n

n

nThe snowstorm didn't last long and it only took about nine hours before it started to weaken and gradually disappear.

nWhen they looked outside, it was already filled with a thick layer of snow and they can even see several footsteps from wild beasts around their cave.

nAt the very least, the snowstorm was really a snowstorm, unlike the heavy rain filled with small parasites trying to deceive them.

n

"Let's hurry. This time, let's not engage with any beasts. Just continue our path so we can compensate with the longer route we've taken.

"

nThey avoided the large lake so they had indeed taken a long route.

n

"Wallace, lead the way. Elaine and Hannah, you go in the middle. Clint, you will be behind them. I'll follow you a bit further behind using this, to be safe...

"

nYumi brought out a gray cloak and as soon as she wore it and activated its effects, her presence weakened by several times and if they stopped looking at her, her presence would completely vanish...

n

"Another 6th gen mana artifact?

"

nWallace asked seeing the unique artifact...

n

"Hehe, I acquired it for her...

" Hannah answered to Wallace. She also has a 6th gen knife and even offered herself to be a middleman if Wallace was interested in acquiring one. It seems that she was serious about that.

nThey continued their journey and aside from finding unusual beasts or monsters around, they also discovered a lot of unknown plants and flowers. Even the trees were different compared to the southern continent.

nAfter traveling for more than 6 hours, they could no longer see any traces of snow or cold weather. As a matter of fact, Elaine and Hannah had sweat trickly down their faces. The place was getting hotter and hotter.

nThey stopped momentarily to rehydrate themselves before continuing their way. They were only having a bit of snacks prepared by Yumi. Although it doesn't taste good, it would keep them going and energize.

n

"Our supplies can last for a month but... do you want to try cooking those beasts?

"

nWallace suggested seeing his instructor's bland expression after having a bite at something like a granola bar given by Yumi...

nHe also had food supplies on his Spatial Bag and they were aware of it. But the food he brought were better if they were in the camp or settlement while Yumi's food can be eaten even while on the run.

nAlthough he also had meat and vegetables in his spatial bag, he suggested this just in case they wanted to eat some fresh meat from this continent.

n

"Err... If you found something not poisonous... Maybe we can try...

"

nHannah was cool with the idea while Elaine and Clint remember the weird monsters they found while traveling up to here.

n

"As long as we found something that looks normal... It should be fine...

"

nYumi added after considering. They will be traveling for four to five more days so it wouldn't be bad to eat some good foods to ensure that they were in the peak condition to rescue people.

n

"How was his life force?

"

nYumi suddenly asked Elaine referring to the headmaster's situation.

n

"He has a stable life force now. It seems that he halted any battles in the meantime...

"

n

"Great! Do you think that he was aware that we're about to arrive?

"

n

"Probably... I couldn't really tell since this land interferes with my ability. If I haven't strengthened it by taking some of the essences of the sealed mana artifact, I wouldn't even find him here...

"

nElaine explained to everyone. The Heart's Grimoire that was left at the Tanza City was under the jurisdiction of the Lucent Force. Through her connection with Aaron, the young master of the Force, she managed to get a bit of heart's essence and reinforced her ability.

nWallace had gotten more curious about these sealed mana artifacts but this thing was too dangerous considering that their origin was from the Celestial Beings.

nCaaw! Caw!

nThey were covered by a huge shadow from a large crow that passed over their heads.

nThe black bird looks angry seeing their group.

nIt doesn't have any intention of ignoring them and even circled around to target their group.

nThis would be their first time dealing with flying Mana beasts so they readied themselves and ensured that there were no other monsters lurking around.

nThey can't be too engrossed fighting this steel-like crow with a wingspan that reaches about 60 meters.

nHaaa!

nClint used a Mana blade and probed the defense of the diving crow...

nPah!

nIt was deflected like it was just water that crashed into steel.

n

"No way!

"

nEven a Sage would still put up his Mana Shell to block his attack. But this large crowd just ignored it completely!

n

"This guy's feathers were tougher than steel... Piercing it would be tough.

"

n

"Try freezing it, sister Yumi!

"

nHannah wasn't too confident that her knife would even cut that bird. Her other spells were also not suitable in the situation as most of her magic were all support spells.

nWind Wall!

nWater Wall!

nIt was a simultaneous cast by Hannah in an attempt to slow down the dive of this huge bird.

nCraaash!

nIt was like a paper and hadn't halted the bird at all.

nBut that was enough for Yumi to finish her cast.

nFrost Domain!

nIce Shell!

nThe crow was frozen and based on its size, the frost would only last about two seconds before it would shatter and become harmless Mana again. But these two seconds were important in this type of battle.

nThe moment it lost control for two seconds made it crashed towards the ground.

nBoom!

nFlesh and blood splattered around together with some earth and dust.

nIts own large size and force behind its dive killed itself by crashing its head on the surface of the sturdy ground!

nIt was a good strategy thought by a few seconds.

n

"Urgh... I thought that it would last for a couple of minutes.

"

n

"Haah! It's exhausting to cast domain spell, you know? I don't want to repeat that on the next time...

"

n

"Haha! Let's just hope that there's no next time...

"

nWallace and Elaine didn't do anything in this battle but just ensured that no third party would interrupt their battle with the bird.

n

"Hey, Wallace! Can you check if this is edible?

"

nHannah suddenly asked after seeing that half of its large body was still around.

n

"Mhmm... Of course, let me check...

"

nAs soon as they confirmed that there's no problem with the meat, they quickly stored some and continued their way.

nThey also made sure to deal with the dead body to avoid any disease manifesting in this area.

n***

nPercival and Avery hadn't eaten an appetizing meal for a while now. Although mana practitioners can last for several days without eating, it doesn't mean they would not be weakened at all.

nThe last meal the two had was from a snake-like beast that they cooked with a fire spell. That was two days ago and they were starting to get hungry and planning to find more edible foods.

n

"I'll look around here...

"

n

"Don't be too far... Don't get lost again.

"

n

"I know...

"

nAvery answered annoyingly. It wasn't her fault for getting lost before since this place was truly a maze.

nBut now that they were staying here for a couple of days, she was already familiar with the place and confident not to get lost this time.

n

"Did she gets lost again?

"

nPercival muttered as he noticed that she was gone for about six hours already.

nHowever, as he was planning to find her again, the lady returned with a surprising guest.

n