Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-1704

[03: 35: 10]

"They are here!!"

Emery's voice rang out through the chaos of battle, filled with urgency. His eyes widened as he quickly counted at least a dozen dark elves vaulting over the battlements and onto the south walls. As his senses strained, he detected another group of similar numbers moving stealthily towards the East gate.

The situation was dire. There were battalions of human magus guarding the wall, a force three times their number, but they were occupied in fighting the unrelenting waves of thousands of orcs. They had been battling all day and night, and exhaustion was etched on every face, wearing them down in the long and arduous battle.

The sudden appearance of the dark elves was like a gust of chilling wind. Each of them had marked a target, each intent on a kill. Their movements were coordinated, their strikes aimed with lethal precision.

"Watch out!!" Emery's voice broke through the confusion again.

He swiftly swung his arm, his fingers tracing an intricate pattern in the air. The spell was cast in an instant, a powerful [Crushing Wave] that swept through the ranks of the dark elves, pushing three of them away from the area near him. The magus they had targeted were saved, their lives preserved by a hair's breadth.

But victory was far from secure. On the other corner of the wall, he saw a few magus struggling, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught. One of the dark elves managed to slip through the defenses, its blade finding flesh. Captain Elara, the fearless female full moon magus, was struck before she could react. But even in her pain, she gathered her strength and retaliated, her fingers crackling with energy as she burst the attacker with her lightning magic. The dark elf screamed as it was consumed, its body dissolving back into the shadows.

With a slight nod of agreement, Magus Urix ordered Emery to guard the area while he would assist the captain. His eyes were lit with fierce determination, and a rare smile spread across his face.

"I finally get to use this item Master Boris made for me," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

The Magus was still smiling as he reached into his robes, his hand emerging with an object that caught the light. It was a roughly made Lightsaber, its blade humming with magical energy. Without another word, he charged toward the other side of the battlefield.

Looking out at the battlefield, Emery's eyes were drawn to the dark elves, their agile forms flitting between shadows as they aimed for vulnerable targets. The urgency of the situation struck him like a physical blow. These were no ordinary enemies. Their swift, deadly movements marked them as expert killers, and Emery knew that time was of the essence.

Emery began to cast his plant spell. The words of the incantation filled his mind as he felt the magic take hold, the very earth responding to his call. Dozens of roots, thick and gnarled, emerged from the ground, snaking their way toward the wall. They intertwined and fused, becoming like extra limbs for Emery, a living barrier that blocked the incoming hordes of orcs and shielded the beleaguered magus from the relentless attacks of the dark elves.

Even as the roots held the line, he began to summon his [Mineralized warriors], calling upon the earthen magic that was his mastery. He could feel the energy pulsating within him, connecting him to the very essence of the world.

20... 60... 80...

The numbers flashed in his mind as the spell took form, the ground trembling as it gave birth to 200 clay warriors. They rose from the earth, imposing figures shaped with meticulous detail, each one imbued with strength comparable to the ferocious orc champions.

With a wave of his arm, Emery directed them into the fray. They moved with purpose, their clay swords clashing with orcish steel, their earthen bodies resilient and unyielding.

But Emery wasn't done yet.

With a slight movement of his arm, he cast another spell. Multiple glowing mushrooms sprouted from the crevices of the southern wall, their ethereal luminescence marking them as [Rejuvenating Mushrooms]. They were nature's gift to the weary, a magical source of vitality that would heal wounds and restore energy.

Balancing the summoning and the healing spell was a feat that required immense concentration. Emery was maintaining three spells simultaneously, his mind stretched thin protecting the walls.

Despite his best efforts, half of his 200 summoned warriors were destroyed in less than 10 minutes. The orcs were relentless, their sheer numbers overwhelming the clay warriors.

Fortune favored the human defenders, though, as a unit of reinforcements arrived at the south gates. Led by Magus Blane, who brandished a crackling lightning spear, they charged into the fray. Their presence turned the tide, and the dark elves, recognizing the shift in power, suddenly retreated back into the shadow of the hordes.

"Dammit!!" The curse rang out from the human ranks, voices tinged with frustration at the elusive dark elves. They had struck like shadows, swift and silent, and had retreated just as quickly.

They were a trained assassin group, after all. Such quick, hit-and-run tactics were their specialty. They had come, they had struck, and they had vanished, leaving confusion and chaos in their wake.

With the arrival of reinforcements led by Magus Blane, Emery's attention was pulled from the chaos of the battlefield to his role as a support healer. The frantic battle had left casualties, and Emery's eyes scanned the wounded and fallen. It was then that he spotted a sight that made his heart stop – Magus Urix, his senior, was one of the injured.

"Senior!" Emery cried, rushing to Urix, who was on his knees, his body marred by deep blade wounds. Beside him lay the lifeless body of Captain Elara, a grim testament to the dark elves' vicious attack.

Fumbling with panic, Emery poured all his healing spells into Urix, his hands trembling. Urix's voice, weak but firm, warned, "Watch out for the assassin with the scar… he's very strong." It was a haunting realization for Emery that the captain had been the main target all along, and he had merely been fending off a distraction.

"Don't worry, Senior... I will heal you," Emery's voice broke, desperation filling his eyes.

A painful smile creased Urix's face "Who are you trying to fool, kid? I am your senior; remember. I know."

The wound was dark and ominous, inflicted by the same poisoned blade that had claimed the life of Seraphina, the female commander. Emery's heart twisted in agony as he understood the truth: there were no potions or abilities that could reverse this. Desperation clawed at him, and his voice cracked with emotion as he stammered,

"No.. no.. hang on... I will find a way!!"

His mind raced, thinking of taking Magus Urix to Master Flemming, but he knew deep inside that it wouldn't change the outcome. A sense of helplessness engulfed him, and he cursed himself, his helplessness.

Urix's voice was now faint and distant. "Don't worry, kid… you did your best…" His life signs were waning, and his breath grew shallow.

"You... know... I always hated your master Xion... but I envy him... Of you... having you as a disciple..."

Emery's heart ached more than he thought possible. Unconsciously a drop of tears fell on his cheek as he clung to the man's arm, his voice barely above a whisper, "Senior... you taught me too, didn't you! You're also my master… Master Urix."

At that moment, a genuine smile spread across Urix's face. Then, with a final exhale, he breathed his last, leaving Emery with a void that words could not fill.