Skirmish (1)

[1 Week Later, Training Grounds]

Zack whipped his wand with fervor as a flaming serpent slithered out the tip, trying to wrap itself around Dalton.

Yet a faint barrier lined Dalton's hands, simple slapping away the snake.

Immediately a revolving fiery fire shot from Zack's wand, threatening to swallow Dalton whole, but just as it inched closer to him, a twist of his wand turned the fire into amber butterflies, his figure clouded by them as he flickered away.

Zack's eyes darted around the room, waiting alertly for Dalton's counterattack.

Suddenly he felt a strange twinge down his spine, he jerked around and cast a shield charm.

The spell was barely fast enough to block the incoming stunning charm, but as he did he spotted Dalton's figure merged with the wall.

As if he was swimming freely.

"Remarkable instincts." Dalton complimented, slowly stepping outside the walls perimeter, as the bricks turned back solid.

Zack stared him down, ready to parry anything at a flick of his wrist.

Dalton sucked in a smug sigh. He chuckled,

"Remarkable indeed. Unfortunately, you've already lost.", He slowly stepped forward.

At his stride, several other "Dalton's" appeared from the corners of the room, surrounding Zack.

Each "Dalton" already had a wand pointed towards Zack, each movement, even down to the blink of an eye was perfectly mimicked by every figure.

Zack was startled, and then distraught. Despite having exceptional senses, he could not discern fake from real. In fact, who was to say that the real Dalton was among these "figures."

Zack hesitantly paced around himself, changing from one posture to another, as he faced Dalton.

Panic had slightly set in, but it got worse as Dalton spoke.

"Fidgeting about, like a cornered rat. I guess I can't really blame you. No matter how strong you are, the odds are four to one. Four wands against yours."

Each wand facing him had a faint green spark at their tips. Zack had already realized the "duel" was over. No matter what he did, the odds of him losing were far too high. If it wasn't a practice, Zack would have already died the moment he lost track of his opponent.

It was the bitter truth that Dalton had revealed through this fight.

Zack lowered his wands, unable to distinguish reality from mirage.

As he did, the four illusory figures also seemed to lower their wands, but an echoing voice from the ceiling resounded before they did.

"Good choice, it's often better to run than to struggle in futility. I would've been disappointed had you chosen otherwise."

Zack immediately looked up to find the real Dalton casually hanging upside down with his feet stuck to the roof, simply observing the battle.

Zack showed a bitter smile as he realized he was ruthlessly played with.

Dalton dropped down deftly as he softly landed beside Zack, patting him on the shoulder for reassurance.

"Enough practice for today, conserve your stamina. You'll be joining the vanguards for their operation tonight." He declared.

"Don't forget to join us in the meeting room." He reminded.

Dalton glanced at the obsidian ring on his finger. He shot Zack one last glance as he disapparated.

Zack heaved a sigh of relief as a mountain of pressure washed away from his body. Dueling a wizard of Dalton's caliber was far too taxing. Especially dueling multiple times in one day.

However his gains were understandably immense. Just this duel alone had taught him bitter lessons. Not to mention the peculiar way Dalton chose to defend against his Fire Serpent.

That technique alone had captivated Zack. After all, who wouldn't love to just slap away the enemy spells?

He couldn't even imagine what kind of magic Dalton had applied to gain such a mastery. Zack had already began staring at his own palms. Trying to replicate the technique he just saw.

His purpose wasn't just to gain experience, but also to "steal" Dalton's habits and strengths. Zack had realized that instead of trying to create his own dueling techniques, he could simply look towards Dalton and absorb all that he could.

Although this knowledge wouldn't be his own, but it was something that could help him develop his own foundations. After all, he was only fifteen and had never directly experienced war. Asking him to create his own fundamentals would be a brutal task.

Zack sighed and stopped trying after nothing formed in his palms. He clutched his fist and immediately apparated towards the meeting room.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Meeting Room]

Dalton had apparated in as he surveyed the three teams that gathered in the room. Unlike their previous meetings, only a few vanguard teams were allowed to attend today's briefing.

He sauntered along the room, releasing an immense pressure, glancing keenly on the wizards and witches he had called.

The vanguard teams were mostly seasoned warlocks, yet when faced with a deathly aura and suffocating gaze, they could only lower their eyes. It was not out of fear, but respect. To them, Dalton was a man who had single handedly held up their secret empire.

Dmitry and Zagreus stood steadfast, they overlooked the some of the stifled crowd as younger members couldn't control their breathing. They could only show their disapproving gazes as some were even close to fainting.

Yet a single appearance had disrupted this event. As a young wizard apparated into the meeting room, all eyes turned to him.

Zack who had just warped in was only slightly affected by the pressure, his will power and mentality was so strong that he could easily overcome this small trial.

Seeing the young mage approaching, certain senior members were shocked seeing him completely fine. After all, Dalton's pressure was not his full power but it was still substantial. He was but a hair away from being among the strongest wizards of his generation.

Andrei lingering by the corners of the room gave an approving nod as he saw the boy walk in.

Dmitry and Zagreus could only flash a knowing smile as Zack spotted them, he walked towards them joining their numbers, much to the confusion of their members.

Dalton released his suffocating pressure, and the room felt lighter, as if the walls had gotten further away.

Ivan who had been standing beside Dalton's chair flicked his wand as a projection of their target hovered in the center of the table.

Dalton glanced around the room once again as his voice resounded,

"Our meeting here is for a brief outlook on your mission today. Our target, is simple. Disable the active death eaters in Romania's. The enemy is still recruiting their numbers from the British isles, trying to pull a massive force through the border to match us. They are yet in disarray and confusion."

Dalton looked towards Ivan, as the latter held up a withered rolled up piece of parchment.

"However, the enemies effort to gather their numbers is futile. We've managed to crack down on the ancient magic allowing them entry into our borders. Controlled by our experts, it's been altered to allow us full control. The operation is straightforward, the enemy is unaware of your presence. Find them, and using any means necessary, neutralize the threat."

The vanguards looked eagerly at the map displayed, it was a detailed recreation of their target, showcasing the Romanian highlands where a few tents had been placed. Several campfires had been spotted, it was likely that death eaters would be near these target areas.

"At the time of your engagement, the ancient contract will be sealed, allowing no further entry. It will abruptly stop their routes. However, those still within Romania would be free to act. Hence, you all swiftly need to sweep up the remaining mess."

Dalton expressed the target clearly, as the squads realized what the mission was calling for.

Ivan chimed in as he pointed towards the mountains,

"The death eaters are likely not expecting any encounter. They have no means of communication that we can't block. In essence, when you encounter them, they will be isolated. Cornered, simply ready for slaughter."

He emphasized the last words as everyone steeled themselves in preparation.

Ivan then brought out three golden rings that he placed on the table. He eyed the team captains as he spoke.

"The port keys have been prepared. Remember carefully, each ring will only work 3 times. For emergencies. Your priorities are the mission, however the rings must not be compromised. I assume you gentleman understand the risk it poses if they get a hold of these."

Zagreus leaned closer to the table as he picked one ring out, wearing it on his middle finger.

"Don't worry, I have full faith in my team." He spoke.

Dmitry walked up to the table as he took the second ring and silently put it on.

Andrei who had been watching from the back scurried closer as he swiftly took his ring but instead of putting it on he simply stuffed it in his pocket.

"I assure you, the scout team will protect it with our life." He nodded.

Ivan nodded back with reassurance, as he signaled that they were ready to go.

The team leaders went back to their members, each group surrounded their captain.

Soon the rings began shimmering as the engravings glowed, enveloping the wizards as it slowly swirled around them. Immediately space itself was torn as everything seemed to be sucked into the ring.

The three teams were swallowed whole by their port keys, leaving behind not a single trace.

---------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter, guess I finally posted again lmao. Continuation in the next chapter.