Chapter 896: Snake Tamer · Aurora (6k >>)
That was a memory passed down from countless millennia ago, a memory that had endured through innumerable years.
Dark gradually recalled, and his mind was filled with knowledge he had never encountered before.
He lifted his head, looking at the [Oil Snake], and also at the even larger [Sun-Moon Giant Serpent] behind it.
The [Flame Sun Elemental] and [Ice Moon Elemental] hidden within his hair seemed to be startled awake, poking their heads out slightly from his dense golden hair.
In this space, the aura of sun and moon power began to spread imperceptibly.
Professor Lily’s and Professor Metia’s [Ice Moon Elementals].
Aurora’s [Flame Sun Elemental] and [Ice Moon Elemental] also awakened.
The heavy eyelids of the [Oil Snake] slowly opened, bit by bit, under the beautiful flute music.
A warm feeling and a chilling one spread simultaneously.
It was as if the [Sun-Moon Giant Serpent]’s eyes were reflected; when the [Oil Snake] opened its eyes, its left eye shone with sunlight, and its right eye spilled moonlight.
Though far from the “left eye concealing the sun, right eye concealing the moon” of the [Sun-Moon Giant Serpent], it was still an extraordinary sight.
More precious was that neither of these two energies was tainted by the other energy within its body.
At this moment, it finally displayed the aura of a semi-deity.
But that aura vanished instantly the moment it fully awoke.
The [Oil Snake], after seeing light again after who knows how many years, did not first marvel at its existence nor display the pressure of a semi-deity. Instead, it immediately shrank back, retreating toward the remains of the [Sun-Moon Giant Serpent].
There, it could find a tiny bit of safety. “Sssss!”
It clearly panicked, flickering its tongue, the divine light in its snake eyes quickly dissipating. It frantically surveyed its surroundings, like a frightened kitten.
Professor Shylph and the others’ faces all showed confusion simultaneously. But Dark and Professor Lily were not surprised.
They had once interacted with the awakened [Oil Snake] and knew that this “semi-deity” giant snake was essentially a super timid snake.
Its evolution and transformation occurred almost entirely during endless sleep. It lacked the mentality and wisdom corresponding to its strength.
It had no awareness of its own power.
However, amidst the undisturbed flute music, the [Oil Snake]’s nervousness gradually eased.
Aurora’s flute calmed its panic, allowing it to gradually recall its lost past.
It finally recognized the flutist, the blurry figure in its memories merging with the familiar-smelling girl before her.
“Ssss~ ssss~!”
As if trying to please, it emitted soft sounds at Aurora.
…
Seeing this, the professors let out a sigh of relief.
They were not afraid of fighting, but battling such a giant snake at the bottom of the academy lake would inevitably cause too much commotion.
That was something they wanted to avoid. The current situation was exactly what they desired.
Aurora herself also felt relieved, and her flute playing became more stable.
She even took a step forward, slowly walking toward the [Oil Snake].
The [Oil Snake] slowly raised its head.
Then, just like the memories deeply imprinted in its past, it straightened up, swaying gently.
Aurora paused beside it, tapping her feet lightly, dancing as if to a beat.
The [Oil Snake] gradually relaxed, dancing along to the rhythm.
Although its massive movements were terrifying to others, Aurora deeply felt that it wasn’t scary.
Memories flowed into her mind, and more knowledge from “Drive-Zebra” emerged.
Aurora’s flute playing became increasingly varied, and her dancing postures gained more charm.
She seemed to have completely transformed into Drive-Zebra, radiating light.
Dark crossed his arms, a smile gradually forming on his face.
The ancient divine kingdom that disappeared in the twilight of the gods.
The ancient temple left beneath the newly built capital city.
History overlapped with the present, the past interchanged with the present.
Was this destined by fate, or simply a coincidence?
“It seems we have a snake tamer.”
Professor Kazel couldn’t help but smile. Everyone sighed in relief, feeling much lighter.
This [Oil Snake] clearly absorbed the power of the “Abyss Snake,” yet its temperament was surprisingly gentle.
That filthy power seemed to have no effect on it.
Now, they only needed to wait for it to become a deity and see if its temperament would change greatly.
“In that case, I won’t be needed anymore.” Eralganie softly said.
Her gaze fell upon the remains of the [Sun-Moon Giant Serpent].
The flute music gradually ceased, and Aurora stopped moving.
But the [Oil Snake] was already very close to her.
After the flute music ended, it lowered its head, lying down beside her like a submissive cat.
The [Oil Snake]’s snake body was smooth and glossy, with a black sheen. When it hadn’t exuded the oily black substance, it looked relatively clean and fresh.
Aurora tried standing on tiptoe, touching the scales on one side of its head, feeling some softness, though it was a bit cold.
“Slurp~”
The [Oil Snake] suddenly flicked its tongue, licking her face. Aurora quickly pushed its head away, but her face and body were covered with a sticky, egg-like substance.
Moreover, the [Oil Snake], which Aurora had pushed away, looked at her with a pitiful expression.
“Hehehe.” Professor Lily’s voice rang out. Aurora’s face flushed red.
Ophelia Brad paused, cautiously moving closer to her.
After confirming that the [Oil Snake] did not show any expressions, including “alertness,” she slowly walked over to Aurora’s other side, handing her a [Changing Card].
Aurora wiped the sticky substance off her face with her sleeve and quickly activated the [Changing Card], changing into new clothes.
The [Oil Snake] realized its previous behavior had caused trouble and flicked its tongue, begging for forgiveness.
Aurora thanked Ophelia and focused again on communicating with the [Oil Snake].
Suddenly, she found herself able to understand the [Oil Snake]’s intentions.
It wasn’t telepathy or mental communication. It felt more like “heart-to-heart understanding.” In terms of magus terminology, it was the precursor to a [Bond].
A deep [Bond] and the contract between a summoner or beastmaster and their pet were quite similar.
But a [Bond] was a mutual effort, more effective than various coercive contracts.
A sufficiently deep [Bond] could even evolve into special abilities.
For example, Principal Altair’s life-sharing ability with her nine elementals was an advanced form of a [Bond].
And Dark using a [Bond] to transmit mental power and assist the golems in completing their evolution was also an advancement.
Currently, his bond ability was still in its early stages. In the future, it might evolve into a special [Bond Evolution] ability.
Aurora could form a bond so quickly with the [Oil Snake] largely due to the [Snake Tamer] Drive-Zebra.
Aurora continued to communicate with the [Oil Snake] for half an hour. During this time, Dark and the others observed from the sides to prevent any accidents.
Overall, the situation was improving.
Aurora conveyed the [Oil Snake]’s request—it was hungry! Professor Shylph immediately offered plenty of meat.
But she quickly retreated with a strange expression.
Because Aurora told her that this [Oil Snake] was a herbivore—even in Drive-Zebra’s memories, it enjoyed gnawing on tree bark.
“Such a large body, wouldn’t it eat a whole tree in one meal? Should I go to the thick forest and pull one for it?” Professor Lily happily suggested.
The [Oil Snake] didn’t lack energy; it just wanted to fill its stomach.
Aurora awkwardly replied, “We’ll talk about it later. I’ll try to make it sleep. It doesn’t actively cultivate; absorbing and digesting energy happens unconsciously during sleep. It needs long periods of sleep.”
Lily immediately said, “Then I’ll pick a delicious tree and bring it tomorrow night. Do you think it can dance under my command?”
Aurora replied, “We’ll try tomorrow. It’s very gentle.”
Aurora played the [Call Snake Flute] again, but this time it was a lullaby.
The [Oil Snake] soon fell asleep, its breathing automatically starting the cycle of sun and moon energy.
Aurora breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the group.
Professor Kazel approached, confirming the [Oil Snake] was truly asleep before returning.
The professors’ moods relaxed, and they quietly discussed, moving to the adjacent egg-shaped space.
After changing locations, the professors’ voices grew louder. They started discussing Aurora’s [Mana Theory] level, with Professor Shylph even suggesting Professor Bozhong give her a crash course in [Mana Language].
This reminded Dark that his fifth-year [Mana Language] remedial class hadn’t started yet.
But Professor Heldred Bode had to watch over Archbishop Caleb Norris, so he probably didn’t have the time.
