Chapter 276: First Reports

Vanessa Moráis observed her colleagues from the army.

She knew some of them or at least had seen them at the time when she participated in the ‘Ark’ mission some time ago.

The first was Okello was quite young and while he had been thin before and had made evident the hard life he had led, he now had a trained and slightly sculpted physique.

His expression had also changed, revealing a strict atmosphere that gave him a sense of a hard trained soldier.

Next to him was Chayambaso, who had also taken part in that mission, and that dark-skinned man was also noticeably changed.

It was a physical change that not only showed a better life but also showed that they had trained his body rigorously.

His expressions had also changed, and no longer revealed a militiaman without discipline, but a strict soldier.

Who was also present was an individual Vanessa had seen at the international tournament.

The leader of the Zerzura Academy, Nuur Amadayo.

That young man looked to be in his early twenties, and had the serious expression of a soldier, but unlike the others, there was no hint of the life experience that his peers had.

He just gave the feeling of a student stepping out into the world around him for the first time.

That his strength was of S-rank was remarkable, there was no doubt, and in Vanessa’s eyes he looked as if he wanted to swallow the world.

They of different ages and with different histories were under the command of Captain Aïssatou Sadiya.

As strict as that dark-skinned woman was, she stood straight-backed with a professional look.

“This is making me nervous.” A voice muttered next to her and Vanessa stopped looking at that group.

It wasn’t like she knew it directly and had only seen it, so she had nodded in greeting earlier.

Her gaze shifted to her companion next to her.

Brown hair and slightly shy looking, she was looking around the church basement and the huge doorway, where they were standing.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” Vanessa said looking at her companion.

Joslyn Caldwell was present working beside her.

She for half the year had been under a psionic hero whose barriers could heal people, and at that moment, she had decided on her ‘hero’ path.

To help in that way.

However, her ability gave for more and she knew it. That was why, when Vanessa told her about her experience in her half year, that young girl decided to come.

Thanks to her talent and ability to generate healing barriers being a B rank, she had managed to enter the section of the Church where they both were.

Right now they were under the command of the High Priestess Xaali who was currently talking to the mages to initiate the portal.

The group was small and now they were about to participate in a mission to gain experience and explore the magical forest.

“She who is leading the mission is already on the other side. Remember, you are here to learn, gain experience and improve,” High Priestess Xaali announced and giving a glance, she specified. “Remember your position and don’t forget the hierarchy.”

The priestess’ gaze carried a high seriousness, and both she and the others nodded solemnly. After the command, they followed the priestess and advanced through the great portal.

Their vision was distorted for a second, but then they all fell silent.

Vanessa had traveled through the magical forest, at least its outer area, but now the vision that presented itself was very different.

The trees were several feet thick and were extremely tall and their green canopies covered her vision, letting in light light subtlety.

Where they were standing, it was an open area that looked like a small human military barracks, in which a few soldiers with a strict expression were present.

However, the group felt dozens of gazes on them and those gazes came from the huge beetles that were stuck on the different trees.

They were stiff, but Vanessa felt they were being watched.

*BOOM*

A huge explosion echoed, terrifying enough to shake the earth.

Captain Sadiya and High Priestess Xaali looked at each other.

“They must have already started.” High Priestess Xaali muttered and signaled for them to follow her.

The soldiers were giving serious expressions, but their gaze was on the camp ahead.

They advanced through those small buildings and then, after breaking through the wall of the outpost, they came upon an open patch of ground among the trees.

In that spot, two very different individuals were fighting.

The most remarkable of them was a huge beetle, five meters long and tall enough to crush an average human.

Its carapace was black with white and its legs were capable of piercing the earth because of how sharp they were.

Bulky and powerful, such a creature that would cause fear was facing a young woman.

Black hair and eyes, her lips were giving a smile as she looked at her opponent without fear of such a huge enemy.

She was in a battle stance that made her look indomitable.

Wearing long black leather pants, her knee-high boots gave a metallic tint as they released lightning at her feet.

Her upper part was covered with leather armor full of different engravings that gave the sensation of changing at every moment.

Her metal gauntlets reached up to her elbow and at this moment that metal was changing, giving her fists a greater bulkiness.

Then, at that moment, she sped up.

It was an impressive flickering speed that made Vanessa unable to see it, but as she noticed the Goliathus lower its shell to the side, she could tell.

*BOOM*

A huge explosion came from the punch that managed to push that giant beetle to the side, dragging the ground.

However, that giant beetle did not stay still and immediately used its legs to try to crush its opponent.

Piercing the earth deeply, Aurora dodged with some pretty impressive footwork and upon seeing that, the beetle struck again with force before that young woman recoiled.

*BOOM*

Its paw carried a powerful magic spell that exploded the earth and pushed Aurora away getting her sent rolling on the ground.

That young woman rolled without resisting and the next moment spikes came out of the ground at a high speed chasing her.

In the end, she just stood up quickly creating platforms while getting into a battle stance.

*BOOM*

The Goliathus was annoyed to see her so calm and with its paws it struck the ground, raising huge stone spheres and hardening it in the air. It fired them at Aurora.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

Aurora met it with her fists, managing to hit and completely destroy the attacks without backing down and when her attack was over, she advanced, charging again while her fists glowed.

One let out a golden glow and the other a bluish glow... One was imbued with lightning magic and the other with water.

*BOOM*

The Goliathus knew what she was trying to do and stepped back raising walls of earth, but Aurora using her shoulder, smashed through them and as the Goliathus was about to cast another spell, she ‘blinked’.

*BOOM*

“GAAAA!”

The first blow came from the water magic infused punch that got the Goliathus to bathe and its scream of pain came as lightning bolts spread from Aurora’s fists all over the carapace and body.

That beetle hit the ground, extending barbs everywhere, but Aurora had already retreated.

Aurora had not used her full strength, but that combined attack was hard to resist... The water that had spread all over the body and the gaps in that carapace were the perfect conductor for the lightning bolts.

The Goliathus that were by the trees watching the battle struck their jaws, that looked like pincers of great power.

Aurora simply lowered her arms as her gauntlets became less bulky and the metal began to spread across her body, giving the feel of thinner battle armor.

The leather hardened and began to give a metallic tint, making it look like some swordsman’s battle armor.

It was armor with two different styles, and it was noticeable that they were focused on very different areas.

The Goliathus shook its body, throwing the water and slowly approached Aurora calmly, giving a certain imposing feeling.

“A remarkable performance. We will accept you as our reinforcements,” said that giant beetle calmly.

“Thank you, you won’t regret cooperating with us,” Aurora replied with a simple smile.

She was being watched by a gigantic beetle... S-ranked!

Against that individual Aurora had been facing and although their battle seemed perfunctory, in reality, they both let a terrifying force show.

Vanessa couldn’t help but be dazzled at the sight of Aurora, but who was more in awe was Joslyn, who practically had her mouth hanging open.

“I’d seen her on the news, but I didn’t think she was that strong and would have advanced by now...” Joslyn muttered somewhat quizzically.

She was still still at B rank, so she was quite enviable.

Aurora had appeared on the news and the academy’s social network when she disappeared in the portal and also when the demonic attack happened.

No one would have expected her to be a member of the imperial group and after she disappeared through the portal, to return safely.

Now the reason she was so remarkable was revealed... She was an S-ranked fighter.

That was what Joslyn thought, but Vanessa knew that this person was hiding more and she waited for him to reveal himself.

Both individuals took their leave, and Aurora approached towards the group.

“Some of you may know him, others may have heard of her. Aurora Campbell, also known as one of the ‘Protectors of Zerzura’. She will be the one leading this group,” High Priestess Xaali introduced.

Chayambaso and Okello gave serious and solemn expressions with Captain Sadiya, but Nuur gave a curious look, observing that young woman.

For her part, Vanessa gave a smile, seeing Joslyn opening and closing her mouth full of surprise.

Seeing Aurora participating in the abyssal portal despite having been in the first year and being her companion to now see her leading the group was certainly something to be surprised about.

Perhaps the High Priestess who was her superior was an A rank, but she was an important individual in the church and was now at the command of her former academy mate.

“There is no need for a solemn introduction,” Aurora said, giving a welcoming smile to the group and both of them, then looking at the destruction she had caused, she explained. “I was struggling to gain acceptance from our allies. No one desires a weak partner.”

Had she seen their curiosity about the battle?

Aurora explained it perfunctorily, knowing they would understand, and they did.

To prepare for this mission, she had studied the magical beasts and especially the Goliathus, along with the standard personality of the species.

They needed to adapt and become their companions, but in order for there to be no problem, it was best to understand them beforehand.

This battle showed the strength of their allies and such a thing meant a better understanding and more so for them who prioritized strength.

“We have quite a few things to do and many ways to help our allies, but first go to your respective leaders and scout around to adjust. Then we’ll talk about your objectives,” Aurora said with a smile and softly said goodbye.

******

Aurora entered the office at this small outpost.

It was no joke when they said they had an alliance with the magical beasts and also had a lot of business with them.

This fort inside the magical forest was evidence that they were closer than they seemed.

Zerzura could come to this place and collect all kinds of magical plants or fruits that grew in the magical forest while allowing them to trade and bring all kinds of items that interested the magical beasts.

This place was a small fort focused on defense and had a portal that connected to Zerzura, allowing to bring reinforcements or send them in case of need.

It was in the ancient lands of Cameroon, which had been swallowed by the magical forest.

Aurora enjoyed her battle, and it was true that Pilirani, the Goliathus she had fought and the leader of this defense zone, was looking to test her strength, but the utility was undeniable.

It allowed her to wear her armor and test her new capabilities, which were very interesting.

Her new equipment had two ‘forms’. The first was a combat suit whose main weapon was gauntlets of a malleable and hard metal, enchanted with elemental magic that allowed her to cast spells.

Focused on showcasing her ability as a fighter.

Her second form was a battle armor where the combat gauntlet changed shape and extended like armor across her body.

It greatly increased defense, but decreased melee attack ability.

The boots also had the ‘elemental’ ability to imbue magical attacks for her kicks.

In addition to the basic abilities of ‘blink’, temperature regulator, platforms under her feet, flying, barriers and advanced stealth capable of avoiding different detection spells, she had some unique ‘specialties’.

The ability to use long distance spells of space magic, it was movement only, but it was certainly useful and the best was the healing ability.

Aurora activated it and felt a greenish aura spread out to heal her body.

“Hehe...”

She chuckled softly as she felt her numb muscles relax.

As if that wasn’t enough, her battle suit had the ability to self-repair and meant she wouldn’t have to spend money for a long time.

“It came out pretty cheap with all those capabilities it has,” said a voice as Aurora entered the room.

Those words came from Alice, who was watching her giggle as if she was a child with a new toy.

‘Cheap’ wasn’t the word that could describe the value regarding the ability... Everything had improved compared to her old armor.

From barrier and stealth, as if that wasn’t enough, she had space magic imbued in it, allowing her to travel long distance as if she were a space mage.

And even in case of need, it would serve to flee or follow other individuals trying to flee.

“Thanks to my charm, I received a big discount,” Aurora said with some pride.

It was true that she spent several millions, but equally it was tens less than she should have spent on such a set.

She was happy to get a great suit of armor to help protect her and while she didn’t like expensive gifts, she knew that Kairos had no doubt gone out of his way to give her a value that was low, but not enough to generate rejection in her.

The idea of being indulged so methodically made her unable to help but feel quite happy.

Alice gave her a curious look at her words, but she laughed in amusement.

The battle aside from helping her test out her new armor helped her relax, so now she simply ignored her gluttonous friend’s gaze.

There was a lot of work to do, not only related to the team that had come to support her, but she also had to prepare for the magical beast hunters.

Liam was focusing on the perpetrators of the missing and now that he was doing it himself, the speed had picked up.

There were quite a few things to do, but above all, something was a priority.

“The first reports from the abyssal portals have come in. Do you want to join me to read it?” Aurora asked curiously.

Those reports would detail what was happening on the other side, and the reports were coming from both Europe and Russia.

Cardinal Brousseau had shared this information with her from both countries.

Alice nodded with some curiosity.

She wished to know what was on the other side.