Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

William didn't need to prepare anything for the journey. Professor James, brimming with excitement, took care of everything.

They would travel to the kingdom's capital on a fire salamander, a flying mount that James owned. The creature was massive, with four wings and, according to James, the ability to breathe fire and a poisonous tongue.

"I found this little one near a volcano," he explained. "It's quite rare."

William sensed the creature's immense power, though his system couldn't discern its level or other details.

They gathered their belongings, eager to depart. James, wanting to leave as soon as possible, scheduled their departure for that afternoon.

A nagging worry plagued William. His mind kept returning to Altair's words. What if Tholfnir was an imposter? What were they plotting at the academy? He couldn't focus with those thoughts swirling in his mind.

Their journey began, a long voyage ahead. The capital of the Black Flame Kingdom, known as Ignis, was the largest city in the realm. It was a hub for mages, a place to exchange knowledge and trade magical items.

There were no magic academies in Ignis, except for a training ground for mages in the kingdom's army.
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The fire salamander, with William and Professor James perched on its broad back, launched itself into the sky. The ground receded quickly, the familiar sights of the academy shrinking into miniature. William gripped the reins, a thrill coursing through him despite his anxieties. He had never flown before, and the sensation was exhilarating.

"Hold on tight!" James shouted over the rushing wind, a wide grin splitting his face. "This is just the beginning!"

The wind whipped at William's hair and clothes, and the world stretched out beneath them like an unfurling map. Forests became patches of green, mountains transformed into wrinkles on the earth's skin, and rivers snaked like silver ribbons through the landscape.

As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, James steered the salamander towards a plateau overlooking a vast lake.

"We'll camp here for the night," he announced, guiding the creature towards a smooth landing.

William dismounted, his legs a bit wobbly from the unfamiliar sensation of flight. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. He helped James unload their supplies – tents, bedrolls, food, and a few essential tools.

"It's beautiful," William remarked, gazing at the serene landscape. The lake shimmered under the fading light, reflecting the fiery colors of the sky.

"It is," James agreed, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "Reminds me of why we do what we do. To protect this beauty, this world."

They set up camp, James expertly building a fire while William arranged their sleeping gear. As darkness enveloped them, the flames of the campfire danced, casting flickering shadows on their faces. They ate a simple meal of dried meat and fruit, discussing their plans for the journey and their hopes for finding answers in Ignis.

"I have a few contacts in the city guard," James shared, poking at the embers with a stick. "They might be able to help us track down those responsible for the attack in the ruins."

William nodded, intrigued. "Do you think they'll have any leads?"

James shrugged. "It's worth a shot. They have access to information and resources we don't. Hopefully, they can provide some clues about the attackers' identities or whereabouts."

"That would be a huge help," William said, feeling a flicker of hope. "I'm eager to learn more about those who attacked us."

"Me too," James said, his expression grim. "Those responsible need to be brought to justice."

The night deepened, the fire crackling softly as the two men settled into their bedrolls. William, despite his exhaustion, found sleep elusive. The image of the flesh golem haunted his thoughts, and Altair's words about Tholfnir echoed in his mind. He tossed and turned, the anxieties gnawing at him.

Just as he was finally drifting off, a guttural roar shattered the silence. William sat up, his heart pounding. James was already on his feet, his hand instinctively reaching for his staff.

"What was that?" William whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

"Sounds like a wyvern," James muttered, peering into the darkness. "Stay close."

A pair of glowing eyes pierced the night, followed by the leathery wings of a large, reptilian creature circling overhead. The wyvern landed a short distance away, its clawed feet scraping against the rock. It let out another roar, its breath steaming in the cool air.

William felt a surge of fear, but James remained calm. He raised his staff, a surge of mana crackling around him.

"Luminos!" he incanted, and a blinding light erupted from the staff, illuminating the wyvern in stark detail.

The creature snarled, its eyes narrowed in fury. It lunged at James, its jaws snapping. James sidestepped the attack, his staff glowing brighter.

"Inferno!" he shouted, and a jet of fire erupted from the staff, striking the wyvern in the chest.

The creature shrieked, its scales smoking from the intense heat. It retreated, flapping its wings in agitation. James pressed his attack, casting a series of spells that bombarded the wyvern with fire, ice, and lightning. "Glacies! Fulgur!"

William watched in awe, the power of James's magic both terrifying and exhilarating. He had never witnessed such a display of magical prowess.

The wyvern, overwhelmed by the relentless assault, finally succumbed, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. James, panting slightly, lowered his staff, the light fading.

"That takes care of that," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

William, still reeling from the encounter, could only nod in agreement. They returned to their campfire, the adrenaline slowly subsiding.

"That was..." William began, struggling to find the right words.

"Intense?" James offered, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, intense," William agreed. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Just a taste of what's out there," James said, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "This world is full of wonders and dangers, William. And sometimes, they're one and the same."

They spent the rest of the night alert, but no other creatures disturbed their rest. The next morning, they packed their belongings and resumed their journey, the encounter with the wyvern a stark reminder of the perils that awaited them.

As they flew over a dense forest, William noticed something strange. The trees below seemed to be moving in an unnatural pattern, as if something large was pushing through them.

"Professor," he said, pointing towards the forest. "Look."

James followed his gaze, his brow furrowing. "What is that?"

The trees parted, and a colossal creature emerged from the forest. It was unlike anything William had ever seen, a towering behemoth with thick, gnarled limbs and a head that resembled a grotesque fusion of animal and plant. Its skin was covered in moss and vines, and its eyes glowed with an eerie light.

The creature let out a deafening roar, shaking the very ground beneath them. The fire salamander shrieked in fear, its wings faltering.

"Hold on!" James yelled, struggling to control the panicked creature.

The behemoth's roar echoed through the air, a guttural sound that sent shivers down William's spine. The fire salamander, sensing the immense danger, thrashed its wings, ready to take flight.

"We need to get out of here!" James yelled, his voice strained. "This thing is far beyond our capabilities!"

He urged the salamander upwards, and the creature, with powerful beats of its wings, ascended quickly, leaving the behemoth far below.

"That was too close," William muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Agreed," James said, his voice still shaky. "I've never encountered anything like that before. It was... monstrous."

They continued their journey, the encounter with the behemoth casting a shadow over their spirits. The once exhilarating flight now felt fraught with danger, the vast landscape hiding unknown threats.

As dusk approached, they spotted a small, isolated tavern nestled amidst a cluster of trees. Smoke curled from its chimney, promising warmth and respite.

"Let's stop there for the night," James suggested, guiding the salamander towards the tavern.

They dismounted, stiff and weary from the day's events. The tavern, a quaint, wooden structure with a thatched roof, welcomed them with the inviting aroma of roasted meat and ale.

Inside, a handful of patrons occupied the rough-hewn tables, their conversations hushed and their faces etched with weariness. A buxom woman with fiery red hair and a warm smile greeted them from behind the bar.

"Welcome, travelers," she said, her voice husky and inviting. "What can I get for you?"

James ordered ale and stew, while William, his appetite diminished by anxiety, opted for a simple bowl of soup. As they waited for their meal, a young woman approached their table, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.

"Excuse me, sirs," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I couldn't help but overhear that you're traveling to Ignis."

James nodded, his gaze curious. "We are. Why do you ask?"

"I... I need to get to the capital," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "My father is ill, and I need to reach him before it's too late."

She looked at them with pleading eyes. "I know this is a lot to ask, but I would be eternally grateful if you could grant me passage on your... magnificent creature."

James, his heart touched by her plight, readily agreed. "Of course, you can join us. We have plenty of room."

The young woman's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, sir! You're a lifesaver!"

William, who had been silently observing the exchange, found himself captivated by the young woman's beauty. Her long, flowing hair, her delicate features, and her expressive eyes held him spellbound. He remained silent, however, content to admire her from a distance.

They spent the night at the tavern, enjoying the hearty food and the company of their fellow travelers. The young woman, whose name was Gwyneth, regaled them with stories of her life in the countryside, her laughter filling the room with warmth and cheer.

William found himself drawn to her infectious energy and her genuine kindness. He learned that she was the only child of a renowned blacksmith in Ignis, and that she had been away visiting relatives when she received news of her father's sudden illness.

The next morning, they resumed their journey.