The mana phenomenon continued to grow, attracting more and more animals from the surrounding woods. Nora was completely out, and there was now a ring of animals forming around the forest clearing. The ring was comprised of typical forest animals, ranging from level 4s to level 35s. There were also some variants of animals that Nora would have never seen before.
They all looked towards the hollow that Nora was hiding in with a growing hunger. A mana phenomenon like this was something that didn't happen often, and getting their hands on just a bit of that mana could guarantee their next evolution, making them more powerful and more likely to survive.
One small level 4 squirrel was the first to go for it. The squirrel hadn't eaten anything in days, and the smell of the mana was too enticing for it. It quickly and quietly snuck up to the base of the tree, the other animals getting closer in anticipation. The squirrel began to climb up the tree; however, after just a few feet, the squirrel slowed, getting weaker and weaker. Eventually, about 4 feet up, the squirrel didn't have the strength to hold onto the tree anymore and fell to the ground.
Turns out, the phenomenon that Nora had created was so great that it caused the mana in not only the surrounding area, but also the mana in all the animals around, to be drained to fuel the binding process.
All the other forest animals instinctively took a step back. This clearly wasn't something to mess around with.
After a few minutes, an animal stepped forward; it was a high-level deer. About level 27, forest-type deer. In tandem with the deer, an ice fox also stepped out, both with the same idea, 'bring that tree down and take whatever was causing that phenomenon for ourselves."
Both of them used the best buffs they had in tandem. They wanted the best chance they could get at taking the tree down and getting inside the hollow. Neither of them used any of their offensive abilities or magic, since they were worried that their abilities might destroy whatever was causing the phenomenon inside.
The deer, having applied buffs to itself, took a ramming stance, lowering its head and preparing to charge. The wolf, seeing this opportunity, prepares to also hit the tree. Both hurled themselves at the tree with as much force as they could muster.
Thud!
Thud!
Luckily, neither creature used any of their actual abilities aside from some buffs; otherwise, Nora would definitely be dead by now.
The deer backed up, shaking its head, and the wolf limped slightly away from the impact. The tree stayed upright, swaying slightly from the impact.
Far above at this exact time, a Voltrake happened to be flying over this area. A Voltrake is a subspecies of bird, looking much like a harpy eagle, only it was thunder-based; they were known as incredibly powerful and high-status birds. This one particular was only level 15, but already had the strength to rival an animal twice its level.
He happened to notice the commotion in this clearing specifically and decided to go take a look.
As he approached, he noticed some odd runes appearing in the air around him before also collecting towards the source of the phenomenon. Had Nora been conscious, she would have recognized these as runes that come from the language of the universe. The language she learned in the library.
The Voltrake quickly dived down, approaching the hollow that Nora was in at high speeds, ignoring all the other animals. He landed in the burrow with dramatic flair.
Looking around, he expected to see a magical plant or perhaps some sort of artifact. What he didn't expect was to see a small crow-like bird, completely unconscious yet still sucking in unimaginable amounts of mana.
His eyes widened, and he felt a small amount of mana being sucked out from his own reserve, but it was manageable. Looking back, he could see the large numbers of other animals that were trying to get to this small crow, and he felt a pang of anger.
His pack instincts kicked in, and he felt a need to help this crow right now. This was partially because Voltrake specifically has some pack instincts. They typically group together in the wild and are occasionally known to hunt together, unlike other bird species. The other reasons were that he felt a small, strange connection to this crow, and the fact that if he were to bring back a bird that is able to cause this kind of phenomenon to the bird clan, then he would be praised heavily by his family.
Without hesitation, the Voltrake activated some of his buff skills as well and began to fend off the other animals. In only a few minutes, he had warded off the other creatures.
He didn't actually do much fighting; instead, he conjured up a rather loud and ominous storm. Using his mana to supercharge the clouds, he made himself look much more powerful than he actually was and caused all the other animals to back away slowly.
Maintaining the mana cloud was incredibly difficult because Nora's fusion actually kept stealing a lot of it now that it was out of his body. After only a few minutes, the Voltrake had to stop the mana cloud because, at this rate, he couldn't maintain it.
Luckily for both of them, all the animals had backed off after only a few moments, adhering to the pecking order (haha funny joke) that was in place in this world, the strongest got everything, the weakest got the leftovers, cooperation was not unusual, though especially with members of the same species and level.
The Voltrake decided to wait until the phenomenon finished, as right now it appeared to be reaching its peak. Only a few minutes later, Nora stopped collecting mass amounts of mana and began to condense it around her.
The Voltrake sat and watched for several hours, despite the danger passing and him having no real reason to stick around, something kept him there; he felt captivated by the small, fragile crow in front of him. Eventually, as the sun was almost setting, Nora began to stir.
'urggg, woah what happened?' Nora slowly stood up, shaking her head, feeling incredibly groggy. She only just barely registered the notification from her system.
————————
Ding!
The binding process is complete!
Check your system for rewards.
————————
Nora was still getting her bearings when she heard shuffling coming from nearby. Instantly, she felt all the grogginess clear as adrenaline flooded her small body.
"Oh, finally! You're awake," a voice spoke up from her right side, "thank the gods I thought you would never wake up."
Nora nearly fell over hearing the voice, partially from fear, partially from shock. Turning quickly, she found herself face to face with an eagle, with small white streaks on its wings and a white underbelly. The wings of the eagle had a slight grayish color that spread down its back and the top of its tail.
What really shocked Nora was that this eagle was speaking English, a language that she could actually understand.
Apparently, Nora's shocked expression worried the Voltrake a bit.
Wait, you can understand me, right? He questioned worriedly, nod your head if you can understand me.
Nora, swallowing her shock, nodded her head.
That's good, I figured from your reaction that you could understand me, but you cannot talk yet, right?
Nora slowly nods her head again, wondering how this bird could know that she couldn't talk.
" Yeah, I figured. Vocal chords don't usually develop until you get your human form and level up a bit."
'human form?' Nora perked up immediately. She wasn't aware that she would eventually get something like her old body back.
The Voltrake continued, not noticing Nora, "It's really good that you can understand me, honestly, it makes things so much easier. Some birds have to learn the language when they come to the bird clan."
Nora tilted her head slightly at this comment
' The bird clan? First I've heard of this… hmm.'
" Anyways, that was some magic you pulled there, how'd you do it?"
"…" Nora gave him a blank expression.
The Voltrake let out a nervous chuckle, "Oh, right, can't talk… well, you can tell me some other time."
Nora tilted her head again,' Some other time? Am I going to be meeting with this guy on a regular basis?? Do I even get a say in this?'
"I can take you to the bird clan," the Voltrake explains, now getting excited, "it'll be perfect. You're probably pretty powerful by now, you'll do great."
Nora moved her wings in a shrugging motion.' Not really, honestly.'
The Voltrake brushes that action off "oh come on, don't be modest. I saw that phenomenon, it was crazy. You'll do great at the bird clan, it's not too far from here, I can take you right now."
Nora hesitated for a moment. " It could be a good opportunity. I haven't quite yet checked the rewards from the trials and stuff, but it should be pretty good, I guess, just 'fake it till I make it.' Nora nodded, following the Voltrake out of the hollow and into the skies.
They began to head further south.