Chapter 84: Siege of Base Camp D V

〈Fae Regalia〉

Five wind swords descended upon the lake’s surface, plunging against the ice and shattering the entire floor apart.

Both the mage and armored skeleton lost their footing, falling into the frozen water below. But just as Instructor Klein was about to as well, Rian managed to swoop in, catching his body and retreating toward the shore.

Rian lay his body out to check the injury.

The man was still breathing, but only just barely. Luckily, the skeleton had managed to miss his heart, or else he would’ve been finished.

〈Vita Aqua〉

Water from the nearby stream slowly crept up and wrapped around the wound, bridging the gap between skin to better facilitate healing.

Klein’s breathing started to become calmer, but his complexion was still just as deathly pale. Even with healing magic, however, a wound like this couldn’t be repaired in the middle of a battlefield.

Rian knew it wouldn’t be possible for the instructor to continue fighting, not anymore.

’This is bad...’

And like an omen, a bony hand emerged from the water, followed by another, and then another.

Rian looked up, only to see dozens of skeletal figures pulling themselves onto the remaining ice. Some wore rusted armor while others carried nothing but broken weapons clenched between their fingers.

’Of course...’

The gap that he created in the frozen lake was already beginning to close. Frost spread between the broken pieces, joining them together in a path that led directly toward the shore.

Rian glanced down at the unconscious instructor before turning toward camp. "Someone get him away from here, hurry!"

Two Academy staff close by hesitated at the sight of the approaching undead. But after Rian shot them a glare, they hurried forward and hooked their arms under Klein’s body.

"Take him to the mirror. Tell Prince Julius to put a barrier around him."

"What about you—?"

"Just go!"

The first skeleton barely managed to reach the shallows, only for a wind sword to tear straight through its neck. Its skull fell into the water, but the body continued forward a few more steps before collapsing.

Just behind it, three more climbed to shore.

’I can’t keep cutting them down one at a time...’

An orange glow nearby caught Rian’s attention. Above the eastern gate, Celin stood with both hands extended. Flames gathered between her palms before spreading outward, forming a broad sheet of fire.

"O gathering flame, surge forth and consume all before me!"

〈Magia Flare — Welle Ignis〉

The flames scattered forth, engulfing the undead pressing forward. Nolan in the front line, quickly used his shield to turtle up, letting the wave completely annihilate the incoming monsters.

Rian watched the movement of mana around her hands, following the sequence until the final piece clicked into place, committing it to his memory.

[Flame Wave has been added to Known Spells]

’That should work.’

He raised his hand, chanting the exact same incantation and calling upon the exact same spell as Celin.

BOOOOOOOOOM—!

Ice cracked due to the sudden heat, causing the path to melt under their feet and sending several undead plunging back into the water.

Those that remained standing were hit with the entire wave of heat, spreading across their clothes and charring them until the resulting force caused their bodies to fall apart.

Rian kept his hands extended until the last of the flames passed over the lake, before stopping to take a look at the damage.

’That should buy us some time.’

But just as he was about to hurry back to camp, his eyes caught something through the thick blanket of steam obscuring the field.

Bones suddenly began dragging themselves together piece by piece, as pale green threads stretched between them. One by one, the scattered remains began rebuilding themselves.

’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

Rian sent a wind sword through the nearest skeleton before it could stand fully. Its torso broke once more, but the threads raced after them, pulling them back into place again.

However, this time, Rian managed to see where they came from—a small black crystal fragment that had been embedded inside its skull.

Now that he thought about it, they all had one.

Some of the crystals were barely larger than a fingernail, while others protruded through their foreheads like a piece of rare obsidian.

’That’s—’

He felt the necrotic mana from within, and combined with the fact that the crowned mage from before was nowhere to be seen...

’That has to be the phylactery...’

With a swipe of his hand, Rian targeted the closest skeleton. Yet just as the blade of wind was about to strike at the black jewel, it simply dispersed before making contact.

’Anti-magic, huh? Damn it...’

Assessing the situation, his eyes suddenly caught on a sword near the edge of the broken ice—Instructor Klein’s.

Rian bent down to pick the sword up, swinging it around a few times to test the weight. The sword was heavy, clearly designed for a Knight’s use.

’Not a damn Knight, but this’ll have to do.’

Even with his improved physical stats, Rian doubted he could swing the weapon more than a few times before getting tired. But being a Mage was all about problem-solving...

And Rian had the perfect solution.

"O lightning, fill my body with relentless energy and allow me to escape even the gods."

〈Magia Volt — Blitz Tempo〉

His fingers twitched as a feeling akin to raw adrenaline spread throughout. The exhaustion weighing him down lessened, and every movement he made felt intentional and powerful.

Rian pushed off the ground, right toward the first Undead Warrior who was just about to swing his sword. He just about ducked, letting the attack pass close enough to catch a few strands of hair.

But with the momentum, Rian drove Klein’s blade upward, catching the skeleton’s jaw and tearing through the side of its skull. Bone fragments scattered everywhere, followed by a small piece of black crystal.

Rian released one hand from the hilt and caught it, allowing the skeleton to collapse right beside him.

’So I don’t have to destroy them...’

He shoved the fragment into his sling bag before looking at the incoming horde. Dozens, if not hundreds, of skeletons had made their way upon shore, and he had to face all of them.

"Ugh..."

"Did I bite off more than I could chew?"