The Vastness of Magical Destiny

The mages from both sides had entered a state of exhaustion following the fever pitch of combat, with several magicians sitting listlessly to one side, their eyes closed and breaths even as they recuperated, clearly too spent from their earlier exertions of magic power to continue any longer. There were still numerous magicians either working alone or in tandem at the front lines of the Battlefield, surrounded by guards wielding Giant Shields and crossbowmen, warding off the Arrow Stone Rain from the City Wall. These magicians, invincible while wielding their magic power, were exceedingly fragile against physical blows; a single arrow could easily claim their lives.

With a blur of elemental patterns in the sky, a Thundercloud Storm accurately struck the City Wall Merlon, which, already sporting Fractures, could no longer hold; a cloud of dust later, half the merlon collapsed with a thunderous crash, prompting the Soldiers below tirelessly pushing their attack to let out an uncontrollable cheer.

However, the counter-attack came swiftly. A clear chanting preceded the piercing howl of wind as a massive wind vortex formed overhead the infantry’s attack formation. The wind blades shot out along the edge of the vortex, and the battle-hardened infantry, evidently experienced in dealing with such Wind System Magic, quickly ducked and huddled, trying their best to shield themselves behind their shields, or they lay flat on the ground, attempting to avoid the whirling wind blades.

Still, many Soldiers, either too inexperienced or slow to react, were struck by the flying wind blades. These deadly wind blades easily tore through their simple armors, mixing blood with their pained screams.

Fumel couldn’t help but sigh at the scene, which had become all too common. Following the major Magic Confrontation of the previous few days, it was apparent that both sides were struggling to maintain their offensive. The excessive consumption of Mana had left the magicians so Weak that they had no spare time at all; aside from eating and fighting, all their time was spent meditating to recover Mana. Meanwhile, auxiliary drugs and Support Spells provided by the Potion masters and the priests had become the most popular commodities among the Magicians.

Even so, the previous intense Magical Confrontation had gradually transformed into the current predominance of small and medium-sized magical attacks and defenses, signifying that both sides’ magical forces had run dry and become mere sideshows. The ultimate outcome of the war would still be decided by a fundamental military comparison—the infantry.

Fumel wasn’t worried that the victory of the war would belong to his side; he worried that the cost of his own side was too great, and that time might not leave him with much. These factors could render his so-called ultimate victory worthless. Without the supportive maneuvers of the Attican folk, the Cretans alone couldn’t withstand the full-force counterattack of the Nicosians.