Chapter 103.5 - The Second Year at the Academy - Joint Exercise 1 (5)
Midway, Lambert and I exchanged silent glances, and I dashed across the grasslands.
The main camp has already been invaded, nearing its vicinity.
The battle situation is quite dire, but still, luck is on our side.
The invading forces, taking advantage of the breakthrough in the front lines, fortified themselves with magic while waiting for reinforcements.
Are they afraid of being individually defeated by the escort troops?
Even after three years, their strength surpasses Lamberts group in simple status.
The escort troops took position in front of the main camp, watching as the Edgim unit began to move.
Theyre fortified with magic, butElphimia is leisurely observing.
While other magic academy students besides the escort troops had sorrowful expressions.
Well, theyve done what they could.
And as soon as I reached near the main camp.
The invading forces began to move.
Dont let anyone pass!
The leader of the escort troops shouted, making contact with the vanguard of the invading forces, and initiating combat.
Thats bad. If it turns into a melee, itll be hard to control.
Switching to my current maximum speed, I leaped into the battlefield.
Amidst the chaos of friend and foe, I slashed at the Edgim unit while keeping an eye on both sides attacks.
In this situation, theres no room for judgment. I cant afford to hold back like before.
I forcefully swept their abdomen, firmly struck their arms, and slammed my fist into their temple.
Physically incapacitating them, forcibly creating distance between the two armies.
Fortify the main camp! Ill hold them off here!
I instructed the bewildered escort troops.
But the leader quickly regained composure and glared at me angrily.
What are you saying! If this position falls
The leaders anger got drowned out by the screams of the Edgim unit.
I cant afford to deal with each of them individually.
I struck and pushed back the expanding Edgim unit.
When the invasion halted, I looked back.
Hurry up and retreat. Youll get caught in the crossfire.
The magic academy students were the first to flee, followed by the escort troops in a panic.
Its tough when theres no trust.
Well-coordinated, archery unit.
Though the invading forces lost their morale, reinforcements arrived, and they regrouped, showing signs of advancing again.
Theyve nicely bunched up.
Lets finish this.
I concentrated my consciousness and activated it with magical power.
Its a non-attributed beginner spell, [Force Field].
Its a weak spell. And unless theres a significant difference in power with the target, it wont have much effect.
So, what happens if theres a significant difference in power?
Youre merciless. How much magical power did you put into it?
Elphimia had somehow appeared behind me.
Its about double a mid-level spell. The reason for thatlack of training.
The invading forces, uttering incomprehensible cries, were wandering around aimlessly.
Ordinary academy students wouldnt be able to break through my [Force Field].
The atmosphere, imbued with magical power, had viscosity clinging to it.
Right now, theyre akin to diving into a pool of slime.
So, whats the plan? If we go in, well get caught, right?
Its okay. Look.
I pointed, and Lambert, leading the archery unit, had just arrived.
Sorry for the wait!
No, perfect timing. Alright, rain arrows on them. Oh, and use indirect fire.
Got it. Firing with indirect fire!
As Lambert issued instructions, the archery unit began shooting one after another.
I also fired all the arrows.
Above the invading forces, a large number of arrows spread along the range of the [Force Field].
Non-living beings wouldnt be affected by power differences.
If they shot directly, theyd pierce through my [Force Field] even with ordinary arrows.
Thats why its indirect fire.
Arrows reaching their peak and falling down lack the force to penetrate.
A large number of arrows slowly descend.
As the invading forces struggled to avoid them, we surrounded them.
And then, the effect time ended.
Charge!
At the leaders command, we launched our assault.
A deluge of arrows from above, wooden swords from the side.
Even though the arrows lacked power, a hit to the head would get judged as incapacitation.
The invading forces were rapidly taken down and annihilated.
The escort and archery units cheered as if victorious.
Leaving the commendation to Lambert, I turned my gaze to the frontline.
Felix and Elliot were shouting, engaging with the Edgim unit.
Theyre somehow holding on.
I take back what I said earlier.
Standing beside me, Elphimia also gazed at the frontline.
Youre ruthless.
Cant afford to be soft. Just taught them a lesson in reality.
Indeed, arrows are as terrifying as offensive magic.
They pierce through shields lined with metal. If those were real arrows, theyd be riddled with holes.
Thinking that its fine if they hit arms or legsdoesnt work in reality.
They should understand that now.
If the bows got underestimated, I wouldnt be able to face Nellio.
I recall the hunter who taught me scouting techniques, picturing his unassuming face.
Come to think of it, havent I ever had a mock battle with him?
When I return to Reedwald, Ill propose it. Itll surely be fun, fighting against a hunter.
Buthed probably refuse. Definitely.
Imagining the hunter running around town at full speed, we began the cleanup of the remaining enemies.
After joining forces with Felix and Elliot to rout the frontline, only the Edgim unit and its members, along with non-combatant magic users, remained.
It seems they focused all their efforts on the invading forces, as there were no escort units.
Before long, the Edgim unit was completely wiped out.
.π°πΌπ¦