3. Fire Spitting Lizard Demon

"Get down!" Rion shouted harshly. Everyone complied with his order and immediately laid flat on the ground.

Fire burst only one foot away above them. They could feel the heat on their back through layers of clothes. All those apprentices were frozen still and didn't dare to move.

Rion took a brief pause after the demon finished spouting fire to bark another order at those youngsters. "Back off, all of you! Now!"

"Master Rion!"

"Master!"

They were all shouting his name in relief and obediently rushed to retreat. Most of these apprentices were still too young. Ron only spot two of them who had their spirit sword, while the rest were still carrying their training sword. They were like stalks of bamboo shoot, still too young and too green.

They must've gone down the mountain to see the festival, too. Rion felt bad for them.

They had no time to dwell any longer here. He instructed, "Help to evacuate the common people. One of you, go back to Academy and tell Recuperation House about the situation. Get Lin if you can. Help those who are wounded and find them a safe place. Stay on guard."

"Yes, Master!"

Those apprentices dispersed quickly to follow his order. Rion focused his eyes on the lizard, who watched him cautiously as if sizing up his power. This kind of demon was like an animal; they could sense danger and be usually smart enough to see if their opponent was stronger than them or not before they decided to either fight or run away.

This Fire Spitting Lizard seemed to decide the small human in front of it was not worth fearing. It pulled back, drawing its body to stand straighter, so it could show that it was so much taller and bigger than Rion. It hissed sharply, showing dominance.

"You're quite a big boy, aren't you?" Rion muttered, unsheathing his spirit sword. Now that he had time to assess more of this demon, he noticed it was actually not entirely black. It had a faint dark blue color gleaming dimly and pulsing along its spine, followed by its breath. "And quite a pretty one, too."

Rion said it with a hint of regret. It was a pity to kill this creature. He was interested in all kinds of monsters and demons. They were unique and fascinating. But, unfortunately, very deadly too, so Rion often found himself left with no other choice than to kill them.

The lizard narrowed his eyes at him. Especially at his sword. Rion knew all kinds of spirit weapons frightened demons. Spirit sword infused with pure spirit energy from the wielder. The stronger the wielder is, the stronger the sword, too.

Rion swung the sword in the air twice. It thrummed in sync with his energy. "Sorry. I'll make it quick and less painful for you."

He jumped up to the nearest roof easily. The lizard hurled its sticky, wet tongue in Rion's direction, maybe hoping it could catch him, then eat him whole. He easily jumped to the side. Its tongue hit the roof where he was previously stood. The roof instantly wrecked with its attack. Rion used his right foot as support to leap up and aimed at the lizard's neck. Though unfortunately, it turned its head too fast, and Rion's swords sunk into its left eye.

It let out a loud, pained squeak, tossing its head from one side to the other side. The movement made Rion sway back and forth, using both of his hands to hold the hilt of his sword so he wouldn't fall. One time, he swayed too close to the lizard's slightly opened mouth and almost plunged himself directly into its throat.

"Shit-" Rion panted. "I told you... I'll make it quick! Why... hah... you didn't listen?! Stupid lizard!"

The lizard shrieked horribly and collapsed on its front. Its bottom jaw collided painfully with the ground. Rion flung away from the impact. His sword was still buried to the hilt in its left eye.

Rion coughed and groaned, quickly jumped back on his feet, and glared to the side, where Ludriev flicked his bloodied sword, obviously being the culprit who cut the lizard's front feet.

"What was that for?" Rion protested.

"What? It almost ate you. You're welcome," Ludriev deadpanned.

"Yeah, okay, thank you. But, you don't need to-"

The lizard let out an angry-pained shriek as it turned its head slightly. Its one eye full of revenge and hatred. The lizard opened its mouth and its tongue whipped out so quickly towards two people who somehow didn't go with the others.

"Zephyr!!!"

His sword vibrated and flew back to his hand with a sharp fizzing sound. Every sword master could name their spirit sword once they got it. It wasn't necessary, but it felt inappropriate to not give them a name, since the sword had a spirit in it. Moreover, the sword would respond better when their master called their name. Even if they would still respond if the master only used their energy.

Rion's sword was named Zephyr. The 'gentle breeze', even though the attack was not anything gentle at all. It was always deadly, but with the minimum wound. This is how Rion could show a little compassion to those who fell as his enemies. A quick, merciful death.

Rion had jumped even when his sword was still flying in midair. He used his spirit energy on the sole of his feet to increase speed. He moved so fast Ludriev barely had time to react at all. Rion let his instinct take over. He spun once on his left foot and slashed the lizard's tongue. Blood sprayed all over the ground. But Rion didn't stop there. He jumped forward and drove his sword down hard until it severed the lizard's neck.

The lizard gave one last whole body jerk before it went completely still. Its right eye was open wide, as if it didn't have enough time to process what had happened before its life was over.

"Ri... on...?" Ludriev stared at him, wide-eyed.

For a split second, she didn't see the silly and friendly Rion Ren she knew in her whole life. For a split second, before he slashed the lizard, Ludriev saw his expressionless, cold face. Those eyes were so dark, they seemed as if devoid of any emotion.

Ludriev felt a shudder run up her spine. Belatedly, she realized it was fear that she felt.

Rion turned around before she could see more of his face. He strode fast to two people still crouching on the ground.

"Why are you still here?!" Rion's voice carried over. It sounded frantic, a bit irritated, but mostly worried. "I told you to run! Why didn't you listen to me?!"

"M- Master...."

One of those two people was a familiar face to Ludriev as she walked closer to them. It was Rion's most doted apprentice, Ruby. She sat on the ground, looking up at her master with a pale face and misty eyes.

Rion took both of her arms as his eyes roamed around her body, searching for any sign of the wound. "Are you hurt? Did the demon hurt you anywhere? Ruby, tell me if you felt any pain!"

"I- I'm not hurt, Master." Ruby swallowed hard. "I'm fine...."

Rion seemed like he didn't hear her, or he didn't trust her. He kept examining and checking her hands, arms, legs, her clothes, back, everything. As if Ruby hid the wound somewhere in her body. When he found none, he looked back at her pale face with a disapproving frown.

"I... I'm sorry, Master." Ruby seemed to hold herself back, but it could only last for two seconds. Her expression crumpled as drops of fat tears fell down from her eyes like pearls. "I'm sorry... I was worried about Master, so... so I hiding here. But, then I see this girl trying to run fearfully... I- I was afraid she would get hurt. So, I...." Ruby cried as she pointed at a little girl who was looking down and shaking the whole time. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Master. Please don't hate me...."

"I-" Rion was taken aback. He was so worried that a drop of his irritation leaked into his voice just now. He didn't expect Ruby would take it that far. "Ruby, shh, don't cry. I don't hate you. How could I? I was just very worried. I thought you were already running away and in a safe place. I was just worried. Don't cry anymore, alright?"

He tried to coax her to stop crying and used his hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Look at this. You cried so much your eyes were all red. Stop crying already. I'm not mad at you."

Ruby nodded her head and wiped her face using the sleeves of her robes. She was still sniffling, but there were no more tears fell from her eyes.