Chapter 68: Sharing Experience

Mist Academy wasn't large. That was Shaoke's first thought as he stepped down from the carriage. It wasn't even half the size of the estate where the military department was located. The gatekeeper was an old mage clad in a black robe. At first glance, Shaoke recognized him as a Third Rank mage. After stating his purpose, the old mage nodded and said, "Yes, those two mages are here." He glanced at the timepiece inside the room, slightly furrowing his white brows. "But they are currently teaching magic to those kids. You'll have to wait a while."

Shaoke nodded and followed the old mage into the small gatehouse to rest. "Honorable Mage, forgive my ignorance, but are there many students here? Do they all end up working in Mist Forest?" After a moment of silence, Shaoke initiated the conversation, as he noticed the old mage kept staring at him, which made him feel quite uncomfortable.

"Yes. And you are?" The old mage briefly answered, hoping to learn the name of this mage who was looking for his companions.

"Honorable Mage, you may call me Mage Xueye." Shaoke hesitated slightly but, after a moment's thought—and a careful look at the old mage's black robe—he gave his name.

The old mage shook his head and smiled. "Very well, Mage Xueye. As you can see, I report directly to the military. I see you are the same, aren't you?" He pointed to the exposed collar of Shaoke's robe. "We're the same, you and I," he said, "just different ranks."

Shaoke nodded, acknowledging the old mage's observation. "Are there many mages here?"

"What kind of mages do you mean?" The old mage asked, somewhat puzzled. "Most mages here are from the Mage Corps. Those directly with the military, like me, are far fewer. There are also some Low-rank Mages from the Mage Guild." The old mage paused. "Of course, I haven't included the young people currently learning Spells. They haven't had to choose sides yet, and besides, they aren't qualified to be called mages." As he spoke, the old mage lifted his white-haired head with a hint of pride.

"Honorable Mage, are there many apprentices studying here?" Listening to the old mage's explanation, Shaoke immediately clarified what he wanted to know.

"Tsk!" The proud expression that had just appeared on the old mage's face faded away. "No, too few. Nowadays, young people are no longer keen on serving the country. After leaving the academy, only a small portion go to the places that train military mages. The rest either join some magical families or join that detestable Mage Guild." The old mage then spoke in an admiring tone. "And a few mages choose to become Wandering Mages."

Shaoke nodded. "Honorable Mage, may I ask you another question?"

The old mage nodded. "I'm happy to talk with young people like you. It makes me feel a bit of vitality, remembering the days on the battlefield." As he spoke, the old mage fell into reminiscence, a look of nostalgia appearing on his wrinkled face. "I once stayed in Mist Forest, but I didn't get along well with the mages there. Later, I followed the military department's orders and went to the front lines—a small fortress at the border with the Desasi Empire. There, I met many mages." The old mage stared intently at Shaoke with a firm expression. "Of course, those mages were all dedicated to following orders, making some rather harsh decisions to protect the poor Soldiers and the empire's civilians. They weren't like the two mages I met in Mist Forest, who were eager to join the troublemaking Mage Guild."

Shaoke nodded, agreeing with the old mage's words. Although he didn't understand the specific circumstances, it didn't prevent him from gaining some useful information.

The old mage picked up a wine jar nearby, poured Shaoke a cup of aniseed wine, and handed it to him. "This is the only wine I have here. Try it. It's better than what they have in Mist Forest, though far inferior to snow grape wine." After a gesture, both of them took a small sip.

The old mage continued, "In that small fortress, I met many mages I could befriend. Their character was quite good; you can trust them." His tone suddenly grew somber. He drank half a cup of wine in one gulp and said hoarsely, "Unfortunately, most of them never got the chance for promotion and remained there forever. So many, so many. I remember a Female Mage who fell in love with another mage. Sadly, during their wedding ceremony, the enemy attacked. The poor newlyweds were killed by an enemy Third Rank mage. Ah!"

Seeing the old mage in such low spirits, Shaoke didn't know how to comfort him. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Honorable Mage, may I ask you for some battlefield experience? I think I'll soon be fighting mages from the Desasi Empire." He hoped to divert the old mage's sorrow.

The old mage smiled. "Of course, Mage Xueye. You have the right to ask me these questions. It's a right no one can deny." After gesturing for Shaoke to drink a little more wine, he began to explain in great detail. Shaoke felt the old mage's explanations were very thorough.

"First, Mage Xueye, when you first arrive there, the mages will always hold a banquet for you. There, you must first learn enough elegance; otherwise, a long battlefield life will make you coarse." The old mage thought for a moment and continued. "Second, after the banquet ends, you should ask the officers there to familiarize you with all the defensive arrangements of your fortress in the shortest time possible. Of course, if it's too late, go the next day."

Shaoke looked somewhat wryly at the old mage going on and on but couldn't interrupt him rashly. Who knew when a truly experienced piece of advice might come out?

"Look, the battlefield isn't like hunting magical beasts in Mist Forest. I think you'll be very nervous the first time, but this is a test every mage must undergo. At the start of a battle, don't be like those mages who stick half their body out while casting spells. Their guards can't always see the spears or arrows thrown by High-rank Warriors in time to stop them. So, you must stay put behind the cover prepared for mages' Spellcasting." The old mage suddenly emphasized, "Remember, never leave your cover to attack the empire's mages or High-rank Warriors, even if your companions die. Doing so will bring the same disaster upon you."

Shaoke nodded again and asked, "Honorable Mage, what if a large number of High-rank Warriors from the empire charge forward? After all, prolonged spellcasting and delays can't effectively kill them. And what should we do when enemy mages cast spells at the city walls? Should we cast the same spells to counter them, or activate the protective arrays on the walls?" Shaoke voiced his doubts in one breath, hoping the old mage would provide serious answers.

But the old mage waved his hand casually. "Mage Xueye, I have to say, you're overthinking this. As you said, your current knowledge is quite lacking. I suggest you read more books and gain some experience through travel. Of course, this is just my suggestion." He glanced at the somewhat embarrassed Shaoke and explained, "Those mages would never cast spells directly at the city walls unless one of them learned a spell with a very long range, and that mage was extremely bored and powerful enough. Otherwise, they would never risk getting hit by arrows or stones from catapults to cast spells at close range."

Shaoke was annoyed at first, but the more he thought about it, the more sense the old mage's words made. Although he had read many books, could he compare to the old mage's experience? No one could say for sure, and the old mage had lived much longer, so he let it go.

After sensing Shaoke's previously agitated spirit had calmed down, the old mage continued. "The highest rank of warriors on the battlefield is usually Third Rank. Those above that rarely appear. The rest are First or Second Rank. Even if they charge onto the walls, there will be specialized mages to snipe them. Don't forget, some mages specialize in single-target, high-damage attack spells. Their role is to snipe High-rank Warriors that ordinary mages can't easily kill." The old mage smiled at Shaoke's grateful look. "I almost forgot—never expect any border fortress to have protective arrays on its walls. None of them do."

Shaoke asked curiously, "Why is that? Is it because there are no High-rank Mages to maintain them?"

The old mage nodded and finished the last of his wine. "Yes, not only because there are no High-rank Mages for maintenance, but also because the military simply doesn't have enough funds to purchase sufficient crystals to power those massive arrays. After all, border fortresses are different from major cities inland, which have powerful families or nobles supporting them. Ah!"

Listening to the old mage's sigh, Shaoke didn't know what to say next. He wasn't sure what the old mage was lamenting.