Chapter 21 Chapter: 021 A Journey's Beginning

Three days later at the town's entrance.

Several carriages were standing in line, waiting as inside the Branches castle a boy was running without stop while searching for everything he needed before he go.

"Son! where are you? the caravan already arrived and is waiting for you. How could you not have packed your clothes yet?

"Sorry mom, I had trained late and forgot to pack my things."

Elijah used his [Void Steps] that he could finally control to pack his clothes as fast as he could.

"I have packed my things now. Goodbye Mom."

Catherine nodded as she hugged her son while trying to hide the tears falling from her eyes.

"Go to the town's entrance,your father is waiting for you there."

...

Walking on the streets Elijah met several friends with who he had played in the past and the people in the town who knew him.

Reaching the entrance he saw his father talking with a middle aged man. He had a common appearance, tall, but with a common constitution. His eyes were cold, and his gaze was as heavy as a hammer.

Seeing his son, Henry turned to him and said.

"So you finally arrived, son, this is the man who will take you to the Academy."

He lifted his left hand with three fingers stretched out to his right shoulder, making the common greeting between divine cultivators.

"Nice to meet you, young master, I'm Mark, chosen by Chystar."

Elijah returned the greeting.

"I'm Elijah, chosen by Shadow."

Mark seemed satisfied with Elijah as he said.

"Good, we're leaving in five minutes, your sister is already in the carriage, you can wait with her if you want. Her carriage is the one in the middle with the symbol of your family."

Herry took a old book from his bossom and give it to Elijah.

"Son, this is a First Level Elementary Spellbook I picked up in the library, it might be useful on your journey and maybe I helped you reach the First Kingdom. The Town Lord's Daughter and the Miller's Twin Sisters had also departed, maybe you will met them on your journey. The path to Valhala is full of dangers and threats. Be strong my son."

..,

Inside the the carriage, it was already in middle of the night and Elijah was asleep as he suddenly heard loud noises of fight coming from outside.

They had traveled for several weeks, leaving the Thunder Hammer Kingdom and setting out for the Endless Desert.

Valhalla Academy was in a neutral zone far from any kingdom of our country. Everyone who goes there must pass through this desert where several tribes lived until the end before they arrived at the academy.

This journey lasts more than a year and on the way there are several thieves and monsters waiting for the travelers.

"Sis, what's going on out there?"

"Wait a minute, I'll look there."

Ophelia picked up a slightly curved blade made of silver with a hilt wrapped in extremely rare gold deer skin and get off the carriage.

Outside the carriage she saw several men wearing clothes with the symbol of a red snake fighting with the mercenaries in the caravan.

Seeing this symbol, she realized that these man were from the Red Snake Cave, a bandit organization known in this region. What made her worried was that she heard their lider was a Mortal Berserker at the middle of the Third Realm, and she hoped their Leader was not here but her hopes was for naught as she saw their leader fighting with Mark.

Several spell fallen from the sky as numerous mercenaries died while a few that were dodging while attacking the bandits with swords and arrows.

The strongest bandit beside their leader, a man wearing a hooded tunic and a scar on his chin and was a Mortal Warrior at the Peak of the Second Realm, approached Ophelia as he smirked and held a sword in his right hand.

Ophelia's sword gleamed beneath the cold moon light. she knew what she needed to do. Her opponent's sword was stained with blood.

Ophelia walked to the side and awaited his attack. the bandit charged giving a mighty cry. She dodged to the side in a fluid movement.

Her enemy turned on her way. His ominous eyes were blazing red and his hood made the rest of his features indistinguishable.

The bandit thrust his sword forward, only to be met by Ophelias's sword. Both swords met in the air with a loud 'clang'.

This bandit was powerful and slowly, Ophelia was getting tired. She looked to where her little brother was with eyes full of worry.

'If I am to die here, Ell would probably die too, No! I can't let this happen.' With her renewed vigor, she slashed with her blade back and forth as her wounds began to bleed without stop.

After some more exchanges of blows, a sudden surge of pain shook Ophelia's body as she was nearly without strength. she tried to use her Divine Ability but it din't work because of her chaotic mind state, but looking at the side she saw a shadow making a signal to her and preparing a sneak atack on the bandit.

The Hooded bandit was also heavy injuried as approached, smiling as he prepared to give his final blow on Ophelia as she smiled and made a signal with her hands as a silhouette suddenly appeared behind him and stuck a hammer on the bandit's head with a resounding 'Boom' that attracted everyone's attention.

The Leader of the bandits, Bad Wolf turned to the Elijah. "Boy, is it you who killed Little Pig?" Bad Wolf points at body on the ground and ask Elijah in a unconcerned manner.

Elijah nooded. Seeing him nod, Bad Wold smiles while the look in his eyes turns ice-cold.