Bang!
A somewhat short figure slammed into the left wall like a cannonball. Under the violent impact, the remnants of the Guardian Formation rippled with concentric shock marks. Several still-functioning Magic Power Nodes stubbornly flashed red warning lights, reminding the wizards defending the fortress that this formation was about to collapse completely.
The short figure cursed as he tore himself free from the wall and rushed into the air.
This time, he did not immediately return to his battle with his opponent. Instead, he stopped by the shoulder of the Three-Headed Eight-Armed Giant Ape—the short figure was not even as large as the giant ape's ear, yet their auras were equally unfathomable.
"Hey, Old Yao, your student fell!"
The short man tore off his tattered blue vest and casually tossed it aside, revealing a muscular upper body covered in scars. Then he looked at the giant ape's compassionate face. "...Want me to throw him back up? It's pretty dangerous down there."
Without waiting for the giant ape's reply, he lowered his head to glance at the tiny figure below, no bigger than a pea, and sincerely praised him. "You really ought to consider having him transfer departments. How can such a bold, promising talent stay at your academy and be a bookworm?"
As if he had heard the praise, the pea-sized figure shot out a thin beam of light, blasting the willow wall before him into fragments. The short wizard's appraising gaze grew increasingly satisfied.
Boom! Boom!!
The giant ape raised a hand and hurled several strings of fireballs, blasting the white dragon circling nearby into pieces. Only after the mist spread did he lower his head to look at the young publicly funded student struggling through the green sea.
The compassionate face blurred for a moment. When it became