NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The goal of the Furze alliance is to reach the Magus Academy opposite the ocean and to become well respected Magi.
But the cruel screening will begin now. The magical world here is merciless and unbelievably dangerous even for mere students.
According to the information that George shared, a large amounts of death occur in the Great Plains of Death in every single Magus travelling party.
The cruel reality shook lots of young men and women, their heart locked in panic.
Leylin sneered inaudibly but stared intently at their supposed leader waiting for his future plans. Although he doesn't care about their life, even wish a little for their demise. The safety of the alliance or the Magus party for that matter concerns his own wellbeing.
George informed the group that he had arranged for the Furze Alliance to swap positions with other traveling parties, securing adjacent carriages with approval from the Black-Robed Knights.
To ensure safety, the noble males would take turns assisting the knights as guards, while the ladies would handle logistics and cleaning.
Additionally, they had prepared weapons, including a crossbow, ensuring they were well-equipped for any threats.
'Hmm..' Leylin closed his eyes crossing his hands before his chest. It was actually a good plan, it seemed teaming up with George was really a good choice but all of this is in theory, who knows how will these kids react to real threat.
Their planning was impeccable while implementation, that was something that can only be judged later.
The youths of the alliance all began talking amongst themselves, and after some discussion, most were in favour of this plan.
As for the position of the captain of the guards, it was inevitable that George would take that position. Striking while the iron was hot, George began to hand out some missions.
The feast continued afterward, but it was clear to see that most of the enthusiasm in the crowd had long since been lost.
After a while George came near Leylin who was standing in the corner contemplating his next move, "Take this."
George tossed him a cross blade—a sturdy, well-balanced weapon suited for close combat.
Leylin stretched his right hand and caught it effortlessly, his fingers tracing the cold metal as he weighed its usefulness.
George said with a smirk. "Can't have you unarmed if trouble comes knocking."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
George then took a wooden cup filled with wine from a girl and handed it to, offering a few words of encouragement before turning to leave.
Just as he was about to step away, Leylin spoke, his tone calm yet pointed. "You've thought a lot about all this, haven't you? This alliance."
George paused, then chuckled lightly. "Not me exactly, but my father." His usual confident demeanor softened for a moment. "This journey is dangerous. Everything I said is absolutely true… and it does scare me."
Leylin observed him in silence, swirling the wine in his cup.
"It's really that dangerous?"
"Sometimes. The best case scenario is that only one or two will die, but there have been times where at least ten have perished!" George shrugged his shoulders. "Otherwise why else would I spend so much money and energy in order to establish an alliance that would be dissolved when we reach the coastline?"
"I see... " Leylin took a slow sip of the wine, his expression unreadable. Fear. Such a simple word, yet it ruled the lives of so many. Even George, with all his confidence and careful planning, was not immune to it. How fragile. How predictable.
Fear was a weapon. One far sharper than the cross blade in his hand. Voldemort knows it best, it's this weapon he has expertly wielded in his dark reign so much so that people feared uttering his name.
Leylin's lips curled ever so slightly. The journey to the academy would be long, but in the end, how many would be left.
The journey to the top is always carved in blood.
____
After 2 weeks
Cold wind descended upon the group and hitting them in the face like knife blades. With each breath drawn, one could smell the fragrant smell of grass.
Looking back at the carriages, one could see some traces of damage on it, causing the whole group to feel quite gloomy.
The marks on the carriages were three different lines linked into one as if it was created by a single claw.
The Great Plains of Death level of danger was such that even Preparatory Knights would feel insufficient.
After entering the plains, although the black and white robed lords had increased the number of patrols, and allowed various acolyte aspirants to band together, there had still been some casualties.
The marks on the carriages had been caused by a pack of plain direwolves. The very moment they had arrived, the carriages had suffered a siege.
Direwolf is a kind of wolf inhabiting the Great Plains of Death. Savage and cruel, they mostly hunt in packs. According to Leylin observation their strength is twice to thrice of normal adult male, almost reaching Knight level.
Although there hadn't been many deaths, the pack of plain direwolves had damaged many carriages rendering them unusable.
However, due to limited number of carriage and the sheer number of people, they squeezed inside, the smell within was certainly unpleasant.
Although the black-robed Knights were guarding them, some of the youngsters still needed to go out to take care of their bodily needs. Alas, within the danger-filled Great Plains of Death, that meant danger.
One unlucky youth had been bitten by a poisonous snake the very moment he stepped off the carriage and died.
Leylin had immense happiness witnessing this because that youth was one of Ourin lackey, their pain filled him with joy.
Leylin had noticed the snake before the boy stepped on it, if he wanted to Leylin could have the boy, but Leylin deliberately looked on, even had the urge to see if he can still use parsletongue to unleash the snake on his enemy nobles.
But he didn't dare, before the white robed Magus, he didn't have the confidence to use parsletongue and not attract their scrutiny.
After that incident, the students would get off the carriage only when absolutely necessary.
The most dreaded time for each student was when they had to stop and go out, but unfortunately they can't stop their biological urges.
Again today the carriage stopped, all noble boys and girls immediately formed groups from their respective alliance to finish their business.
Landing softly on the grass, Leylin couldn't help but stretch his neck. A beautiful scenery stretched far beyond what his eye could see.
Leylin didn't need to use the bushes so he comfortably sat by the carriage, the most safe place and rested.
*Bang* *Bang*!
After a few minutes, a loud piercing gong sounded out, "The Lord Magus has sensed danger! All acolytes are to retreat back to the horse carriages!"
One of the black robed men's voice sounded out, thundering in all the acolytes' ears.
The acolytes who were resting on the grass were all stunned into silence, before they all swarmed into motion, fleeing crazily for the horse carriages.
"Everyone run!" George shouted as he drew his sword.
By now, all the members of the Furze Alliance had been alerted, and were already quite a distance away. Leylin also propped up and backed away, he was the nearest to the carriage.
"Aaawoooooo!"
At this moment, a long and drawn out howl sounded out, filled with ruthless bloodlust.
All around, the wolf howls sounded; since the prey had discovered their stealth attack, they would just charge forth!
Streak after streak of black shadowy wolves charged after the fleeing acolytes; they were about 2-3 metres long, and their speeds were such that a shimmering black afterimage followed them.
"A direwolf pack!" One of the noble at the back cried out in despair.
Just as he cried out, a black shadow pounced onto a girl, the large impact causing this young girl to fall to the ground. In the next instant, the merciless huge jaw filled with sharp teeth bit down viciously, tearing out her throat as she died with a despairing look on her face.
Some of the fleeing acolytes were attracted by the cries and turned their heads to look before they cried out in alarm as they witnessed the grisly sight and hastened their pace.
Another young girl whose face was full of tears was running and shouting: "Mummy! Mummy! I want my mummy…!"
"Pitiful!" Leylin eyes flickerd with cold indifference as he sneered. He reached into the carriage and retrieved the crossbow. This was the most practical weapon in their alliance possession, fighting a direwolf upfront is very risky and last resort.
It was for this croosbow that Leylin always tried to stay near to the carriage. He had previously convinced George and others that this weapon should be kept in the carriage so that whenever a problem arises, the one closest to carriage could help others from the back.
His schemes have worked, he is now at the safest position with the best weapon.
Right at this point in time, seven dark shadows dashed out from the horse carriages, each wielding a huge sword the size of a man, which slashed through the air as they charged towards the direwolf pack.
"Knights!" Leylin muttered, although he has seen them take action before, but the speed, dexterity and raw strength of Knights leaves him in great awe.
'How powerful must be Grandknights?and real Magus who can easily crush them like ants. Such a wonderful world.' In his past life, breaking through to mortal limits were a great challenge for many accomplished wizards. If one compare strength alone then wizards fall short to Magus path, but of course to compare them more accurately he first needs to become a Magus.