Chapter 53

Long shadows were formed on the earth by the setting sun. The sky was tinted a warm orange by the setting sun's slanting beams.

The citizens of Alacrya were finishing their jobs, closing up their shops, and doing various other activities.

Many people simply entered their homes and locked their doors, leaving cities and towns deafeningly silent. Reason? Maybe it was fear of the war that was soon to come.

Seris Vritra and Ashborn Leywin chose to depart from Highblood Denoir's manor about this time. They took a stroll across the streets together. With slow and calm steps without creating any sounds, they began walking towards a nearby relictomb.

"Let's do a quick rundown of your plan. First, you are going to restore your magical capabilities entirely. This will take a few months. Second, you will attack Agrona's castle to send both Asuras and Vritras a message. I still don't understand why. Isn't it better to attack them with their guards down?" Seris still wasn't sure about Ashborn's plans, because they were so explicit.

"I'm creating an opening. If I scatter their forces across the continents, this will create an opening for the final attack on Epheotus." Ashborn clarified.

His explanation was just a facade. It was partly true, as, for the Shadow Army, it was better to scatter the Asuras across the globe and devour them one by one.

The first step in this plan is to save Arthur and then annihilate Asuras with their own army. Ashborn is still storing Asuras' corpses in his storage, intending to call them on the battlefield after fixing his Black Heart.

"I still can't get over the fact that you have a personal army in your shadow." Seris put her hand on her face in defeat.

"Not only in my shadow…"

"That's even worse!" she exclaimed.

An embarrassing story short: Cylrit was always with her, 'even at that time'. Constantly observing her, every action she did.

"Why are you so embarrassed? Wasn't Cylrit your loyal retainer?"

"Yes, but that's different!" Seris blushed. Meanwhile, the King of the Dead pondered. It wasn't that serious matter during wars, right?

"Anyway, we've arrived." The woman announced upon noticing the entrance of the Relictomb.

"You may now disembark from my escort. Anyway, please convey my gratitude to the girl," the auburn-haired man lifted the bag in his hand, which was full of the food.

"Yeah, I'll do it. Good luck with the relictombs." Seris vanished from the scene after blurring from her position.

Ashborn sighed and shifted his gaze to the edifice ahead of him. He tossed the sack into his shadow and took a step forward, preparing himself for the upcoming voyage.

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[Claire Bladeheart's POV]

After the dungeon expedition with class, when we have abruptly teleported away, some of my classmates and I fell asleep right in the academy, because of some spell that was inflicted upon us.

We are now completely awake, but my memories of what happened are insufficient to tell what happened.

Except for Arthur, we were all together. We still have no idea what happened to him, but we should find out today. Tessia is agitated and has made a specific request; her grandfather has even stated that he will personally inform us.

"It seems that everyone is here," the former king of Elenoir entered the medical bay, along with my uncle and Director Goodsky.

"Your Majes-!" we couldn't properly greet the man, as we were halted by him. He motioned us just to listen.

"Formalities are unnecessary," he stopped us before continuing.

"I'll warn you right now that the information you're about to hear isn't the most satisfying," our expressions immediately darkened.

Does that mean that something happened to Arthur or his brother?

"Arthur has been kidnapped, and the war is about to begin." We only needed a few of his remarks to grasp why the information wasn't pleasant.

To process the news we were told, they even waited for a minute. Arthur was kidnapped by who? We were perplexed.

"A-Arthur..." Tessia was especially shocked. She was on the verge of crying. Well, most of us were.

My uncle confirmed it with a nod, and it was the former King of Elenoir who told us. It was unnecessary to tell lies in this situation, so we could only trust their words.

"Tessia, keep your cool; we're certain he's still alive. Listen to me because I'm not done yet," her grandfather addressed us seriously.

It's reassuring that we know he is still alive.

"As I already stated, war is coming, and due to specific items you possess, you will be required to join, despite my opposition." Even more shocking information came out of his mouth.

Is it really necessary to send us to war? Okay, well I'm an adult, but what about Tessia, Doradea, Kathyln, and Feyrith? They are still children in comparison to us, and Arthur, our youngest and strongest member, was kidnapped.

What are we even capable of on the battlefield?

"I'll let Cynthia explain everything." He nodded at the woman, who nodded back and proceeded to talk.

"The badges, do you still have them on?" when she asked, we reluctantly nodded.

"Those are the items created by Mr. Ashborn, to raise the soldiers qualified to battle the

Lances and win." I could hear gasps throughout the room.

The explanation that Mr. Ashborn gave us in the first lesson was so bizarre that we thought it was just a joke. I wasn't sure if it was true, but now we know.

"In simple terms, this is a weapon. which only the person bonded to it can use and exploit. I'm confident that Mr. Ashborn hasn't told you the whole truth about this item," she continued her explanation afterward.

The badge given to us wasn't just a normal weapon. If employed correctly, it might be classified as a strategic weapon. To wield an object that, depending on the amount of mana it absorbs, can make the user stronger.

People would be killing for it. However, it worries me more that we are meant to battle constantly so we can become stronger and later participate in this damned war.

"We're only students…" I mumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear. I was frustrated because I didn't want to send my classmates into a fight.

"Claire, I'm aware that this is incorrect. We don't have a choice, though," my uncle tried to calm me down.

"What if one of us dies there…" I was afraid of the prospect of losing my friend. Sure, I was hesitating.

"I'm not going to lie, there's a chance, but... before the war, we'll train to reduce it," my uncle wanted to reassure me, but it didn't help to calm my nerves.

"Aren't the Lances there? They are substantially more powerful than we are right now. At least before we mature..." It should be possible to at least wait, my classmates are still kids. They should at least live a life…

"They are, but-" my uncle was not allowed to resume by the Director.

"Kaspian, it's dangerous." What was it that she was holding him back from saying?

"No. Go on, they have the right to know what is going on," my uncle, on the other hand, was allowed to continue by Tessia's grandfather.

After a long period of deliberation, my uncle finally opened his mouth and spoke with seriousness seeping from his eyes. I've never seen him with such fierce drive...

"For various reasons, only four lances are operational at the moment, and two of them were neutralized by Mr. Ashborn. It's possible that one will return to the service, but it's a long shot." The situation was probably an unpleasant one too, the Director was especially gloomy.

"I'm ashamed to say this, but it's unavoidable. We need all the resources we have, that's how it is. Everyone on this continent should be prepared to strike the enemy, including youngsters. Please continue to assist this continent till its rescuer arrives." Tessia's grandfather lowered his head, almost as if begging us.

"Grand-" when Tessia saw her grandfather bowing to us, she was as surprised as we were.

"Hey, we accepted it didn't we? We accepted this badge, to become as strong as the lances. How do they say it? With great power comes great responsibility. It's now our time to defend this continent."

I cast a glance over at the person seated next to me. Theo was the one who raised his voice.

"We should be ashamed of ourselves, forcing our seniors and elders to bow in front of us for help. Tsk, we were given the chance to grow stronger. We were the ones who wanted to defend this land, and instead of arguing about it now, we should be focusing on it. We should go train so that we can make the most of the opportunity that has been bestowed upon us." Theo stood up and turned to face us.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'll fight," he declared while clenching his fist. Nonetheless, we will have to participate anyway…

It's unavoidable; after all, if Theo agrees, I don't have a choice, do I? At least we have time to prepare.

"I'll fight too."

"Count me in!" Curtis spoke out, and Kathyln nodded alongside him. It is interesting that if they were allowed to fight, technically they are still princess and prince.

"I also want to fight," we all turned to face the voice, which turned out to be Tessia. I expected her to be distraught by Arthur's kidnapping, but the determination in her eyes gives me the chills.

This was the ultimate verdict after hearing the continent's ruler's children consent to battle. Everyone is on the same page now, which suggests that we will have to fight sooner or later.

"Who are we even going in the war against?" Feyrith enquired loudly.

"The other continent, Alacrya."

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"What are you thinking about, Claire."

Seated outside of the medical bay to take a fresh breath, I was approached by my uncle.

"About this war." To be honest, I had no idea I would be preparing myself for the war. I was still a student a few days ago.

"Believe me when I say that I was as surprised as you were. In any case, we don't have much of a choice. It's a do-or-die situation; if we don't resist until Mr. Ashborn completes his quest, we'll all perish." My uncle sat down next to me and placed his hand on my head.

Mr. Ashborn, Mr. Ashborn, there is no end to the mention of his name. I'm frustrated with our inability to survive without him. Just why are we relying on one person's strength?

"You once told me, Uncle Kaspian, that no single person can win a war. So, why are you so trusting of Mr. Ashborn?" For a long time now, I've been curious about this. I think it's right to ask him about this.

"Haha, you saw his strength first hand, so don't you understand?" Uncle, I fell asleep right after I got teleported. How should I know his strength?

"I… was unconscious." I admitted it. How embarrassing.

"Would you believe it if I told you that Mr. Ashborn constructed those badges out of pure mana?"

"Pure mana? What exactly is this?"

"Mr. Ashborn created matter, out of nothing, but just his own mana," he explained further. This was too jaw-dropping information to receive.

"Is this even possible?" I mumbled.

"The proof is right in front of you, and it even provides you with additional benefits. This, I believe, gives you a little imagination of Mr. Ashborn's strength," he stood up when I nodded and gave him a satisfied smile.

"Your friends are waiting for you." When I looked around, I saw my classmates proudly puffing up their chests. Is this something they're doing to reassure me?

"Are guys ready for hellish training?" When I heard my uncle, I got shivers down my spine.

"Because you aren't the only one who has received Mr. Ashborn's blessing. I'm going to train with you!" he declared. I'm still not sure what this blessing means...

"Let's get going." Before walking away, my uncle patted me on the shoulder.

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What's up guys, another chapter. Although I feel like it's a little bit bland. Seriously, these few days I'm writing a few things same time. I'm even thinking about my own original novel, seriously it's becoming a pain in the ass.

I got too many ideas. (For Webnovel readers, I have like a few stories on Wattpad so don't be confused.)

Anyway,

Cyaaaa.