One-Eyed Monster

”Hail Storm Wings!” Yuga, himself a Wind Wizard, recognized this Wind Elemental. It was a rare type that Wind Wizards seldom pursued; he never imagined he would witness one in his lifetime.

However, Yuga soon became fraught with worry. After all, summoning a Wind Elemental required Spirit Power. Therefore, no matter how Great Witch Biggs summoned the Hail Storm Wings, it was fundamentally an attack utilizing Spirit Power. An attack initiated by Spirit Power would only backfire against this particular foe. The enemy was using a contagious disease spell, and that was just one of their techniques. Only at this moment in the battle did they realize the Dark Wizard wasn’t fighting them with a single spell; the contagious disease was merely one among many.

So Yuga worried that the Hail Storm Wings would backfire. The enemy could absorb the Spirit Power used for the summoning and then use that same Spirit Power to launch a similar attack. Although it would only be an imitation, the offensive capability of Hail Storm Wings was not to be underestimated, even if this particular one hadn’t fully formed and still resembled a child.

”No—!” Yuga and the others tried to shout, hoping to stop Great Witch Biggs’ next action, but the wind was too strong and loud, their cries swallowed by the gale on the mountain peak.

However, what surprised them even more was that the Black Smoke coiling around them was gradually diminishing. Wherever the whirlwind swept past, the Black Smoke thinned out, and slowly, it ceased to exist.

This meant the whirlwind had blown all the Black Smoke away!

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what had just happened. But this was a rare opportunity to get close. Both Milo and Simon seized it, advancing with raised fists and charging towards the Dark Wizard...

””It’s all just mist and smoke; a puff of wind will scatter it,”” Great Witch Biggs continued, her tone firm. For some reason, this long-ignored individual suddenly stepped forward, unhesitatingly launching an attack against the Dark Wizard with unwavering determination.

It seemed she had made her choice and was no longer conflicted. After an intense internal struggle, she had decided to temporarily side with the majority; separating from the group would make her an oddball. She suddenly recalled her recent self: a hunched figure with lifeless eyes—a completely different person, someone even she didn’t recognize. That person had distanced herself from her original group, becoming an oddball, or perhaps, a monster...

Witch Biggs had been flustered and hesitant for a long time, and similarly ignored for a long time. But it hadn’t all been for naught. She finally understood what she had initially wanted, and she also understood what she needed to do next.

She was Teacher Vivian’s disciple; she was a Wizard. She had to explore, to pursue the natural laws that Wizards seek...

Therefore, she, Biggs, would have no dealings with Dark Arts, nor would she stoop to becoming a Dark Wizard—even though this Dark Wizard’s abilities were remarkable, capable of fighting many opponents at once without being at a disadvantage.

Once Witch Biggs had this realization, her Wind Elemental also awoke. This mischievous child yawned several times, stretched languidly, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked utterly bewildered.

However, this child, who seemed so small, understood everything. Compared to Great Witch Biggs, he was like a dazzling star in the sky, brilliantly luminous, while she was like a stone on the ground—hard and clumsy.

The Wind Elemental heaved a long sigh at that moment, utterly exasperated with his current Summoner. ”You are the most clueless Wizard I have ever met. No exceptions.”

The Wind Elemental did a somersault on the spot and continued to berate the Great Witch, ”If it weren’t for the summoning bonds, I would have left you long ago. Really! Look at this body you’ve given me! And then look at that Howling Wind Roar from next door just now!”

Biggs naturally knew the Wind Elemental was referring to the wind summoned by that monster. But, to be honest, her perception was dull; apart from feeling the whistling wind, she hadn’t seen any tangible form appear before her. If she were to honestly admit she’d seen nothing, she would undoubtedly face the little imp’s merciless ridicule and disdainful gaze. To avoid this, Witch Biggs could only manage a sheepish chuckle.

”Seriously, this body makes me too ashamed to even hold my head high in front of Howling Wind Roar. He greeted me politely, and I was too embarrassed to admit I am actually Hail Storm Wings.”

Witch Biggs didn’t understand the grievances between Wind Elementals. All she could perceive was the immediate predicament. If they didn’t overcome this Dark Wizard, they wouldn’t be able to leave this mountain peak. And if she couldn’t leave this peak, how could she, Biggs, go on to explore the things she yearned to study? Therefore, no matter her stance, she had to be resolute in defeating this Dark Wizard.

Witch Biggs conveyed her thoughts to the Wind Elemental. The child-like Elemental sighed with the weariness of an old soul and shook his head. This little one couldn’t comprehend why something so simple and transparent before them necessitated such a complicated confrontation.

”Take a good look. Whether it’s that death aura or the Black Smoke, they’re all just smoke and mist.”

Witch Biggs didn’t quite understand. That death aura, that smoke, has formed into flying swords and is currently attacking and entangling so many masters!

”Just mist and smoke. The wind blows, and it scatters. I *am* the wind; you think I can’t scatter them?”

”But the other side also has a Wind Wiz—” Conversing with the Wind Elemental always made Biggs very tense. It couldn’t be helped; the Elemental always took the lead, completely overriding her. She had no voice in the matter, and trepidation was her constant state.

”This is the difference. Remember, you and I are complementary. If you direct me, then you are using Spirit Power to summon me. But if *I* direct *you*, then it has nothing to do with your Spirit Power. Howling Wind Roar is now a Taming-subdued sheep; it has long forgotten what it means to preserve its own self.”

Although the Wind Elemental’s words left Witch Biggs somewhat bewildered, she generally understood. Her Spirit Power was still insufficient to command this Wind Elemental. Even though this Wind Elemental was just a child, he was still in his most primordial state.

So, the wind rose, the clouds and mist scattered, the smoke dispersed, and everything returned to its normal state.

Milo and Simon attacked from front and rear in a pincer movement. THUD! THUD! Their fists smashed into the Dark Wizard’s chest.

The Dark Wizard neither screamed nor uttered any other groan, continuing to swing the Obsidian Staff in his hand as always.

”This is—!” Simon’s fist immediately felt an unusual rebound force. The sensation was muffled and lacked elasticity, completely like striking something dead!

”Dead Objects?” Milo also felt the anomaly.

The two of them leaped back immediately, observing the Dark Wizard closely.

”Could it be that the opponent isn’t a living person at all?” Brad, too, felt that abnormality after his attack.

”That’s right!” Suddenly, a woman’s voice, brimming with insufferable arrogance, erupted from mid-air, causing everyone present to look towards its source...