"The Slippery Valley" Ethan quickly muttered right after they suddenly paused on their tracks as he kept a grim look on his face.
Noticing the grim look on Ethan’s face, Kaelen couldn’t help but ask curiously. "What is in the Slippery Valley?"
"It is the home of the Obsidian Pythons and the leader of these beasts is at the advanced rank" Sofia spontaneously replied with the similar grim look on her face. But what Kaelen said next instantly stunned her speechless.
"Obsidian Pythons? Advanced rank? Where exactly did you guys get these information?"
"Didn’t you attend any of the classes back when you were still in the novice rank?" Even Guinevere was stunned by the question just asked as she asked quickly.
"Well...." But the response she got was Kaelen feeling extremely awkward as he began to scratch the back of his head. Only Morris and Ethan knew the answer to Guinevere’s question as the former quickly came forward and spoke up in a dignified manner.
"Well, just a few days into becoming an internal student in the Academy, our dear friend Kaelen here wanted a death wish as he actually threaten one of the pillars of our prestigious Academy who is named the ice queen just because of the way she was treating his childhood sweetheart.
Due to that, Kaelen was publicly acknowledged as the most hated student in the academy and ultimately made him to not be able to attend any of the classes he was supposed to attend as a novice. I hope my explanation of Kaelen’s predicament is clear enough for you two ladies to see"
’Bastard’ Kaelen cursed internally as he stared at Morris bitterly, while Morris couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
"Wait.... So you actually threaten the elusive ice queen? How bold!!" Sofia exclaimed with a shocked look on her face. But the only response she could get from Kaelen was an awkward laugh.
"Ok we don’t have time to waste here, let me give Kaelen the briefing" But Guinevere tense tone immediately killed the relaxing atmosphere around them as she faced Kaelen and began to speak.
"In the land of Aetheris, we have 6 power ranks we use to tag how strong a ferocious beast is. And these power ranks are ordinary, Elite, advanced, superior, Mythic and the legendary ferocious beasts but no one in this time and age have witnessed a ferocious beast at the legendary rank so we don’t know if it has even gone extinct."
"What she just said made me remember the time we actually stalked a Mythical ranked beast. Gosh we were so stupid then" Morris suddenly interjected with a wry look on his face. But when Sofia heard him, a look of disdain suddenly appeared on her face as she thought.
’I never knew you could be such a liar Morris’
But Guinevere didn’t seem to be in the mood to pause as she continued. "Now the Obsidian Python is a fearsome and highly dangerous beast, native to the treacherous Slippery Valley inwhich we are about to go in. Known for its sleek, black scales that shimmer like polished obsidian, the creature blends almost seamlessly into the shadowy depths of the valley, making it a master of ambush."
"Talk about a naturally born assassin" Ethan suddenly commented with a bitter look on his face. After giving him a simple nod, Guinevere shifted her gaze back on Kaelen and asked.
"So did you comprehend everything I just said?"
"Yes I did" Kaelen calmly and solemnly replied even if he was cursing within him. ’I have a freaking system in me, I can comprehend everything that the academy will teach us for 10 years in a single breath’
"Good, now let’s go" Guinevere said before she turned to face the valley with a grim look now back on her face.
And so, the Slippery Valley was as foreboding as ever, shrouded in mist and shadows. Guinevere, Kaelen, Sofia, Ethan, and Morris moved cautiously through the damp, slick terrain, each step deliberate and tense. Guinevere led the group, her eyes sharp and focused, while subtle flickers of flame danced between her fingers—ever ready.
A fire mage prodigy, she had no intention of letting the treacherous valley catch them off guard.
"This place feels wrong," Sofia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes scanning the jagged rocks and narrow crevices.
Kaelen, gripping his sword tightly, nodded. "Let’s just get through it quickly."
They continued in silence, the tension palpable, each of them aware that danger lurked in every shadow. Suddenly, Guinevere raised her hand, signaling them to stop. The faint sound of slithering reached their ears—soft, barely audible, but unmistakable.
**Warning: Obsidian Python detected!!**
**Description: The Obsidian Python is a massive, black-scaled serpent native to the Slippery Valley. Its sleek, obsidian-like scales allow it to blend seamlessly into the shadows, making it a master of ambush. With glowing amber eyes, venomous fangs, and the ability to constrict with crushing force, it’s a formidable predator.
The leader of the pythons reaches the Advanced Rank, while most of the pack, including the one detected, is at the Elite rank**
Suddenly, Kaelen heard that familiar monotonous voice in his head as a screen appeared in front of his face inwhich only him could see.
"We’re not alone," But while Kaelen was taking in the information hs just recieved, Guinevere whispered, her eyes narrowing as her magic surged, flames crackling around her hands. "Get ready."
Sssss!!!
As if on cue, from a dark crevice in the valley wall, a massive Obsidian Python slithered into view, its sleek black scales blending perfectly with the shadows. Its amber eyes glowed with cold intelligence as it sized them up.
"It’s an Elite-ranked one," Guinevere said, her voice calm but firm. "Stay together. This thing won’t go down easily."
’Oh sh*t!!’
Bam!!
But before anyone could respond, the python lunged at Kaelen with terrifying speed. Kaelen barely managed to dodge, his sword coming up just in time to deflect its strike. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward.
Morris cursed under his breath. "That thing moves too fast!"
The python, undeterred, coiled and lashed out again, this time at Ethan. He dodged swiftly, his short blades flashing as he slashed at the creature’s tail, but the python twisted with unnatural agility, avoiding the blow.
Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.
"Watch it!" Sofia shouted, already weaving a spell of her own. She cast a protective barrier around them, but the python was relentless, hissing as it darted toward them again.
Guinevere stepped forward, flames bursting to life in her hands. She thrust her arms forward, sending a wave of fire crashing toward the python. The beast hissed in pain as the flames scorched its scales, but it recoiled only momentarily, its glowing eyes narrowing with fury.
"Keep it distracted!" she shouted, already conjuring another spell.
"Ok!!"
Quick steps!!
Minimal Aura of a Swordsman!!
Sword Union!!
"Sword Arc!!"
Slash!!!
Sssss!!!!
Kaelen rushed in, his sword flashing as he struck the python’s side. His blade connected, slicing through its obsidian-like scales, leaving a deep gash. Black blood oozed from the wound, but the python wasn’t done. It whipped its massive tail toward Kaelen, aiming to knock him off his feet.
Sofia, quick on her feet, cast a shield just in time, blocking the tail’s strike. "Not today," she muttered, her hands glowing with energy.
Ethan, seeing the python stagger from Kaelen’s blow, darted forward. His short blades flashed as he struck the beast’s exposed side, adding to the growing wounds. "It’s weakening!" he called out.
"Perfect"
Boom!!!
Sssssss!!!!
Guinevere, seeing her moment, summoned a massive torrent of fire. Her eyes glowed with fiery intensity as she unleashed her power. Flames erupted from her hands, engulfing the python in a blazing inferno. The beast screeched in agony, thrashing wildly as the fire consumed it. The heat was intense, the flames bright enough to light up the entire valley.
The python, unable to withstand the overwhelming power of Guinevere’s fire, collapsed in a smoldering heap. Its body coiled in on itself before lying still, smoke rising from its charred remains.
Breathing heavily, Guinevere lowered her hands, the flames slowly dissipating. "It’s done," she said, her voice steady but weary.
Morris let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "Remind me never to doubt you, Guinevere."
But when Guinevere heard him, she couldn’t help but to roll her eyes at him. As for Kaelen, he swiped sweat from his brow, his heart still racing. "That was too close."
Ethan glanced at the smoldering python, his expression serious. "We got lucky. This valley doesn’t give second chances."
Guinevere nodded, her eyes still scanning the shadows for any signs of more danger. "Let’s keep moving. We don’t want to be here when its kin come looking."
With the python defeated, they pressed on, more cautious than ever. The Slippery Valley had proven its dangers, but with Guinevere’s fire magic and their combined strength, they had survived—for now.