Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary.
Mount Eredia, Alderian Nature Palace.
General Zukov and Academy Master Sylvia knelt in front of a wooden throne whose vines entwined in a chaotic yet orderly way.
A slender woman alluringly sat atop of it. Her dress was akin to a bundle of leaves packed together to form clothing. Beside her were Rina and Rono.
"Are you saying that the demons are up to something, and their first agenda is to capture sacrifices for that supposed-to-be-dead demonic lord?", the woman inquired.
"Yes, Empress Aelin. We have captured some commander-level demon beasts who confessed to us what the Otherworld was up to.", General Zukov replied.
He, at first, was confused by Eluard's words until he interrogated the demon beasts. Just as Eluard said, the fate of Aludia and its inhabitants was truly at stake.
General Zukov added, "There is also a floating platform in the middle of Leeveria forest. If we can request for the League of Wizardry to come over and analyze it fully…"
However, Empress Aelin, the woman on the throne narrowed her eyes.
"As far as I want to notify the League of such peculiar incidence, they are busy dealing with the undead outbreak in the volcanic grassy plain and the Morning Star Empire."
"There is the possibility that it may spread to our borders. I have already closed the Zuria's Hanging Bridge in the Hollow Ravine. For now, we are left alone to deal with the problem firsthand."
She stood up and her curled white hair fell to her waist like a waterfall, "Rina, my child. You said that you and your… brother met with a masked and robed man that saved you from the demon beasts?"
Rina excitedly ran over her mother, "Yes, mama! Senior knew that me and Rono has a legendary magic root! He also said that me and Rono could share our affinities!"
Everyone in the hall was shocked by Rina's revelations. Before they could ask her about it again, the little girl conjured a small water sphere on the top of her palm.
"Look, mama! Here it is! The senior wasn't lying!"
They knew that Rina only had the affinity of fire and lava after appraising her magic talent. For her to conjure water was something only her brother should be able to do.
Everyone didn't bother to test Rono out and ignored him.
"General Zukov, you said that this person was also responsible for telling you about interrogating the demon beasts, right?", Empress Aelin was now in a panic.
"Yes, Queen Aelin.", General Zukov answered, confused by the sudden change in the emotion of Queen Aelin.
"Where is that person now?!"
…
"Achoo!", Eluard sneezed, shaking his body because he felt chilly, "Damn, forests are really cold to the skin."
In his past life, he rarely went to the cold rural places where the wind there was fresh and not as hot in the urban areas.
Right after he left the Leeveria Forest, Eluard and his students went out of the academy again and teleported to another place somewhere east of the Morning Star Empire. Based on the map, it was called the Eastern Seaboard.
They were currently on top of a mountain which was part of a long and wide mountain range.
"I should take that reward first."
[ Special Task: An Elf In Need Completed ]
[ Calculating performance ]
[ … ]
[ Calculations completed ]
[ Received: Alderian Terrestrial Sanctuary Favorability +50 ]
[ Additional Note: 'Relations' Tab has been unlocked in the main panel ]
"Tha-that high? How good was my performance anyway?"
Unfortunately, the system kept its results away from Eluard's curious mind. Despite the secrecy, Eluard was still elated that the system regarded his performance as higher than normal.
'Was it because I knew of the demon's plans and warned the elves after everything that has happened?', he thought.
Eluard then rubbed his hands and waited for the item rewards that the system would soon give him.
[ Received: Staff of Demonic Oblivion x 1 (Epic/Radiant Realm) ]
Seeing that he only have one item to receive, Eluard was disappointed. However, he shook his head. Since this item was of epic rarity, even 5 or more rare items couldn't possibly match it.
'System, is this radiant realm referring to the item rarities in the perspective of an Aludian?'
[ Correct ], the system verified his assumption.
'Maybe the epic rarity comes from the rarity culture back on Earth.'
He took out the Staff of Demonic Oblivion and held it in his hands. A strong will suddenly invaded his mind. He groaned in pain as he held the staff tighter.
His magical deterrence skill was put to work, blowing the dangerous will away like dust.
Eluard shook his head and looked at the staff again. Hardened vines of an unknown plant twirled around the base of the staff. On the top of it was a miniature head of a demonic creature with two horns, hollowed eyes, and a wide-opened mouth.
[ Staff of Demonic Oblivion (Epic/Radiant Realm) ]
[ A staff used by an archmage eons ago to subdue the demonic creatures that went out of the Otherworld. It is specialized in dealing with demons, but if the need arises, against other species as well. ]
[ Passive Effect: Archmage's Aura
Magic spells casted are 100% more effective. ]
[ Passive Effect: Demonic Purge
Magic spells casted against demonic creatures are 200% more effective. ]
[ Degradation Effect: Demonic Resentment
Due to the number of demons killed under this staff, the souls of the demonic creatures have haunted it for eternity. As more demons are killed, the more the user will succumb to their insanity and fall out of divinity's grace. ]
[ Additional Note: This effect is nullified by your magical deterrence skill. ]
'Nullified? What kind of high-level skill is my magical deterrence anyway?', Eluard was starting to question just how powerful his skill sets were at the moment. Unfortunately, the system was unwilling to describe more of the skill.
Holding the staff with his left hand, Eluard gathered mana to it and casted a fireball spell.
Sure enough, a fireball larger than the regular appeared. He could feel the temperature in the area quickly rising.
"Just a formula 1 spell and the effects are already this big."
He also noticed that the staff was glowing in crimson color everywhere. Moreover, the staff's demonic miniature head was more intimidating than before. Flames lighted up the hollowed eyes while its mouth breathed out fire.
'Scary. I wonder how I would feel about this if I unequip my mask.'
His awed expression was interrupted when the ground below him shook slightly. His eyes lit up, "Finally, a test subject."
The shaking intensified as the ground nearby caved in.
Rargh!
A large worm popped out from below, opening its barbed mouth wide, ready to swallow Eluard. It was as wide as a tree trunk and as tall as a bus.
Eluard smirked, "Eat this.", hurling the fireball to the worm's mouth.
Boom!
The worm was thrown back and wriggled on the ground. Its head was scorched badly but it still managed to live.
"How's that for a snack?", Eluard mocked it, "Hot and spicy just like my chicken curry."
[ Name: Grounded Barbed Worm ]
[ Rarity: Uncommon ]
[ Power-level: Elite ]
[ Affinity: Earth ]
"I'm rather disappointed that you're a worm, but my stomach and flame are rather indifferent to my next meal.", Eluard was really hungry after a long time of combat.
The worm growled in anger, quickly burrowing to the ground. Eluard thought it escaped when earthen spikes popped near where the worm burrowed. It followed a trail and started popping more earthen spikes towards Eluard.
"You like playing hide and seek?!"
He pointed the head of the staff to the ground, "Torrential Outburst!", which the staff then glowed in bluish color and resonated with Eluard's spell casting.
A large area of the earth bloated as if something big was about to come out of it.
Crack! Crack!
Water gushed out furiously.
The worm was carried by a strong torrent, propelling it to the sky at a great height. It howled in disarray, wondering how could a small human have such power to pull it out of the ground.
Eluard pointed the staff at the worm making it glow in crimson again, "Fire Dragon's Flame!"
Hearing his call, a dragon made of flames formed and floated above Eluard. It was twice the size of the worm with its wings flapping, jetting out blazing flames that set the trees nearby on fire.
It mightily roared at the worm before charging to take its life without mercy. The worm roared in response, unaccepting of the fate that was about to befall unto it.
The two forces collided heavily, creating an explosion on impact. Trees were blown away, uprooting them and breaking the earth in the process.
Wild animals nearby ran in fear. Even the common demon beasts hid in silence.
Eluard enjoyed the fireworks above, "Heh, so that's what happens if I use formula 3 spells. Its power is definitely a match to a formula 4 spell with this staff on my hand."
...
In an area far away from Eluard's position, his five students stopped walking and stared at the explosion from a distance. The shockwave from the blast unsurprisingly reached their position.
"Hey, what demon beast do you think is academy master fighting now?", Solordo teased.
"Probably a commander-level demon beast.", Lucan answered.
Solordo swung his halberd around, "Thought so! I wonder when can I fight those chitty-chatty beasts one on one!"
"Stop the chattering. We have an incoming wave.", Jinmu alerted them.
The five of them gathered to a formation. Jinmu was in the middle, with Olivia and Emi behind him. Lucan stood in front of him, with Solordo in the frontmost position.
"Listen, since we want to hunt elite demon beasts on our own, everyone shouldn't act recklessly unless I tell you to do so."
Jinmu took out his traps and prepared them.
"I'm talking about you, Solordo!"
Solordo rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes! I know!"
A pack of dark luminous wolves appeared in the distance. Among the pack were of the elite power level.
Solordo gestured at them to come and attack him, "Hehe, hey spiky dog! How about you entertain this big brother well, huh?!"
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