Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

"You pretended to be students," William accused, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and disdain, "just to kidnap me? You imbeciles!" The frustration and fear he had endured boiled over, fueling his defiance. He knew he was outmatched in a direct confrontation, but with Amber at his side, he refused to cower.

The apparent leader of the group sneered. "Indeed we did," he admitted, his tone arrogant. "But don't flatter yourself, boy. You're not special."

"What do you mean?" William pressed, his curiosity piqued.

"We're not telling you anything," the mage snapped. "In fact, we'll finish what those incompetent necromancers failed to do. We'll eliminate you."

He began to cast a spell, his hands moving with practiced precision, arcane symbols forming in the air before him. A surge of mana gathered, the atmosphere crackling with energy. It was a high-level spell, its power palpable. William felt a wave of apprehension, but Amber remained unfazed.

With a casual flick of her wrist, she dispelled the gathering mana, the spell collapsing before it could take form. The three mages stumbled back, their faces contorted in shock and disbelief. They tried again, their combined efforts a desperate attempt to overcome this unseen force, but Amber effortlessly neutralized their magic.

"W-who are you?" one of them stammered, his voice trembling. "How are you doing this?"

They had never encountered such power, such effortless control over magic. The realization that they were facing an adversary far beyond their comprehension dawned on them, their arrogance melting into fear.

For a moment, they thought of trying to escape, but they realized their griffins were frozen in place. The presence of Amber filled them with fear, paralyzing them.

William sneered. "You're going to tell me everything I want to know, or you'll suffer."

He expected the spies who had infiltrated the academy to crumble under his threat, but they remained defiant.

One of them shouted, "Destroy the teleportation device before he uses it!"

They charged towards one of the tents, casting spells on the run, attempting to destroy the tent and the teleportation device within.

"No!" William roared.

Amber swiftly neutralized their spells. With blinding speed, she appeared before them, seizing two of the spies by their necks. The last one she eliminated with a single, devastating kick, leaving a gaping hole in their chest.

The remaining spies, realizing their desperate situation, resorted to a hidden poison concealed within one of their teeth.

"You ain't learning anything," they spat.

These were their final words before the poison ended their lives. William stood speechless. He hadn't obtained any answers, but at least the teleportation device remained intact.

"That was close," he muttered. "Imagine if they had destroyed the device."

Amber rolled her eyes. "And you said you were going to handle this yourself."

"Things got in the way, alright? Anyway, let's find this teleportation device. I don't even know what it looks like," William grumbled.

He and Amber began searching the camp for the device. They focused on the tents, the spies' intended target.

The tents were a chaotic mess, filled with scattered belongings. Finding anything in that disarray seemed impossible.

After five minutes of searching, Amber discovered the teleportation device. She was the only one who knew what it looked like—a box with a shimmering gemstone on top.

"This is it," she announced.

"How does it work?" William asked.

"The user links two locations, creating a pathway between point A and point B. Point A is likely that mountain stop where you camped," Amber explained.

"That's incredible!" William exclaimed, seeing the teleportation device in Amber's hands. "Let's head back to the academy now."

Amber, however, shook her head. "I won't be accompanying you," she stated, her voice firm. "This is my home, and you're the one who needs to return, not me."

William, though disappointed, understood. He had hoped to forge a friendship with this powerful dragon, but her reluctance to leave her sanctuary was understandable.

"No problem," he said, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "Just send me back to the academy, and I'll be on my way."

Amber, her knowledge of ancient magic and technology vast, guided him through the activation process of the teleportation device.

"Simply stand still and prepare yourself," she instructed. "The sensation can be somewhat disorienting."

William, remembering his previous experience with the device, braced himself. Amber channeled her mana into the device, its surface glowing with an intense light. She placed it at William's feet and stepped back.

"It will activate in a few seconds," she explained. "You'll materialize back on the mountain where you were initially captured. From there, you'll have to continue on your own."

Before William could respond, the world around him dissolved into a blinding flash of light. A wave of nausea washed over him, his senses reeling.

He blinked repeatedly, trying to regain his equilibrium. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing on the familiar mountaintop, the academy a distant silhouette against the horizon.

"Those bastards are good," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. He had been transported hundreds of miles without even realizing it.

Now it was time for him to descend the mountain.

The descent was arduous, the treacherous slopes and loose scree testing his agility and endurance. He cursed his decision not to liberate one of the griffins, but the thought of riding a creature tainted by his enemies filled him with unease.

"Besides," he muttered to himself, "who's to say they would even obey me?"

He navigated the treacherous terrain, the sun serving as his guide.

Reaching the base of the mountain, he discovered a well-worn path, a welcome sight after days of navigating the pathless wilderness.

He followed the road, his spirits lifting as he recognized signs of civilization: the occasional farmhouse, a distant plume of smoke rising from a village, and the comforting sound of human voices carried on the wind.

William was leaving the Shadowlands behind, its darkness and dangers fading with each step. The creatures he encountered now were mere nuisances compared to the horrors he had faced in the depths of that desolate land. He felt a renewed sense of purpose, his determination to reach Snowpeak Academy burning bright. Enjoy new tales from empire

The journey was a grueling test of endurance, the road stretching endlessly before him. William pushed himself to his limits, stopping only when exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him.

He snatched what sleep he could in roadside taverns, his dreams haunted by visions of the Shadowlands and the looming threat to the academy. Guilt gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the danger his friends and mentors faced. He had to reach them in time.

Three days later, the familiar gates of Snowpeak Academy loomed before him. Relief washed over him, a wave of exhaustion quickly following. As he stepped through the gate, a figure emerged from the shadows. Headmaster Tholfnir, his face etched with worry, approached with a brisk stride.

"William!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of relief and concern. "Where have you been? I was about to organize a search party."

William met his gaze, his expression serious. "Headmaster," he said, his voice low and urgent, "we need to talk. In private."

Tholfnir, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded. "Follow me," he instructed, leading William towards the academy's inner sanctum.