A Different World (Albert's Battle)

A Different World (Albert's Battle)

On the shore of Fenris Isle, several lamb chops roasted over a lit campfire. Although Create Wind had been cast, the thick stench of rot and fishiness still lingered. Albert gnawed on a lamb chop without a care, as though he were sitting in his own dining room. This was the Seventh Squad of the Battlemage Corps under the Kirin Tor Council. Their mission this time was to clear out the growing number of Gnolls around Fenris Isle.

"Eat up. We still have to clear the Gnoll camp on the western coast later."

"These Gnolls really breed like crazy. We just cleared them out last year, and now there are this many again."

"Who could blame them? The environment here is awful—stagnant pools and swamps everywhere. Other than Murlocs and Gnolls, no other creatures like staying here."

"After this mission, I'm planning to leave the Battlemage Corps. I always wondered why they kept recruiting mages despite the high pay. Now I know..."

"Yeah. Mages are better off staying in Dalaran. I swear, once I get back, I'll eat ten strawberry pies in one sitting."

Albert did not argue with those preparing to leave. Perhaps they reflected who he had once been. Battlemages had to fight on the front lines for long periods. Though the benefits were generous, they faced risks to their lives and had to overcome many practical hardships. But Albert knew that his spellcasting speed was at least a tenth of a second faster than before. Even when facing enemies at close range, he no longer panicked and failed his casting checks. These were things that academy mages who never participated in battle could never learn in a lifetime spent inside their towers.

To deal with enemies, most battlemages chose spells focused on control, countermeasures, burst damage, and targeted counterspells. In terms of versatility, they could not compare to academy mages. Over time, this also caused battlemages' spell repertoires to become overly narrow, slowing their progress along the Arcane Path.

After all, those who came before had said that a mage could not simply be a turret that knew how to throw fireballs. Such a mage was not a true mage. But Albert could no longer worry about such things. Only by becoming a battlemage could he grow quickly through battle after battle. Wasn't Archmage Roland, Dalaran's current leader, a living example?

By the look of things, Roderick's plan would soon be put into action. Albert wondered whether their training had paid off. He had not seen his companions from Southshore in a long time. Not to mention them—even Remilia, who also lived in Dalaran, had not seen him for quite some time.

He had heard that the young girl was progressing rapidly. Several important figures in the Council had taken notice of the Tower of Stars apprentice. One day, Remi would surely reach a position he could only look up to. It was truly unbelievable to think about.

This time, he had earned enough to exchange for a new staff, but it would be better to prioritize the Dalaran Battlemage Corps' Elite Mage Robe. This robe carried five highly practical permanent spells: Cleanse, Repair, Minor Magic Field, Lesser Arrow Deflection, and Minor Magic Resistance. When claiming the robe, one could also swap some of its spells according to individual needs. This was one of the main reasons many mages joined the Battlemage Corps: using mission points to exchange for sufficiently powerful magical items.

"Seventh Squad of the Battlemage Corps, prepare Greater Blizzard, Frost Nova, and Cone of Cold. Coordinates..."

Howling wind and snow descended upon the Gnoll camp in an instant. Snowflakes condensed into ice shards, slicing every creature within their range until blood flowed freely. The Gnolls attempting to flee the blizzard's range were struck by Frost Nova. A frigid aura spread outward in a circle, freezing the legs of every Gnoll and forcing them to struggle for survival amid the cruel blades of wind and snow. Finally came the Cone of Cold rushing head-on, its powerful strike snuffing out the last traces of life from many barely breathing Gnolls.

After the spells swept through the camp, Gnoll corpses covered the ground.

Some had frozen into ice sculptures before being shattered into broken chunks by Cone of Cold, their limbs scattered apart with them. Their spilled blood had frozen as well. To the Gnolls, the once-fierce battlefield had become an icy hell. The water had frozen solid, frost blanketed the grass, and even the few trees gleamed from trunk to branch, reflecting a strange and cruel beauty. Organized mages were far more efficient at killing. Albert expressionlessly glanced at the slaughterhouse before him, then turned toward the scattering Gnolls. Hopefully, they could return early today.

By the time Albert returned to Dalaran, it was already very late. The Gnolls fleeing in all directions were nearly impossible to stop. After destroying several more camps, all the mages returned to Dalaran through portals.

Remilia had been working very hard lately and was probably already asleep. Having made up his mind, Albert returned to the Battlemage Corps' headquarters. Dalaran's purple eye banner hung high above the wall.

A completely transparent High Elf stood before the equipment exchange counter. This was not a ghost, but an illusionary avatar of Archmage Krasus, one of the Council of Six. Like the real Krasus, the avatar handled equipment exchanges for the corps.

"Mage Albert, coming here so late... are you here to exchange equipment?" The illusion's voice was identical to Krasus's own.

"Yes, esteemed Councilor Krasus. Here is my insignia." Albert respectfully handed over his magical insignia.

The transparent Krasus recited an incantation, and a floating particle screen appeared before Albert's eyes. "I choose the Dalaran Battlemage Corps' Elite Mage Robe. The original enchantments will do."

"The Seventh Squad has not had a battlemage as outstanding as you in a long time. This is a small gift from me personally. I hope you like it."

Albert examined the Elite Mage Robe that had suddenly appeared in midair. None of its original practical spells—Cleanse, Repair, Minor Magic Field, Lesser Arrow Deflection, and Minor Magic Resistance—were missing. It even came with an additional Minor Invisibility, elevating the equipment directly to epic quality.

Dalaran Battlemage Robe, purple epic quality. Automatically cleanses filth, slowly restores durability, effectively reduces damage from arrows and other ranged weapons, enhances resistance to damaging magic, and can cast ordinary invisibility once per day, with an effect equal to ordinary invisibility cast by a mid-rank mage.

"My heartfelt thanks for your gift." Albert solemnly gave Krasus a mage's salute.

"Go rest. Dalaran needs your protection." After speaking, Krasus's illusion gradually vanished into the air, as though it had never appeared at all.

Only after the excitement faded did Albert feel exhaustion crash over him like a tide. Hopefully, he could make it in time for the Southshore Guard's first battle. After turning over, the mage fell into a deep sleep.