"Who do you think will be able to find it?"
Back in the darkened room in Anaviotis where the exam graders sat, an examiner proposed a sudden question to everyone.
"It? Hmm, I'll say, I have a candidate that looks worthy. He might even just disrupt the laws of nobility and royalty within commoners." Julius laughed while giving his answer.
"That black sheep huh?" Another examiner commented with a disdainful tone.
"Currently, nearly all of the promising examinees are within the forbidden zone, including Silvus," Yesan, the chancellor of Yaltas said, widening the scope of his orb to show the forbidden area from a bird's eye view.
There, Lyrian, Silvus, and several other examinees could be seen rushing toward the same exact place.
"They all seem to know exactly where to go," Yesan grinned.
"Looks like it will be an all-out rumble," Julius said excitedly, looking at Yesan's projection.
***
Back in the forbidden area of the Tasnan Wilderlands, a few hours passed as the three dashed through the tree tops, led by Alten who headed toward the most dangerous area of the Tasnan Wilderlands as stated by the books of information he read before the exam.
Of course, he never knew that the exam would be held here, or even what the exam was, but knowing about certain lands was a part of his homeschooling curriculum, and the Tasnan Wilderlands wasn't the most unpopular of places.
"Alten, do you have any clue which creature the golden-tiered beast could be?" Lyrian asked, noting that Alten clearly already had some information on this.
Alten paused for a moment to think before replying.
"Out of every creature in the flat-stone mountains, there are a few who stand out from the rest. The Diamond Lizard is one. Its defense is absolutely maxed out, and it is one of the apex predators of the flat mountains, it's eye sight is notably bad, however. Mostly, it only relies on vibration and sound to locate things."
He paused again, thinking for a few others, "Then there's also the Poison Tarantula with its venom that can melt through solid steal, it's weakness being it's limbs in proportion to its large abdomen, the Hydro Serpent with it's powerful water blast and giant body, it's weakness being that it thrives only in the water, and I suppose even the Lightning-Mane Lion," He continued, listing a bunch of names and weaknesses.
As he spoke, the group suddenly exited the canopy of the forest trees and arrived at the bottom of a giant stone wall towering over the forest.
"We're here!" Alten announced, as the three nearly broke their neck looking up at the top of the mountain which seemed to reach the heavens.
The mountain looked to be made of pure stone, slightly light brown in color and was rough in texture but smoothed out by the dust atop it.
It stretched straight up vertically, with no signs of any slope or incline to climb on.
Looking up, it didn't seem to end anywhere, literally reaching above clouds.
"This is impossible to climb, there must be an easier way," Leon said, surprised at the sheer steepness of the mountain.
"No... I'm sure I read that there is no other entrance except for this. There's a reason why weak creatures can't get to the top of it." Alten replied.
"So then, you're saying that the golden-tiered creature must be at the top of it from that logic," Lyrian asked.
Alten paused and looked up at the mountain range for a moment before replying, "I can't say for certain, but if it is anywhere, it is there."
After a short second of silence, Lyrian spoke, "Then it's settled, we will have to get there by any means possible. Let's start trying to find a way." He said, immediately beginning to walk along the bottom of the mountain. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴovᴇlꜰirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.
Leon quickly followed, with Alten coming along shortly after as well, being paused for a moment from the awe of Lyrian's willpower.
If it was any normal person, simply looking at the steep cliff of the enormous mountain would easily be enough to deter all of their motivation in getting the golden core, but Lyrian was clearly different.
With Lyrian, Alten felt a sense of respect and admiration.
After walking for a little while, Lyrian stopped, signaling for everyone else to do so as well with his hand as they hid behind some bushes.
In front of him was a flock of 3 wild ostriches that looked to be double the size of normal ones, having rocky shells as torsos and large claws made of stone.
"Rock Ostriches!" Alten whispered at the sight of the creatures, "They are known to be some of the tastiest delicacies of this land, I can't believe they are found here!"
Looking at Lyrian's focused expression, Leon gripped the hilt of his sword, feeling like he knew what was next on Lyrian's mind.
"We have to hunt them down." He said seriously.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm Suddenly, Lyrian placed his hand on Leon's, making it so that he could not take out his blade, "No, not kill," He said.
This confused Leon, and even Alten who retorted, "If not kill, then what?"
"Tame. We are going to tame them." Lyrian said, his eyes widened with anticipation.