"The Master won't be back for his seminar in a few days. You've been tasked with handling the other recruits till he gets back."
Ivan Smith looked dissatisfied as he heard those words.
'Damn, that old geezer!'
His Master, previous Lord over the Alphonse Sereth Estate, was an Archmage who was at the level above most Mages,
His name was Lord Alphonse—and he was the Master in charge of the border they were currently managing.
Since Ivan and a few other Ainzlark graduates had been posted in his territory, it was his responsibility to train them with practical experiences.
He did his duties well, allowing the boys to experience actual combat with a few monsters that lurked around, but… Ivan wasn't satisfied.
He used most of his free time to train personally, even after receiving instructions from Alphonse.
He had to get stronger! Strong enough to at least be a match for 'him!'
"Now, I have to handle everyone else? Damn it…"
Ivan needed time for himself. Why did he have to babysit his former classmates?
In about six months, they would all officially become Mages.
They needed to learn to fend for themselves already!
"Well, you're the most powerful of them. You've also shown a lot of potential, according to the Master. Plus, you're also the most responsible."
Ivan gritted his teeth as he listened to the man who spoke.
He was Master Alphonse's retainer—a man who practiced Martial Arts, rather than Magic.
He simply came to give Ivan the message of his superior, so the red-haired boy couldn't hold it against him. Still…
"Argh! Whatever!"
Ivan was sixteen years old now. He was recognized as an adult by normal standards, and would soon be regarded as a Mage as well.
Self-control was a virtue belonging to the mature, and he needed to foot the bill.
'Well, nothing ever happens here, so… how bad could it be?'
The other interns—three in total—were currently taking a stroll close to the border of the Region.
Ivan remembered the boring patrol he had done just a few hours ago. Still, since they were three, it was bound to be more fun for them.
Once the slackers returned, he would just inform them of Master Alphonse's instructions.
'Sigh, how bothersome…'
"So, what exactly are the—"
>BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!<
The sudden eruption caused both Ivan and the retainer—Cephas—to sharply turn their heads in the direction of the noise.
They were currently at the watchtower… and neither of them had noticed it until it was too late.
>BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<
Ivan's eyes widened as he saw a hulking figure appear from within the ocean.
It was covered in black scales, glimmering as the sun beat its wet body.
It had the body of a giant alligator, but… its face certainly resembled a dragon.
>BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<
Fiery bombs came from its large mouth, devastating the areas around it.
In merely three blasts, everything around the monster was covered in flames, smoke… and blood!
"T—that… that is…"
Ivan's body shook, his lips trembled, and his bulging eyes widened even further.
This was a monstrous existence he hadn't seen since he was still a student at Ainzlark Academy, a being he had never expected to witness now…
The Miasma coating the evil being was enough to send shivers down Ivan's spine. The young man trembled even more as he watched the massive being rise from the ocean's depths and step onto the Region's grounds.
"I—Ivan… are you alright…?" Cephas, who had also been gawking at the malevolent creature, looked in Ivan Smith's direction.
The boy's shaking was too unnatural.
'Is he scared? I wouldn't blame him…' Cephas' thoughts trailed.
How wrong the older man was!
"Finally…" Ivan's voice was low, but deep.
His widened eyes now narrowed, and his quivering lips formed a large grin.
This was what the young man had been waiting for!
"FINALLY!!!"
With this, he launched himself out of the watchtower's window and charged outside.
>VWUSSHHH!!!<
Flames erupted from both his hands and legs, and Ivan rushed out in a straight burst of fire. Trails of smoke and tiny embers from him could be seen as the youth charged at the target.
It was enough to stun the middle-aged man a bit.
He had seen many horrifying monsters in his life, yet none came close to the one that suddenly appeared.
The fact that a young lad was able to dive into danger at the first sign of a threat spoke volumes of his character.
'That boy, Ivan…'
A loud bellow from the monster brought the man back to his senses, and he quickly reached for his swords—turning in the direction of the stairs in order to mobilize the troops and lead them into battle.
"Wait for me!" Cephas mumbled under his ragged breath, also donning a determined look in his eyes.
*********
Ivan's speed was phenomenal.
The wind brushed his face, but he didn't care. His eyes were wide enough to see the target, and since he was reinforced with Magic Enhancement, the young lad had nothing to worry about.
"After so long, finally!"
Ivan brandished his tightened fist, and bursts of flames suddenly covered it. With his current velocity and his flaming fist, Ivan charged straight for the massive Demon's head.
>WHOOOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<
The trail of amber flames shot through the sky faster than a piercing lance, and then—
"Eat thissss!!!"
—making full use of the momentum he gained, Ivan thrust his flaming fist!
>BOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<
The entire area was scorched in hot flames.
The breeze sent heat radiating around the area, but since Ivan was coated with enhancements, he didn't feel any inconvenience.
Upon landing the hit that covered the Demon in flames, the fearless young man flew back in recoil, and then landed on the ground—a considerable distance from the scorched opponent.
"Haa… that felt good!"
Ivan had used one of his strongest attacks from the get-go—a powerful hit that caused combustion, as well as an impact that would shatter most surfaces.
However… Ivan knew that it wasn't enough.
'Ahh… how hard!' He looked at his throbbing fist.
Even with his punch—an attack that felt little to no resistance whenever he used it on any target—he wasn't able to break anything!
Just as Ivan was about to click his tongue, the monster emerged from the flames and smoke that were already fading away from its body.
"GURRUUUUUU…"
Once Ivan took a glimpse at the massive—unscathed—body of the Demon, he instinctively knew…
'… This is going to be tough!'
