<h4>Chapter 493 Shadowleaf Forest</h4>


    As the three girls approached, Zarina scrutinized them with narrowed eyes. However, she shifted her gaze back to him and nodded in agreement.


    Seeing her response, Archer smiled and said, "Alright, meet us by the exit when you''re ready."


    He then walked away with the three girls trailing behind him. N asked with curiosity, "Archie, why did you ask her to join?"


    Archer gathered the three girls aside, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I couldn''t help but notice she seemed ufortable and no one was speaking to her."


    N, with a sympathetic nod, stepped forward to exin. "Her family is from a Baron lineage that oversees some farms in the south. Unfortunately, there''s a history—her family was once Marquess but was demoted many years ago due to an incident nearly wiping them out. Since then, they''ve faced prejudice within the Avalon Empire, and people tend to keep their distance."


    Archer absorbed the information and felt sorry for the girl. "No wonder she seemed isted. It''s tough when history overshadows who you are now.''''


    N shook her head alongside the other two. That''s when Teu spoke up. ''''I''ve seen her in some of my lessons, but no one talks to or sits beside her.''''


    Curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn''t help but wonder about the reasons behind Zarina''s istion.


    However, he shook off the thought, refocusing on the immediate task. "I''ll tell Samara that we''ve selected ten quests and n to start them right away," hemented to the group.


    The trio of girls nodded in agreement before Archer approached the blonde woman, offering guidance to a group of students.


    Samara noticed his presence and greeted him with a smile. She then requested the students she was advising to wait a moment as she walked over to him.


    "Hello, Archer. How are you today? Have you selected your group''s quests? There are quite a few options avable," she inquired.


    He smiled charmingly at the woman, Ksara''s younger sister, and said, "Yeah, we''ve picked our quests. Just wanted to let you know we''re starting now."


    Samara nodded in approval, expressing her satisfaction. "That''s good! You have two hours until your next ss, so if you were quick, you couldplete one quest."


    "Okay, we''ll get to it now and report back to you when we''vepleted the first quest," Archermented as he returned to the girls.


    When they saw him, they smiled, apart from Zarina, who gave him a dirty look that made himugh.


    Archer kissed Teu, Tal, and N, which made them happy before the mixed elf asked. ''''What is our first quest?''''


    He took out the ten pieces of paper and examined them.


    [Kobold Menace: Eliminate a menacing beast wreaking havoc on viges near the Shadowleaf Forest]


    [Enchanted Herb Collection: Gather mystical herbs with unique magical properties from the depths of the Shadowleaf Forest]


    [Goblin Extermination: Clear an area infested with goblins located north of Crossroad City]


    [Wendigo Threat: Track and eliminate a perilous beast lurking in the Eldertree Grove]


    [Orc Marauders: Neutralize a dangerous beast causing chaos in viges near the Shadowleaf Forest]


    [Swamp Drake Menace: Eradicate a menacing beast threatening the peace of Riverwatch Town]


    [Bugbear Ambush: Tackle a dangerous creature causing terror in viges near the Shadowleaf Forest]


    [Vermin Purge: Exterminate the rat infestation in the sewers beneath Silvervein City]


    [Troll Rampage: Hunt down the trolls responsible for raiding Starhaven Town]


    [Marauding Minotaur Subjugation: Handle a marauding minotaur that poses a threat to travelers]


    After Archer finished reading the quests he picked out, but that''s when Tal held up two of her own and handed them to him.


    He looked at them and started reading.


    [Lost Ruins: Delve into ancient ruins south of Silverfrost]


    [Bandit Den Raid: Infiltrate and dismantle a notorious bandit group''s hideout]


    That''s when Teu and N gave him one each, so he had fourteen altogether.


    [Bandit Hunt: Wipe out the ouws raiding caravans along the road from Eldoria Town to Serpents Cross City]


    [Bandit Hunt: Deal with the bandits hiding in the Whispering Veil]


    Following this, Archer addressed the four girls eagerly awaiting his decision. "We''ll start with?hunting Kobolds in the Shadowleaf Forest and then collect the herbs."


    All four girls nodded, but Zarinamented in a deadpan voice. ''''How will we travel that far in two hours? Do you have a magic carpet, or can you fly?''''


    When she said that, the other three started tough, and the redhead didn''t know why and was confused.


    Archer chuckled before exining. ''''You do remember I''m a dragon, right? Normally, we can fly, but that''s not how we travel today.''''


    After finishing his instructions, he cast Gate to the college entrance, telling thedies to wait a little while before he summoned them.


    Stepping through the portal, he summoned his wings and took off, flying toward the Shadowleaf Forest.


    An hour of flightter, he found himself on the other side of the forest, where he spotted a market.


    Intrigued, he refrained from exploring it immediately, deciding to save it forter and take one of the girls there.


    That''s when he cast Gate again, and the three girls walked through as Tal dragged the shocked redhead behind her.


    Archerughed when he saw this catching Zarina''s attention. The girl asked while looking around. ''''How did you do that, dragon boy?''''


    ''''Secrets.'''' He answered with a grin, which annoyed the redhead.


    Summoning the Tressyms, Archermanded them to locate any beasts'' nests in the forest. The winged cats agreed and swiftly flew off, disappearing into the dense foliage.


    As the Tressym ventured into the forest, Archer scanned his surroundings and spotted a small hill.


    Deciding to rx there until the cat returned, he began walking toward it, and the girls followed closely behind.


    Archer led the four girls to the top of the small hill, where they found afortable sitting spot. He used Mana Maniption to melt all the snow and dry the ground.


    The vibrant greenery of the Shadowleaf Forest surrounded them, creating a serene atmosphere.


    As they settled down, Archer spoke, "Let''s wait here for the Tressym''s. They should return soon."


    After a brief moment of rxation, the flying cats returned and gracefullynded near Archer while others found their ces beside the others.


    The usually moody Zarina began stroking the Tressym''s, forming a connection with the magical beast who was rubbing its head against her.


    The leader approached him and through a series of visions, showed him the locations of the beast nests.


    Archer, in turn, affectionately stroked the head of the little beast as the Tressym''s returned to the domain.


    He leaped to his feet and eximed, "Ladies! Let''s go. I know where the Kobolds are."


    The girls followed him eagerly. Archer took a moment to strategize with the group as they entered the forest. "Tal, use your bow and fight from a distance. N and Teu, take the front lines. I''ll stay in the center to provide support if needed."


    Turning to Zarina, he inquired, "What magic do you use forbat?"


    Zarina responded with a hint of aloofness, "I specialize in fire and water magic. My expertise lies in long-rangebat, not getting up close and personal."


    Archer nodded and continued. ''''You stay with Tal and make sure she''s protected.''''


    The redhead nodded her head before he stopped talking and continued deeper into the forest.


    The air became tense as Archer and the three girls approached the Kobold nest in the heart of the Shadowleaf Forest.


    The dense foliage and ancient trees concealed the entrance to the nest, making it a challenging location to navigate.


    The rustling leaves, and distant beast calls provided an eerie backdrop to their journey.


    Archer took the lead, moving with a stealthy grace that betrayed his draconic heritage. The girls followed closely.


    Approaching the Kobold nest, Archer''s keen senses detected a subtle change in the surroundings.


    He called out, "Stop, girls. I see the herbs we''re after. They match the picture on the request."


    N and Tal volunteered to collect the herbs. Archer acknowledged their choice with a nod, appreciating their nimbleness in navigating the dense vegetation.


    As N and Tal gathered the enchanted herbs, Archer, Teu, and Zarina took a leisurely break, awaiting the return of the two girls.


    Puzzled by Archer''s apparentck of vignce, Zarina inquired, "Why aren''t we on guard?"


    Before Archer could respond, Teu said, "Darling possesses the ability to sense approaching enemies, sparing us the need to expend energy on constant vignce.''''


    After a short while, N and Tal returned with a bag filled with the magical herbs. They handed it to Archer, who skillfully stored it in his Item Box with a satisfied nod.


    As they neared the Kobold nest, a repugnant stench filled the air, assaulting their senses with a nauseatingbination of foul odors. Archer grimaced, clearly ufortable with the smell.


    Zarina wrinkled her nose andmented, "What is that horrendous odor? It''s like a mix of rotting garbage and something worse."


    Archer responded, "It''s probably the scent of the Kobold nest. They might have some unsavory habits or something in there."