Chapter 42: Storm Navigator
Year 833 of the Falling Stars Era, June 11th, Night, Northern Lands, Moldavia Territory, Nissier Snow Mountain, White Frost Forest.
From a bird's-eye view, White Frost Forest is a triangular expanse of lush pine forest nestled between the snow mountain and the icefield. It grows across undulating hills, with a winding river cutting through it. The forest's resources are not particularly abundant; before Winterfell Academy was established nearby, even hunters rarely came here to hunt. Yet, even so, it harbors numerous creatures, including not a few magical beasts.
Through the gaps in the leaves, faint starlight begins to emerge in the sky, signaling the gradual arrival of deep night. The increasingly strong southern wind disperses the clouds in the mid-air, so the magical beasts that lurked during the day are about to enter their active period.
In a certain part of the forest, on a long-fallen tree now slowly decaying, a faint blue glow faintly appears.
As the dim moonlight brightens due to the dispersing clouds, the pale blue fluorescence on this tree becomes more conspicuous. With a gurgling sound like liquid flowing, a jelly-like, translucent blue gelatinous creature, about half the size of a person, emerges from a crevice in the tree trunk, comes to the outside world, and silently absorbs the arcane power contained in the moonlight.
This gel-like soft-bodied creature is none other than the most famous and weakest magical beast in the world: the slime.
From its appearance, it can be identified as a Frost Slime, a species unique to cold regions.
Slimes, like jellyfish, have no brain, only instinct. But they possess extremely strong adaptability. Whether in the deep sea, glaciers, swamps, or volcanic springs, as long as there is water—or even liquid—they can survive and adapt to the local environment.
Some arcane scholars believe that slimes evolved from jellyfish stranded on land during ancient geological upheavals, but this theory lacks any supporting evidence. The mermaids and the deep-sea protectors (the God of the Ocean) have also denied this claim.
Another group of scholars proposes a more chilling theory: that slimes might have originated from the blood of some ancient super-lifeform, even an ancient dragon. Although this theory is equally unreliable, it unexpectedly finds a few seemingly plausible pieces of evidence. One is that such a weak creature can surprisingly carry an enormous amount of arcane power. As far as is known, slimes are the only low-level magical beasts that can survive in heavily magic-radiated zones and can rapidly proliferate and evolve based on the local magic density.
But regardless, a slime is still a slime. Because its essence is a mixture of gel, water, and arcane power, it generally sits at the very bottom of the magical beast food chain, almost like a kind of premium beverage. Thus, it rarely grows strong and is not numerous.
Most slimes hide in various dark corners, absorbing dew and arcane power to gradually grow larger. However, precisely because they lack brains, they do not respond to the call of the Black Tide to attack human fortresses. That is the only time slimes can rest and recuperate. By absorbing the flesh, blood, and arcane power of dead magical beasts, they rapidly grow, split, and reproduce, expanding to a terrifying extent in a short time.
In White Frost Forest, the more powerful magical beasts were all driven away by a group of human mages a few days ago. Having lost most of their natural enemies, the slime population immediately began to develop at full speed.
On the tree trunk, this Frost Slime was quietly absorbing arcane power, preparing for an imminent split and reproduction. But not far away, in a bush, a pair of gray eyes were fixedly watching it.
Ivan Makarov, a young mage from Winterfell, gripped his crude staff tightly, waiting for the right moment to attack. His target was naturally the only magical beast in this area: the giant Frost Slime before him.
Today was the second day of Winterfell Academy's wilderness survival test. Since they were forcibly prohibited from carrying any food, all students had to obtain food through hunting and gathering fruits. As the son of a hunter, Ivan naturally knew how to survive in the northern woods. Using a few simple traps, he had already caught enough rabbits and squirrels to last two days.
But that wasn't enough. As the notice stated, for this test, merely surviving was insufficient. To get a higher score, one had to hunt other magical beasts.
In White Frost Forest, the powerful magical beasts had long been driven away. What remained were only slimes, Frost Butterflies, and Giant Wild Boars.
Among these three remaining magical beasts, the Giant Wild Boar was strong, few in number, and roamed over too wide an area, so it wasn't the primary target. The Frost Butterfly was too small to serve as food, and its innate spell-like ability, [Ice Spike], was too dangerous for mage apprentices, so it was also ruled out.
Only the slime—weak, slow-moving, numerous, and edible—was the best target.
At this point, someone might wonder: Can slimes be eaten?
The answer is: some can, some cannot.
For example, Magma Slimes that grow in volcanic springs, full of sulfur and heavy metal toxins, are absolutely inedible. Similarly, Venom Slimes from swamp areas cannot be consumed. But most slimes that grow in forests, feeding on tree sap and fruits, are edible. Not only are they edible, but they are also highly nutritious.
As a mixture of arcane power, mucus, and water, a slime's bodily fluids, after processing, become the raw material for basic mana potions. Drinking one can quickly restore arcane power. As a mage apprentice, Ivan naturally knew this. To sustain spellcasting in the coming days and attempt to hunt stronger creatures, he absolutely could not let this Frost Slime escape.
"Terrain: unknown. Possible slime counterattack. Retreat route..."
After considering all possibilities and rehearsing them in his mind, Ivan also tidied his hair to prevent long strands from obstructing his vision during the upcoming battle. Then, he gripped his staff, focused his mind, let the arcane power flow within him, and began preparing his first spell.
...
...
"Joshua, what do you think?"
Above White Frost Forest, amidst the endlessly howling cold wind, two figures stood on the clouds, looking down at the land below. Their eyes reflected the life flames of every creature moving within.
Nostradamus, with a faint blue arcane glow swirling in his eyes, was observing every student. Noticing that the warrior beside him hadn't responded, he asked again: "These children—what do you think of them?"
"...What do I think?"
Joshua repeated softly, squinting his eyes. He thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Their experience is still lacking. Whether in survival, hunting, or combat, they're too immature."
"More than half of them chose to camp and lit campfires in the wrong spots, not considering wind direction or poisonous insects—I won't dwell on that. Let's just talk about combat."
Pointing casually, the warrior directed the old mage's attention to Ivan's direction. He said lightly, "This little guy wants to obtain the Frost Slime's bodily fluids, so he can't use fire or lightning spells. The slime has frost resistance, so ice shaping is also out. That eliminates most of a low-level mage's attack methods, leaving only Arcane Missile."
At this point, Joshua couldn't help but show a gleeful smile: "Without real combat experience, how would he know that slimes have a certain ability to absorb arcane power? Fireballs and lightning bolts might be immune, let alone pure arcane impact?"
"Not bad."
Nostradamus looked in that direction and nodded involuntarily. He said with some emotion, "All the students think that the Giant Wild Boar, with its massive size and appearance, is the strongest magical beast. But in reality, the slime, with its certain magic resistance, is the most troublesome opponent for low-level mages. On the other hand, the Giant Wild Boar can be paralyzed into immobility with the simplest lightning bolt."
"This can be considered a small lesson, teaching them not to trust appearances too much."
"It's actually quite good."
Shrugging slightly, Joshua, though he mercilessly pointed out the students' mistakes, wasn't unhappy. Instead, he felt somewhat gratified: "To have this performance on their first time leaving the academy and entering the forest is already commendable."
"Yes."
The wrinkles on his face relaxed slightly. Nostradamus also looked at the forest, at the young mage who, after his Arcane Missile failed, remained unfazed and used the complex forest terrain to engage the slime in a skirmish. He showed a smile: "They're all good children."
While Joshua and Nostradamus were watching the mage apprentices of Winterfell Academy survive in the wilderness up north, far to the south, east of the Far Sea Holy Mountain, at the Abyss of Anos.
A massive ship, pure white in color and visibly sturdy, was sailing through raging winds and towering waves, moving against the ocean's currents.
The Abyss of Anos at midnight was like hell. Dizzying gales raged above the dark waters, stirring up massive waves and shrieks. Dark clouds churned wildly in the high sky, pouring down torrential rain. The icy rain, mixed with salty, humid mist, obscured all vision.
Power from the abyss stirred the ocean currents in this sea, forming large and small whirlpools and an eternal storm. Any ship sailing here that wasn't sturdy enough would be easily shattered by the wind and waves. The souls of dead crew members would be trapped by evil, turning into a wandering ghost ship, drifting through the rain of the night.
But clearly, this pure white ark would not be easily crushed by the giant waves. Its hull was covered with dense holy runes, glowing with sacred light, resisting the harsh weather and the hidden evil forces behind it.
Additionally, at the top of this ark, there was a round gem the size of half a person. It radiated a blazing positive energy like the sun, illuminating the sea for nearly a kilometer around, undeterred even by the rain and mist imbued with abyssal power.
Beside this gem, several divine arrays were operating, amplifying and guiding its power, calming the surrounding wind and waves, and steering the ark forward.
If Joshua were here, he would be surprised to find that this gem was the Fusion Core Star hanging in the Saint Emblem Hall of the Imperial Morlai Palace.
"Sigh."
A sigh came from the ark's deck.
At this moment, the deck was the most dangerous place on this holy white ark. The restless gale and the all-sweeping waves could easily hurl a person into the cold, dark seawater. In such weather, if someone fell into the water and wasn't strong enough, it meant death, because no one could find a person who had fallen overboard under these conditions.
Clearly, the golden-haired knight sighing on the deck was strong enough. Dressed in white armor, he stood at the very front of the deck, his gaze deep as he stared into the dark distance. Neither the wind nor the waves could move him an inch.
"What's wrong, Loranda? Why the sigh?"
Beside the man stood another person, equally unafraid of the wind. He wore silver magical armor and carried a massive cross-shaped steel hammer at his waist. This silver-haired middle-aged knight asked in a steady voice, his words undrowned by the howling wind: "Are you worried about whether the plan will succeed?"
"A little, Captain Robzek."
Without hesitation, the golden-haired knight, Loranda, admitted bluntly: "The storm at the Abyss of Anos is growing fiercer. The giant waves can't even be fully overcome by the arrays inscribed on the [Time Vessel]. And the Fusion Core Star borrowed from the empire is starting to struggle. Look—under the power of the abyss, its light is beginning to dim."
"Aside from the specially borrowed Fusion Core Star, we have other sacred artifacts to overcome the abyss's influence and guide our direction."
Shaking his head, the silver-haired middle-aged knight, Robzek, calmly answered his junior's concerns: "And we still have time. If this attempt fails, we'll return to the Holy Mountain and prepare again. We'll try a few more times; we'll eventually find the [Central Great Maelstrom]."
"But my worry isn't about that..."
Sighing softly, Loranda frowned as he looked at the dark sea. Amidst the churning dark clouds, rolling thunder came from the sky. Blue lightning split the sky but couldn't illuminate the rain curtain and mist shrouding the sea surface.
This was his third voyage since leaving Moldavia and returning to the Holy Mountain. With each voyage, the time the [Time Vessel] could endure the storm grew shorter. This wasn't due to damage, but because the dark power in this sea was gradually intensifying.
Moreover, they hadn't even reached the Central Great Maelstrom yet, and the Fusion Core Star was already showing signs of strain. If they found it, what sacred artifact would they use to withstand such a concentration of abyssal power? Would His Holiness the Pope have to act personally, using the Pure White Staff in his hand, or mobilize other divine artifacts?
Thinking this, Loranda shook his head. None of these were realistic. Pope Eagle had to deal with the Dragon Calamity's impact, and other sacred artifacts must be kept ready for that. Most of the sacred artifacts they had brought this time were of secondary rank, so they couldn't resist the evil power in the Abyss of Anos.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think of a friend he knew well.
If it were that friend, the power he possessed would surely be more suitable for the current situation than the Fusion Core Star.
The holy knight recalled what his friend had said to him when they parted not long ago.
"...It might be a bit difficult for you to accept."
The black-haired, red-eyed warrior, drinking wine, had said with a smile: "But if you ever need my help, don't hesitate to find me. I won't refuse a friend's invitation."
"Well, may you have a smooth journey."