Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 34: The Whip and the Blade

The Whip and the Blade

The thick canopy of the South Forest loomed ahead like a green ocean. Towering trees loomed overhead, their thick branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the morning light into golden streaks. A cool breeze rustled the undergrowth, whispering secrets only beasts could understand.

Orion stepped in first, his calm eyes scanning the dense undergrowth. Elara followed close beside him. The others from the group—nobles, heirs, and chosen sons and daughters—scattered through the forest, each going in different directions in pursuit of glory.

But Orion and Elara stood just beyond the treeline, their mounts snorting beneath them, eager yet wary.

Elara tilted her head, her Black hair shimmering under the filtered light. "So... we're really doing this. Just us. Brother and sister against the wild," she said with a playful grin.

Orion gave a faint nod with smile but his eyes sweeping the path ahead. "It's quieter without the others around. Easier to focus."

She laughed softly. "Right. Focused brother mode. You could at least pretend to enjoy my company."

He glanced at her; his usual calm eyes slightly softer. "I wouldn't be here with anyone else."

Her smile widened as she flicked the reins. "Then let's make this count."

The two of them rode deeper into the forest, the air growing denser with mana and earthy moisture. All around, the other students were spreading out—some in small groups, others in pairs. But Orion and Elara chose a narrower, denser path, where the canopy darkened and the true hunters of the forest resided.

A sudden rustle drew their attention. Without hesitation, Elara lashed her whip toward the sound. The blue streak of energy cracked through the trees, scaring off a flock of birds—but not before something larger stirred from the underbrush.

It was the first magical beast of the day.

A Velvine Razorclaw—a feline-shaped creature covered in bark-like fur and vines. Greenish energy pulsed beneath its surface, and its tail flicked like a living branch tipped with claws. Rank: High 8-star Novice-class.

"Elara, watch its tail," Orion said calmly, already unsheathing his silver sword.

The beast pounced; claws extended. Orion leaned sideways, slicing through the air with a graceful arc—his Splash Sword Technique flared to life.

The blade swing and In a single fluid motion, he cleaved the creature cleanly into two, the body dropping to the ground with a heavy thud.

Elara blinked, then grinned. "Brother, that was so cool!"

Orion dismounted silently, walking over to the corpse. With a practiced hand, he drew a small hooked blade and dug into the beast's skull, carefully plucking out two glowing green eyes and slipping them into a leather pouch.

"They'll serve as our proof of hunt," he muttered.

Elara chuckled, swinging her legs off her horse and walking beside him. "Still, you didn't even flinch. That slash... it was like watching water cut stone."

He gave her a rare smile. "All in the wrist."

Then both remount their horses and continued deeper into the forest, weaving through winding paths and thick fog. Time blurred between light chatter and silent movement. Then, a sharp whistling cry echoed from above.

A creature swooped down—wings wide as tree trunks, beak sharp and jagged, feathers glowing faintly with azure light.

"Azure Screech Raptor," Elara shouted.

Elara took position, whip raised. "Four-star! Let me try, brother!"

Orion stepped back, watching her with calm interest. "Your move."

Elara cracked her whip, the blue coil glowing faintly with mana. She leapt up a horse, whip lashing through the air and wrapping around the raptor's wing. With a sharp tug, she grounded it, then dove in, spinning mid-air. Her heel slammed into its skull, and she flipped off its back, landing with a victorious smile.

The raptor thrashed once... then stilled.

Elara turned to Orion; cheeks flushed from excitement. "Did you see that?"

He nodded, a rare, faint smile on his lips. "Elegant. Efficient."

She beamed, crouching beside the beast and awkwardly trying to dig its eyes out.

"Ugh... so slimy..."

Orion walked over and handed her a clean cloth. "Squeeze at the base, then twist. They pop right out."

"You're weirdly good at this," she muttered, managing to free one of the glowing azure eyes.

Orion wearily smiles on her comment.

Together, they advanced deeper into the forest. The beasts grew fiercer, but none surpassed the 8-star mark. Yet, Orion—newly stepping into the 5-star Novice realm—could now exert the might of an 8-star thanks to his refined base and natural strength. Elara too, despite her 4-star standing, moved with surprising grace and strength, her combat techniques giving her the edge of a 6-star fighter. And her cheerful demeanor never fading even as her strikes became more deadly.

Another beast fell. Another pair of eyes pocketed.

Hours passed. The sun filtered dimly through the trees now. Forest start thickened. The beasts became more unpredictable, more cunning. Then, as Orion pulled the eyes from a fallen Silverback Hornboar, a subtle rustle echoed from the left.

Both froze.

The bush to their right shook violently. Elara dropped into a low stance, whip ready. Orion stepped forward; sword held calmly yet firmly. The sound of hooves approached—slow, deliberate.

Then, a figure emerged from the brush—mounted on a sleek black horse.

Blonde hair, green eyes. Gleaming silver-green armor that reflected the forest's light like rippling leaves.

"Miss Voss," Orion said softly, narrowing his eyes.

The girl looked startled to see weapons aimed her way. She raised both hands awkwardly. "Ah... Lord Orion, Lady Elara. By any chance... you weren't planning to hunt me, were you?"

Elara's hand relaxed, though her eyes remained narrow.

Orion sheathed his blade with a fluid motion. "My apologies, Miss Voss. We mistook you for a beast."

Elara added, "Yes, Miss Voss. You... startled us."

Lysandra chuckled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "No offense taken. I suppose in these woods, anything could be a threat."

Orion studied her calmly. "You're hunting alone?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "I don't like groups. My classmates are too busy trying to impress me. If I join them, they try to do all the work and then offer me the kills like trophies. As a warrior... it disgusts me."

Orion nodded his head in agreement and he then said, "Warrior hearts."

She blinked, surprised. "You get it?"

He nodded. "Too well."

As he turned to remount, she called out again. "Lord Orion—may I join your team?"

He paused, one eyebrow rising.

Elara's smile twitched.

One more bee trying to swarm my flower.

She clicked her tongue in her heart.

He looked back at Lysandra and asked why. "Why?"

She met his gaze directly. "Because I want to hunt with someone who uses your sword splash technique like you do. Watching your technique... it's help me improve my moments and you give pointer to improve."

Orion considered her words and think "if she just wants to improve this technique while watching my moments, so it's not hurt me." Then nodded. "Alright. You can join."

Elara's eyes narrowed further.

Lysandra smiled brightly, guiding her horse closer.

Elara stepped beside Orion; asked her. "Brother, you'll be teaching her your technique?"

Orion glanced at her said with calm. "Few days before, she asked me teach my technique and you know our household rule never so no to guest if request is on boundaries, so I teach her my technique."

Elara click her tongue. They never leave a chance to get close to him. I'm not leaving his side even for a second. She said in heart but outside she said with smile. "Oh, ok."

Their new trio ventured deeper into the forest. The next beast was a Duskhorn Lizard, a serpentine creature with obsidian scales and a violet horn crackling with dark mana. Rank: Peak 8-star Novice.

Orion lunged first, using Splash Sword to blind the creature with a flurry of light-reflecting strikes.

"Now!" he shouted.

Elara's whip wrapped the horn, yanking the lizard's head down while Lysandra jumped from her horse and thrust her sword through the beast's eye.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

It thrashed and fell limp.

Elara blinked. "You're Sword play is strong, Miss Voss."

Lysandra wiped sweat from her brow. "Thanks to Lord Orion... I improve my sword technique."

Orion knelt once more, harvesting the beast's glowing indigo eyes.

The pouch at his hip was growing heavier—but so was the tension among the three.

Elara refused to step away. Lysandra refused to look away.

And Orion... remained calm as ever.