novelraw Chapter 39: Departure
Chapter 39: Departure
A few days passed as Verso settled into a new, more lethal and sacrificial hunting routine.
After finalizing his chores and daily task, Verso would enter the Shattered Wilds and summon Lil Bone right away sending it instantly to go hunt the Minor Stone Golem colony.
While he himself would head straight for the colony of giant golems and once the trail and clearing was completely leveled.
he would then move deeper to the gargoyle territory as he executes his strategy of mass detonation before resetting the dungeon to do it all over again.
He had basically turned the grind into a factory line by optimizing it as much as he could.
But today was different. Instead of the grey rocks of the crater, Verso was standing in the school’s auditorium.
"You kids are the future of this world." Headmaster Alicia said from the stage.
She looked across the crowd of students with her expression calm and serious.
"Some of you will go on to become the biggest faces in the summoning world. Some of you will lead your own families, while some of you will leave a mark on history!"
Verso watched her from the middle of the crowd with his arms crossed.
’So it’s finally over, huh?’
The school year was officially wrapping up.
The atmosphere was a mix of anxiety and excitement as many students were planning to return to their family estates for a final rest.
While others, like Verso, were preparing to head straight to Emerald City for the Summoner Academy Exams happening in two days.
Thinking about his family made Verso let out a quiet sigh.
He did not really have a home to return to. For him, there was no celebratory dinner or family waiting.
He just had to pack his bags and move on to the next battlefield.
Thankfully, the money problems were handled.
Because he had secured first place in the final year exams, the school had sponsored all of his travel and lodging expenses for the trip to Emerald City.
It was a pretty good reward that saved him from having to worry about credits for the next month.
"I want you all to remember that you are always welcome back to Meridian High."
Alicia concluded her speech as she walked down from the stage after which the auditorium erupted into chatter.
Students began filtering out, most of them rushing toward the gates where luxury cars were already waiting to pick them up.
"I guess I should go and pack up now." Verso muttered, turning in the direction of his dorm.
Verso stepped out of the school building for the last time.
He stopped at the gate and looked back at the brick building with a melancholic smile.
’I will miss this place.’
The school had been more than just a place of study for him. It had been his only home for the past few years.
It was literally the only place that had provided him with a bed and a roof when he had nothing.
"Students! Come quick, the bus is about to leave!"
Hearing the teacher’s shout, Verso tightened the straps of his bag and walked toward the transport bus.
He climbed the steps and took a seat near the back.
The bus was nearly empty as most kids had already been picked up by their families, leaving only a handful of students who were heading directly to the exam center.
"Well, I guess I have some time to kill."
He leaned back in the seat, letting his head rest against the window.
He closed his eyes and focused on the familiar pull of the menu.
[Entering: The Shattered Wilds]
Verso opened his eyes in the starting clearing. He didn’t rush toward the crater like he usually did. Instead, he walked a few paces forward and opened a grey tear in space.
Suddenly, a statue like creature with a lean, muscular frame and massive bat like wings slid out of the portal.
It landed in front of him with a sharp thud, its claws digging into the dirt.
It looked exactly like the Gargoyles that had killed him multiple times this past few days, except for one key detail. Its eyes were a steady, loyal yellow instead of a feral red.
"Thank god I don’t have to parkour anymore." Verso said with a wide smile.
He focused on the system as he pulled the new summons status window.
---
[✦Summon Window✦]
Name: Stone Gargoyle
Title: -
Rank: Mutant (0%)
Stats:
[Strength: 15]
[Agility: 18]
[Endurance: 17]
[Mana: 17]
Manifestation: [Spear]
Abilities: [Aerial Dive] [Stone Skin] [Sonic Screech]
---
The beast had really high stats for a mutant creature which explained why it was able to keep up with the maxed out Mutant Golems that Verso had used.
Especially its Agility which was insane. At a natural eighteen it was nearly double his own without any synthesis, which when paired with its ability fly made it an insanely difficult target to deal with.
’This explains why it was so resilient.’
Verso looked at the Stone Skin ability that the Gargoyle had, this was a passive ability that reduced the damage it took from direct mana attacks.
Which perfectly explained why it was able to withstand the mana beam attack despite the golem’s maxed out mana stats.
The thing that really won him over though, was the summons ability to fly.
With a wide smile on his face Verso hopped onto the gargoyle’s back, gripping the stone ridges on its shoulders.
Verso had a few hours before the bus reached Emerald City. Making the perfect use of this time, he wanted to do what he had never done before.
Explore the Shattered Wilds.
"Let’s see what else is in this Realm."
With a powerful snap of its wings, the gargoyle took flight.
Verso felt his stomach turn as a surge of G force hit him when the Gargoyle shot into the air at an insane speed.
"Ugh, too fast!" A groan came out of his month.
Right as he entered the air Verso remembered, this was his first time flying.