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Anki nodded politely as Fei thanked her and took the water bottle from her. [color=DEB887]"You are welcome, Mr. Fei."[/color] Fei then downed the water in one go, and soon looked like he had gotten a bit better already just from sating his thirst. He started to speak after. [color=9e0b0f]“Sorry if I scared any of you guys, I was extremely thirsty and hungry but the water should suffice for now, I would like to get to know y’all better…”[/color] But before more can be said from him or any of the others, tiny Kobolds started appearing and surrounding all five of the them. Only one, the red colored leader, was somewhat bigger compared to the rest.

Anki looked around calmly at the surrounding creatures. She already noticed that there were more than just Fei watching them earlier, thought she of course didn't know what they were. [color=DEB887]"Kobolds... I see."[/color] It was the first time for Anki to encounter these creatures directly. However, these creatures were included in a basic adventuring book that she had read before as well as being mentioned in several other books she had read as well, so she had sufficient theoretical knowledge of them. And judging from the Kobold leader's words, it seemed that the stereotypical accounts Anki had read of Kobolds resorting to banditry had truth to it after all...

To Anki's knowledge, taking out the leader of such a pack will always be the best way to quickly cause the others to retreat in fear. Course of action clear, she turned her body around and faced the direction of the leader directly. As she was mulling over whether to just bury the creature in earth and stones or to squish it between two palms of stone however, Fei declared that he shall be the one to face the leader and promptly launched an attack to engage it. He seemed capable enough, and Catherine had thrown him something mentioning that it will help him with his fatigue, so Anki decided that it was probably fine to leave the leader to Fei. [color=DEB887]"Very well, Mr. Fei. I shall entrust you with the red one. As for me..."[/color]

As far as personal tendency was concerned, Anki preferred to take the supporting role in combat situation. This was affected by the training she often received, being taught by the Lord of Gaea to always work together with allies whenever they are present (and if an ally was not present; make one from the earth itself). This time, she believed a preemptive attack would be best, though she will keep in mind helping her allies if the needs arise. Then again that might not be necessary... She knew for a fact that Srikandi was an accomplished adventurer, and the others with her looked quite capable as well. A martial artist capable of shrouding his limbs in flame, an alchemist with bottles of what looked to be highly volatile concoctions and an attitude that showed she knew very well how to use them, and an intimidating half-orc man that looked like he can snap the spines of these Kobolds with ease. Yes, this group against a band of Kobold bandits seemed like very good odds to Anki.

Thus decided on offense she turned her gaze to the smaller Kobolds, eventually picking out three that were standing close to each other, still excitedly watching as they held their likely stolen weapons in their hands. Anki nodded to herself. [color=DEB887]"Hmm. Yes. Let's start with those ones."[/color] Immediately she started manipulating the flow of natural mana around her, focusing the magic unto Ur Terra. Then, she slammed the bottom of the scepter once on the ground. [color=DEB887]"Earth Spikes."[/color] And with that simple incantation the ground under the three Kobolds immediately trembled for a split second before three large spikes made out of stones burst out at high speed the next second. Solid stones, warped and molded by Anki's Geomancy to be lance-sharp at the top ends; the very same top ends that were aimed at the little creatures' torso, skewering them like grilled lizards on sticks.

Kind-hearted as she might be, she were also taught not to show any quarter towards evil. In reality, not all bandits were evil of course. But unfortunately for the Kobolds, that fact slipped Anki's naive and young mind. So she didn't think of showing any mercy in this occasion, just like a young child not showing any mercy to an ant that bit them.

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