The wolf leader’s howl tore through the air, a command driving its pack to attack the three Archons who had dared to cross their path. But the wolves hesitated, a primal fear of the robed figures holding them back. They snarled, hackles raised, but only advanced reluctantly under their alpha’s furious gaze.
"Hmph," the female Magus scoffed. Silver-haired and cyan-eyed, she crouched low, pressing her palms flat against the earth. A bright magic circle blazed to life beneath her hands.
Rank 1 Spell: Summon Water!
A few seconds later, water welled up from the ground, spreading in a wide sheet toward the advancing wolf pack. The spell was weak, doing nothing to harm or hinder them. If anything, it only served to dampen the dusty earth.
Next, the burly, buzz-cut Magus strode forward and brought his foot down with a heavy stomp. A magic circle flashed into existence beneath his boot, and the moment it made contact, the ground itself seemed to liquefy. Ripples spread through the soil, racing toward the wolves.
Rank 1 Spell: Shape Earth!
In an instant, the damp earth churned into a treacherous mire. The wolves yelped as their paws sank, their charge broken as they slipped and struggled for purchase. Still, it was not enough to defeat them.
Finally, the blond Magus with bright blue eyes wove a series of intricate hand signs before raising his right arm. Blue lightning began to arc and crackle across his palm.
Rank 1 Spell: Lightning Grasp!
He slammed his electrified fist into the muddy ground. The three spells layered perfectly: the water acted as a conductor, and the lightning coursed through the mire, turning the battlefield into a sea of lethal energy.
Instantly, dozens of wolves convulsed, their fur charring and smoking as they were electrocuted. They writhed in the electrified mud until they fell still. With a single, coordinated assault, the three Archons had slain nearly a hundred wolves.
"This… this is the power of a Magus?"
The children, who had just endured a hellish struggle for their lives, stared with wide, amazed eyes. For most, it was the first time they had ever witnessed a Magus in combat.
Even the battle-hardened mercenaries were stunned into silence. The seamless teamwork and the devastating spell combination was a display of power that left them gaping in awe.
Alaric, however, was not so easily impressed. He had witnessed a far grander and more spectacular battle during his acquisition of the Celestial Lily. Still, he couldn't tear his gaze from the crackling field of lightning.
A deep yearning intensified in his heart. One day, he thought, his fist clenching unconsciously, I'll wield that kind of power, too.
Suddenly, a tremor ran through his soul, and his vision swam.
Across the field, the alpha wolf, seeing its pack decimated, threw its head back and let out a howl of pure, agonized fury. As it did, a sphere of absolute darkness began to coalesce within its gaping maw.
The ball of shadow swelled rapidly before launching toward the three Archons like a cannonball.
The burly Magus stepped forward again, weaving another set of hand signs before clapping his hands together sharply. The ground before him trembled, and two thick, sturdy walls of earth erupted from the mire.
Rank 1 Spell: Mold Earth!
The sphere of darkness slammed into the earthen barriers. The impact sent a deafening crack through the air, scattering dust and debris in all directions. When the cloud settled, both the sphere and the walls were gone, having annihilated each other.
From within the swirling dust, the female Magus and the blue-eyed Magus shot forward, sprinting toward the alpha. Maddened by rage, the great wolf charged to meet them, another sphere of darkness already beginning to form in its throat.
But the two Archons were faster. They closed the distance and cast their spells in perfect sync.
Rank 1 Spell: Thorn Vine!
Rank 1 Spell: Acidic Splash!
A thick, green vine materialized in the female Magus’s hand. Even as she lashed it forward like a whip, her companion coated it in a layer of shimmering purple acid.
The sizzling, acidic vine snaked around the alpha, coiling tight. Its fur melted and its skin smoked on contact, and the forming ball of darkness in its throat sputtered and died. Trapped and burning, a flicker of panic entered the great wolf's eyes as it glared at its tormentors.
The ground behind the wolf suddenly erupted, and the burly Magus launched himself into the air. He now wielded a heavy war hammer forged from some dark, lusterless metal. He roared, pouring mana into the weapon until it hummed with power. With a savage grin, he brought the war hammer down on the trapped wolf's skull.
The beast’s head was instantly pulverized, its body collapsing in a mangled heap of flesh and splintered bone. At the sight of their alpha’s gruesome end, the remaining wolves broke, scattering into the woods with their tails tucked between their legs.
"A pity," the female Magus pouted. "That corpse could have fetched a decent price."
The burly Magus, Gareth, glanced at the gory remains—or what was left of them—and offered an embarrassed smile. "My bad, Sabine."
Sabine shot the mess one last disdainful look before turning and walking away.
"Nicely done, Gareth. Don't mind her," the blue-eyed Magus said, giving him a thumbs-up.
Gareth looked at his teammate and laughed. "Haha, you too, Leander. Come on, back to the carriage. I need your help with a spell model from the School of Invocation."
"Alright, let's go," Leander nodded, and the two of them headed back.
As they walked, the surviving children and mercenaries erupted into cheers. The coordinated battle had been breathtaking. Even those who fought for a living were in awe of the sheer efficiency the three Archons had displayed.
Leander and Gareth seemed indifferent to the applause and admiring gazes, as if it were nothing new. Then, Leander’s gaze fell on Alaric, who stood frozen in place, his eyes unfocused. The boy's utter stillness was a stark contrast to the celebration around him.
"What's with this kid?" Leander mumbled to himself.
Alaric was oblivious, deaf and blind to the world. His consciousness had already plunged into the mysterious space within the Celestial Lily.