Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

The test determined who would journey to the other Snowpeak Academy branch and reside on the island for a time. Headmaster Grant had explained that they needed assistance with construction and teaching at the new location. William, initially unsure, now felt certain he wanted to go.

The only thing keeping him at the current academy was the underground area, but the indecipherable language of the books hindered his progress. He decided it was better to risk a new experience than remain stagnant.

The next few days flew by, and soon it was time for the test. William awoke with a mix of excitement and nerves. The other students shared his anticipation.

Headmaster Grant summoned them to the gymnasium, a smaller version of the one William was accustomed to.

"I've gathered you here for the upcoming test," he announced, his voice resonating through the space. "I seek talented individuals willing to relocate to another branch of our academy. It won't be easy, so only the bravest should attempt this test!"

William surveyed the room. Only fifteen students were present, including Marcel, who stood beside him, radiating enthusiasm. "We'll pass this test! No more snow and cold – we're going to the beach!"

Marcel clearly craved warmer weather. William was indifferent to the climate, but the prospect of a beach locale was appealing.

"The test is simple," Grant explained. "Step forward and allow me to sense your aura. The strongest will be selected."

The simplicity of the test surprised William, and he questioned the reasoning behind it. Grant had initially emphasized the need for builders and teachers, leading older students to believe their experience would be valued. However, the focus on aura strength suggested a different motive.

'Is there another reason why he wants the strongest to go?' William pondered, suspicion creeping into his thoughts.

Despite the potential for ulterior motives, William remained eager for the experience. It offered a chance to gain EXP and level up, something he had been unable to do recently. He was also curious about the academy branch's absence in the present timeline. Could he influence the past and alter the future?

The candidates approached Headmaster Grant one by one, undergoing the aura assessment. Grant selected several students, including William and Marcel.

"You will depart tomorrow with one of our instructors," Grant announced. "Be prepared."

William observed the other chosen students, mostly older and unfamiliar to him.

After the test concluded, the students dispersed, each preparing for the journey in their own way.

"This is exciting," Marcel exclaimed. "I can't wait to get there."

"Don't you think it's strange they only want the strongest?" William questioned. "What's happening at that academy branch?"

Marcel shrugged it off, unconcerned. William wondered if he was being overly cautious or if the others were naive to potential ulterior motives.

William returned to his room and waited, passing the time with reading and magic practice.

The next day, the students gathered at the academy gate, where Professor Lincoln awaited them. William felt uneasy about Lincoln's presence. The professor was shrouded in mystery, his motives unclear, especially after William had spotted him lurking at night.

Marcel shared his apprehension. "I wish someone else were accompanying us..." he murmured.

However, they had no choice in the matter. Lincoln had brought a flying mount for the students to ride, but William had his own – Asura, who had tamed a winged lizard.

"William," Lincoln addressed him, "you can use your own mount. Marcel can accompany you, and I believe we'll need one more student to join you as well."

Lincoln's mount couldn't accommodate all eight students. William, Marcel, and one other would have to ride with Asura. Most preferred the perceived safety of traveling with the professor.

Only one volunteered to join William: a timid girl with black hair and round glasses.

"Can I go with you?" she asked softly.

William saw no reason to refuse, especially with Marcel's enthusiastic support. He suspected his friend had ulterior motives...

With their arrangements settled, they departed. William possessed a map and a general sense of their destination, but he followed Lincoln for convenience. The aerial view was breathtaking, but William couldn't shake a sense of foreboding. Something about Grant's request felt off, but he would address that later.

"How long will the journey take?" the timid girl inquired.

William was about to answer when Marcel interjected, eager to impress her. "I believe it will take around ten days, if my estimations are correct."

William played along, supporting his friend's attempt to impress the girl. "You can trust Marcel," he affirmed. "He knows what he's talking about."

"Really?" the girl responded, her eyes shining with admiration. "That's wonderful. It's reassuring to have someone reliable."

Marcel discreetly gave William a thumbs-up.

Their journey was relatively peaceful. They encountered some beasts along the way, but Lincoln, with his formidable power, easily dispatched them. While this meant less work for William, it also meant fewer opportunities to gain EXP.

William noticed they were heading towards a different sea than the one he had traversed with Hemlock and Seraphina. This time, they were venturing into an unfamiliar part of the kingdom, with unique vegetation and landscapes.

The entire kingdom was indeed unfamiliar to William, its past vastly different from the present he knew. From his vantage point atop the flying lizard, he saw few signs of civilization. Occasional villages dotted the landscape, but wilderness dominated.

Lincoln slowed his mount, flying alongside William. "Let's stop for today," he advised. "I sense a powerful storm approaching. Flying would be unwise."

William nodded in agreement. They searched for a suitable shelter, the advantage of their flying mounts allowing them to reach normally inaccessible locations. A cavern atop a mountain caught their attention, promising protection from the impending storm.

William and Lincoln landed their mounts, and Lincoln cautiously entered the cave to ensure its safety. Finding it clear, they led the students inside. Read the latest on empire

"Professor Lincoln, what about our tents?" one student inquired. "We didn't bring any."

Headmaster Grant had told them tents were unnecessary, but no one understood why until now. Lincoln demonstrated his resourcefulness. He conjured tiny houses, creating stone structures out of thin air. Then, he magically generated vegetation to create comfortable bedding.

Within minutes, he had constructed five cozy shelters, complete with windows to alleviate any sense of claustrophobia. William was impressed. This was a valuable skill for frequent travelers.

"Decide amongst yourselves who sleeps where," Lincoln instructed. "The houses are identical, so don't overthink it. I'll start a fire."

William, Marcel, and the timid girl, Denise, ended up sharing a house. Although the space was cramped for three, Denise preferred their company to that of the other students.

"I don't trust them," she confessed. "Sharing a room with you is preferable. If that's alright?"

"Sure, no problem," William agreed. "I'll help with the fire. You and Marcel can stay here and chat."

William left the tiny house and found Lincoln preparing a fire.

"Professor," William began, "may I hunt something for us to eat?"

Lincoln looked surprised. "We still have supplies. Are you sure you want to go out with the storm approaching?"

"It will be a while before the storm reaches us, and it's better to hunt than deplete our supplies, right?" William reasoned. "Asura and I can easily catch something."

Lincoln considered this, then said, "Fine. But wait here. I have something for you."

He rummaged through his bags and produced a wooden bow and arrows. "It's simple, but effective for hunting. I don't know if you're familiar with mana infusion, but it's a useful skill to learn if you have the time."

William accepted the bow gratefully and thanked the professor before departing with Asura. From the air, they surveyed the landscape for potential prey. Asura's keen senses aided in the search.

He soon spotted a deer drinking from a small pond. It was the perfect prey, large enough to feed everyone. William dismounted, believing a stealthy approach on foot would be more effective than arriving on the noisy lizard.

He crept closer, then drew the bow and loosed an arrow. With his enhanced strength, the arrow flew with tremendous force. Though not infused with mana, it was enough to kill the deer instantly.

William retrieved the deer, hoisting it onto his shoulders, and waited for Asura. Back at the cave, the other students doubted his hunting prowess.

"That guy's going to get himself killed by some random beast," one scoffed. "I still don't understand why the professors and Headmaster Grant think so highly of him."

"Right? He seems like an average student."

Their surprise was palpable when William returned just ten minutes later, a deer carcass slung over his shoulder. Even experienced mages often took longer, hindered by their lack of hunting skills. William, however, had easily tracked, killed, and retrieved his prey.

He then proceeded to butcher the deer in front of them, unfazed by the blood and organs, a sight that unsettled some of the more squeamish students.

William and Lincoln collaborated to prepare the meal. Everything proceeded smoothly until the storm hit. It was far fiercer than Lincoln had anticipated, the cave shaking under the onslaught of rain and thunder.

"Is this a normal storm?" William asked, sensing something amiss. "This feels different."

Lincoln's expression was grave. Something unusual was happening, something William couldn't comprehend.