The second female lead Dual Cultivates

The clash had happened in an instant. The weapon collided and the knife managed to graze Maria’s skin. But she had managed to stop the knife from attacking the beast behind her which was a huge win in her mind.

Poor Venus looked shocked as well as scared about the happening and Maria did not fault her for this confusion. She had managed to interfere in the nick of time after all.

The beast behind her gave her a curious stare but the blood flowing through its wound left him too tired and weak to do anything but sit back and look in front of him. It was a heavy wound as well, one that was earned through the outcome of a vicious battle.

“Maria, what are you doing? That’s a beast. We’ll get killed” Venus yelled. She sounded worried but also terrified of the monster. Maria understood where the princess was coming from.

They had faced nothing but vicious beasts until now. As such, the princess had a legit fear and loathing toward these beasts. But Maria knew that this beast was someone they could not harm.

“Yuuki! Yuuki, are you alright? What did these people do to you?” the familiar voice of the elder boy from before broke the tranquil silence of the clearing. Maria watched as the elder teen made his way toward the beast with gentle and hesitant steps.

For what it was worth, the beast laid down on the ground with a calm expression as well. He allowed the kid to approach them with a fond expression and Maria had a feeling that they were not supposed to experience this moment.

​ It felt far too intimidating for Maria to look at. Venus made a gagging motion behind her but Maria could see that she was finding it difficult to look at the scene in front of her as well.

“Hey, stop. You will aggravate the injury. Don’t touch it with your bare hands” Maria stopped the teen before he could make any contact with the heavily injured beast. The wound was too deep to be left alone.

At the same time, Maria could see that it would get infected if it was left untreated any longer. She had some medical supplies with her but she hesitated to use them.

“You don’t need to worry about us. We have been in such a situation far too many times. Look” the teen placed his hand gently on the wound and Maria could feel a surge of magic build up around her.

Then teen removed his hand and the wound seemed as good as healed. It was an excellent feat of magic. And also, far too advanced for someone born in Jamaica.

“You can use magic as well. But how and why. Why not join the royal guards? You would get so many benefits if you did” Venus questioned. It seemed as if she was unable to wrap her head around this fact.

The words caused the elder teen’s eyes to harden and Maria could see him getting irritated at the question. It seemed like there was a story there that Maria was not privy to.

“Whether I use magic for Jamaica or for my own good, it does not matter. In the end, it will only respond to me when I need it the most” the teen huffed. He sounded sour about that fact and a little grumpy as well.

The beast behind the kid let out a found huff before headbutting the teen. It caused the teen to fall on his knees but he did not look like he minded much.

The fond expression on the kid’s face spoke volumes about how he felt and Maria was curious about how this friendship had come about.

“I was not aware that magic beasts were able to take the human form,” Maria asked, finally breaking the ice. The kid looked reluctant to answer but the beast seemed amused.

Maria could see it happening before the magic moved. The beast shined with magic before he was replaced by the younger teen from before. White eyes looked back at her with a calm expression.

“Not all of us can. Let’s just say I was granted a chance to be able to protect someone important to me” the words caused the elder teen to go red in the face. It was almost cute in a morbid sort of way.

“Yuki, stop giving secrets away. Don’t be nice to them. They hurt you, remember?” the elder teen asked. He sounded halfway between resigned and angry.

However, Yuki did not look like he had heard those complaints. Instead, he gave bowed toward Maria. Those white eyes looked at her with a knowing light and Maria had a feeling that the beast knew who she was.

“No, they did not hurt me. The young female here saved my life. I would like to invite them back to the village” The beast replied. He paid no attention to the raging teen behind him, likely too used to his tantrum.

But Maria could not help but feel on edge. She felt as of the beast knew about her and was testing her. Thankfully, she did not have to make a decision. Venus made one for her.

“A village? Finally. I thought we would keep on walking around in circles forever. This forest is like a maze” She did not even sound sorry for what she had been about to do.

And in a way, her carefree attitude was refreshing. As annoying as she could be, Maria could not deny that Venus was a breath of fresh air from her thoughts. And if the beast did not mind her presence, Maria would also not complain.

“We would like to take your offer. There are a few questions we need to ask you as well” Maria wanted to bow back but her body refused to bow.

She did not try to fight it very hard as she looked at the expression she was being aimed with. The beast looked as if he understood what Maria was thinking about.

“Then, please come. I also have news that might be of interest to you” the beast sounded sure of his words and Maria felt a chill do down her spine at those words. There was only so much that could be of interest to her and Maria could not even begin to think what the man was talking about.

She followed after the pair, memorizing the way they were lading her toward. She was sure she had passed through the clearing before but she had not found the village entrance.

And she understood why as well once the beast dragged the center stone away from its place. The entrance had been hidden.