The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Custom Spell: Light Distortion!

Desmond's subordinates stood in a daze, their jaws dropping at the sight of the majestic flying lizards. As these magnificent creatures approached, an ethereal energy began to swirl around the bodies of the subordinates, enveloping them in a radiant glow that reflected their own shadows back onto themselves, illuminated by the sun's golden light.

"Stay still," Desmond cautioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Questions raced through their minds as they gulped down their saliva, their eyes fixed on the incoming group of flying lizards drawing closer with each passing moment.

"I need each and every one of you to scatter across the vast expanse of the Imperial Empire," Desmond instructed urgently. "Your mission is to gather information about a potion that can grant access to the realm of the esteemed 1st class mages. Once you find the recipe or stumble upon any clues, make haste and return immediately."

As Desmond laid out the task at hand, the flying lizards nonchalantly glided alongside him, completely unaware of his presence and that of his subordinates. The subordinates, however, remained in a state of constant tremor, their breath quickening as the flying lizards soared past them one by one.

The thought of how and when their young master had cast his spell upon them didn't even cross their minds—survival was their sole focus in that perilous moment.

"Do you understand?" Desmond inquired hurriedly, his gaze darting from one subordinate to another. Assessing the combat capabilities of his group and comparing them to the average beasts he was likely to encounter, he made the decision to face the impending danger alone.

Only when the flying lizards had distanced themselves a little from their location did the subordinates finally find some respite, allowing themselves to breathe and feel a fleeting sense of relief. However, one of them couldn't bear the thought of their young master facing the terrifying beasts alone. "But, young master, what about your safety?" he interjected, his voice filled with concern.

"We cannot allow you to face those dreadful creatures all by yourself!"

The rest of the subordinates concurred with their companion's sentiment. Though their loyalty couldn't match that of Felix's, their lives were indebted to him for giving them a fresh start as bodyguards. Likewise, they owed their souls to their young master for leading them on a path of vengeance against the evil organization that had wronged them and their loved ones.

Given these profound debts, simply bringing him a few D-rank beasts could never repay what they owed. Ensuring their own survival was of utmost importance. They sustained themselves by feasting on the beasts' meat, while their young master reserved only a few select parts for his experiments. It was an imbalanced arrangement from the start, hardly a fair exchange.

"What good can you possibly achieve with your limited power?" Desmond's words turned harsh as he confronted them. "Don't misunderstand—I brought you along because I need all of you to seek a way for me to become a 1st class mage. With your current abilities, you wouldn't even make suitable bait for a wyvern."

His words stung, and before they could respond, Desmond swiftly waved his hand, sending a wave of energy to separate himself from his subordinates. He drove them away without waiting for their reply, leaving his bewildered subordinates dumbfounded by his sudden action.

As darkness slowly crept upon their surroundings, their hearts skipped a beat. With bated breath, they cast furtive glances, only to witness the flying lizards return and swoop toward their young master.

"Young master!" one of them attempted to call out, but his mouth was instantly covered by the hands of his fellow subordinate. Through silent gestures, he implored him to remain silent, pointing at their bodies still bathed in the protective light, subtly invisible to the keen eyes of the flying lizards.

Meanwhile, Desmond observed the approaching colossal shadows in the sky, carefully studying their speed and evaluating their combat prowess. He did so because his unique spell, although capable of concealing their physical forms, failed to mask the sounds and scents they emitted.

When communicating with his subordinates, they remained oblivious to the fact that he was transferring his voice directly into their minds, bypassing the need for spoken words.

"Now let's see if my spell works on these C-rank beasts," Desmond muttered under his breath. Fortunately, the flying lizards remained fixated on him, paying no mind to the colossal wave trailing behind them.

*ROAR*

Even though they were still ten meters away, the deafening roars of the flying lizards echoed through the air, their sheer size nearly engulfing the entire sky. Desmond couldn't help but grumble inwardly, wondering why such massive creatures still sought him as their prey.

Despite their imposing stature, their slow speed, even in flight, allowed Desmond ample time to complain and scrutinize their physical attributes.

"Unbelievable," Desmond commented with a hint of disbelief. Droplets of saliva fell from their mouths, hitting the barren ground only to evaporate immediately due to the scorching temperatures. Their bloodshot eyes resembled those of a rabid dog, their mouths agape, revealing rows of grimy teeth.

Considering their size, it was evident that Desmond alone wouldn't suffice to satiate their hunger, especially since they traveled in a pack.

"Basic Spell: Fireballs Rapid Attack!" Desmond exclaimed, preparing to unleash his fire-based offensive. Unlike when he utilized Control Element, this spell, recorded and simplified, proved to be more energy-efficient.

*Swoosh*

*Swoosh*

Several fireballs materialized in thin air, their appearance devoid of any magical circles due to the activation of Desmond's passive skill, "Instant Cast." The fireballs hovered momentarily before hurtling toward the colossal flying lizards.

Despite their size, the fireballs made contact with their scaly hides, leaving only superficial burns.

*ROAR*

Desmond had expected as much—his initial attack hadn't left a scratch or even visible scorch marks. "This is troublesome," Desmond muttered, his eyes narrowing. He noticed their speed remained unaffected, seemingly unfazed by his modest assault.

*Boom*

As the first flying lizard closed in, attempting to swallow him whole, Desmond easily evaded its sluggish attack. Darting between their rugged scales, he deftly landed a blow on its head.

The ground beneath him vanished, giving way to a gaping hole as the flying lizard gnashed its teeth, crushing pebbles and earth in its maw.

*ROAR*

Hovering above its head, Desmond observed its rough skin, resembling an assortment of bouncing rocks. It bore a striking resemblance to the barren land below him.

"Custom Spell: Fire Sword!" Without hesitation, Desmond activated his unique spell, channeling it through his outstretched hand and summoning his trusty metal sword from its sheath. A protective barrier enveloped the blade, creating a fiery aura just above it.

In an instant, the metal sword transformed into a blazing weapon. Desmond's expression turned solemn as he narrowed his eyes and tightly gripped the sword, mustering all his strength. With a resolute thrust, he aimed the fiery blade downward.

As the sword pierced the outer layer of the flying lizard's skin, the burning effect took hold, causing flames to ignite and facilitating deeper penetration. Determinedly, Desmond exerted all his might, pushing the sword with both hands.

*ROAR*

The flying lizard emitted a roar, but unlike before, this cry held a tinge of pain. The remaining flying lizards dared not approach or disturb Desmond, which perplexed him for a moment. It almost seemed as if he were riding their alpha or some semblance of authority.

With Desmond's raw power surpassing that of a 4th class swordsman, the metal sword sank further into the creature's skin. It was unclear whether it had pierced through its throat or merely reached its brain.

"If my magic fails, I'll have to rely on my raw strength to finish off the rest," Desmond remarked while casting a glance at the remaining flying lizards. Their immense size made it apparent that he would need to leverage his brute force to defeat them.

Desmond tightly gripped one of their rough skins, resembling rocks, to anchor himself and withstand the gusts of wind generated by their powerful wingbeats.