Stefan was walking through the forest, making gestures, as the plants in front of him, that blocked his way moved to the sides. Following him was his daughter, Lina. That was definitely a place where no human stepped. He doesn't know if there were any dangers or treasures on that island, but better explore it, then sit on the beach and wait for help. Who knows when someone will pass close to that place?

Everything started three days ago, as they were traveling on a ship. There was a sudden attack from pirates. More than ten ships surrounded them. He might be a Sorcerer, but he couldn't defend the whole ship alone. Trying his best, he fought through the night, but alas, the only thing he managed to do was saving his daughter and bring her to this place.

The pirates were really strong, there was that aura user, or as the common people liked to name them, a warrior. He was at least in the sixth aura layer. Stefan himself was in the sixth circle of magic. So they both got entangled with each other, trying to decide the winner. But the warrior chooses to delay the fight, which moved in a battle of attrition. Finally, Stefan couldn't play with him any longer and decided to abandon the ship, running with Lina.

Lina was still young, only 15. She was recognized as one of the best geniuses in the last millennium, but that didn't give her strength from the start. She was only in the second circle, water Sorcerer. But what was amazing was that she can control ice too. So you can say she had a really good gift. Water magic can be used to cure wounds, to defend and attack. If you make your water into ice, your defense and attack skyrocket. That gives her more chances to survive in a real battle.

Stefan, on the other hand, was earth Sorcerer, recognized by the empire. Though that recognition won't help him now. He was at a deserted island, and who knows when they will manage to get out of here. So first they have to check what is on the island. Take some resources, make a temporary shelter, and prepare their survival for the days to come.

*******************************************

On the other end of the island, a man in black clothes slowly woke up. He sprung up from his spot and checked his surroundings, not finding anything to worry about, he relaxed. Around him was ship wreckage, he was a survivor from a wrecked ship. Though it wasn't the same as in the battle with the pirates and Stefan, it was still the work of those pirates.

The man had a deep wound on his left hand. Checking around him, he found a cloth and washed it a bit in the sea, making a bandage for his wound. There wasn't any medicine, but the sea water can still help him, and the bandage can stop the blood from flowing.

"Damn, those fucking pirates! To actually manage to stun me like that, still it's good that I survived, but it looks like my mission will be forfeit. Sigh, I need that money."

The man started talking to himself, as he checked for more useful stuff from the wreckage. He managed to find a rope and a few daggers. The other weapons were useless to him. After all, he was an assassin. Daggers were his main weapons. As for his name? Well, he doesn't have a name, though the people gave him a nickname, Lighting. Why that name? First, when he strikes, be in a crowd or not, he was always fast. Second, all his targets died in less than 10 seconds from his hands. there were no survivors. So you can say he finished all of his missions so far. He was at his mission for promotion, which will make him one of the best assassins in the organization, and be a part of the directors there. But now everything was ruined.

"Okay, most of the useful stuff is in me, that's enough for now. Let's check that island now. It might have some treasures." Saying that he started moving to the forest, disappearing through the trees.

****************************************************************

In the forest, Stefan and Lina were still moving. The forest was endless. There were all kinds of insects and small animals, which was a good sign. At least, they will have what to eat. With Lina's magic, they can have water too.

"Father, can we stop to rest for a bit? I am exhausted already." Lina asked with a weak voice. Turning around, Stefan saw that she was sweating all over.

"Alright. let's stop for half an hour. After that, you will use your magic to catch something. We will need dinner and you need to continue with your training." Stefan said as he watched her daughter pout.

"Why should I catch it? You can easily catch something. I am already tired. Can you pardon me this time, please~?" Lina tried to be coquettish, in hopes to make her father give up the idea. She doesn't want to train now. So much traveling through the forest already, that took her power to even move and now to use her magic? That was a big no, no.

Stefan's mouth twitched. His daughter was really too spoiled! Ahem, it's not like he spoils her too much, he just can't look at her when she makes that kind of face. But remember that her training was important, he finally said. "No! You will catch it this time. There won't be compromises in this!"

Lina's eyes widened. She wasn't expecting that kind of answer. Her father actually said no? Her father, not someone else?! She was a bit shocked by this. "F-Father, what did you just said?"

"I said you will be catching the dinner for us, seems like I am too kind, I have to be stricter with you! You are on the path of magic, and a genius at that! You need to work hard, and utilize your talents! Don't always slack!" Stefan said that a bit approaching. He really loved his girl, he would give everything for her, after all, she was the only one important in his heart. Her mother died early, now it was his duty to teach her and protect her.

Lina's eyes got teary, her father just had to give her a lecture. She can't believe what was he saying. He will be stricter? What does this mean? He was always kind, and never abolished her like that. What was wrong with him today? Her tears started falling down.

Seeing that, Stefan panicked. Why was she crying now? "Stop crying, everything is alright. I didn't mean to scare you, alright? I am only thinking the best for you." He hugged her, as he started to comfort her.

Lina cried for a bit longer in his embrace, this was the safest place in the world for her. Her father was just so strong, if she is close, no one can get close to her. That was he believe from little. Thinking about what he said again, she decided to catch the dinner. He must be right, she shouldn't slack so much.

After half an hour, the duo finally started moving again. This time Lina will hunt as Stefan would only watch. She moved slowly through the forest, it was a bit difficult to move here. Using some ice magic, she made a path for herself. Her mana pool was abnormally huge, so she wasn't worried to use too much magic. That was her biggest gift.

After fifteen minutes moving, she finally saw a boar. Though it wasn't really big, it was more than enough for the both of them. Waving her hand, an icicle formed in front of her and shot whit unbelievable speed. The naked eye won't be able to trace it. The icicle pierced through the boar's skull, right between the eyes. There was a short grunt and a thud and the boar was already dead on the ground.

Lina cheered as she saw that result. Her spell was quite accurate this time. The best thing was that she managed to cast it without incarnation, as her father taught her. That was something she was training for three months already. Feeling proud with herself, she moved to the dead boar. "Look, father, aren't I amazing? I managed to shot it between the eyes!"

"Yes, yes, my Lina is the best. I knew you can do it. Alright, let's continue your training. Use your magic to move the boar as you follow me. We will find an opening somewhere and make a temporary shelter." Stefan said that while grinning from ear to ear. He wasn't expecting less from his little girl.

Lina nodded and made a path from ice, so she can move the boar easier. Of course, she used some of her magic to straighten her body too. Stefan started to open a path again, it wasn't like he can't make an opening, but he didn't want to change the forest too much. After more than an hour. they finally found a lake, with more space around it. It was the perfect place for a camp.

"Okay, put the boar there. Let's get some clear water and start a fire. We will be sleeping here tonight. I will go look for some branches and leaves to make the shelter." Saying that. Stefan moved to the forest again, but not too far away, Lina was still in his sign of vision.

*****************************************************************

Lighting was moving through the forest like it was flat ground. He was trained to can move in any terrain, so that wasn't a problem for him. He can see that the island wasn't used by humans, which made his ambition bigger. If there are no humans, there might be some undiscovered treasure. If he can get a treasure here, he can still take the position of a director and make his life easier. The killing was in his blood, but that doesn't give him a reason to reject an easier life.

The sky started getting darker. Seeing nothing interesting for now, he decided to stop soon and make some preparations for the oncoming night. Moving for a few minutes more, a dagger shot out from him, killing a rabbit. That will be his dinner for tonight.

Taking the rabbit, he left it to hang on his shoulder. He started to clear some branches and make some space on the ground. Taking a fire stone from his small bag, he used it to make a fire and started skinning the rabbit. Every move of his was smooth and elegant, like an art.

1 minute later, the rabbit was ready for cooking. He used a branch and hung up the rabbit on it, using it as a skewer. That speed was just too fast, to skin a rabbit and clean it up so fast, who can do it in that kind of speed? He waited as he roasted the rabbit. The sizzling sound from the meat made him even hungrier.

Finally, the rabbit was ready. Taking a bite, he couldn't help but sigh. "It's good to have some meat from time to time. I was almost dying on that ship, only eating potatoes and fruits."

He enjoyed his meal slowly, licking his lips at the end. "Well, that's enough for tonight. Guess I will have to sleep on a tree, it's safer that way. Tomorrow will be more exploration." After murmuring to himself, he extinguished the fire and climbed up a tree. This will be the place where he takes his rest.

**************************************************

Lina woke up and checked her surroundings. It was already morning, her father was next to the lake, training his magic. She can see five orbs made from earth moving around him. At the same time, the earth 10 steps in front of him changed shapes. She watched that scene a bit mesmerized. Her father was the best after all.

"Oh, you woke up? Wash your face and start your morning training. We will start moving again in 2 hours." Stefan instructed Lina, without turning around. He can feel that she was awake.

Lina nodded and got next to the lake. Using some of the water, she washed her face and started with her training. Part of the lake's water separated and a huge sphere with a diameter of five meters started floating on top of the lake. Next, it got separated. In the end, there were ten spheres of water, with the same diameter. Those spheres started circling around Lina. A few seconds later, one of the spheres changed into ice. Like that, one by one, all the spheres changed to ice. That took her five minutes.

As the spheres were circling around Line, their movements stopped. In the next moment, all the spheres changed forms to icicles and were shot to ten different trees. All the trees were previously hit at the middle.

As Lina watched the result, she heard applause from behind. Turning around, she saw her father with a big smile at his face. He came next to her and patted her head. "Good job, let's have 15 minutes break and start moving again. We need to explore the island, it's better to know what is it here and prepare for it, then wait on the beach and hope for luck there is nothing dangerous."

Lina nodded and sat down next to a tree, resting for the moment. Stefan sat next to her and started meditating to recover some mana.

After the little break, they started moving again, finally seeing the end of the forest after four more hours of traveling. Before they were now a little mountain, with a cave in front. There were some magic waves coming from the cave. "Alright, let's check what is inside. It's not a magical beast for sure, but we can't be relaxed. Stay close behind me. We will move slowly to the cave." Lina nodded and got behind her father. Now wasn't the time to play some games.

**************************************************

Lighting was again moving through the forest at high speed. After moving for a few kilometers, his steps stopped. Looking in front, he can see a path, definitely made by humans. Getting closer, he checked the marks and smiled. "That's made recently. Mostly only a day or two passed. An earth Sorcerer, huh? That will be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible. Jackpot"

He started following the trail, a bit excited. If there was a Sorcerer here, there will be some treasures on his body. That was good, that's what he needs. Seems like that incident will bring him some money after all.

******************************************************

Moving into the cave, Stefan was preparing for all kinds of situations. Strangely, there was nothing. The cave continued forward with no end to it. The magic power got stronger and stronger as they moved. After ten minutes of traveling, Stefan saw a bright light in front of them. Slowing his steps, even more, he got closer to it. As he saw what was in front, his eyes widened. The next moment, his body trembled a little. "Lina, do you know what is this? This is a water crystal! And is so strong, at least the best water crystal I ever saw in my life! You are lucky, that crystal will help you a lot in your training!"

The line looked from behind her father with sparkling eyes. "Can I really take it?" She asked, still a bit excited from this. She felt this quite unbelievable, they got lucky just like that?

"Wait for a bit, I will take it, there might be a barrier protecting it." Saying so, Stefan started chanting and moved at the direction of the water crystal. There were some sparks in the air, and in the next moment, a shattering sound was heard. There really was a barrier. "Now you can take it. It's safe."

Lina jumped up from behind and moved next to the crystal. She slowly took it up in her hand and felt the enormous power in it. In the next moment, her mana pool started regenerating at an incredible speed. She felt some changes in her body too, as the crystal wanted to merge with her. She looked at her father, not knowing what to do.

"Let the crystal merge with you, no need to save it. That will give you leap in your powers" Stefan said with a smile. Lina grinned too and sat cross-legged, absorbing the power of the crystal. Her mind cleared and she felt her power soaring. The feeling was really unique. Her body started absorbing the crystal and her mana pool got even larger.

Watching from the side, Stefan couldn't erase his smile. His little girl was really lucky, to actually use such a crystal. Looking at the absorption process, he saw that it will take a lot of time. He sat a few steps away from her and closed his eyes. Meditating and keeping watch.

*********************************************************

Lighting finally came next to the cave. As he was following the trail, he can see that there were two Sorcerers. Seems like one was earth Sorcerer, and the other one was using water? He wasn't sure about that. Since some of the marks weren't really from water magic. But the tracks were only from two people. And he was sure the water user was weaker, maybe apprentice to the earth Sorcerer.

Watching the cave. he decided to wait. He can sneak in in the cave and use the shadows as a cover, but it was easier to wait here and make an ambush. Thinking about that, he started preparing for it. With that tactic, he can see against who he is going and was it worth it or not. And he will be an advantage after he makes a trap.

***********************************************************

Finally, after three hours of absorbing, Lina opened her eyes. She felt like a newborn. Her skin was smoother and her eyes were deeper. You can feel the power coming from her. She pointed her hand at the ground, and an ice cube 10 meters tall formed.

"Congratulations, Lina. You are now third circle Sorcerer" Stefan said, opening his eyes and smiling at her.

Lina ran next to her father and hugged him, giving him a kiss at the cheek. "Thanks, father, for that crystal! It is really amazing! I can feel my power surging! It's a wonderful feeling!" Saying that she couldn't help but move around, waving with her hands, like a child. That just made Stefan's heart melt.

"Alright, let's go out of the cave. We can check some other places to see if there are more treasures and finally return to the beach." Stefan stood up and started walking out of the cave, Line followed him close by.

Going out of the cave, it was already afternoon. Stefan looked at the beautiful scenery. That island has its good points too, especially after finding the water crystal, his mood was beyond the clouds already.

********************************************************

Lighting watched the couple at the entrance of the cave. A middle-aged man and a little girl. So he was right. One was an apprentice. A thin smile appeared at his face, putting up his mask. It wasn't really a mask, only a cover made from black cloth, a typical mask for assassins.

Moving slowly, he got to the best position he could take and waited for the perfect moment to start the operation.

********************************************************

Stefan and Lina started walking again to the forest, preparing for more exploration, but just as they got in the forest, a rumbling noise was heard. In the next moment, a tree trunk attached to a rope came from the left side of Lina. Before the trunk could hit Lina, a necklace started shining from her neck. A barrier surrounded her and the tree hit the barrier, a second later, it was repulsed in the other direction.

"Shit, a repulsive protective medallion, what luck! But that means they are rich" Lighting murmured to himself again, moving slowly to get into position.

Stefan, on the other hand, started using his earth magic, clearing the surroundings and moved next to Lina to shield her. "Are you alright?" He couldn't help himself from asking, even knowing she was fine with the repulsive talisman. "I-I am fine, father. W-What's going on?!" Lina was a bit panicked now. This was just too sudden. Why was a tree flying to her? She still can't get what's happening.

"We are under attack, stay next to me, keep your mind clear. That's essential in a fight. Concentrate, now we have to fight." Stefan explained to her as he checked their surroundings.

"I-I understand" Lina took a deep breath and tried to concentrate, like in the battle with the pirates. They both started moving slowly forward, still vigilant for their enemy. As they walked, Lina suddenly lost control of her body. Her leg was caught by a rope, and in the next moment, her vision turned upside down. She panicked and cast icicles in every direction.

"Lina, stop! It's just a simple trap! Focus!" Stefan reminded her, but as he did so, Lighting finally showed himself from behind him, stabbing his dagger at Stefan's back. The dagger hit, but there was a dull sound. Looking at that, Lighting saw that there was actually earth armor surrounding the Sorcerer.

"Tsk" Lighting kept his position at the back and started using both of his daggers to try and find a weak spot. In the meantime, Stefan concentrated and earth spike showed from under Lighting. Jumping to the left, Lighting used his agility to try and hit one last time and finally made a deep wound on the left shoulder of Stefan.

"Ssssss" Stefan inhaled sharply. The dagger was in his shoulder, making his whole hand useless. He used his mana to remove the dagger from his shoulder and surrounded it with his magic, to stop the blood. As he was doing that, he heard Lina's scream and subconsciously looked up. She was with teary eyes, looking at him. Seems like she had a shock after seeing him wounded.

That gave Lighting another chance to strike. He bends his body next to the ground and sprinted back to Stefan, making a wound at his right tight. Stefan finally couldn't take it and used his magic as a repulsive force, sending the assassin five meters away, hitting a tree.

Lighting lost his breath from the hit. Still, he managed to recollect himself fast and hid behind the tree, starting to move in another direction, out of sight from the Sorcerer. He wanted to get closer to the girl now and use her.

Lina was already crying, her father was wounded two times, she was clutch in a rope, upside down from the ground. Her head was already spinning. She can't believe what was happening. Someone actually managed to heart her father! And was still somewhere around. Remembering her father's teachings, she tried to concentrate, not cutting the rope. She knew the assassin can go for her or her father or can wait for another chance. But if she releases herself now, she will lose the chance to surprise the assassin. Her whole energy was used to detect her surroundings.

Five seconds later, Lighting jumped, trying to take the girl as a hostage. That way, he can use her against the Sorcerer and kill both. That was a bit of a simple pan, but simple plans usually worked the best. As he was in the air, he saw the girl stop struggling and turn her face in his direction. "Fuck" Detecting something wrong, he tried to change his direction, but it was too late. In the next moment, an icicle pierced his left leg and made him fly backward. The momentum of that icicle was just too strong.

As he hit the ground, Lighting started couching. He can't feel his leg at all, that was really a bad hit. He wasn't expecting something like that from a girl. Trying to move away from that place, he swore to himself to don't mess with this couple again. Unfortunately for him, it was too late and he was too slow.

Three earth spikes emerged from the ground, piercing through his body. He didn't have the time to escape this time. His dream for better life finished like that.

"Father, father, are you alright?" Lina's crying voice was heard through the forest. She cut the rope with ice and ran next to her father, using water magic to heal his wounds.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Those are small wounds, don't worry." Stefan tried to comfort her, but this doesn't work. She kept using her powers on him till there was nothing left from the wounds. Finally exhausted, Lina hugged her father and started crying.

"I am fine, I told you I am fine. Don't cry, everything will be okay, alright?" Lina still didn't listen to him and hugged him tightly. He can feel the warm tears in his chest. Sighing, he hugged her back and left her crying.

After some time Lina finally managed to control her emotions. Slowly looking up, she saw her father smiling at her. "I was really scared to death for you! Why are you smiling?!" She pouted.

Stefan laughed out loud and patted her at the head. "I know you were worried, that's why I am happy that you worry about me. Everything is fine now, let's take some rest and continue with our exploration, but this time, we will be more vigilant. There might be other people on this island." The little girl nodded her head and finally relaxed.

In the next few days,' they continued with the exploration but didn't find anything else on the island. Going back to the beach, they waited to be discovered by someone. As they waited, Lina was training every day her magic, and Stefan was helping her out. He was training too, and he can feel that he was close to ascending to the next level.

After two months on the island, a ship finally came in sight. For this time on the island, Lina managed to cross to the fourth circle, and about her father, well, he was still waiting for the breakthrough. The two of them finally had their wish come true and boarded the ship, going back to the civilization.