Chapter 376

Chapter 376 – The Aftermath of Battle

The holy longsword swung through the air, severing the wings of the dragons and causing several of them to be injured and fall. The agile angels made it difficult for the more than thirty dragons to cope, so they had no choice but to cross-spray their scorching breaths, covering each other while relying on the mages on their backs to counterattack.

Groups of mages riding on dragonback recited incantations, and thunderous lightning chains encircled the sky and the dragons. Even the swift ‘angels’ could not dodge these rapid blue-violet lightning strikes.

Electric sparks flashed intensely, and a smell of burning began to fill the air. The ‘angels’ who had previously achieved success also began to suffer setbacks. After several members were struck down and retreated, the remaining white-winged members also started to withdraw, returning to the Temple Academy’s main camp.

At the same time, ground combat broke out.

The academy tournament was not only about the honor between various academies but also a stage for different sequences to test their new technological achievements. The current results of the magic sequence focused on magitech were these war machines roaring across the land.

Giant metal drill heads shimmered silver under the sky, with countless shallow indentations visible due to wear and rotation. Driven by tracks and massive wheels, these vehicles charged recklessly, crushing skeleton after skeleton, and charging towards the Temple Academy’s main camp with overwhelming force, intending to break through the walls and flatten the entire base.

However, the Temple Academy side was not defenseless. Enormous bone-toothed battle wagons, fierce and terrifying, rushed forward. Though they lacked the impact force of the former, they managed to withstand the enemy with their massive bodies and weight.

At the same time, these bone wagons began spewing blue flames, melting the metal vehicles opposite them.

Seeing the situation about to turn into a stalemate, the High Tower Academy changed its strategy. The rear war machines stood up, and then a series of fierce cannon fire roared from the battlefield, falling into the enemy ranks.

This action naturally forced the bone wagons, with their limited attack range, to deal with two to three opponents simultaneously. For a moment, the necromancer wizards controlling them from behind were also troubled. Advances in technology and the strong logistical support of the High Tower Academy made this epochal confrontation ultimately favor the magic sequence.

Though I can’t handle these ferocious war machines, I can handle the mages controlling them, Cisina thought.

She raised her staff, reciting incantations, her eyes flashing with lustrous purple. On the battlefield, cries and wails echoed, and a series of ethereal spirits appeared from the void, wandering through the scorched wilderness.

Heavy steel could not stop or harm these spirit bodies. Accompanied by cries and wails, they penetrated these alchemical machines, continuously impacting the mage drivers inside, causing one after another to become disoriented, with headaches and souls injured.

Soon, a large number of mage operators withdrew, leaving many war machines immobile and vulnerable targets.

Ground losses, falling behind, forced the dragons in the sky to divert a third of their forces to assist, helping to resist the Temple Academy’s necromancer knights’ charge.

Due to explosions and force impacts, vast amounts of dark brown soil were churned up. Large vehicles lay scattered in the wilderness, some belching smoke, others broken into pieces, and some overturned and buried.

After over an hour of intense fighting, both sides had depleted much of their forces.

Firstly, both sides’ bone wagons and war machines were destroyed and disabled, with heavy personnel losses. Cisina’s summoned and enhanced spirits, now weakened and injured, also withdrew in large numbers.

Currently, the main force on the battlefield had shifted to a mutual confrontation between various necromantic constructs and different golem legions.

“Raise your guns! Raise the flag!” A knight clad in black armor shouted loudly, leading a group of necromancer knights down the slope, aiming directly at the weak flank of the golem legion.

These knights, wielding black iron spears, were mostly headless undead, but among them were a few living beings wearing helmets. They were elite members of the necromancer sequence, all at Level 6. Although there weren’t many of them, under their leadership, the necromancer cavalry would fight more nimbly and intelligently, rather than being rigidly commanded from the rear by wizards.

While golems were indeed sturdy and powerful, their cumbersome bodies made them slow. Once the necromancer cavalry breached the weak flank, they immediately surrounded the center like dumplings.

The remaining golems were in a precarious position, losing protection from their flanks. Some began to be overwhelmed by skeletons and undead, and once they fell, they were attacked from all sides, exposing their vulnerable joints and gaps, ultimately leading to their destruction and dismemberment.

A few hidden mages were also found and forced to retreat under relentless attacks.

If earlier, the dragons in the sky could have provided support, now they were too preoccupied with their own battles. The ‘angels’ that had previously dispersed returned, their combat strength even stronger than before. The rainbow light shining from their bodies indicated they had stacked multiple powerful enhancement spells, which was typical of the angel sequence.

Jack stood at the rear of the attacking team, where one war machine remained stationary. Several layers of golems formed a hollow square around it, protecting it quietly.

“Has the reinforcements from the fortress still not arrived?” he asked a blue-robed mage beside him, frowning.

“The Chief has been informed, sir. They said they were on their way, but for some reason, they haven’t appeared on the battlefield yet.”

“Hmph, I guess the ‘Black Empress’ wants us to exhaust each other before she swoops in for the win,” Jack thought. Despite his past lackluster results, he wasn’t stupid; he quickly understood the reason.

But now, it was too late to back down. If he declared a retreat, it would be like a landslide, and if the Temple Academy members pursued, he would lose even faster.

His slender fingers clenched tightly. The newly appointed Chief was beginning to feel anxious.

Originally, he thought he could easily take down the Temple Academy, but these people’s strength had suddenly risen. Though most were only at Level 5, they had become incredibly resilient and difficult to deal with.

Cisina’s ghostly assault had been anticipated; he had planned for the mages riding dragons to use lightning to suppress the ghosts. But plans often went awry. The few angelic avatars had become so swift and formidable, constantly engaged with the dragons, unable to support those below.

Ultimately, Cisina’s ghosts turned the tide, causing the war machines to fail instantly.

I am truly lacking in experience in battling people, he thought, slowly releasing his grip. For some reason, he recalled Darsi’s silhouette. If it had been him commanding the battle, things might have gone differently.

Both born into poverty, both working tirelessly, Jack actually admired Darsi greatly. He had reached the heights Jack had always dreamed of. If not for this unexpected change, he might never have matched Darsi’s achievements.

Talent is such a cruel thing.

And now, even fate seemed against him. Was he destined to return to his original state? Jack looked at the battlefield ahead, his vision blurring.

It’s hard to let go.

I did not do less than others, nor did they work harder than me. Why doesn’t fate favor someone like me?

(End of Chapter)