*BOOM! *CRACK! *BOOM! *CRACK! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM!
Dozens of fireballs bombarded the A15 class base, causing the cave behind the waterfall where Artur and his group were hiding to tremble violently. The rocks of the cave occasionally rained down on them, injuring some of their group members. If they didn't act quickly, Higo and his group would bury Artur and the others alive in this cave.
"Artur, we have to launch a counterattack!" Rini shouted, trying to overcome the sound of the spell explosions bombarding them and the crashing rocks of the cave.
"They outnumber us! If we attack, we'll be showered with their spells!" Artur yelled.
"Then what do you propose? You can't just let us be buried alive in this cave!"
"Of course not! We've reinforced this cave with spells to the best of our abilities! I believe this cave will hold! The enemy won't simply bombard us with long-range spells! That would be a waste of their mana! They'll definitely enter the cave to attack us!"
"Why are you so sure?"
"Rini, you're also a Level 1 Constellation Mage. Tell me how many long-range spells you can cast and how many of them can create attacks as powerful as this!"
"..."
Rini fell silent. She was a Level 1 Constellation Mage specializing in the fire spell faction. She knew many fire spells that could create explosions even stronger than Higo and his group's attacks, but those spells could only be used by Level 2 Constellation Mages and above.
The long-range spells that a Level 1 Constellation Mage could recite weren't capable of creating explosions as powerful as what they were experiencing now. So the only answer as to why Higo and his group could bombard them with such force was...
"JOINT CHANTING!"
By combining mana from more than two mages to create a magic circle, a group of mages can recite spells beyond their individual constellation level. This method of spell recitation was first discovered by Arkasa the Fall with his famous spell, the Arkasa Volcano. The drawback of Joint Chanting is the requirement of a significant amount of mana, and the spells created through this method won't last long. That's why Arkasa the Fall had to bring his entire army and recite the spell every morning to activate Arkasa Volcano.
"Yes, you're right! Judging from the intensity of the explosions we're experiencing, I believe this is the [Fireball Rain] spell!" Artur nodded.
"Wow! You're so clever, Artur!" Rini pinched Artur's cheek playfully.
Brushing off Rini's hand, Artur snorted, "Do you think Robert chose me as the leader of this group just because we have a close friendship?"
"Yes, I and everyone else thought so," Rini smiled without a trace of guilt.
"FUCK YOU!! Right now, we need to hold our ground and conserve our mana! They won't be able to sustain the Joint Chanting for much longer! After that, the real battle will take place inside this cave!" Artur commanded.
*BOOM! *CRACK! *BOOM! *CRACK! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM! *BOOM!
The cave they occupied continued to tremble as if it would collapse, and rocks kept falling and injuring their bodies, but Artur and his group held their ground, the same happening to their cave as well.
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Higo observed the nearly devastated A15 base, but he didn't appear pleased. His brow furrowed because the situation didn't match his expectations. The A15 group, who occupied the waterfall base, should have come out and attacked them. With an open battle, their larger numbers would quickly bring an end to the fight.
This was Higo's plan, utilizing Joint Chanting to bombard Artur and his group. They would have no choice but to come out and fight like cornered rats. However, it seemed that Artur and his group managed to hold their ground inside the cave.
Higo glanced at the fading [Fireball Rain] magic circle. If he wanted to maintain the spell, he would need to add more mages to the Joint Chanting. However, that would only deplete their mana reserves even further.
"Are they buried alive in the cave?" Vega, who stood beside him, asked.
"No, they're still alive. This base has been reinforced beyond my expectations, making the cave they occupy not so easy to collapse," Higo answered flatly.
"So, what should we do? Do you want to add more mages to the Joint Chanting?" Vega inquired.
"No, once the [Fireball Rain] magic circle ends, we will attack them directly. We have greater numbers, and they must have sustained injuries. Although there may be traps inside the cave, they won't pose a significant threat," Higo explained.
"You're right. Level 1 Constellation Mages aren't capable of setting traps that can instantly kill us," Vega nodded.
And a few minutes later, the [Fireball Rain] magic circle came to an end.
"Attack!" Higo unsheathed his sword and began walking towards the ruined cave behind the waterfall.
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"[Fireball Rain] has stopped! Everyone, get up! They're going to attack directly! Everyone, get up!" Artur rose from the pile of debris that covered him and commanded his group.
Bruises and blood covered his battered body from the falling rocks. However, his eyes still burned with unwavering determination. But the same couldn't be said for his group members, who were also covered in wounds.
Rini struggled to stand, nearly stumbling if Artur hadn't caught her. The other members of Artur's group also groaned, nursing their injuries and appearing unprepared for battle.
"What's wrong with all of you? The enemy will arrive any moment! Do you want to be slaughtered?!" Artur shouted, trying to ignite the spirits of his group members.
However, they still looked weary and exchanged glances. Until one of the group members spoke up, "Many of our trap spells have been destroyed and damaged. The remaining ones won't be able to harm our enemies. The enemy's numbers are four times greater than ours."
"So what?" Artur squinted his eyes.
"Artur, this base isn't that important for the mid-semester exam. We won't even earn any points if we manage to defend it."
"What if we just retreat and wait for Robert and the others to come?" he said hesitantly.
"Retreat?"
Artur fell silent for a moment. Then, he suddenly burst into wild laughter, like a madman.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... RETREAT, YOU SAY?" Artur grabbed the collar of the group member and roared, "DO YOU THINK OUR MISSION IS TO RETREAT?!!! OR DO YOU THINK OUR MISSION IS TO EARN POINTS IN THE MID-SEMESTER EXAM!!! OUR MISSION IS TO DEFEND THIS BASE!!!!"
His presence filled the entire cavern, causing the bodies of his group members to tremble. Artur's usually drowsy eyes were now ablaze with a fire that could consume anything it beheld.
"Do you not understand what's happening here? The enemies we're facing are not just one Class A, but an coalition of Class A led by the despicable Milton and the hypocrite Yin! Do you think this battle we're about to engage in is merely for the sake of earning points in the mid-semester exam? To hell with the points!"
Like magma surging within a volcano, the lava began to erupt.
"Right now, the entire Class A has united to attack us! Not because they want to earn points in the mid-semester exam, but because they fear Class A15! They fear our rapid progress that leaves them trailing behind in our dust! And why do you think all of this is happening? It's all because our leader, Robert, is the wisest and most brilliant person among all of our generation! He has lifted us, the losers, to hold our heads high! He has believed in us, the losers, to point to the sky and declare that WE ARE NOT LOSERS!! And it is that person who has led and believed in us, the losers! He is Robert Gaht! The Son of Hero! And he has commanded us to defend this base!"
Artur gazed at each of his group members, the fire within his eyes igniting their weary and wounded spirits.
"I swear that this base will remain in the hands of Class A15, even if I have to sacrifice my life for it!"
Artur drew his sword and raised it high.
"Not for the sake of points in the mid-semester exam, but for Robert, who has led and believed in me!"
All of Artur's group members unsheathed their swords and raised them to the sky.
"FOR ROBERT!!!" Artur exclaimed.
"FOR ROBERT!!!"
"FOR ROBERT!!!"
"FOR ROBERT!!!"
"FOR ROBERT!!!"
"FOR ROBERT!!!" echoed everyone.
"Let's give them hell!" Artur turned around and started walking.
"YEAAAHH!!!" his entire group shouted, following their leader.
Rini, still walking beside Artur, struggled to keep up. However, she slowly furrowed her brow and pushed through the pain, forcing herself to walk as usual.
"Are you able to fight?" Artur asked without looking in her direction, but concern could be heard in his tone.
"Ah, I didn't expect you to worry too," Rini grinned.
"..." Artur didn't respond.
"What about you? Can you fight with a broken rib?" Rini glanced at Artur's side.
When Artur helped her stand earlier, Rini felt a tender spot on his ribcage. She knew that behind his strong facade, this silver-haired man was enduring significant pain.
"I'll be fine," Artur replied curtly.
"..." Rini remained silent, but a wide smile crept onto her lips.
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