Villain's Valor: A Noble Fantasy Resurrection-Chapter 296: Growth

Looking back or forward, a beautiful forest welcomes you. Similarly, if you look up, a sensational clear blue sky along with the warm sunlight makes your muscles automatically relax, completely unconcerned with the world around you. These are the first sensations one might have when arriving at the magical forest for the first time, not to mention the dense amount of mana you can breathe in the air that cleanses your lungs and any impurities. Everyone was as enchanted as I was, enjoying the simple nothingness. It’s curious, seeing some silly expressions on their faces.

No wonder, the forest in front of us is literally from another world. Looking up, there are mana particles clearly visible to the human eye. The trees, on the other hand, were bright and full of life, their leaves a bit crystalline. Some vines also had the same glow.

Since we were instructed not to move, we had no choice but to stay quietly in this place.

Minutes passed, and more and more students arrived. After an hour, everyone was here.

We were divided into groups of three, with each class being formed this way. However, Persephone, Estefany, who was already awake but somewhat drowsy—the contract with a high-ranking animal had taken a toll on her—and Matías were in our group. Even though Estefany and Persephone are from the Pegasus class, Professor Athena does basically whatever she wants.

Similarly, two other animal tamers joined the other two classes. So, for the first class, we stayed with Miss Catalina, who was still somewhat upset with Estefany.

"Follow me. Normally, the first zone of this forest is not complicated at all. After all, you only find small animals that are not aggressive at all. But of course, there is also the risk of getting lost. This forest is quite confusing; the moment you walk without paying attention to where you’re going, you’ll find yourself alone." Catalina’s calm words grabbed the students’ attention, but still, most of them were looking at the forest itself, the variety of tones along with the glow of the ambient mana.

*****

"Strange movements, a large anomaly of activity in zones 5 and below, disappearance of creatures in all of them. Occasionally, they can be found in one spot, extremely still. Even if you kill them, those things won’t make any movement. On the other hand, there’s too much movement from the cults; they move too quickly. It’s very difficult to catch or kill them."

"It’s the first time in many years that this same anomaly has occurred. The letter sent from the imperial headquarters tells us to keep observing and wait for orders. Likewise, the city near the forest is on high alert. There’s an order stating that citizens can evacuate the city to go directly to the empire, where they will be given provisional housing and food until the anomaly passes."

"For the adventurers who stay, they will be paid for each day in the city. The empire has mobilized some soldiers to the city. Most of them are guarding the city from the outside. There are also reports that some low-ranking creatures have been seen wandering outside the forest as if they were lost, walking without a fixed direction."

"Such cases are becoming much more frequent as the days pass. Even a Fallen-rank creature was observed walking in circles in the same spot for days."

"Yesterday, the bodies of multiple creatures were found piled up like a mountain. So far, no attacks have been reported by the forest creatures, nor by the cultists. Everything is very strange."

"This is the first time such a situation has occurred. In previous years, it was very different from what is happening now."

"May the emperor protect us."

**********

A large camp was set up in what seemed to be a meadow. All the students split up and started talking in their respective groups of friends. It was time to eat and also to rest a bit. We walked for about 5 hours to reach this place. Along the way, some students got lost and were quickly found by Professor Athena.

"This forest is very beautiful." Charlotte had a smile on her face as she devoured a meat sandwich, even though it was a bit late in the afternoon, she was still very animated under the sky.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

"What kind of animal are you looking for to make a contract with?" I asked Charlotte, a bit curious about this topic, after all, that’s why we’re in this forest.

Charlotte brought her fingers to her lips and thought for a few moments: "I was thinking of some animal that’s rare, you know, in appearance, besides being useful for my magic. But still, I don’t have a clear image of what I want. What about you, what are you looking for?"

Good question. I had some ideas in my mind, but I wasn’t clear either. After all, the animals in this forest are unique in their own way, whether it’s their appearance, magic, or abilities. You have to see them for yourself first to decide.

"I’m not clear yet," that was the only answer I gave Charlotte.

Looking at Estefany, she was very excited. She still couldn’t believe that she had so easily made a contract with an animal of this rank.

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"How do you feel?" I asked her.

She smiled: "It’s a bit heavy, a kind of pressure on my soul, but it’s something I can handle. I talked with the professor, and she said I just need to reach Maximum-Gold rank for the pressure to greatly diminish. She also mentioned that thanks to the tiger’s help, my soul can handle it. Otherwise, I would be fainting all the time."

A violent reaction to a lesser extent, that’s what it means. After all, the tiger’s soul is much more vast than Estefany’s own.

-Hnmp

Persephone was jealous of her friend, and I was too. Charlotte also was. Only Emily had a blank expression while eating some small fruits. Estefany’s luck is on another level.