Leveling up the World

Chapter 777: Adzorg's Magic

TERMINAL WOUND

Damage dealt increased by 1000%

Purple rectangles popped up throughout the sky like fireworks. The crude flying humanoids exploded in a cluster of magic threads before getting consumed by those unaffected. It was obvious to all that every attack only made the enemies stronger, and at the same time they had no choicethe waves had to be thinned if there were to have a chance.

From everything Dallion had read about natural vortexes, as well as his personal experience, the initial wave was crude, relying on quantity. In the past, that had proved enough to kill off any creature, mages included, foolish enough to find its way inside. Supposedly, the nymphs had been the first to venture inside one and remain alive. The scant pieces of information available in the archmages library suggested that none other than the Starthe original Starhad shared the method of vortex consumption.

Youre leaving too many gaps, Adzorg said.

Before Dallion could provide an explanation, a burst of ice spears flew from behind him, aimed at part of the targets that he missed. Unfortunately, that seemed to have an opposite effect than what was expected.

MAGIC ABSORBED

AETHURCULUS had grown 2 levels.

A cluster of new purple rectangles emerged.

That, dear girl, is precisely why we dont act on our own, Adzorg said with the calm and annoyance of a teacher whod just witnessed a mini science class explosion. Unless we are certain something is effective, we dont use it in large numbers. I thought I had taught you better.

He does it all the time? the fury protested.

Dal is a reckless otherworlder who started out with massive gaps in training and general logic. Do you really want to compare yourself to him?

Di, get my shield, Dallion said, waving his sword along the figure eight.

A trail of spell-circles appeared. All of them launched aether projectiles at the entities that Diroh had made stronger. The attack was enough to drill some of them full of holes, causing them to gradually receive enough damage to unravel. Unfortunately, that didnt prove enough. By the time he did another spark infused line slash, several of the beings had managed to counter it.

Di! Dallion yelled, glancing at her with one of her instances.

Several threads of air reached him, removing the shield from his back and pulling it towards the fury.

Ruby, you too, Dallion whispered. Keep her safe.

Remember, dear boy, this is the opposite of an awakening trial, Adzorg said. They have to kill you.

Doesnt seem that way to me, Dallion tightened his grip round the harpsiswords hilt.

Trust me on this. It was my main field of research.

And the reason were in this mess, Dallion added mentally.

All we need is to survive this. Once we do, therell be an opening.

The closer the waves got, the faster they became. In his mind, Dallion could see that line and point attacks would no longer be able to do anything. In a best-case scenario, he would destroy a few hundred more before the group was completely surrounded. He could try a multi point attack, or a spark infused music attack, but Harp had warned against it and in this case, he was inclined to agree.

Thick layers of ice emerged, serving as a protective wall for Diroh and the old mage. Held by threads of natural magic, in the real world, they would have stopped a great number of ranged attacks. Here, they merely provided a little more time.

Magic symbols appeared on the blue matter, then were quickly covered by another thick layer of ice.

Id be surprised if you could. Even with a prodigy helping you out, youll need decades of experience to learn the minimal amount required to unravel what Ive achieved. Keep observing, though. This whole experience will be far more beneficial to you than anything the Academy has to offer.

I dont have the magic trait, as everyone keeps telling me. Diroh frowned.

Dear girl, the mage smiled widely. While in a vortex, you dont need to.

Three more pearls of destruction were launched at the incoming waves before the vortex decided to change tactics. Aware that they no longer could win through numbers alone, the entities switched to range attacks.

Bolts, beams, and projectiles washed over the ice layers of protection, dissolving them in places like acid would eat through paper.

Move back! Dallion shouted, trying to take out the enemy casters as quickly as possible. However, it was Adzorg who stepped in, patching up the holes with a new type of spell.

You might want to learn this one too, dear boy, he said.

Already ahead of you! Two of Dallions instances were constantly observing the man at all times, one even attempting to copy the casting before the splitting time ended.

The intensity of the fight increased. Gritting his teeth, Dallion went back to doing line attacks while simultaneously casting Adzorgs attack spell. Ten of his instances continuously attempted to get the spell done through the aura sword. However, the complexity was more than he could handle.

Dont play around, Adzrog grumbled. What did I tell you about distractions? There will be a time to be creative. Focus on whats important.

Everything is important.

Yes, but you cant see everything yet, just a medium-sized part of it all.

We wont make it the way were going.

Well be fine.

Old man, I have a mind trait of eighty and Im telling you, we wont make it! If you have another spell to teach me, better do it now!

There was no answer.

Im going to survive this, Dallion shouted. But I wont be able to save you two.

Reluctance was visible, blossoming throughout Adzorgs body. Thanks to his music skill, Dallion could see it as bright as day. The mage had something in mind, but it was a secret he didnt want to share even now.

Give me some of your magic, he said.

What?

Theres no time to teach you this one. I can do it using your magic. Youll have to trust me, though.

Trust him. Nil had asked him the same thing during his time at the Learning Hall. Things hadnt turned out well back then, leading to the war and chaos that was engulfing the world. Was it safe to trust him now? Harp was against it. The nymph guardian hadnt said much since they had entered the vortex, but she was clear on the matter.

A large crack formed through one of the ice sheets. Diroh cast a new one underneath in an attempt to patch things up, but it was obvious to everyone that it wouldnt hold for long. Dallion had to make his decision now.

I hope I dont regret this. He pointed his aura sword at Adzorg. The entire blade turned purple as a cluster of magic threads shot from its tip right at the old man.

Everything was in the mages hands now.