The Portal

After completing his daily quests and earning 10 experience points, Nox boarded Doombringer with Nathan, Nyx, and Serana. Since the wyvern was relatively large, it easily accommodated them. As for Fluffington, he had gone back to the beast taming space.

Due to its injuries, Doombringer's speed had significantly decreased. Even so, the three children were still impressed. From high in the air, they could see all the buildings within the walled Barony and the magical Luminary River flowing from the Luminary Forest, through the Barony, and further south. It felt dangerous but equally thrilling.

Nox couldn't help but clench his fist as he envisioned himself riding on the back of a dragon — not a wyvern, but the real deal! After all, with his unique class, it was within the realm of possibility.

During the flight, Nox asked his grandfather about the system status and learned that his system was unique! Apparently, he was the only one who could receive quests and rewards directly from the system.

Other citizens of this world could only gain experience by killing monsters and rewards by completing quests from adventure guilds. Even their skills came from skill books.

"It seems Terra pulled all her strings to make sure I have an edge over everyone," Nox thought with a pleased smile, recalling the face of the beautiful feline goddess.

Coming out of his thoughts, he felt the wind on his face as Doombringer suddenly dived. Serana, seated behind him, held tightly onto his waist with her eyes closed. Nyx, on the other hand, folded her arms, unbothered by the raging wind.

A moment later, Doombringer landed in the garden in front of a two-story building. The garden, filled with beautiful flowers, exuded a pleasing scent that filled the air. To the side, there was a mini waterfall featuring floating petals on its surface.

From the doorway, an old gray-haired woman in a white robe emerged with an annoyed expression.

"Nathan, you old fool, how many times have I warned you not to bring this creature to my house!" Celine's brow twitched as she glared at the old man who was still mounted on the wyvern.

As a widow, Celine cherished peace and quiet, which was why she'd built a garden around her house and often spent her time reading. However, this man always managed to disrupt the tranquil silence she tried to cultivate.

"Ah, my old foggy brain forgot about your..." Nathan looked to the side and saw a portrait of a wyvern with a "No Wyverns Allowed" sign. "But it's important. Doombringer is injured. Can you get him fixed?"

"Hmph, let's get this done already. I want your bony self out of my sight as soon as possible," Celine stated, approaching the beast.

"Good day, Aunt Celine!" the three children said with adorable smiles.

"How have you been, my little bumpkins?" Celine's expression shifted from annoyance to warmth the moment she laid eyes on the beautiful children. Her only daughter was far away at the Vermilion Royal Academy in the capital, but as a healer by profession, she devoted most of her time to the children of the Barony and grew to love all of them, treating them like her own.

"We have been good!" Nox said. "The question is, how has Lady Celine been? I'm sorry I haven't come up to check on you these past days."

"Aww, so considerate. You're growing up to become a real fine gentleman," Celine's smile widened even more. Despite her love for all the kids, the one she loved most was Nox because the little boy felt she was lonely living in this big house and made sure to check on her every day, even cooking delicious chicken soup for her.

"The offer for my daughter is still on, just so you know. Even though she's older than you, age is just a number," Celine winked.

Nox scratched his head, embarrassed, but a tight pout appeared on Serana's beautiful face when she heard their conversation.

"Okay, stop flirting with my grandson, you old hag. I thought you wanted my bony self out of your sight?"

With a harrumph, Celine proceeded to cast a healing spell on Doombringer's injured left wing. A brilliant white light engulfed the injured area briefly before disappearing. After bidding the children goodbye, they were high in the air, heading towards the Luminary Forest.

***

"Those are the targets?" Nox asked as he watched the bandit encampment from above. Flying around the forest, he had already seen lots of low-tier monsters nearby. He was seriously considering hunting them instead of robbing bandits.

After telling his grandpa this, he agreed but with the condition that Nyx and Serana tag along. The reason for this was because Nathan knew that Nyx was physically stronger than most kids and teenagers, which he strongly suspected had to do with her mother's genes.

"I don't mind," Nyx simply shrugged. "But if he annoys me, I'll beat his ugly face to a bloody pulp."

With that, Doombringer landed in the forest. While Nathan went to deal with the bandits, Nox, Serana, and Nyx headed into the forest.

'This is also a good opportunity to tame some more beasts,' Nox mused in excitement. 'And also level up.'

Meanwhile, further along the path Nox's party was heading, the air began to distort with sizzling white sparks. Moments later, a pale silver portal materialized, pulsating with otherworldly power.