Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Xavier's face paled. Taming a creature like the Infant Winged Lizard was an unheard-of feat, a testament to William's extraordinary abilities. His plan had backfired spectacularly, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.

William, sensing Xavier's unease, pressed his advantage. "Let's put this behind us," he said, his voice deceptively friendly. "We have a job to do. Any progress on the missing villagers?"

"Nothing yet," Xavier mumbled, avoiding William's gaze. "We're focusing on clearing the forest first. We eliminated a significant number of beasts yesterday, but this goblin camp remains a threat."

The student accompanying Xavier shifted uncomfortably, clearly disturbed by the events in the cave. But they were bound by their mission, forced to cooperate despite the underlying tension.

"I understand," William said, his tone hardening. "Then let's finish this."

With a shared nod, they launched their assault on the goblin encampment. Xavier unleashed a barrage of earth spells, summoning massive stones that crushed the goblins with brutal efficiency.

William and Asura plunged into the heart of the fray, their combined might a whirlwind of destruction. William's sword danced through the air, slicing through goblin flesh with deadly precision. Asura's claws and tail ripped through the enemy ranks, sending goblins flying or cleaving them in two.

The goblins, despite their numbers and crude weaponry, were no match for the coordinated assault. Their camp, once a bustling hub of activity, was reduced to a scene of carnage in a matter of minutes.

Even the Goblin Shaman, with its superior strength and mystical abilities, fell before their combined might. Xavier, wielding his earth magic with impressive control, and the other student, though less experienced, proved valuable assets in the battle.

William, driven by his insatiable desire for growth, focused on eliminating as many goblins as possible, maximizing his experience gain. Each kill brought him closer to his next level, fueling his determination.

With the goblin threat neutralized, they scoured the encampment for clues related to the missing villagers. The humanoid footprints had raised suspicions, but their search yielded nothing. The goblins were not the culprits.

"What now?" William asked, turning to Xavier.

"Let's regroup with the others and assess the situation," Xavier replied, his earlier animosity seemingly forgotten.

"Back to the village then," William agreed.

As they entered the village, all eyes turned towards William, or rather, towards the imposing lizard at his side. He explained that he had tamed the creature, eliciting gasps of awe and admiration. Even the villagers were impressed, some expressing a desire to learn the art of beast taming themselves.

Xavier gathered the group in the village square, seeking updates on their progress. Perhaps someone had stumbled upon a clue during their foray into the forest.

To their surprise, one student stepped forward, his face etched with uncertainty. "I came across a cabin deep within the woods," he reported. "It looked inhabited, but I didn't see anyone. Perhaps whoever lives there spotted me and hid."

A cabin in such a remote location was undoubtedly suspicious. The village chief, who had joined their gathering, frowned. "No one from our village lives in a cabin," he confirmed. "This is troubling news."

"William," Xavier said, his voice dripping with faux concern, "this cabin could be crucial to finding the missing villagers. You're the most skilled among us. I think you should investigate."

William saw through the charade. Xavier was trying to eliminate him, plain and simple. But he masked his anger, choosing his moment for confrontation carefully. I'll have my revenge, he vowed silently.

He agreed to investigate, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious cabin. He ventured into the depths of the forest, following the directions provided by the student who had made the discovery.

The cabin was secluded, nestled deep within the woods. It took William nearly an hour to reach the location, even with prior knowledge of its whereabouts. The structure was well-hidden, shrouded by dense vegetation and positioned near a tranquil pond. Built from weathered wood, it exuded an air of rustic simplicity. A small garden flourished beside the cabin, filled with herbs commonly used in potion-making.

"Stay here and keep watch," William instructed Asura, leaving the imposing lizard to guard the perimeter. He approached the cabin cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The door creaked open, revealing a sparsely furnished interior. A simple bed, a rough-hewn table, and a few shelves lined the walls. Books and papers lay scattered across the table, evidence of recent activity.

William's gaze fell upon the fireplace, where a pot simmered over the glowing embers. Someone had been here very recently. He turned to examine a peculiar marking on the wall, a strange symbol etched into the wood. As his fingers traced the intricate lines, a section of the wall swung inward, revealing a hidden passage.

Before he could react, a figure emerged from the shadows, a gleaming dagger pressed against his throat. William froze, his eyes widening in surprise. His attacker was a woman, her face framed by raven hair and her eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and determination.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice a low growl. "And what are you doing in my home?"

William, careful not to provoke his captor, explained his mission, detailing the missing villagers and the discovery of the cabin. The woman listened intently, her expression softening as he spoke.

"I've seen nothing," she admitted, her voice regaining its composure, "but perhaps I can offer some assistance." She stepped back, gesturing towards a steaming bowl on the table. "Would you care for some soup? It's a simple recipe, but fortifying."

William, his hunger piqued by the enticing aroma, gratefully accepted. He settled at the table, watching as the woman ladled a generous portion into a wooden bowl.

"I know nothing of the missing villagers," she continued, her brow furrowed in thought, "but I did witness something unusual a few nights ago."

"What did you see?" he asked.

"I can't be certain," she replied, her brow furrowed in concentration, "but I heard muffled sounds coming from the woods a few nights ago. The kind of sounds one might make if gagged."
Experience tales with empire

William nodded slowly, intrigued. He still wasn't sure if he could trust this woman, but the absence of a dagger at his throat was a welcome improvement.

"Why does no one in the village know you live here?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the untouched bowl of soup before him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"They've never ventured this far into the forest," she explained. "It's dangerous out here. I survive because I can protect myself."

Her words held a ring of truth, but William remained cautious. He pressed for more details, asking her to pinpoint the direction from which she had heard the muffled sounds.

"It came from this direction," she said, pointing towards a barely visible path leading deeper into the woods, "and then moved that way."

William thanked her, his mind already piecing together a plan. He decided to pursue this lead alone, keeping his discovery a secret from the other students. 'They'll only slow me down,' he thought, his determination growing.

He and Asura followed the path, going deeper into the forest. William hoped that the mystery would soon come to an end.