded dramatically.

"Alright then, I'll go pick some."

The plan is in place.

Then, the two of them followed Philon, taking small, hesitant steps, and pretended to point out the way, trying to trick Philon into heading in the direction of the [Ghoul].

Soon, Philon entered the ghoul's perception range.

The young girl was inexperienced and didn't notice the other person at all.

The encounter happened in an instant.

In front of Philon The ghoul suddenly leaped out from beneath the soil, spreading its limbs and letting out a furious roar. At the same time, bits of its rotting flesh, along with the soil clinging to it, fell to the ground.

The scene was bizarre and terrifying.

Frilian and Shane immediately used the [Goddess's Barrier] to hide behind Philon.

Philon froze the moment he saw the ghoul, standing motionless.

Xia En couldn't see the expression on her face, but seeing that she had no reaction, his heart jumped into his throat, and his hand immediately went to the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Although Frillian appeared calm, she was equally nervous inside, her staff pointed at the ghoul, ready to launch a magical attack at any moment.

Just then, Philon moved.

The girl turned and ran.

This action caused Shane and Frillie to exchange a glance and sigh simultaneously, indicating that it was the second possibility.

Xia En deactivated the barrier, preparing to take over the battle.

Unexpectedly, Philon, who had already run out of the ghoul's attack range, suddenly turned around, raised his staff, aimed at the target, and unleashed a powerful [Normal Attack Magic].

Swah—— The ghoul's entire upper body, along with both heads, was completely wiped out.

Xia En silently retracted the foot that he had just raised.

That beam of magical energy seemed thicker than the one Frillie fired... That's too brutal.

At the same moment the monsters vanished, Philon turned and met the gazes of Shane and Frilian.

The two of them shrank their necks in unison.

Oops.

Philon seems angry.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

While eating, Xia En shuddered as he looked at the bubbling, dark blue liquid in his bowl. He thought, "This poison is so potent, even a monk might struggle to neutralize it."

Frillie spoke weakly, "It was my idea. I wanted you to get some real combat experience as soon as possible. I'm sorry."

Xia En also confessed, "I created the hidden barrier so you could face it alone. I'm sorry."

Philon pursed his lips, drinking his hot tea on his own, completely ignoring Shane and Frilian, and was still angry.

(≡ᆺ≡) Just as the two of them were feeling uneasy, unsure of what to say.

Philon spoke up, "It's too ugly."

"??"

They were both completely bewildered.

"The opponent you arranged for me is so ugly, and he smells awful..."

So, is that your reason for being angry?