Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

William surveyed his classmates, their faces alight with anticipation. He adjusted the weight of his own pack, ensuring his essentials were secure: food, water, a tent, his trusty sword, a bow and quiver of arrows, and, of course, the enigmatic demonic sword wrapped in cloth.

He had scoured the library for any mention of the obsidian blade, but his searches had yielded nothing. He suspected the information he sought lay hidden in restricted sections, inaccessible to a mere first-year student. For now, the sword remained a mystery, a source of both power and unease.

"Is everyone prepared?" Professor James's voice cut through the excited chatter. "It will be a rather lengthy journey."

"Yes, Professor!" a chorus of voices responded.

The ancient ruins lay nestled in a remote valley beyond the mountain range that housed the academy and the city of Dale. Reaching them would require a circuitous route, a journey best undertaken by carriage.

While flying mounts offered a faster alternative, Professor James had opted for the more practical approach. The expedition's primary goal was to explore and document the ruins, bringing back artifacts and knowledge for further study. A carriage provided the necessary space for transporting their findings.

Four luxurious carriages awaited them at the academy gates, each drawn by a team of sturdy mountain drakes. Their spacious interiors, complete with plush seating and ample storage, promised a comfortable journey. Just as they were about to depart, a figure came rushing towards them, a massive backpack bouncing against her back.

"Wait!" Professor Martha cried, her round glasses nearly slipping from her nose as she skidded to a halt. "Wait for me!"

Even James seemed surprised by her sudden appearance. "Professor Martha?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. "What's this about?"

Martha, breathless from her exertion, waved a hand dismissively. "I'm coming along," she declared, her voice firm.

"But don't you have classes to teach?" James asked, perplexed. "I arranged for a few days off specifically for this expedition."

"As did I," Martha replied with a mischievous grin. "Headmaster Tholfnir suggested it would be prudent to have more than one professor accompany the students."

James's eyes widened in understanding. "You mean, one more professor to keep a closer eye on William," he whispered conspiratorially.

Martha let out a nervous chuckle. James wasn't wrong. William had become the academy's prized possession, and Tholfnir was clearly taking no chances.

With Martha joining the expedition, the carriages finally set off. William found himself sharing his ride with Altair, a few other students, and Professor Martha. As the drakes pulled them away from the familiar academy grounds, William turned to his companions, his curiosity piqued.

"Do we even know what kind of ruins these are?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the winding mountain path ahead.

The other students, their knowledge limited to the briefings provided by Professor James, leaned in with interest. Martha, however, possessed a deeper understanding of the site's significance.

"It's believed to be an ancient elven ruin," she revealed, her voice hushed with reverence. "Not just any elves, mind you, but Snow Elves. A rare and enigmatic kind."

William's curiosity piqued. Jinra had spoken of the elves' mastery of magic, their techniques far surpassing those of humans. But where were they now? In his time, only remnants of their civilization remained, scattered ruins whispering of a lost grandeur.

"What happened to the elves?" William asked, voicing the question that had lingered in his mind.

Martha smiled, her eyes twinkling with a scholar's passion. "That, William, is one of the enduring mysteries surrounding the elven civilization. They were far more advanced than us in many ways, yet their civilization faded, while ours endured."

"Perhaps a war?" William suggested, recalling the conflicts that had plagued human history.

"It's possible," Martha conceded, "but the elves were a reclusive people, masters of stealth and camouflage, dwelling deep within forests and mountains. It's difficult to imagine anyone successfully waging war against them in such terrain, or even finding them in the first place."

William pondered her words, his fascination with the elves deepening. He recalled Jinra's teachings, the elven method of casting enhancement spells, and wondered what other secrets their lost civilization held.

He thought of his own connection to the past, his Chrono Shift ability lying dormant, its recharge delayed after the intense training sessions with Jinra. But for now, his focus was on the present, on the adventure that awaited them within the ancient elven ruins.

He couldn't shake the feeling that this expedition held more significance than a mere academic exercise. Perhaps, within those crumbling walls, he would find answers to questions he hadn't even known to ask.

The journey to the ancient ruins stretched over two days, winding through a desolate landscape of towering peaks and shadowy valleys. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of wind through the trees or the distant cry of a hawk.

William, gazing out the carriage window, saw no signs of civilization, only the untamed beauty of the wilderness.

While some of his classmates fidgeted with apprehension, William felt a sense of calm settle over him. He was no stranger to the wilds, and the solitude of the mountains held a strange allure.

As twilight descended, casting long shadows across the valley, Professor James called for a halt.

"It's not safe to travel through these mountains at night," he explained, his voice carrying a note of caution. "Especially with so many carriages. We'll rest here and resume our journey in the morning."

The students readily agreed, eager to stretch their legs and enjoy a proper meal. While the carriages were comfortable, the constant motion and the narrow, winding roads had taken their toll.

They worked together to gather firewood and build campfires, their laughter and chatter echoing through the stillness of the valley. Professor James and Professor Martha took charge of preparing dinner, their culinary skills surprisingly adept.

"We've brought enough provisions to last us several days," James assured them with a reassuring smile.

That night, they feasted on roasted meat, grilled vegetables, and baked potatoes cooked over the open flames. The simple meal, devoured eagerly, satisfied their hunger and lifted their spirits.

The students then turned their attention to setting up camp. While the carriages were spacious, they couldn't accommodate everyone comfortably for the night. Professor James and Professor Martha, ever mindful of their students' needs, opted to sleep outside, leaving the carriages for the students.

William, despite the professors' insistence that he take a bed inside, chose to join the few classmates who were pitching their tents.

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"I enjoy sleeping under the stars," he explained, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "I'm quite used to it."

James and Martha exchanged a worried glance. Tholfnir's directive to prioritize William's safety weighed heavily on their minds.

"Very well, William," James conceded, "but if you hear anything unusual, even the slightest rustle, you go straight to the carriage. Understood?"

"Understood, Professor," William replied with a reassuring grin.

The night passed without incident, the silence broken only by the crackling of the campfire and the soft snores of sleeping students. Dawn brought a renewed sense of purpose, and they packed their belongings, eager to resume their journey.

After another day of travel, the valley opened up to reveal a breathtaking sight. Nestled amongst the towering peaks, the ancient elven ruins emerged from the mist.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om