Chapter 161: Turning Danger into an Opportunity

Array magic also had similarities with Incantation.

Incantation requires one to circulate their mana as it follows the pathway formed by the caster’s words of power.

It will then form a magic circle which will influence the surrounding mana.

The said influence would help with lessening the mana expenditure of the caster and help with the enhancement of the magic spell’s power.

Meanwhile, array magic requires the caster to first form the magic circle through various means.

Said means could be writing on a paper with mana-filled ink, or just inscribing a magic circle using a material that would act as a mana conductor.

Of course, drawing a magic circle was not as simple as simply drawing a circle.

One would need to draw small runic symbols until one would be able to form a circular shape with it, along with various complex patterns that adorned the inside of the magic circle. This meant that just drawing one magic circle was a tedious process in and of itself.

The drawing or inscribed magic circle would then begin to influence the mana in the surroundings in order to power itself.

This would take a few minutes depending on the scale of the magic circle that was drawn.

Another reason why it was not practical for battle and was only used in erecting barriers around buildings, cities and other important places.

After the caster was satisfied with the amount of mana it had influenced, they could then inject their own mana in order to activate the magic circle.

This might be time consuming, but it also has its advantages.

One being the fact that the larger the magic circle was, the larger quantity of the surrounding mana it could influence.

Of course, a larger magic circle would mean that the caster would need to spend a larger amount in materials, energy, and mental strength.

This was the reason why Alaric was so impressed that Regis was able to draw numerous magic circles in only a few minutes’ time.

KREEEEEEE— BOOM!!!

It did not take long before the demonized griffins all came into contact with the ground.

The impact was so powerful to the point that it produced a massive explosion as a massive cloud of dust rose up from the ground, covering the area in a few kilometer radius.

Of course, since Regis hadn’t casted any kind of soundproofing, the demonized griffins in the other groups all looked in their direction.

Fortunately, both Killian and Pandora were already expecting this.

With his sword surrounded by an intense divine power, Killian immediately moved with utmost concentration.

’With all the aura I have left...’

[Lightning God’s Descent]

CRACKLE—!!!

A burst of yellow lightning erupted from his body as he shot forward with a speed unseen by the naked eye, only leaving a few yellow sparks behind.

As Regis focused on his plan, Killian and Pandora didn’t stay still.

In fact, they had discussed earlier how Regis would cause a huge commotion that would gather the attention of the other demonized griffins.

This meant that the momentary freeze the monsters would unconsciously do was already taken into account.

Killian had already prepared for this by having Alaric use one of his holy miracles on his sword.

Holy Anointment.

It was one of the three holy miracles that Alaric had learned.

Normally, as a low rank priest, his holy miracles could only be so effective towards the demonized griffins.

Fortunately, they had already taken such a thing into consideration and prepared for it.

Each of Alaric’s holy miracles could be casted three times a day, but casting it multiple times on a single target would enhance the effect with each cast.

That was right, all three casts of his Holy Anointment were currently on Killian’s sword.

Of course, things weren’t so simple as maintaining three holy miracles simultaneously was very taxing for Alaric.

At most, he could only maintain it for about five seconds.

Fortunately, it was enough— No, it was already plenty of time for Killian as he became the incarnate of the Lightning God.

Now, with the sword enveloped with divine power in his hands, Killian didn’t waste even a tenth of a second as he blitzed through the nineteen demonized griffins around him.

Meanwhile, on Pandora’s side...

As soon as she heard the loud explosion caused by Regis, she immediately acted.

She waved her staff and chanted.

[Mid Rank Magic: Vine Bind]

SWOOSH!!!!

Roots emerged from the ground and constricted the demonized griffins’ front talons and hind legs.

She then waved her hand once again as the ground beneath them instantly turned to quicksand while the surrounding soil turned to chains made of earth.

Quicksand Entrapment and Earthen Chains were two mid rank magic spells that she had copied back then while Vine Bind was a mid rank magic spell that she had learned on her own.

Unlike Regis and Killian, she didn’t have enough firepower in order to kill the demonized griffins on her own.

Therefore, they had planned beforehand that she was to stall for time and distract the demonized griffins on her side.

’Still, I want to at least deal some damage to them so that Brother won’t have that much of a hard time finishing them off...’ Pandora thought to herself as she concentrated.

In the long time that they had been adventuring and training, Regis was not the only one who developed his magic knowledge— her as well.

At this moment, she began to manipulate her mana in an intricate manner.

The demonized griffins who were beginning to go in a frenzy due to the magic spells that restricted their movement were dumbfounded as they felt the pet food they were eating earlier spontaneously flew towards their mouths.

KRRR—??

Pandora’s mana formed thirteen thin strings that she used to engrave a magic circle on the surface of the pet food while they were on their way towards the demonized griffins.

Like holding a ball with one’s palm while using their fingers to write something on the surface of said ball, she utilized her overwhelming talent and control in mana in order to seamlessly execute her plan.

’If I engraved the magic circles before feeding the pet food to the demonized griffins, there’s a high chance that they would be able to detect and evade it...’

After all, what she was engraving was the array magic for a mid rank magic spell and lower ranked ones like the magic spells Regis utilized.

Seeing the monsters who made their lives into hell recently, rage burned in her ruby red eyes.

Pandora bit her lip as her focus reached its peak before chanting in a low voice,

[Mid Rank Magic: Explosion]

BOOM—

***

About three hours later...

"Phew— that was hard..." Killian said in exhaustion as he flopped on top of the corpse of a demonized griffin.

The battle earlier took all his strength, resulting in his knees instantly buckling the moment he relaxed.

Meanwhile, Alaric was also sitting on the ground with disbelief etched on his face. He did not even care anymore if his robe was dirtied.

"I c-can’t believe this..."

He looked around with shock still apparent deep within his eyes.

The corpses of the demonized griffins littered the area around them. Blood stains could be seen on the ground and the nearby cliffs.

There were also countless craters on the ground.

All of which were proof of the bloody battle that had happened just now.

Alaric’s eyes wandered until it stopped at the boy with snow white hair and blood red eyes whose expression couldn’t be seen.

The battle prowess of the boy— Regis— were still vividly imprinted on his mind.

"I wonder what the future holds for someone like him..." He had a feeling— No, he was sure that Regis would be one of the cornerstones of humankind.

At this moment, Regis finally moved.

He slowly walked towards his companions that were seated near each other.

"How was it?" He spoke.

His question prompted Pandora, Killian, Alaric and Aurelia to look towards him with curious eyes.

Silence permeated the area until...

"Pfft... Haha– HAHAHAHA" Killian laughed without caring if there were other wild beasts in the surroundings.

It did not take long before Alaric laughed like a kid, "Haha– H-Ha- HAHAHAHA"

Pandora, who was lying on the ground, could not help but giggle along with Aurelia. Infected by the joyous laughter of the two.

Regis looked at them as he smiled happily.

None of them were sure if they would even be able to remain alive before battling the demonized griffins.

He glanced at the sky as he whispered, "I felt like the battle lasted for about eight months to a year..."

It really did seem so despite it only lasting hours.

Regis then looked at his hands as a smirk crept up to his lips, "Who would have thought that this dangerous situation would turn into an opportunity."

His words caught the attention of his companions as they saw him closing his eyes.

Curious, Pandora and Killian glanced at each other before following suit.

After a few moments, they were shocked to find out that they had gained something from risking their lives.

That in exchange for dancing with death, they had become stronger.