Chapter 117: [117] Estelle’s growth

As the eaglebear barrelled towards Estelle, she remained stoic, watching it approach.

“Egniel.”

It was a spell she had used countless times in her life, and yet, this time it felt different…

The space around her got a tad darker, as black orbs appeared in the air, dark currents sparking around them.

’It’s not enough…’

Her mana flared as she poured more mana into the spell, the dark orbs growing even greater in size, until they were each as large as her head.

Then she released it—

Swoosh!

The darkness raced forward cutting through the space between the eaglebear and her. The eaglebear saw the darkness approaching it and immediately tried to stop its charge, but it was far too late.

Bang!

The dark balls tore into the monster, creating large sphere-shaped holes all over its body.

Blood gushed out like a fountain as the monster collapsed to the floor, sliding on the ground up until it stopped just at Estelle’s feet.

It had died before it even hit the floor…

Estelle stared at the monster, wide-eyed, still unable to believe what she had just done.

“I did it…?”

She had just killed an eaglebear solo, something that she would have never attempted in her right mind.

The crazy part of it was that it wasn’t even particularly difficult…

Just how much had she grown?

She turned to her side just as Eliron landed on the grass, nearly noiselessly, inspecting the beast.

“Ouch… you really did a number on it didn’t you?”

Estelle did not respond, she just stared at him for a few seconds. “Why did you really bring me out here?” She asked.

At first, she thought Eliron was just bored and was using her to shake off the boredom.

But now, after witnessing her own strength, she was beginning to think it was something else.

Eliron was clearly trying to show her how much stronger she had gotten, but he could have easily done that back in the village.

Instead, he dragged her into the middle of nowhere and pitted her against a monster he knew she would fear.

The question was why?

Was he just acting on his whims? Or was there another reason he had done so?

“Why did I bring you here, huh?” Eliron said, repeating her earlier question.

He squatted down, a small smile on his face as he watched the corpse.

“Although humility is a virtue all mages must strive to have, confidence is several times more important.”

He stared up to look at her. “You felt you were weak, and believe me, you are…”

Estelle frowned lightly at this.

Eliron continued. “But are you making progress? Of course you are! You guys are moving faster than anyone could ever dream of.”

Most people would give up after a few days of their training regimen, and yet, they had been consistently at it for a month straight.

“My plan was to show you just how much you have truly grown.”

“But why here?” Estelle asked.

Eliron smiled. “Like I said, humility is good. Knowing that there are several people more powerful than you is important.

“But at the same time, being aware of your capabilities as a mage is just as important.”

He lifted the lifeless arm of the eaglebear.

“I could have asked you to shoot a tree and you will know your strength has indeed improved…”

“But you see this?” Eliron waved the limb at her. “This feat will stick with you forever.”

Knowing that she had at one time killed a monster as strong as this will forever remain in her heart, a solid pillar upon which she can build her confidence.

Whenever she felt she was not up to the task, or that she was lacking in any way, she would remember this day.

It was the reason medalists were likely to win the competition several times over.

Because they already had the experience of winning, they go into the matches with that confidence.

Estelle’s gaze moved from Eliron to the eaglebear.

“I see…” then she smiled, a rare smile.

Eliron sucked the monster into his infinity pouch and stood up. “Alright, let’s get going.” Helffered her his hand.

Estelle’s face paled. “Argh, not this again…”

•••

There were a lot of things to do on Eliron’s bucket list before his next trip, and one of them was having a meeting with his council.

This was one of the things he had set up during the past month, a group of people he would often discuss plans for Artaris with.

He was in his dining room, seated at the head of the table, while members of his council sat on the other chairs.

There was Artie, who sat closest to him, Ash the captain of the guards, Yennefer, the chief healer, Lazarus, head of the elder’s council, and Zenith, the local hermit and rune engineer.

While they were exchanging pleasantries, Terra walked into the room with a kettle of freshly brewed tea.

She tilted the kettle over Artie’s cup and began to pour it, but as she did, her hands rattled, and the tea spilled a bit before she rightened it.

She had to place another hand above the hand to stabilize the shaking a little bit.

Everyone, excluding Eliron, stared at the blonde half-elf with concern.

“Terra?” Artie asked gently. “Are you alright?”

It was strange seeing her friend like this, and the worse part was that that was not the only issue.

Sometimes she would catch Terra swinging her arms in the open air, as though she was holding a sword, sometimes she would be mumbling to herself with a lost look in her eyes.

Even when they spoke, Terra sometimes seemed absent minded.

Terra blinked, looking confused. “What do you mean?”

Artie held her hand. “What are your hands shaking?”

“Ohh?” Terra chuckled dryly, her eyes looking devoid of life. “Don’t worry, I am already used to it…”

“…”

After she finished serving the tea, they watched her walk into the living room and bump into the couch.

She couldn’t even stand straight, she fell right atop it, sliding down beside Sabrina, and falling asleep on the spot.

Tiny, who was there, blinked in shock, while Sabrina grabbed a blanket and covered her.

Sip!

Eliron grabbed his cup of tea and took a long sip, savoring the exotic taste.

“This is good stuff…” he muttered.

Then he looked up only to see that everyone on the table was staring at him with a disappointed look on their face.

“…What?”

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