Chapter 4: Salamander.

  Red eyes gaze in my direction.

  I know; my instincts scream; this is no coincidence.

  The Salamander, at least 6 meters in length and 2 meters in height, looks at me like a predator to a prey.

  I return it's gaze, holding it with a stare.

  ...It can't be helped.

  I focus all my attention, giving it a hard glare, a warning.

  The Salamander tilts its head, seemingly amused, and takes a step back, but then slowly advances towards me.

  Well.

  That's when I bolted.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  ...I want a refund!

  I curse in my mind, remembering the lessons I paid for years ago.

  "When encountering a beast you can't handle, remember to give it a long, hard look; it will make it think that you're not easy prey and let you avoid the fight."

  I vividly remember someone asking, "Is there proof of that?" back then, and how the instructor answered.

  "Of course, you can ask anyone who successfully used this technique to testify."

  I just now realized that dead men tell no tales, dammit!

  [Correction.....Such a tactic is indeed effective for humans; unfortunately, you are not one.]

  ...I can see that!

  Looking behind me, I saw the Salamander chasing and slowly closing in the distance. It's speed way faster than something that big should be.

  How can I escape this? Think, think.

  Aha!

  ...The Codex! Echo, show me a Salamander's weaknesses.

  [Accessing Codex]

  [ Salamanders, like all fire elementals, are mostly immune to heat based attacks and are very vulnerable to freezing based ones. Unlike other fire elementals, a salamander is protected by steel-like scales, reminiscent of a dragon, and often hides its core either inside its skull or heart.

  Weaknesses include. shockwave type, freezing type, and impact type.

  Note that, unlike others from this plane, a Salamander is relatively civil among the fire elementals.

  - His Excellency Chase, from his book "Traveller's Guide: The Plane of Fire"]

  ...Lies! Which part of that is civil?!

  [Relatively civil. A Salamander is usually not interested in flesh and blood, but you have neither. For the Salamander, you are but another elemental food.]

  I turn and look at the hulking lizard that is closing in on me. As a Red Mage, there is nothing in my arsenal that can defeat, hell, even damage that thing.

  ...I only need to escape.

  I calm my mind, remembering the routine almost every mage is familiar with.

  Sense.

  Gather.

  Unleash.

  Relying on my instincts, I control the mana near me, willing it to my desire.

  Master Class magic.

  Tidal Flame!