The Cornflower Witch

On the other side of the mountain range, other apprentices from Tetis College were also encountering various situations.

In the howling wind, Imei held a book in one hand, its pages gleaming with countless engraved runes as they rustled and flipped, while her other hand pressed down on one page, freezing it in place.

Then, silver threads of light spread and materialized behind her, weaving quicksilver wings for her.

This was a spell she had learned from Sylutia, one that granted her the ability to move and fight in the air.

Opposite her, a massive black bird let out a piercing shriek. It flapped its wings and dove down from high altitude once more, like a speeding cannonball, tearing through layers of air currents.

【Throated Black Vulture】 (Third Tier · Vaulted Sky)

An extremely vicious raptor that spawns in large numbers during wind season. It is said to be born when creatures flying at high altitudes are tainted and advanced by the 'Vaulted Sky' Aspect.

The Gale Season had already reached its sixth year, and the monsters affected by it were gradually advancing. This vicious black vulture was a prime example. Compared to ground-based beasts, aerial raptors were harder to track down and nearly impossible to catch up to, causing destruction and casualties far exceeding those of other beast types. They were a constant headache for organizations everywhere.

Seeing the enemy charging at her, Imei's expression turned serious. She flipped through the book again, calling up the rune she needed to cast.

Starlight particles gathered and lit up around her body, like clock markings appearing. Then, she swung her wrist, and at the same moment, twelve beams of starlight flashed, erupting into pillars of impact light.

【Clockplate Inscription · Anash Impact】

Roaring and dazzling light pillars converged, focusing on the tip of the diving black vulture. Yet the vulture did not slow down; its black silhouette charged against the current within the light, constantly shattering and scattering the impact pillars as it closed in on Imei's position.

At this, Imei's eyes shone brightly, refusing to flinch as she stared straight at the approaching darkness. Starlight flickered in her pupils, and the pillars of light surrounding her body erupted, their radiance rising another level.

Finally... it was over.

Seeing the vulture dissolve into flames, the pillars around Imei extinguished. An immense wave of fatigue and drowsiness surged like a tide, nearly causing her to lose control of the silver wings behind her.

These past days, she had fought almost every day, searching for and defeating monsters of the Third Tier or above. Such high-intensity battles and pursuits had tempered her like a hammer, making her notice various details she had overlooked during her usual training.

What methods were more effective for defeating an opponent? How could she conserve energy better? How should she deal with monsters of bizarre traits and habits? How could she use techniques in battle—dodging enemies, unleashing bursts, harvesting kills, and so on?

Any failure in these aspects would result in a sharp increase in battle consumption, wasting a lot of time, and risking injury.

To complete the tasks assigned by the academy, she had to calculate the consumption and use of every bit of power, constantly finding scattered Third Tier monsters across the region, racing against other apprentices.

The process was extremely grueling, but this hardship also filled Imei with a bit of pride and confidence. She could clearly feel herself growing stronger bit by bit—not in Aspect level, but in will, decision-making, combat techniques, and so on.

That's enough for today.

After dealing with the vulture, Imei dragged her exhausted body down to the ground, found a hidden spot, sealed her aura within a barrier, and fell into deep sleep.

....

At one corner of the mountain range, beneath the broken stone wall of a fortress, Moria stood looking up, sheltering a petite beastman girl behind him. In front of him was a massive ogre like a gray-white hill.

【Grayrock Ogre】 (Third Tier · Bloodline)

"An advanced ogre, its hide as tough as rock, capable of wielding huge, heavy weapons in combat."

This ogre was about six meters tall. Its thick arms gripped a stone hammer, and with a single strike, it shattered the wall of this fortress. Behind it, several more Second Tier ogres trudged forward with bloated steps, their thick arms holding entire trees as weapons.

While searching for monsters, Moria had accidentally discovered this fortress under attack by ogres. The fortress's original Third Tier guardian had fallen, unable to withstand the ogres' assault. If he hadn't intervened, the ogres would have likely charged in to feast by now.

"You all, hurry back and don't come near," Moria instructed the panicked beastmen behind him before battle. Then, taking a deep breath, he pressed his hands together, and a dazzling silver cross sword materialized in his hands.

【Enchantment Spell · Silver-Shining Cross Sword】 (Castle)

"A blade born from the belief in guardianship. It requires the caster to possess a noble status rank to condense. It gains significant enhancement on one's fief."

As a prince of a small country, Moria was naturally able to gain the power of Castle's blessing through his status and bloodline. This was also why he had chosen 'Castle' as his primary Aspect.

However, he hadn't relied on this power to become a knight. Instead, he chose to become a mage. While this was rare within the 'School of Royal Authority,' it was actually a very orthodox path. The founder of the 'School of Royal Authority,' the Swan King, was originally a scholar, and mages, as a branch derived from scholars, shared many similarities.

Gripping this blade, a silver, cold light flowed over it, radiating wisps of white aura, keeping the ogres opposite him from approaching recklessly.

At this moment, Moria took a step, his pace shifting from slow to fast, continuously accelerating.

【Swan Steps · Sprint Forward】

In response to his charge, the ogres were also prepared. Their muscles bulged instantly, and their weapons swung fiercely in horizontal sweeps and downward smashes, blocking his path of attack.

But this prince was more agile. He dodged the first two attacks, flipped into the air, and then brought his silver blade down. It was like a crescent moon appearing in an instant, cutting the ogre below him diagonally across the shoulder.

Boiling heat and blood sprayed out. The blood, originally in high-speed circulation, gushed like a fountain, splashing into the air and onto the surrounding ground. A thick, bloody scent spread, sending the nearby ogres into a surge of hormones, plunging them into rage and fear.

What followed was continuous maneuvering and fighting. One by one, the tall and sturdy ogres were slain by Moria, until finally, none remained standing. Only then did he stop.

At this moment, he leaned on the silver sword, which had become mundane, most of his white robes stained and dirtied by blood. His once-bright golden hair was also wet with blood and grime, obscuring one eye.

Standing like this amidst a pile of corpses and blood, he inspired awe and worship from the beastman members walking slowly from afar.

They knelt behind that silhouette, thanking this savior who had come from afar.

After the battle, Moria gazed at the vaulted sky and slowly dispersed the silver cross greatsword condensed in his hands.

'Indeed, I can't keep swinging the sword like this. As my mentor said, I'm not a warrior or a knight after all. This body of mine can't bear such high-intensity combat.'

While the beastmen behind him admired his mighty appearance in slaughtering the enemies, they didn't know that this very appearance had become a yoke on his path forward. Perhaps this would also be the last time he swung his sword so freely.

The true essence of royal authority lies not merely in wielding a sword for battle, but in uniting countless weak commoners like stacking bricks, forging them into an indestructible fortress.

Aspect 【Castle】: (Holding spears like a forest, linking shields into a wall, forging the multitude into one heart—this is the foundation stone of royal authority.)

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