Leveling up the World

Chapter 731: One Valid Option

The memory slowly faded away, returning Dallion back to the real world. Things hadnt completely worked out as Dallion expected them to; he had managed to use his empathy trait to peek into his enemys past, just not the one he had originally planned. Looking back, it was logical that the trait would affect the person in front of him, not the echo within. Nonetheless, he had obtained quite a bit of useful information. Now all he had to do was make use of it.

You arent even a mage, are you? Dallion said, trying to appear more confident than he was. Youre just a limiting echo thats taken control of Palag while your original is hidden somewhere away with the rest of your little group, like common cowards.

There was no need to use music skillsmages egos were large and easily bruised.

Hes not the only one with an echo inside. Palag frowned. Youre nothing but pawns fighting on a dying field.

The furys fingers moved to cast a spell. Unlike before, the motion was noticeably slower. Dallions instances spread out in all directions, as a bolt of lightning emerged, evaporating half of them out of existence. There was no question that the spell was more powerful than anything Dallion could manage. Still, puppet and puppeteer were no longer in sync. As much as Palag wanted the Academy to fall, he hated being referred to as a pawn even more.

Grasping the opportunity, Dallion cast two quick spells, sending aether projectiles at the fury. The attack wasnt even strong enough to be a distraction. Long before they reached their intended target, a semi-transparent sphere surrounded Palag. Ripples of light spread along it each time a projectile smashed into its surface, causing no harm to the fury whatsoever.

While that was happening, Dallion did a spark infused line attack. It too was countered almost instantly with several dozen layers of aether barriers.

Nil, can I cast spells with my hair? Dallion drew the silver glass sword out from his realm, doing a double line attack.Alll latest novels at wuxiahere.com

No, the echo said flatly. Its not something humans can do, not even mages.

Damn it!

Dallion was hoping there was a way. He was no match for mage Argus, even while there was discord between him and his apprentice. If he could get close, maybe he would have a chance using his combat skills.

Gem, are you done with the healing? Dallion asked mentally.

Err, no, boss, the aetherfish familiar replied from within Dallions realm.

How much is left?

Umm, I can stop healing now. If I do, hell die. Im not very strong as I am now. My healing spells arent as strong as those of boss Lux.

It was instinct for every being to focus on its survival before anything else. However, Dallion immediately suppressed such thoughts. He had no intention of leaving a child to die. It wasnt Phoils fault that he had been made into a pawn. It wasnt Palags fault either, though merely subduing him didnt seem to be an option.

Ruby, get back here! Dallion ordered, continuing with his attacks.

The series of line attacks had caught both Palag and the mage controlling him by surprise. No doubt they had faced the occasional awakened whod tried that on them, occasionally maybe even filled with spark. However, Dallion had managed to build up his strength to the point he could perform many such strikes in rapid succession. Combining that with his newly developed ability to regain stamina through magic, he was good for another fifty attacks, maybe more.

Ruby! Dallion shouted again.

Alien is unparalleled at scheming, but when it comes to it, hes rather weak. Sure, hes capable of wonders in his field, but in direct combat the echo waved a hand. Argus was a battlemage. In broad terms, hes one of those the Academy sends when something large needs punishing.

He shot down the cloud citadel.

Ironic, isnt it? An Academy battlemage using a fury orphaned by his actions in order to exact vengeance against the organization that made him what he was. A [it that there isnt a bard of scholar to memories of the event. Its the thing that poems are made of.

Dallion remained motionless as a statue.

He wasnt the only one. Over a dozen battlemages were sent, all as monstrous as him. Its little wonder that the powers that be decided that changes were needed. Some of the battlemages received promotions, others were sent to face other threats, some were even sent to the edges of the world. The emperor was smart enough not to keep them in the same place. However, his strength made him overconfident. Not once did he consider that the battlemages might get together and even reunite with all sorts of rogue and banished elements to rebel against him. To be honest, neither did I.

What? You made a deal with them! What do you mean you

We all had our own priorities. And to be honest, Im still uncertain theyll succeed. Tamin emperors have been through a lot, and dont forget that the Order is yet to react. Theyre remaining quiet for now, but should the rebel mages gain the upper hand, theyll rush to offer a helping hand to the capital.

The constant game of politics, even amid this chaos.

Is there a way to defeat him? Dallion asked.

Argus? Of course, there is. You have to be faster, stronger, and know more spells. Short of that, no. None of your familiars will be of any use. Even dragons wont be of any use. Youve seen what Katka did to one of them? Well, she tried to become a battlemage and was rejected for being too weak, or not strong enough as is the polite way of saying it.

Hopelessness gave way to anger, then desperation again. If Dallion had acted earlier and found the reason for him being cursed, all this might have been avoided. He could have asked for the Moons help, or even Aethersalthough after everything that had happened, that was looking less than likely.

If you fight, youll lose. If you run, hell catch you. Nil continued. Your best chance would be to offer what he asks. It might sound silly to you, but Argus would prefer not having me as an enemy if he could avoid it.

Because youre so strong? Each of Dallions words was soaked with bitterness.

Not as much as I was, but enough, especially now that I got a lot of my devices back. I know its the last thing you want to hear, but take the loss. No one will blame you. Youll live to learn and grow stronger. Who knows, in a decade or so you might be the next archmage and rebuild the Academy.

So far, Dallion had heard a lot of tempting offers. This wasnt one of them. While being able to cast spells was nice, he never wanted to make a career of being a mage. Being a top tier hunter was more than enough, not that it was an option anymore. Even if he did survive through this and was forgiven, the world would be plunged into more chaos than the Star would have caused. At least Arthurows wanted to remove magic from the world and unite its inhabitants under his benevolent rule. If both the Academy and the Tamin Empire fell, everyone would rush to fill the vacuum with such ferocity that even the Order would be swept away.

Be reasonable, dear boy. Youre out of options.

Desperation wrecked Dallions mind. He could hear each and every separate thought screaming in his head. Questions, curses, advice, screams of self-pity they kept going on and on, until suddenly one voice made a suggestion, causing all of them to cease.

No, Dallion said, a calm expression returning to his face. I have one option. He walked to the pillar that contained his spellcraft skills. I dont have to fight alone.

If youre thinking of Harp, she cant help you in the real world. It would take a Moon to allow a banished to return.

Not Harp, Dallion whispered. Something else.