Reincarnation Of A Swordsman: The Omni Mage

Chapter 126: Deserted Village

As Kyle and his team stepped through the portal, he braced himself for the warp's impact, but even he wasn't entirely prepared for the sensation.

The teleportation felt like being squeezed through an impossibly tight space and his insides were twisting and stretching all at once.

Unlike the others, he was able to tolerate it thanks to his higher stats, but he could see that his teammates weren't faring as well.

The moment they emerged on the other side, Celine almost fell over and her hands were clutching her stomach as she took deep breaths with a pale face.

Finn also tried to steady himself, while Zara and Lina both looked visibly queasy.

Kyle took a quick glance at them and assessed their states.

"We'll need a quick recovery before we move," he said, turning to Zara. "Don't waste any potions. Can you use your light magic to heal everyone?"

Zara, swallowed hard to keep her composure and gave a quick nod. She took a few steps back, drawing a shaky breath before summoning her mana.

Her hands glowed with a soft golden light as she cast her spell, releasing gentle waves of warmth that washed over each of them, easing their nausea and disorientation.

While she worked, Kyle turned his attention to their surroundings. They were standing on a narrow, dusty street, surrounded by small, modest houses that looked worn and empty.

The silence was very noticeable; the absence of villagers and the barren streets gave the place a desolate, almost ghostly feel.

'This village feels abandoned,' he thought, frowning as he scanned the rows of houses. 'The beast tide must be close if the villagers are hiding. But… it could be more than that.'

He murmured, "Either the villagers are hiding inside because of the beast tide, or they might have fled. I can't rule out that something else is keeping them away."

By the time Zara finished casting her healing spell, the others looked visibly better and their color had returned. Kyle turned to them and gave each one a quick once-over.

"How's everyone feeling?" he asked.

"Better," Finn replied with a nod. "Thanks, Zara."

"Same here," Celine added quietly.

"Good," Kyle said, glancing around the empty street once more. "From what I can see, we're definitely in the village, but it's deserted.

First, we need to find the village head and get some information on the beast tide and any defenses they have in place. For that, we'll have to locate someone who can direct us."

The team nodded in agreement, all their expressions were now serious, and they moved as one down the street, keeping their eyes and ears open.

After a short walk, they reached a small house on the corner and decided to try their luck. Kyle stepped forward and knocked on the door, waiting as the sound echoed in the quiet village.

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a young, skinny boy with dark skin and wide eyes that looked more haunted than they should have for his age.

He looked about seven, but something about his malnourished frame suggested he might be older, maybe worn down by a hard life. The instant his gaze fell on Kyle and his team, he took a step back, looking ready to slam the door shut.

"Wait!" Kyle said quickly with a softened tone. "We're here to help. We were sent to protect your village from the beast tide."

The boy froze and his eyes narrowed as he processed Kyle's words. After a moment, he stepped back out and his face was slightly more relaxed.

"They said some helpers were coming," the boy said, still wary but a bit more at ease now. "Are you really here to fight the monsters?"

Kyle nodded and felt relief at the confirmation that they were expected. That would save him a whole lot of stress he wasn't ready for.

He gave the boy a reassuring smile and said:

"That's right. And we need to find the village head. Do you know where we can find him?"

The boy blinked, then gave a small grin. "Everyone knows where the village head lives. I can show you if you want."

Kyle exchanged a quick glance with his team, nodding at the unexpected bit of luck. "We'd appreciate that, thank you."

The boy beckoned for them to follow and took off, his thin legs moving with surprising speed as he led them down a winding path.

As they walked, Kyle took note of the houses they passed. Many of them had broken fences, doors tightly shut, and the unmistakable signs of hurried fortifications—boards over windows, makeshift barricades in front of doors.

The boy led them to a larger, sturdier-looking house at the end of the street. It had a small courtyard, where a few villagers were milling about, preparing makeshift defenses. The boy stopped in front of the gate, gesturing at the building.

"That's the village head's house," he said.

Kyle turned to him, nodding in appreciation. "Thanks, you've been a big help. What's your name?"

"Jonas," the boy replied, looking a bit proud to have helped.

"Stay safe, Jonas," Kyle said, giving him a firm nod. "We'll take care of things from here."

Jonas nodded back before he ran off, disappearing down the path they'd come from.

Turning to his team, Kyle took a deep breath and glanced at the house. "All right. Let's see what information we can get."

They stepped through the gate and approached the main door, where a group of villagers stopped them, each armed with rudimentary weapons—axes, farm tools, and makeshift clubs.

Their expressions were wary but softened when Kyle introduced himself and explained their mission.

A woman with graying hair and tired eyes nodded and gestured for them to follow her inside. They were led into a small, dimly lit room where an older man with a rugged face sat, studying a worn map on the table in front of him.

He looked up as they entered, with an expression that showed relief and concern.

"So you're the academy's reinforcements," he said with steady voice. He had been informed of their arrival prior to this and wasn't surprised to see them. "I'm Henrick, the village head."