Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

William wasted no time. With a burst of speed, he launched himself at the closest enemy - the woman from the cabin. Xavier reacted instantly, summoning a wall of earth to shield his sister, just as he had done in the cave.

But this time, it was different. William didn't slow down. His fist, imbued with incredible force, slammed into the earthen barrier. The wall shattered like glass, the fragments exploding outwards. William continued his relentless advance, closing in on the terrified woman.

Xavier's desperate cry, "Be careful!" echoed through the clearing.

She tried to evade the attack, but it was futile. William's fist connected with her chest in a devastating blow. A gaping hole appeared where her heart had been, her life extinguished in an instant. Experience new tales on empire

Even William was stunned by the sheer power he wielded. It was beyond anything he could have imagined.

Xavier stared in disbelief, his sister's lifeless body sprawled on the ground. Rage and grief consumed him. "You bastard!" he roared. "I'll kill you!"

He raised his staff, arcane energy crackling around him, but William was too fast. A single, brutal punch sent Xavier flying, his ribs and shoulder shattered.

The village chief, the weakest of the three, watched the carnage unfold, paralyzed with fear. He didn't know whether to flee or beg for mercy.

William's voice, cold and menacing, cut through his panic. "Tell me everything, and I might grant you a swift death."

Desperate to survive, the chief spilled everything he knew. "I'm part of an organization, just like she was, but we're kept in the dark. We don't know who leads it or their true faces. Everyone wears masks during the meetings. I swear, it's the truth!"

William listened intently, extracting every bit of information. When the chief had nothing left to offer, William delivered his final judgment. "I see. Then die."

A swift slash of his sword, and the chief's head rolled to the ground.

Only Xavier remained, broken and helpless.

"You're coming with me," William declared, "to explain all this to Headmaster Grant."

He found ropes in the cave and bound Xavier securely. Then, he returned to the village, carrying the unconscious villager and his captive. Asura followed close behind.

The villagers were bewildered by the sight. Most assumed they had been attacked by some unknown force, which explained Xavier's injuries.

William, still radiating an aura of barely-contained power, addressed the gathered villagers. His voice, though firm, held a note of somber respect for the lives lost. "The village chief and the woman who attacked us are dead. They were part of a shadowy organization, and Xavier here was also with them." He explained how the chief had confessed his allegiance before meeting his end.

A wave of murmurs and gasps rippled through the crowd. The villagers, simple folk who had always trusted their leader, were struggling to process this shocking revelation. William continued, "The missing villager is safe, though unconscious. We will learn more when he wakes."

They brought the unconscious man to a small, tidy hut and laid him on a bed. A local healer, a kind woman with gentle hands and wise eyes, tended to him, assuring William that he would recover soon.

As the villagers dispersed, whispering amongst themselves, William found a quiet corner to collect his thoughts. Asura, ever vigilant, sat beside him, his presence a comforting weight. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story than met the eye. Who was behind this mysterious organization? And what were their true motives?

The wait was agonizing. William paced restlessly, his mind replaying the events of the day. He thought of the woman he had killed, her face contorted in fear, and the village chief, pleading for his life. The weight of his actions pressed heavily upon him.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the missing villager stirred. He woke with a start, his eyes wide with terror. But when he saw William, a look of recognition and relief washed over him.

"You...you saved me," he stammered, his voice weak.

William nodded. "What happened? Who took you?"

The villager's gaze hardened with anger. "It was the chief! He lured me into the forest, then knocked me unconscious. When I woke up, I was tied up in that cave."

The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. The chief's betrayal, the woman in the cabin, it was all connected to this shadowy organization. But who were they, and what did they want with the academy?

With the truth revealed and the immediate danger contained, a sense of calm settled over the village. The villagers, though still shaken, were grateful for William's intervention. They offered him and the other students their hospitality, insisting they stay the night before returning to the academy.

The next morning, after a night of fitful sleep, the students bid farewell to the villagers. They carried a mix of emotions with them: relief at the rescue, sorrow for the lives lost, and a lingering unease about the unknown forces at play.

The journey back to the academy was a somber one. The students, usually boisterous and full of energy, were subdued, lost in their own thoughts. William, burdened by the weight of his actions and the secrets he carried, walked in silence, his gaze fixed on the winding path ahead.

Three days later, they reached the imposing gates of the academy, perched atop the mountain. Headmaster Grant, his face etched with concern, greeted them with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

William recounted the events of the past few days, detailing the attack, the deaths of the village chief and the woman, and the chief's confession about the organization. He also revealed Xavier's involvement, explaining how he had been captured and brought back to the academy.

Headmaster Grant listened intently, his expression growing graver with each revelation. When William finished, he sighed heavily. "This is troubling news indeed," he said. "It seems we have underestimated the reach of this organization."

He turned to Xavier, who stood silently, his gaze fixed on the ground. "Xavier," Headmaster Grant said, his voice stern, "you will be confined to the academy dungeon while we investigate this matter further."

Xavier offered no resistance. He allowed himself to be led away, his face a mask of defeat.

Headmaster Grant then addressed the other students. "I commend you all for your bravery and resourcefulness in this difficult situation. I'll prepare your rewards, but for now, rest."

News of Xavier's treachery and his connection to the shadowy organization spread through the academy like wildfire. Within hours, everyone knew about the attempted murder, the secret cult, and William's extraordinary feat of taming the Infant Winged Lizard.

Marcel, ever the loyal friend, visited William in his room, concern etched on his face.

"You look awful," Marcel remarked, taking in William's pale complexion and weary posture.

William, still recovering from the aftereffects of the demonic transformation and Hero's Limit, managed a weak grin. "Don't I know it," he said, his voice raspy. "That was the worst mission ever. What did I miss while I was out of commission?"

"Nothing important," Marcel assured him. "But I have to know... what's the deal with that lizard outside? How did you tame it? Everyone's talking about it."

"Oh, you mean Asura?" William replied, a touch of pride in his voice. "It wasn't that difficult, actually. He's quite friendly, once you get to know him."

"Asura, huh?" Marcel mused, scratching his chin. "That's a pretty cool name. So, you just... what, walked up to it and said, 'Hey, wanna be friends?'" He chuckled, but his eyes held genuine curiosity.

William grinned, enjoying the bewildered look on Marcel's face. "Not quite," he replied, choosing to keep the details of the taming process to himself. "It involved a bit of... persuasion." He winked, leaving Marcel to ponder the cryptic response.

"Well, whatever you did, it clearly worked," Marcel conceded, nodding towards the window where Asura could be seen basking in the afternoon sun. "That thing looks like it could take on a whole army."

"He's definitely a valuable ally," William agreed, a flicker of pride in his voice. "Especially with people like Xavier lurking about."

Marcel's expression turned serious. "Speaking of Xavier... what's going to happen to him? And what about that organization he was involved with?"

William sighed, the weight of the situation settling upon him once more. "I don't know, Marcel. Headmaster Grant is investigating, trying to uncover the extent of their reach. As for Xavier... I suspect he'll face severe consequences for his actions."

"He deserves it," Marcel declared, his voice firm. "Trying to kill you like that... it's unforgivable."

William nodded, appreciating his friend's support. "I'm just glad it's over," he said, leaning back against the pillows. "For now, at least. I have a feeling this is just the beginning."