Chapter 40
Their opponents were in outfits that made them look like regular travelers, but their true identities were clearly something else.
Travelers wouldnt be out and about so late at night, not to mention they were in the middle of an empty road, blocking the entourage from passing.
Their cloaks hid most of their faces, but their ferocious eyes could still be seen.
One of the workers raised his voice and shouted in a rough manner.
This is your final warning! Identify yourselves!
Met with nothing but silence, the workers pull the trigger to their crossbows.
As a result, several crossbow bolts ripped through the air.
Ttuk!
The bolts, however, failed to penetrate the enemies and were instead blocked by something hard.
Nevertheless, the workers were not discouraged and swiftly recharged their crossbows.
Though they were grunts and carriers, workers employed by magic academies were not your average Joe.
Not only did they have their backgrounds checked, they had to know how to fight so that they could protect the goods when conflicts arose.
As such, these workers were either adventurers, mercenaries, or soldiers of the Empire!
Hence, they didnt falter or panic.
With skillful movement, they jumped off from their carriages and aimed their crossbows at the enemies.
Fire!
Fools. Do you have any idea who you are siding with?
!
One of the cloaked individuals began speaking.
His voice was thick and rough, and due to the dark, it sounded even more somber than it shouldve been.
You are siding with the wicked mages that are corrupting the Empire. Extricate yourselves before you fall for their evil magic!
Bloody beard of ancestors! Theyre anti-magic extremists! a dwarven worker hollered at the top of his lung.
Anti-magic extremists referred to a certain group of criminals infamous even within the vast Empire, and unsurprisingly, they despised anything that had to do with magic.
Magic breeds chaos, destroys nature, and corrupts man!
They didnt express their hatred of magic with words alone. From time to time, they would ambush mages and lay siege to magic academies.
It went without saying that these violent brutes were waiting here today with a clear goal in mind.
In the name of !
In the name of !
And with that, they charged. Their weapons shone under the moonlight, making the workers unconsciously gulp.
Veil of Order!
There was a strong fluctuation in the air, and in the next moment, a huge barrier made of mana was formed around the carriages.
The enemies that ran into the barrier were bounced off while throwing up blood.
Professor Garcia had made a move.
Ohhhh!
As expected of a professor!
The workers were all in awe of the majestic scene. However, Garcias expression was dark.
Due to her appearance, people often assumed she was skilled in combat, but in reality, she wasnt proficient at fighting.
Being a highly-ranked mage had nothing to do with being good a master at combat.
At the end of the day, magic and combat were totally different fields.
Mages that researched magic and remained seated in front of their desks all day long would have a difficult time adjusting to the chaotic atmosphere of a battlefield.
Very few would be able to cast spells properly, and if they lost focus or made a mistake, it could bring about a catastrophe.
In a sense, magic was a double-edged sword, and mages that specialized in combat were aptly awarded the title of combat mage.
Lets focus on buying time.
Professor Garcia waved her staff, forming several balls of light that took the shape of birds and shot up into the air.
These birds would inform the other professors in the academy of her current predicament.
Decay Bones! Shrivel Muscles!
The assailants near the barrier wailed in pain.
Garcia had transformed her mana into a curse that weakened their bodies.
Activate it!
However, her opponents didnt take this lying down.
Mages werent an easy bunch to fight against. Nevertheless, the anti-magic extremists had ambushed them time and time again.
By now, they had several tricks up their sleeves.
Woooong-
A low-pitched vibration shook everyones eardrums, and the mana in the air began to shake violently.
Then, the mana began gathering at a single spot.
!!!
Like snow in summer, Professor Garcias began to fade, something which came as a great shock to her.
An ancient relic!
There were several ways to counter magic.
For example, some ores found within the Empire could absorb mana or push them away, and there were spells that could get rid of others magic.
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