A black Corvette with its top-down roof opened, traveling the entire length of the national highway from Willow Marsh to the adjacent town of Caliburg, a tiny hamlet in the western part of Zumer prefecture, created a lovely sound like a lone note on an extraordinarily long road.
Albus had been sent to this place multiple times in the past by his Master, Eldrin, for reconnaissance missions and intelligence gathering purposes. This time, Albus is picking up John, a promising student with unique abilities, to accompany him to Bayfort for advanced magical studies, following instructions from his Master, Professor Eldrin Hawkins.
John, having experienced this schooling before in a previous life, was relaxed as he sat in the vehicle. However, his past self was unaware of the school, its details, or why his parents selected it over studying in their hometown.
His former self even did some research, about what was going on, and what kind of school is headed by his godfather Eldrin during that time. However, this time, he already had reviewed his previous experience about in that school, his friends, their mission experience, everything about it.
Now, he will try to change the outcome of his former self, though he will try not to over exert his performance to avoid too much attention. It's like he was a cheat in this schooling, so it brings a little funny thought on him.
The black corvette traveled from the western boundary into the northern part of Zumer prefecture, heading along the Pacific Highway towards the small town of Alegzea, around 88 kilometers from Caliburg town.
After an hour more of driving, they reached the port in Caliburg where the Ferryboat would transport them to Lizwald prefecture on the other side of the Biringan Kingdom. Once the cargoes, cars, buses, and trucks had disembarked from the ferry, all passengers were instructed to move to the upper deck. After settling in, the Ship Captain set sail to the other side.
Sargen town, the initial settlement in the Bayfort region of the Lizwald prefecture, resembles a community area with a sparse population. Despite its small size, Sargen town serves as a bustling drop-off point and offers a thriving business environment for travelers from the other side of the kingdom. Various potions, elixirs, poisons, and antidotes were available in this place.
After an hour of driving south from the port of Sargen in the Bayfort region, John and Albus reached a mysterious and ominous secluded area. The landscape extended from Dark Willow Ridge to Cigar City, enveloped in an eerie silence as they proceeded northeast on their journey.
As a sense of boredom crept in, John gazed out of the window, reflecting on the desolate landscape that lacked any signs of habitation after their departure from Cigar City. His mind wandered, contemplating the mysteries of the deserted surroundings. Unable to contain his thoughts, John inquired of Albus, "It feels longer than expected, how much farther to the school, brother?"
'Not that far brother, not that far.' Albus, driving the car with a serious expression, displayed alertness as if he were avoiding someone, as he answered John. The tension in Albus's expression was evident as his hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, navigating the road with extreme caution and resolve. Each shadow appeared to hide a potential threat, leading John to nervously scan the surroundings for any subtle signs of imminent danger. Despite Albus's reassurance, a sense of unease settled over John as they continued their journey towards the school.
Little did John know, Albus's unease grew as they ventured into the treacherous territory known as the 'Unclaimed place,' a region infested with malevolent dark fairies and powerful witches. Located about a hundred and fifty kilometers from their university, this ominous area concealed ancient secrets and looming threats. The treacherous terrain and dense forest have resulted in numerous reported ambushes in this area, where even the school's recruits have not been spared from the conflicts.
The ambushes in the 'Unclaimed place' frequently originate from rogue Dark Witches or Sorcerers, often accompanied by beast-like minions, adding to the treacherous nature of the area. They terrorize travelers in this land and take advantage of the desolated terrain. Some victims just become missing and no one hears them, but other who able to tell the tales, share stories of encounters with these malevolent beings, been passed down through generations, instilling fear and caution in those who live in areas where they are believed to roam.
A moment later, a middle-aged lady with a voluptuous and seductive figure, dressed provocatively, was waving at them from a short distance away on the road. The contrast of the seductive attire of this lady and the primal feels of the forest within the area puts an eerie feeling to the scene. Sensing the looming threat, Albus swiftly prepared himself for the imminent danger, displaying his determination to face the danger ahead. Each action was a testament to his years of training and experience, showcasing his tactical prowess and determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Junior brother, be prepared!" Albus's urgent command alerted John as well.
John, drawing on his extensive training with his father, instinctively sensed the impending danger even before Albus issued a warning, showcasing his honed instincts and quick reactions. He quickly pressed the side of the buckle of his belt around his waist, causing the bottom part of the belt to detach and transform into his two-curve dagger, which was nearly half a meter in length. This was the same curve dagger that he had used in his father's training and it was also the same one he had used against the Orc dog tribe a few months ago.
When John was ready, he immediately whispered his basic spell that his father, Solomon, had taught him. Without seeking further clarification from Albus, John immediately began observing his surroundings, showing his readiness to assess the situation independently.
"There seems to be someone ahead testing our abilities." Albus said briefly to John. He decided not to elaborate further, confident that John understood his meaning. These rogues only attack those whom they feel are weaker than themselves.