Joint Combat Training 2 (5)
A calamity looms in the sky. The roar unleashed by the dragon scrapes through our eardrums.
Aaaaaah!
Run! Everyone run! We need to get off this island!
Panicked students begin to bolt towards the living quarters connected by the Macexus Bridge.
While everyone flees in terror, I swallow hard and gaze up at the sky.
The Starforge Dragon Belvbrock lifts a massive claw, ushering in a colossal storm.
Its not magic. rely a physical phenonon. Just a swipe of its paw is enough to alter the islands air currents.
Kwang! Kang!
A scraping noise.
Or rather, it was more akin to an explosion.
Belvbrocks paw, having brushed aside the living quarters from afar, is followed by the imnse storm.
And just like that, half of the living quarters vanish. It all happens in an instant.
Buildings that should be grounded are airborne, and occasionally, people too are caught in the turmoil, spinning helplessly through the void.
The extent of casualties is unimaginable. Surely, the numbers will be significant.
If Belvbrocks assault caused deaths, it was because they were in the living quarters when the lifting occurred.
Conversely, those of us in the faculty area are only alive due to sheer luck.
Had Belvbrock struck the faculty area first, students there would have undoubtedly perished.
Just one strike.
Just one swing of its leg sends students tumbling down, caught in pandemonium; trampled, injured, limbs broken.
Uaaaah!
What are you doing, get up!
I I cant I just cant.
So students grit their teeth and flee, but most are incapable of uttering a word, rely staring at the sky.
They all share the sa thought. Is there any chance of survival if we run? Or are we as good as dead already?
Taat!
Kicking off from the ground, I take out a golden ring from my pocket the Golden Phoenix Ring of Glastrath.
I push myself to draw out every ounce of magic power, not knowing my limit. Its a risky item with severe penalties, requiring careful use.
But now is not the ti for caution. I must employ every resource at my disposal.
The extent of the backlash was uncertain. It could negate my magic for years, burn away my sense to wield it, or even threaten my life.
Nonetheless, doing nothing ensures death.
Krrrrrk!
Teeth clenched, I endure the physical strain of the overload. Yet my pace towards escape does not falter.
Whoooosh!
I release mana into my surroundings, fully summoning the high spirit of wind, rilda.
Under normal circumstances, just summoning such a spirit in human form for efficiency would strain greatly.
But, sacrificing my future to gather magic at its brink, I have enough left even after summoning the wolf-like spirit.
Caaacck!
rilda fully materializes with a cry. The wolf, large as a house, remains as imposing as ever.
Wheres Eunica?
[I dont know! She should still be at the training ground For now, well have to entrust her to Takan!]
Kwooooom!
Another overwhelming roar echoes; its the dragon above us.
Whooosh.
Rain falls. But its no ordinary rain.
Dragon scales pour from the sky. Its like watching an old blockbuster war movie, where armies fire massive volleys of arrows.
The dense scales falling from heaven rcilessly strike the earth.
Kwang! Kagagagagagagaaa!
Marble fragnts scatter, trees tumble, benches and fountains near the squares shatter, and the glass in buildings neednt be ntioned.
I pour excess mana into a defensive spell, but its breached almost imdiately.
Whoooosh!
However, the blowing winds deflect the scales. Its the blessing of the whirlwind, a passive skill that feels futile having deflected a lethal blow without any effort.
[Krrrrk!]
rilda, having just about deflected the scales directed at her, groans before speaking.
[Where are we going?! Are we joining Eunica?!]
No, theres sothing I must check first!
I had to find why the scenarios final boss, Belvbrock, chose now to erge.
I couldnt just let events unfold without interference. I resolved to deal with the situation as best as I could, without relying on predetermined outcos.
But the situation had twisted far beyond what Id considered manageable.
If the scenario had indeed been altered, the catalyst was likely . Realizing the cause might give a way to put the dragon back to sleep.
But ti was scarce and my options were limited.
Kuk!
Firmly holding back tears, I pulled dragon scales lodged in my body. A scale removed from my shoulder bounced a few tis on the ground along with droplets of blood.
Currently, the third act is ongoing. That ans I must check on its main characters first. Its unlikely characters introduced later would already affect the third act.
First to co to mind are Adel and Clarise. Predicting Adels whereabouts might be hard, but I knew where to find Clarise.
Lets head straight for Trix Hall!
Pain shoots up from the ring on my finger. The price for wielding magic beyond allowed limits is inescapable; Ive only postponed the inevitable.
Nevertheless, I have no choice. Mounting the strained rilda, I focus every drop of magic power into restraining myself.
* * *
You must flee, Saintess!
Two cathedral knights burst into the conference room with a bang, their voices tinged with desperation.
The current situation outside is.
Ah Im aware. Please take the others and hurry move quickly!!
Clarise had just witnessed the situation outside the window. An impossible-sized dragon that should only exist in myths now looms over Slyvenia Academy.
She jumps up from her spot, but an earthquake strikes Trix Hall the mont she risesripples from Belvbrocks decimation of the living quarters.
Aaaaaah!
Clarise screams, slipping to the ground, while the knights grapple for balance.
Office supplies and docunts from the conference table scatter over the floor, antique paintings crash down, and decorative glass shatters. Even the windows crack open, failing to fulfill their purpose.
Saintess, take my hand! Well escort you to the carriage outside Urk!
Whoooosh!
A protective layer of sacred magic, the Saintess shield, activates. As Clarise feels its embrace, a chill runs down her spine.
Turning, she sees dragon scales embedded near the Saintess spine. Suffering only minor cuts on her skin, the shield had mostly neutralized the scales force.
The small prodigy mage, Lucy Mayrill, after being struck by the dragons barrage and thrown onto the mid-flank of Oren Mountain, gets up again, casting off the impact, and launches herself back into the sky. Headmaster Obel, encircled by a whirlwind of an impossible amount of mana, chants high-level elental magic, shining as brightly as fireworksvisible from anywhere on Acken Island.
Ugh, kuh
Collapsing halfway up the hill of Trix Tower, Clarice realized there was nothing she could do. She swallowed her tears, biting her lip, and trying to think of an alternative way out.
If there was no horse, shed have to walkmake her way to the Maxes Bridge sohow. But just as she tried to force herself to stand,
Hwaaaaaaaak!
A different, warr wind began to gently spread from the middle of the hillside path. It was the arrival of a huge wolf running in haste. The wolf, as large as a house, landed lightly and imdiately lay down to make it easier for Edgar to disembark.
Jumping down from the wolfs back, Edgar approached Clarice, who was slumped around the dead horse.
Ed, Edgar sir
Youre unhard, Saintess.
Edgar himself didnt look too well. Signs of injury from the scales were present, and the strain of mana exhaustion was evident on his face.
Still, his effort to rush here impressed Clarice, though it made her voice quiver,
How how did you know I was here
I saw you as I ran toward Trix Tower. The royal guests should have been eting here. Theres no ti for detailed conversation.
Edgar firmly grasped Clarices wrist, pulling her to her feet. Unaccustod to being manhandled, Clarice was surprised by her own bodys lightness as she was hoisted up.
Are you hurt anywhere?
No, Im I was going to ride the horse to Maxes Bridge
Theres no point in heading to Maxes Bridge now. Its chaotic, and trying to leave the island that way ans certain death. Theres a logjam of people trying to flee.
Edgar had witnessed the crisis at Maxes Bridge while running toward the highlands with the wolf, rilda. Considering the urgency, Clarice hadnt noticed, but now Hearkening to Edgar, she asked,
What about the other bridges?
Theyre just the sa. And even if we run in that direction, were still within the dragons reach.
The thought of escaping seed insignificant if Velbrooke decided to obliterate the island imdiately. Overwheld by fear, Clarice nearly teared up.
Edgar quickly wiped her tears with his shirt sleeve, still clutching her wrist as he began to walk,
Wed better evacuate to a relatively safe location.
Safe location?
None other than Orphelis Tower. Its wrapped in high-level defensive magic. Normally inactive but activated from the control room by Maid Chief Bell Maiyer in such circumstances.
Even high-level defense spells wouldnt stand a chance against Velbrookes might, yet they would at least mitigate the risk of being caught in the scales storm or other magical fallout.
For Edgar, heading to Orphelis Tower was the best option.
Now that the Saintess is secure and theres no visible danger, Adele would be next to find, but shes not easy to track.
If Adele couldnt be found, checking on other key individuals was the next best stepOrphelis Tower was the gathering place for many such individuals.
Thats Understandable
Saintess Clarice. Brace yourself.
Edgars grip on Clarices wrist tightened, leaving a red mark. Feeling his resolve, she steeled her pain and found the strength to keep going.
Edgar then hoisted Clarice onto rildas neck. With elbows anchored below, Clarice clung to the wolfs fur and managed to climb up to its back. Edgar quickly leaped aboard as well.
Hold on tight.
With Clarice gripping onto rildas fur, Edgar braced the Saintesss back with his elbow. rilda then bolted towards the still-intact living quarters, where Orphelis Tower stood.
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