NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: Rescue
The air was thick, the forest unnervingly silent as the carnivorous plant’s vines coiled tighter around Caelum’s body. His mind raced, his body struggling against the grip that was threatening to crush him. Aurelia was still trapped, her muffled voice barely audible through their telepathic link. The plant had nearly swallowed her whole.
Caelum couldn’t let this happen.
As his body tensed against the constricting vines, Caelum felt a surge of energy rising within him. He knew he couldn’t rely solely on brute strength; he had to outsmart this predator. Maybe the plant had a core, something keeping it alive and directing its movements. If he could find that, he could save them both.
“Stay with me, Aurelia,” Caelum sent through the link, feeling her faint presence.
She didn’t respond, but he could sense her hanging on, her life force flickering faintly. He had to act fast.
Focusing his mind, Caelum reached for the magic he had gained with the recent evolution—the Water Magic he’d only just started to master. He felt the moisture in the air, in the ground beneath them, and within the plant itself. He could use this.
He summoned the water with all his strength, drawing it from the ground and the surrounding plants. A small stream formed, swirling around him, and then, with a forceful motion, Caelum directed the water toward the base of the carnivorous plant. The stream surged, cutting into the thick stem of the plant.
The plant recoiled, its vines shuddering as the water struck its core. The grip around Caelum loosened just enough for him to slip free. He tumbled to the ground, gasping for breath, but there was no time to rest. The plant was still trying to pull Aurelia deeper into its maw.
Caelum’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t going to let this thing win.
He focused once more, using his Appraisal to get a clearer view of the plant’s weak spots.
[Appraisal Activated]
Name: Carnivorous Vine Flower
Weakness: Water, Core Exposure
HP: 25/50
The core—it was vulnerable now. The water had weakened the plant, but he needed to deliver a precise strike to finish it off.
Summoning more water from the ground, Caelum directed it with precision toward the exposed core, watching as the stream struck the plant’s center with force. The plant writhed, its vines flailing in pain as it attempted to shield itself, but Caelum pressed on, sending another blast of water directly into the core.
The plant shuddered violently, its vines loosening their hold on Aurelia. With one final strike, Caelum sent a powerful surge of water into the plant’s core, and the carnivorous flower let out a grotesque screech before collapsing in on itself. The vines went limp, releasing Aurelia’s motionless body from its grasp.
Caelum rushed to her side, pulling her free from the tangle of vines. His heart pounded in his chest as he checked her over, his mind racing with worry.
“Aurelia, are you okay?” he asked through their link, his voice shaking with concern.
For a moment, there was silence, and then, slowly, Aurelia stirred. Her body twitched slightly, and her eyes fluttered open.
“I… I’m fine,” she whispered weakly, her voice barely a thread. “Just… tired.”
Caelum let out a sigh of relief, his entire body sagging as the weight of the situation began to lift. She was alive.
A familiar chime echoed in Caelum’s mind, pulling his attention back to the system.
Water Magic Lv: 3
Another chime followed immediately after.
Scholar Pupal Larva level increased from 2 to 3
Scholar Pupal Larva level increased from 3 to 4
Caelum blinked at the notifications. He had leveled up twice from this fight. His strength and magical ability had increased significantly, and his connection to water was stronger now. But most importantly, he had saved Aurelia.
He helped her sit up, her body still weak from the plant’s attack. “You’re okay,” he said softly. “I thought I wasn’t going to make it in time.”
Aurelia smiled faintly. “You did. You always do.”
Caelum sat beside her, letting the adrenaline of the battle fade. The forest around them remained silent, as though the plants and creatures nearby had watched the struggle and were now retreating in fear of the predator’s defeat.
For now, the danger had passed.
“We should rest,” Caelum said, his voice calmer now. “That was a lot.”
Aurelia nodded, leaning against him. “Yeah… rest sounds good.”