I Hate Systems

Boom! Boom! Clang!

Thunderous sounds, sonorous in nature, resounded throughout the forest like loud bell clangs. A team of soldiers accompanied three people, travelling nearby as they were heading towards the capital of the Hemish Empire, Eonk City.

"What's that sound?" Zaira frowned, having expanded her senses using Wind Mana, locating the source as she sensed a metal cage that was being ganged upon by hundreds of Orcs.

"It's better to refrain from taking action." A soldier said, using his Wind Mana to locate the source too. He was a Grandmaster Wind Mage, leader of the team that accompanied Zaira for protection.

"But, why are so many Orcs targeting one person?" Zaira wondered before expressing her thoughts to the captain, "Sir, since that individual is able to endure for so long against so many Orcs, he must be a strong Mage. I can sense Metal Mana from him, and it's on the level of a Grandmaster."

"Aren't all Grandmasters a strategic resource against our enemies?" She pressed forth in the argument.

"I understand." The Captain said as he looked around, commanding everyone, "Stay here and protect lady Zaira, understand?"

"Understood!" All the soldiers saluted in response.

The captain looked at Arnark, "Come with me. The two of us will swiftly dispatch all the Orcs and save that person."

"Alright," Arnark said as the captain grabbed hold of him and flew through the air. The captain remained in the air while Arnark descended to the ground, condensing a metal blade that slashed the arm of the Orc that had pierced through the metal cage.

Boom!

He landed as immediately, the ground underneath him morphed into a slab of metal out of which hundreds of arrows shot out, stabbing through the Orcs.

'I've never seen a Metal Mage fight like this before.' The captain thought for an instant before focusing on the task at hand, condensing wind blades that rained down on the group of Orcs, shredding them to bits in a matter of seconds.

Large potholes formed on the ground as a result of his attack as Orc blood filled it to the brim, also causing bloody moisture to congregate in the region.

Arnark snapped his finger, causing the metal cage to split, revealing a fifteen-year-old boy lying within, sporting critical injuries, unconscious.

An Orc hand was grabbing his head tightly, causing the areas pricked by its nails to drip blood.

"Such a young child is a Grandmaster Mage?" The captain was shocked to see Gilthru before hurriedly appearing before him, intending to carry him. But just as he was about to rescue him, a sheet of metal formed, blocking him.

The captain stared at Arnark in anger, "What the hell are you doing? If I don't rescue him, he'll die in a matter of minutes."

"He's the one that attacked us a couple of days ago." Arnark said, glaring at Gilthru, "I'm sure he's a Demon's Tamed Beast."

"If he's a tamed beast, then we'll extract intelligence out of him." The captain said, ripping apart the metal sheet with a layer of wind as he picked up Gilthru and headed back.

"Fine…" Arnark said as a gust of wind carried him back to their group.

"Isn't he…?" Zaira was surprised to see Gilthru, "How come he's in this state? He's damn strong!"

"We'll find out about it later." The captain said, motioning for his soldiers to take action as he poured a healing potion over Gilthru's wounds, healing him enough so that he wouldn't die but not enough to allow him to fight.

They bound him using a Magic Tool and travelled towards the royal capital, Eonk City.

"This boy…" Zaira stared at Gilthru, asking, "Just what must have he been through as a tamed beast?"

"He's an enemy, Zaira," Arnark said.

"But he's a human that has been enslaved." Zaira retorted, "The one at fault is the Tamer that forced him to take action."

"He's a Grandmaster at such a young age. If he's been active among the demon side, we might have information about him." The captain said, "Once we arrive at Eonk City, we'll investigate his past."

The group travelled for a day before arriving at Eonk City, a massive walled city spanning a radius of thirty kilometres.

It was the strongest City among Humans, one boasting the largest and strongest military. And thanks to the alliance, representatives from other races had gathered here to discuss plans to be executed on the warfront.

Just the walls alone spanned a height of hundred metres, its top covered by soldiers that patrolled nonstop, all Expert Warriors, with their commanding officers being Master Warriors.

There were watchtowers situated at regular intervals on the wall where Mages resided, acting as the ranged unit to target any enemy attack from afar. Moreover, the Wind Mages here constantly scanned the entire region to be alert.

Such towers were also installed throughout the city as a means of protection to ensure that the city wasn't doomed just because the wall was breached.

After a round of inspection, they were allowed entry as a delegate arrived to receive Zaira, noticing the captive Gilthru, asking, "He is…?"

"A tamed beast that we saved." Zaira said, "He's a Grandmaster Metal Mage and Wind Warrior. We hope to find out more about him and possibly gain intelligence against the enemy."

"Hmm…" The delegate glanced at Gilthru, "Aged fifteen, a Grandmaster Metal Mage and Wind Warrior…"

He nodded, "There's just one. He's the one that rode Stomper to trample the Mukar Kingdom."

"Daka Felera's right-hand tamed beast, Gilthru."

"He's…that…bastard?" Suddenly, Zaira's eyes spewed out killing intent as mana burst out of her body, raging around as she glared at Gilthru as the Elements of Wind, Metal, Lightning, Water, Fire, and even Space manifested themselves, targeting him.

"Stop!" The delegate hurriedly erected a barrier of water that blocked her attack. He was a Pseudo-Saint Water Mage and hence able to easily tank her attacks, despite how impressive they were.

Though, he was internally sweating as he stated in a hurry, "He's too valuable as a prisoner. Don't kill him yet!"

"I…understand." Zaira said as her voice turned emotionless, "But, once you're done, I'll make him experience hell for destroying my country."

"That is…" The delegate let out a wry smile, thinking, 'We're planning to label you a Hero. It might not be wise to kill a human before that.'