Hearing her say such words with a casual smile, most of the young students felt a shiver run down their spines, especially the first-years.
This was their first team mission outside the walls of Clover Academy. They were not yet fully aware of the cruel reality of this cutthroat world. Moreover, a battlefield was no place for a kid to wander about in the first place.
But what could they do?
The higher-ups—Rank 3 Magi—of the Southern Federation had decreed that all able-bodied Magi were to participate in this war. After all, the fate of their homeland depended on the outcome of this war.
"So the points will be awarded based on the number of enemies a Magus kills?" Adam asked for confirmation. "Or are there other ways to earn contribution points?"
"Points can also be awarded depending on a Magus' contribution to the overall war effort." The blonde lady nodded. "For example, Artificers can earn points by crafting artifacts or fixing weapons. Similarly, Herbalists can also earn points by selling potions."
"However, there is one thing I can say for sure," the lady paused before continuing. "Magi who directly participate in the battlefield would earn the most points."
Adam's eyes lit up. "And what can we buy with these contribution points?"
"Everything a Magus needs. From material components to weapons and armor, and even magic spells and combat techniques! All the large organizations and Magus Families have pooled in their resources and put them for sale."
This system incentivizes Magi to actively participate in combat and rewards them accordingly, Adam deeply thought about the ingenuity behind the contribution point system.
The new currency system created a direct link between a Magus' actions on the battlefield and their ability to access necessary supplies, creating a dynamic where the more active and successful a Magus was in combat, the more resources they could acquire.
This is basically a shortcut to advance to the top. Adam's lips slowly formed into a grin. Except, this road is filled with bloodshed and slaughter.
Afterward, the blonde lady continued to explain to the students about other important points, such as their accommodation, areas where they could pick up important supplies, and places to train and practice mindfulness.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})The briefing took about ten more minutes, after which, all the students dispersed. Each of the teams was assigned to different units. Moreover, Professor Kimberly was also assigned a unit of her own. Naturally, she would be the one to lead it.
After the group stepped out of the administration building, the auburn-haired lady looked at all the students and cheered them up, "If you ever need anything, I'll be stationed at the west wall. Don't hesitate to come and ask me for help, okay?"
"Yes, Professor!" The students gratefully replied.
The next moment, Professor Kimberly glanced at Adam and spoke with narrowed eyes, "If I hear that you're fooling around, you're going to have it from me."
Adam nervously laughed, "Haha, of course, of course. I'll be on my best behavior."
Everybody went their own way after that. Adam, Edward, and Lisa walked on the crowded, cobblestoned streets of Stardale, on their way to their respective accomodations.
The vast majority of the mortal residents of the city had gladly given up their residences so that the Magi could peacefully live and recuperate in them without any worry.
Meanwhile, the residents had all been moved to a massive underground bunker that had only recently been constructed by the Magi. After all, during the daytime when the war was in progress, there was always a possibility that there would be casualties within the city walls.
So it was deemed necessary for most of the mortals to take shelter underground. These people were usually young children, their mothers, and aged people. And those that were fit and healthy would carry out miscellaneous works to support the Magi.
"Adam, did you happen to meet Magus Esmond?" Lisa asked as she walked beside him.
"Yeah, I met him just now on the northeast wall," Adam replied with a strange expression.
"What do you think of him?" Edward asked with raised eyebrows.
Adam rubbed his chin and muttered, "From what I've heard, the man disappeared into the Murky Mountains to train, so I'd say he's pretty crazy…"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Edward and Lisa's lips twitched as they glanced at each other, thinking to themselves, Isn't that something… you would do?
"Well whatever, we'll get to see tomorrow anyway," Adam walked ahead and went his way. "I'll catch you guys later. I'm going to go brew some potions so I can put it up for sale."
"Don't forget to report to the northeast wall at sunrise!" Edward reminded.
"Yeah, yeah…" Adam simply waved his hand and disappeared amidst the crowd.
…
In the wee hours of the morning, the deep and resonant sound of the trumpet echoed ominously through the air, shattering the momentary peace inside the City of Stardale and signaling the start of war yet again.
As the sound of the trumpet faded, the ground started to rumble. Shadowy creatures could be seen dancing inside the forest. Before long, these berserk creatures rushed out and bolted toward the city walls.
The eyes of these magical beasts gleamed with madness and primal hunger, ready to shred anything in their way. Seeing this, the Magi stationed atop the city walls got into position, their expressions solemn.
"Steady…"
"Aim…"
"Attack!" A Rank 2 Magus screamed at the top of his lungs, instructing the other Magi around him. At once, brilliant, multi-colored spells were launched from atop the walls and brutally assaulted the incoming beasts.
Having the high ground, the Magi had the natural advantage. However, the hordes of beasts seemed endless. Only a few minutes into the battle, Adam found himself hurriedly climbing the northeast wall.
Shit! I overslept!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})He had been making potions late into the night, so he could only get the bare minimum amount of sleep, which was more than enough for him. The youth had asked Valerian to wake him up, but the young dragon was still asleep, lazily snoring inside his spirit sea.
After scaling the wall, Adam hastily made his way through the crowd and finally found his unit. Edward and Lisa had already arrived and were looking down from the wall with grim expressions.
"Reporting for duty, sir!" Adam ran toward Esmond and nervously spoke.
Esmond glanced at the youth with narrowed eyes. "You're late."
"Sir, I—"
"Look." The red-haired Magus interrupted him and pointed at the beasts crazily attacking the wall.
Adam walked toward the edge of the wall and glanced down. Seeing the ferocious and suicidal beasts below, he couldn't help but involuntarily gulp.
"You see what we're up against?" Esmond asked.
"Y-Yes, sir." Adam nodded with apprehension.
"Good." Esmond's lips curled up into a smirk. "Kimberly tells me you're quite the daredevil. Show me what you got."
With that said, he raised his leg and kicked the youth off the wall.
"Huh?" As Adam fell from the wall, his mind was filled with confusion. He glanced down and saw the vicious beasts enlarging in his vision. For a moment, he felt like his heart stopped beating.
"AHHHHH!" He screamed in panic as he slowly fell down, all the while vehemently cursing Esmond and his ancestors.
And then…
He disappeared amidst the mob of ferocious beasts.
