Battle of Baiman City 3

"Teacher, what does 'Awakening' mean as described in the book?"

When Solis returned to the city wall and found that the battle hadn't worsened to the point where he needed to intervene, he entered the tower, took out his tools from his magical waist pouch, and continued brewing potions.

"Awakening is actually a general magical term. Let me give you an example.

You should know Petrification Magic and Disintegration Magic, right? Such spells usually have variable effects.

That happens because everyone's physique is different. Two people might both be low-ranking knights—one could be petrified, while the other might resist it.

The common theory in the magical world is that the proportions of elements within each person's body differ, so they react differently to certain spells."

"Isn't that just resistance?"

"What did you say? Resistance? Resistance!

Excellent wording. I happen to have an academic paper to publish soon."

Seeing his teacher's blatant plagiarism, Havent couldn't help rolling his eyes.

Solis smiled and didn't bother arguing with a child. Instead, he continued explaining.

"Awakening was proposed based on that theory. When an outside influence exceeds what the target can endure, Petrification Magic, Disintegration Magic, and even the Undead Conversion cast on that not-quite-dead Demon Dragon you mentioned will all take effect.

The solution is to supplement the part missing from the target. Once the gap is evened out, the spell will generally fail."

"Shouldn't that whole long-winded explanation be called elemental balance or ability counteraction?"

Havent couldn't help doubting the cultural standards of this world's scholars.

"Hahahaha! Your term is quite precise too. I'll use it in my next academic paper, though people still prefer more elegant wording."

Havent looked speechlessly at his teacher. The scholars and mages of this world had absolutely no academic rigor. They were all about casual freedom.

"After saying all that, do you know how to...

Um... cast Awakening Magic on that Demon Dragon?"

Solis poured the pale red potion from the iron pot and set it aside to cool.

"No."

"..."

The atmosphere became a little stifling.

"Then why did you say so much?! I thought you knew how."

Solis calmly poured the dregs from the pot into the bucket by his feet and waved at Havent, who stood by the door.

"Bring me that bag of herbs.

Although I can't cast that spell, we can solve the problem by other means.

For example, severing its connection to the Demon Dragon, or killing the caster.

Generally speaking, high-level magical beasts like dragons are extremely troublesome creatures, especially when they still have the blessing of their own chief god."

After taking the bag of herbs, Solis patted the chair beside him, signaling Havent to sit down.

"So, dragons are generally very difficult to kill. According to the records, Eo, the creator of dragons, bestowed a blessing upon every dragon born into this world.

That made every dragon active on the continent incredibly powerful: exclusive Dragon language magic, extraordinarily high magic resistance, and the naturally formidable physique of a dragon.

Tsk, tsk, tsk! What perfect creatures!"

To every scholar and potion maker, dragons possessed unparalleled allure.

"Then, according to what you said, if this dragon isn't dead yet, what methods can we use to help it break free from the Church of Death's control?"

"Hmm, an interesting assumption. Generally, light magic or holy light is relatively effective against undead magic. But unfortunately, I can't use either."

Seeing Havent's eyes about to roll all the way upward, Solis hurriedly continued.

"But let's think about it differently. Earlier, we said that killing the caster could achieve the same goal.

And based on what I just explained, because dragons possess extremely high magic resistance, if they want to convert a dragon into an undead creature, they must use a magic array to strengthen their control over the Demon Dragon."

"A magic array?!"

At that, Havent fell into thought. Thinking back, during the second simulation, those black-robed people with red light glowing behind them...

"Lord Solis, Lord Solis! The Count requests your presence. The Church of Death has launched an attack, and that Demon Dragon has flown over as well!"

A guard shoved open the door, his face full of panic.

Solis nodded, extinguished the flame on the table, picked up his staff, and stood.

Baiman City's Southern Wall

By then, night had fully fallen. Under Count Hailan's orders, the soldiers lit their torches.

By the firelight, Havent saw the dense mass of undead ghouls outside the city. Their green eyes stared at the guards, full of longing for the living.

"Roar—"

A piercing Dragon's Roar came from the night sky.

Whoosh—whoosh—

As a gale swept past, a giant dragon glowing green slowly descended from the night sky.

Seeing the dragon again, Havent noticed the enormous wound stretching from its left wing to its hind leg—a wound his father had fought desperately to inflict several hours ago.

As a level 62 Blade of Gale Great Knight, Count Hailan ranked among the top five in the entire Northern Frontier. Havent had previously heard from his teacher that his father might cross the threshold of level 70 and reach Legendary Rank.

Of course, that was far too distant for a level 11 low-ranking mage.

And for Havent, who had simulated this three times, it was even more meaningless. He wouldn't even live to see tomorrow's sun. Even if he had the potential to become an emperor, what good would it do him?

At that moment, the undead army below stirred. Before long, a path opened through the mass of undead, and several black-robed figures emerged.

They stopped five hundred meters from the city wall. The leader removed his hood, revealing a withered, pallid face.

"You maggots, give up resisting.

Redeem your sins through glorious death.

Come, join Pale Hell!!!!!

King of Gloom..."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Three orange-red fireballs flew toward the black-robed figures.

However, a magical shield that appeared before Alan blocked them.

"Justice will prevail!!!!!!"

With Count Hailan's roar, pale blue light radiated from his entire body and swiftly enveloped most of those on the city wall.

The soldiers, whose minds had been muddled, quickly regained their senses under the stimulation of Count Hailan's Courage Aura. One after another, they began shouting along with him.

Alan gloomily glanced at Kevin Hailan, who stood on the wall glowing with light. He raised the Bone Staff in his hand and slowly stepped back.

"Purify them."

As the black-robed elder finished speaking, the other Death Cultists all fell to their knees, clasped their hands before their chests, and began to pray.

The ghoul army, which had stood motionless, seemed to be stimulated by something. Roaring, they charged toward the city wall.