Chapter 6
Leylin had just killed a direwolf with the cross-blade that George had lent him. Just then, as the acolytes saw that he too could kill the direwolves, they shouted with such fervor that you wouldn't think they were the same ones who hadn't helped Leylin when he was beaten half-dead.
"Oh! Leylin! Leylin has killed a direwolf! Lord Leylin! Lord Leylin! Quickly, save us!" The acolytes cried out to Leylin since he was closer to them than Adem, who was on the frontline alongside the black-robed knights.
At this point, more direwolves charged into the campsite, and the students screamed Leylin's name for help.
Even though the field was in chaos, the giant direwolves seemed to have an uncanny sixth sense. They never bothered the three white-robed Magi, forming a strange circle around them.
"Crow! Are we still not making our move? The acolytes are taking too many casualties and that'll lower our rating!" A woman's voice sounded.
"Relax! Relax! I've been counting. Up until now, ten have died so far. The limit hasn't been passed yet!" A slightly cynical male voice replied.
"But it's getting close to the limit. Act quickly! I still need to determine the stability model for this technique! Damn it! The negative energy here is too high, it's impossible to complete the construction of the 'Tokerwuree!'"
"Then I'll do it!" The white-robed man who hadn't spoken before stood up. As soon as he did, the surrounding direwolves retreated, as if they'd met some kind of natural enemy.
"Secondary Energy Fireball!"
When Adem saw that the Magi were about to make their move, he quickly returned to the carriages. As he stared at the Magus called Crow, so named by his fellow Magi, he watched how the red particles in the air were pulled into the man's hand.
After the chant was completed, a floating fireball appeared in the Magus's hand, causing the surrounding space to faintly distort. The fireball left a blazing trail as it flew and landed in the heart of the direwolf pack.
Boom!
"Not good! Quickly, crouch down!" Adem shouted loudly. Unfortunately, it was already too late. It didn't matter whether it was the acolytes or the direwolves, everyone nearby was sent toppling over.
A deafening explosion resounded, followed by a wave of scorching heat. Where the fireball had landed, there was now a massive pit of fire three meters wide and two meters deep. As for the direwolves in that area had already turned into burnt charcoal.
The remaining direwolves whimpered before quickly fleeing.
"Quickly! Clean up the battlefield!" the white-robed man commanded, ignoring the fervent gazes of the surrounding acolytes. He returned to his original spot beside the two other Magi.
"Everyone, pack up! We need to move quickly. The smell of blood will attract other predators!"
Adem watched as the black-robed knight Angelo took off the outer clothes that had been torn due to the activation of his secret skill. Sweat poured down his face as he gasped for air, looking visibly weakened.
Adem knew this was the price for using those so-called "secret skills" of knights. That's why he didn't even bother learning them, he was already growing at an unreasonable rate.
In another black-colored horse carriage, Bessita sat hugging her legs. Her shoulder was marked with bloody scratches, and her face looked like she'd just been crying. Adem wanted to approach but didn't know how to. "Nah, I'll leave it for later. Romance will only slow down my spear's thrust speed," he muttered to himself.
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Adem sat in the carriage as his body jolted up and down. Through the tiny window, a golden ray of sunlight peeked in, filling the carriage with a trace of warmth.
It had already been over ten days since the plains direwolf attack. During those ten days, the traveling party had faced increasing danger as they ventured deeper into the Great Plains of Death.
Only now did Adem realize that the plains' direwolves were merely at the bottom of the food chain. There were still countless predators above them—cunning, vicious, and beyond anything the novel had described. The story hadn't done justice to how terrifying this place truly was.
Along the way, Adem saw several massive animal colonies whose numbers rivaled that of the direwolf pack from before. Flocks of huge black birds several meters tall. Enormous beasts dozens of meters long that resembled saber-tooth tigers with bodies like mountains. Just their aura alone made Adem feel how weak his current strength truly was compared to them.
Fortunately, the white-robed Magi acted swiftly to deal with them. They set up magical defensive arrays on the carriages and even stepped forward personally to disperse the attacking beasts. Thanks to them, a large number of casualties was prevented.
The most dangerous encounter was when they faced a monster dozens of meters long. Thankfully, that small mountain-like creature seemed to possess intelligence. It realized the Magi were not to be trifled with and retreated after a brief standoff, leaving everyone breathing sighs of relief.
Though the plains were beautiful, after a whole month of staring at the same endless grass and sky, Adem felt sick just looking at them.
"This is…" he murmured.
As the carriage continued forward, the green of the plains faded, replaced by a vast expanse of blue and waves of strong sea winds.
"We've finally arrived—the Death Beach," said the black-robed knight who had once let Leylin steer the carriage. Of course, Adem had overheard it like the quiet eavesdropper he was, always listening in on other people's conversations.
Ahead, countless tents of different shapes and sizes filled the horizon, forming a massive camp surrounded by dozens of carriages like their own. What stood out most were the acolytes—hundreds of them, all around thirteen or fourteen years old, their faces full of curiosity and nerves. From time to time, some emerged from tents with varying expressions—hope, despair, excitement.
"Alright! Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the intermediate stop of our journey—the Death Beach! Here, you will decide your future academy. Once you've chosen, your respective teachers will take you back to train in magic."
The carriages halted. The three white-robed Magi emerged, gathering all the acolytes as Crow stepped forward to speak.
"Now, follow me into the campgrounds and choose your academy. Remember, you may inspect as many as you wish, but once you've signed a contract, there's no turning back. Anyone who breaks it will be hung to death at the camp gates!"
Crow's icy tone made the hearts of every acolyte freeze.
"Haha! Crow! You're pretty late today," a voice called out. A fat man in a white robe approached, grinning. "Don't scare these adorable newbies!"
"There were… some difficulties along the way," Crow replied calmly.
"Alright, newbies! Now follow me into the camp!" The fat man spoke with Crow and the others for a while, then turned to address the group.
"You guys can call me Jevon, of the great Ennea Ivory Ring Tower! Trust me, if you're choosing an academy, Ennea Ivory Ring Tower is definitely your best choice!"
Jevon said this proudly as he led the acolytes into the camp.
Once inside, the sounds of chatter and haggling filled the air—it reminded Adem of an Earth marketplace. Crow and the other two white-robes soon departed, leaving the group with Jevon.
The camp was alive with movement. Acolytes bustled about as some gathered in circles, others entered or exited the tents, exchanging excited whispers.
Jevon led Adem and the rest, about forty people, to the center of the camp. Before them stood a massive tent of pure white, adorned with strange floral symbols that seemed to hover between decoration and writing.
As Adem gazed at it, he could feel an enormous concentration of energy particles flowing within.
This was the place where their aptitudes would be tested.
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Today was crazy asf , a neighbor of a friend of mine was killed ( chopped ) by her drug addict son and my puppy died on the same day .
But I still made sure to finish this chapter.
This world needs GOD .
U know what to do with your powerstones right??