As the war between the kingdoms of Edinburgh and Layos raged on, the battlefield grew increasingly intense.
After nearly a decade of stalemate, the conflict was showing signs of escalating dramatically, thanks in no small part to Eren's strategic maneuvers.
Layos had unleashed their secret weapon: tamed mana beasts. These ferocious creatures proved to be formidable opponents, difficult to defeat in battle compared to human and elven soldiers. With the right tactics and resources, these mana beasts could turn the tide in Layos' favor.
In response, Edinburgh's forces adapted to Layos' strategy, employing their own mana beasts on the battlefield. But they didn't stop there. They also harnessed the power of demon beasts and their tamers, securing permission from the Anfang Alliance to lift the restrictions on using demon spells.
As both kingdoms loosened their restrictions, war became the domain of the elite. Ordinary Rankers were no longer confident in their chances of survival when facing such powerful and exotic forces from both sides. The battles became more perilous and the stakes higher than ever before.
***
The border region between the two kingdoms.
In the contested border region between the two kingdoms, the battlefield was engulfed in the chaos of war. The standard protocols of engagement were being followed as the opposing forces clashed in brutal combat.
A formidable company, consisting of soldiers and warriors from various guilds, was under the command of an army leader from Edinburgh. With around 150 members, this company fought with the clear objective of claiming the region by the day's end.
As the battle unfolded, the company split into multiple squads to handle different fronts. Among them, several members of the White Raven Guild fought bravely, fighting side by side with the army-led company. Among these guild members was Eren, who took on the role of the de facto squad captain for the White Raven squad deployed in the heat of the battle. Their primary adversary was a squad of enemy Rankers, bolstered by the presence of a formidable Gray Scale Fire Wyvern.
The Wyvern was an awe-inspiring sight, measuring a colossal 30 meters from head to tail. Its tail alone accounted for a significant portion of its length, covered in a cluster of scales and protrusions that seemed almost independent entities. The creature's gray draconic scales adorned its body, rendering it nearly invulnerable to elemental and weapon assaults.
Though the wyvern's rear legs were relatively short, their impressive girth provided stability and power. Its tail, however, was a lethal weapon, capable of catching unsuspecting Rankers off guard. A single strike from the wyvern's tail, enhanced by the infusion of magic, could prove fatal.
With two formidable wings supported by its front limbs, the wyvern could take to the skies at will. Its draconic face displayed a wide maw, revealing a row of vicious teeth. Menacing yellow eyes exuded an aura of fear, striking trepidation into the hearts of ordinary Rankers.
Draconic mana beasts were a legendary existence, residing at the pinnacle of the food chain. Falling under the esteemed Legendary Category, they were regarded with both awe and terror by Rankers.
Even the wyverns, considered lesser forms of true dragons, commanded respect due to their mastery of their Elemental Attainments, robust physical forms, and seemingly boundless stamina and mana reserves. The mere presence of a wyvern was enough to compel regular Rankers to retreat rather than face it in combat.
The Gray Scale Fire Wyvern, summoned by the forces of Layos, lived up to its species' reputation for ferocity. Its elemental attacks and imposing size made it a formidable adversary for the Rankers of Edinburgh, who struggled to deal with it effectively.
Although capable of flight, the wyvern wisely chose to remain grounded, avoiding the vulnerability to long-range attacks it experienced while airborne.
Roar!
The battlefield trembled with the echoing roar of the wyvern, filling the air with a dreadful atmosphere. The fearsome creature charged at the White Raven team with the intent to annihilate them. With a powerful breath attack, it unleashed a torrent of compressed fire-element mana, aimed straight at Eren and his companions.
The wyvern's wings bore the marks of previous attacks, hampering its flight, but it compensated by launching its assault from the ground, denying Eren any opportunity to target its massive form while airborne.
"Regroup!" Eren's voice rang out with urgency as he assessed the situation. Breaking formation to evade the attack would only expose them to the enemy Rankers' cunning trap. Instead, Eren chose to confront the wyvern's breath head-on, trusting in his team's unity and strength.
Responding to Eren's command without hesitation, his teammates swiftly converged around him. Their movements were seamlessly coordinated, forming a protective cluster.
"Jakey!" Eren yelled.
Jake, recognizing the critical moment, stepped forward and deftly deployed his defense shield. It intercepted the incoming breath attack just in time, deflecting the fiery torrent with resolute determination.
***
Over the last decade, the White Raven Guild had implemented a remarkable rank-up program and provided its members with abundant ranking resources. Thanks to this initiative, the guild members achieved remarkable progress in their individual paths.
Among them, Jake stood out as a shining example of success. Currently, in the liquid-core stage of the Expert Rank, he had honed his skills to become an exceptional defense specialist and a formidable Tanker.
Initially, Jake's focus had been on growing his father's business after graduating from LA. Since his father's contracts were with the White Raven Guild, there was no conflict of interest, and Eren gladly entrusted Jake with certain business endeavors of his guild, easing the burden on Agatha. Jake proved to be a shrewd businessman, generating significant profits for both Eren's guild and his father's business.
However, tragedy struck when Jake fell victim to Demonmir's forces, serving as a harsh reminder that individual strength still held supreme significance in the land of Anfang, despite his business influence and wealth.
Following his father's death, Jake underwent a profound change in perspective, realizing the importance of personal power. He dedicated himself to his path as a Ranker, focusing diligently on his training and growth during the last few years.
The tragedy that befell Jake had a profound impact on shaping his path as a Ranker. It was a stark reminder that sometimes, even from the darkest moments, positive outcomes could emerge.
AN: Jaker's father was announced dead in chapter 1375. The rank-up program was mentioned in chapters 787, 901, and 977.
