Chapter 55: Misty Forest
Glancing at the time on his silver-faced pocket watch, Richard Eva motioned for Lo Silverfox to continue leading the way as they set out for the Misty Vale.
This time, although they encountered several waves of magical beasts along the way, under the cover of illusion, the group managed to remain undetected and smoothly reached the central area of the Misty Forest.
"Up ahead is the Misty Vale. There are many venomous insects and serpentine magical beasts inside, so before we enter, everyone should cast defensive witchcraft... Janna, have you studied protective-type spells?"
"I have."
Upon hearing that, Richard Eva raised an eyebrow, then naturally nodded.
After spending some time together, he was no longer surprised by Janna’s proficiency with various high-difficulty spells, even as a First Tier Apprentice.
"Then let’s rest here for a while. Once Lo’s magic power has recovered, we’ll proceed into the vale... Lo, you can drop the illusion now."
Lo Silverfox, who had been maintaining the illusion for several hours, already had fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
Upon hearing Richard Eva’s words, he dispelled the illusion and sat cross-legged beside a large tree, gripping a magic stone as he focused on recovering his magical power.
…
“Cuckoo—Cuckoo—”
Shadows danced among the trees, and the cries of cuckoos echoed through the empty vale.
Listening to the cuckoo's calls, Janna, who had expended little magical energy along the way, soon emerged from her shallow meditative state.
"Senior Richard, my magic power has fully recovered. Let me keep watch now, you should rest for a bit."
"Alright, thank you."
Thanks to the forest environment's enhancement and her Plant Affinity, Janna recovered her magic and stamina quickly.
"Janna, rest a bit longer. I can keep watch."
Seeing Janna and Richard Eva switching shifts, Soro Flare, who had been sitting nearby with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and stopped Janna just as she was about to stand.
"Why didn’t you offer to take my shift when I was on watch earlier?"
Seeing right through Soro Flare’s intentions, Richard Eva couldn’t help but curl his lips.
"Do I not know you? You still need rest?"
"You’re the one who needs rest the least. I don’t have Lava Dragon Lizard blood."
"Don’t pretend. With your constitution that’s stronger than a vampire’s, walking a few hours is nothing..."
Listening to the banter between the two Third Tier Apprentices, Janna remained silent, simply standing quietly next to Lo Silverfox, who was still meditating, gazing toward the faintly brightening dawn.
"Whoo—"
Just as Janna was slightly lost in thought, a long exhale beside her snapped her back to attention.
"How’s your recovery?"
Seeing Lo Silverfox gradually emerge from his meditative state, Richard Eva looked visibly pleased.
"I was a bit drained earlier, but I’m fine now."
Placing the now-dim magic stone back into the inner pocket of his wizard robe, Lo Silverfox, his magic fully restored, stood up from the ground.
"Let’s keep going. The Misty Vale is just ahead."
As he resumed leading the group, Lo Silverfox chanted a spell to guard against sneak attacks from the hidden venomous insects and serpentine magical beasts within the vale.
Immediately, three ribbon-like water sashes appeared around him, forming a shield that enveloped his body.
"The vale is lush with vegetation, and most venomous creatures hide within... Janna, I remember your transfiguration magic allows you to fly. If you can maintain it, try to fly the entire way through the Misty Vale—keep your feet off the ground."
After speaking, Richard Eva swiftly performed a casting gesture and recited a spell.
"Polymorph!"
With the incantation complete, a pair of long, deep crimson bat wings extended from Richard Eva’s back.
With a flap, his body lifted into the air.
"Partial Transfiguration?"
Seeing the wings behind Richard Eva, Janna’s eyes lit up slightly before her brows furrowed in confusion.
"This looks more like the flight spell [Batwing Morph]. Although it falls under Partial Transfiguration, it’s essentially a bloodline-type spell..."
As a flight spell on the bloodline path, [Batwing Morph] required the caster to possess [Vampire Bat] bloodline.
Janna also recalled that during a Defense Against Dark Magic class, Grace Eva had used the same spell, though her transformation was more complete—she could even turn fully into a bat.
"Professor Grace not only used bat morphing but also a serpentine transformation..."
To this day, Janna vividly remembered the overwhelming pressure she felt upon seeing the crimson giant serpent in Grace Eva’s office when she had gone there to ask questions.
"As expected of an established wizard family from Turin. Besides their vast wealth, their bloodline advantages are truly enviable."
Just like Soro Flare with his Lava Dragon Lizard bloodline, Richard Eva also possessed an extraordinary bloodline.
Although the quality wasn’t as high, it meant that as Richard Eva’s power grew, so too would his bloodline talents.
This also implied that even if Richard Eva got stuck at the Third Tier Apprentice stage for some reason, he could switch paths and become a [Warlock] like Soro Flare, leveraging the Eva family’s resources to evolve his [Vampire Bat] bloodline into the [Bloodborn Baron] bloodline.
"No wonder Soro said the Eva family and the vampires of the Shadow World are enemies. If members of the Eva family want to improve the [Vampire Bat] bloodline, there’s nothing more suitable than blood crystals from the Blood Clan."
As that thought passed through her mind, Janna noticed that Soro had also cast a diamond-shaped defensive spell.
She no longer hesitated, raised her wand, and quickly chanted.
"Floral Shield—"
"Polymorph—"
Two spells, both upgraded to their current level caps by Janna, were swiftly cast.
Butterfly wings unfurled, a barrier condensed, and a green glow surged around her.
An oval-shaped protective barrier enveloped Janna in her butterfly-winged form.
"Flap—"
With a quick flutter of wings, Janna’s body rose to match Richard Eva’s height.
The group’s expressions all bore varying degrees of complex emotion.
Although they had heard Janna say she could use transfiguration spells, witnessing a First Tier Apprentice actually cast one was beyond words.
"Let’s move. Dawn is breaking."
Seeing the pale light creeping over the horizon, Richard Eva gave a prompt and followed behind Lo Silverfox, flapping his wings swiftly.
"Janna, do you have extra magic stones? If not, I’ve got a few—"
"Thanks, I’ve prepared my own."
Thanking Soro for his unnecessary offer, Janna smiled politely and, transforming into a green shadow, took flight.