Chapter 81: Or Perhaps War

After departing, the mages were led by the waiting Third-Rank Mage to their future accommodations. Two mages shared a small cottage. Although the space wasn't large, it was sufficient for these Second Rank mages to carry out all their activities inside, including some magical experiments.

Shaoke was assigned a room to himself once again. The Third-Rank Mage looked at Shaoke and said, "I really don't know if you're lucky or unlucky. If you'd like a companion to discuss magical knowledge with at night, when the next batch of mages arrives, I'll definitely prioritize arranging a companion for you. What do you think?"

Shaoke shook his head. "Thank you, Honorable Mage. I believe I shall manage alone. I prefer some peace and quiet." The Third-Rank Mage shook his head. "As you wish. If you ever want to change your mind, you can come find me anytime." After saying this, he told Shaoke the location of his own room and finally reminded him, "Although there are no magical traps there, you won't be able to enter unless you imprint your Mental Imprint on it."

After the Third-Rank Mage left, Shaoke took a quick look around the room that would be his for some time. The furnishings inside were simple. Facing the door was a large mirror set within a carved rosewood frame, with red curtains hanging on either side for covering. On each side of the mirror stood a wooden bed piled with thick quilts. At the head of each bed was a small writing desk, covered with a white cloth; it looked like no one had lived there for a while.

The fireplace stood cold in the corner. It seemed the people here were unprepared for the mages' arrival and hadn't had time to arrange everything properly.

Shaoke straightened up the room slightly. Finally, looking at the cold fireplace, he momentarily wondered where he might find firewood. Just then, Soldiers outside brought sufficient firewood, started a fire in the fireplace for the mage's use in the evening, and the leading soldier also brought news of the banquet to Shaoke. "Honorable Mage, there will be a banquet held here tonight. We will notify you when it's time. Please prepare early." After saying this, he took his leave.

After the soldiers left, Shaoke threw himself onto the bed near the fireplace to rest. After days of traveling on bumpy carriages, even though he kept up with the military's training regimen daily, he still felt aches throughout his bones, and his body hadn't improved, still stuck in that post-advancement weakened state. He hoped to recuperate properly here for a while to restore his previous physical condition as soon as possible.

Half-asleep, Shaoke felt someone knocking on the door repeatedly. Startled awake, Shaoke snatched up his staff and asked, "What is it? Is the banquet starting?" The knocking outside stopped abruptly. "No, Honorable Mage, it's not time for the banquet yet. The officers are gathering the mages for an assembly! The enemy is attacking again."

Shaoke was taken aback. He never imagined the fighting would start this fast. "Alright, wait a moment, I'll prepare." He immediately began to busy himself. Fortunately, the things he frequently used were still in the pouch he carried, so it didn't take long.

Many mages had already gathered outside. The newly arrived mages were huddled together. Seeing Shaoke come out, Mage Roland waved his staff, signaling Shaoke to join them.

Carriages were parked in the courtyard. The earlier mages automatically boarded their assigned carriages, while Shaoke and the others were at a loss for a moment.

Fortunately, the Third-Rank Mage who had led them at noon hurried over. "You all get on the carriages too. Someone will arrange things there. Remember, mages who can cast area-of-effect attacks and those who cast single-target attacks are not in the same positions. You should consider now whether it's more convenient for you to cast single-target spells or area spells. This will greatly affect your future assignments." After saying this, he waved his hand, signaling the mages to board the carriages quickly to reach the battlefield as soon as possible.

As the carriage moved forward, Shaoke could already hear the sounds of fighting ahead. Mage Roland, who shared Shaoke's carriage, asked nervously, "Mage Xueye, have you been on a battlefield before? You don't seem nervous."

Shaoke shook his head. "If hunting magical beasts in the Misty Forest counts. Since we've reached this point, nervousness will only increase your Spellcasting failure rate and won't bring you any benefits. Mage Roland, calm down. Just treat it like hunting magical beasts." As he spoke, Shaoke tightly gripped his staff. Finally, gritting his teeth, he slung the staff across his back. He planned to use the hand-seal technique for combat depending on the situation, as it would make him feel safer.

The mages paid no attention to Shaoke's unusual action, all anxiously listening to the sounds of fighting outside. The carriage finally stopped, with Shaoke feeling both anticipation and resistance.

Shaoke was the first to get off the carriage. They had stopped beneath a tall city wall. Dozens of magic lamps hung on the wall, illuminating the area brightly.

The young mages then got out one after another. A Black-robed Mage on horseback stopped before Shaoke and the others. "New arrivals, this attack came very suddenly. I heard they were even preparing dinner for a banquet. I didn't expect the enemy to attack at this moment." He waved his ornate staff, and a Fireball the size of a fist floated above it. "Mages specializing in single-target spells, I hope you can quickly come to my side. I'll take you to your proper positions. This time, it's mainly for you to get a feel for the battlefield. Hmm! Follow me." As he spoke, the mage waved his staff. The fireball, under his precise control, quickly returned to its original size and shot whistling towards the darkening sky, exploding violently at its peak.

The mage dismounted, grabbed his staff, and hurried up the city wall via the ramp. Shaoke didn't hesitate at all. He glanced at Mage Roland and said, "I'm going over first. Good luck." Mage Roland shook his head. "Mage Xueye, I think I must go with you. I also chose single-target spells." He gestured for Shaoke to go with him.

The mages stirred slightly. Among the dozens of mages, including Shaoke and Roland, fewer than ten followed that mage towards the battlements. This made the leading mage sigh; it seemed mages nowadays were accustomed to staying in the rear.

Soldiers constantly ran up the ramp, and injured soldiers were carried down by their comrades. It was quite chaotic. The mage spoke as he walked, "The situation is still okay now. At least the enemy hasn't started hurling those damned large stones yet. Hmm! Hurry up. I don't think we need to conserve stamina. There aren't many mages stationed on this section of the wall." He again signaled the mages to quicken their pace.

Although the wall was high, the mages ascended relatively quickly. Before Shaoke could survey the situation above, the mage leading them waved, signaling them to follow him.

On the wide inner side of the city wall stood one low stone tower after another. The mage pointed at three towers. "You go into these stone towers. Hmm, exactly three per tower. As soon as you spot a warrior with Aura charging onto the wall and within your casting range, one of you must quickly eliminate him. Otherwise, these ordinary soldiers won't be able to stop their slaughter." After saying this, he looked at the nervous mages before him and softened his voice. "Any other questions? I can give you the most detailed answers."

Shaoke adjusted his cloak. "Honorable Mage, what if they hurl stones? Can these stone towers withstand them?" He looked at the somewhat dilapidated low towers and finally spotted several small windows, apparently for releasing Spells.

The mage shook his head. "Don't worry about that. At least not at night. Even if they hurl stones, these towers can withstand them. Of course, if they're too large, it depends on how quickly you react." He looked at the battlements illuminated by countless torches where fighting was ongoing and frowned. "Get inside quickly! I don't know who gave that foolish order again." Then he shouted to the soldiers ahead, "Put out all the torches! Do you want enemy arrows raining down on your heads?"

After shouting orders to the soldiers, the mage turned into a stone tower and didn't reappear.

Shaoke and the others quickly entered the stone tower, swiftly assigned the spellcasting windows, and then tensely watched the battlefield, which had suddenly darkened.

Mage Roland leaned by the window and cast the 'Eyes of Night' spell on himself. "Mage Xueye, aren't you going to prepare?" He glanced at another mage who had entered with them. "Relax. Hmm! Just lean there like that. Didn't that mage say? We won't need to act this time."

Shaoke shook his head and quickly cast 'Spellcasting Concentration' on himself. "Mage Roland, now is not the time to comfort others. Second Rank, I'll handle it."

Just after casting the Support Spell on himself, Shaoke spotted a warrior on the battlements who clearly revealed his aura. The opponent had unleashed his full aura, his body enveloped in a faint white glow. His double axe took one or even several soldiers' lives with each swing. On Shaoke's side, warriors with aura hadn't appeared yet. It seemed the mages would have to intervene this time.

Shaoke observed and quickly determined the enemy was within his casting range. Calming his rapidly beating heart, he began chanting the incantation. He used the hand-seal technique without hesitation. Since he couldn't be sure if the Second Rank spell 'Blazing Ray' could kill a warrior who had unleashed his full aura, he hoped to increase the spell's power through some technique.

Shaoke's gaze never left the enemy country warrior slaughtering ordinary soldiers. Just as the Meditation Method in his Meditation space was about to be successfully visualized, a pillar of light as thick as an arm shot from a neighboring stone tower. The red light pillar struck directly at the Second Rank warrior's chest.

Whether by coincidence or because he detected the incoming spell, the Second Rank warrior suddenly blocked his chest with his great axe, right in the path of the red light pillar.