Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 143 Fire Breaks Out

Jasmine is magnanimous.

She decided to let Link go, and in the end just rolled her eyes.

Don't bother arguing with this piece of dead wood.

Anyway, there's still plenty of time.

Even a stone can be warmed up if you put it in your pocket.

She refused to believe that a blockhead could remain oblivious forever.

Or keep playing the game where you pretend you don't understand.

Link watched Iris leave, ignoring the turbulent emotions of Jasmine, and called out loudly:

"Everyone, come here for a moment."

He glanced at the supplies Iris had taken out and found that they were mostly various types of self-destructing mines.

Only a small portion consists of offensive and defensive rune items.

There was only one witchcraft artifact, but its effects were amazing.

It's a deadly weapon.

Link really liked it and immediately picked it up, ready to make good use of it.

The crowd gathered around upon hearing the noise.

"Our partners, the team led by Monroe Briseño and Iris Clark, have generously provided us with so many supplies to express their gratitude for our willingness to fight alongside them against the opposing camp. We'll distribute the supplies in a bit and strive to fight this battle even better."

To be honest, I'm just stating the facts.

Who provided these supplies, why were they provided, and what are they intended for?

Link made it very clear that he did not exaggerate his role in order to claim credit or create a facade of respect.

"Thank you to the Briseño brothers and the Clark sisters for the supplies."

Buck, ever the prankster, immediately started shouting and clapping loudly after hearing Link's words.

Out of brotherhood, the four men quickly followed.

The three socially awkward individuals exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to join in the applause.

Lani's team just can't pull off something this awkward.

The ten people looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

If you help someone fight a war, isn't it normal for them to give you some weapons and equipment?

Why such a big thank you?

I don't understand.

"Okay, keep quiet."

Link pressed his hands down slightly, stopping the group of guys from being silly and the socially awkward group from following suit.

He began distributing supplies with swift and decisive action.

Delayed-detonation mines are used to set traps, and are not assigned to specific individuals but are centrally managed.

The self-destructing grenades were distributed equally, three to each person, which wasn't too many, but just right.

After all, they threw them by hand; they didn't have "grenade launchers" or "mortars."

At most, one can use witchcraft to help throw it higher, faster, and farther.

After distributing the self-destructing fire grenades, the next items to be distributed are the offensive and defensive rune items.

Link's distribution was fair; he wasn't stingy or miserly just because Lani's team wasn't his "inner circle."

The two teams received the same number and quality of rune items.

After distributing the supplies, Link began assigning tasks.

"Those who know earth-based minor mudstone spells, follow Jasmine's orders to dig trenches, tunnels, and concealed fortifications."

"The others joined me in setting a trap."

With just two simple instructions, the two teams quickly sprang into action along the riverbank, working with great enthusiasm.

The pillar-shaped concealment artifact given by Monroe Briseño was activated when Iris flew in.

Therefore, everyone doesn't need to worry about being detected by the reconnaissance artifacts while working on the ground, thus revealing their whereabouts.

After more than two hours of busy work.

Traffic trenches, labyrinthine tunnels, underground fortifications enhanced with witchcraft and defensive rune items, traps—all were completed.

After spending a few days on the sandbar in the middle of the river, Link discovered that underground fortifications were indeed a preference of the TuG (TuG).

It's really useful!

"Rest, recover your energy, and maintain your condition."

Link led everyone into the reinforced underground fortifications, set up a rest area, and gave these instructions.

A balance of tension and relaxation is the key to success.

Especially before a major battle, one should not be too tense or too tired.

Now that I have some free time, I should definitely take the opportunity to rest and recuperate.

Link used the same trick again, using Lesser Mist Rain and Purify Water to create purified water, which he then personally handed to each person.

This includes Lani Taylor and everyone on her team.

This gesture flattered the five members of the "New Blood Mutual Aid Association" and five other apprentices.

They had never received such treatment in their respective organizations.

Lanny Taylor watched the scene unfold before her, a slight ripple stirring within her heart.

So this is how you win the hearts of your subordinates and partners.

There are no books on this topic in the college library.

To learn team building and management, one must rely on one's own talent and exposure to the world, observing and imitating others.

She couldn't help but feel resentful towards the senior management members of the "New Blood Mutual Aid Association" for setting a bad example for her.

This prevented her from finding a better way to get along with her "subordinates" and "partners".

But it's not too late now; we can revise it later.

After her initial shock, Lani quickly composed herself.

She lifted a corner of her veil, seemingly unaffected, and calmly drank water, ate, and rested.

The two groups then stayed in their concealed fortifications and stopped wandering around.

To avoid exceeding the effective range of the concealed magical artifact and affecting the ambush plan.

During this break, Link replayed the reconnaissance footage.

After confirming that there was nothing unusual, he stopped and began to rest.

When people have free time, they tend to overthink.

Link didn't deliberately clear his mind; instead, he pondered his feasibility report on saving the world and the existence of the God-Slayer.

Since the academy dared to use this world as the venue for the first-year two-district competition, it was naturally confident in controlling the overall situation.

The existence of the god-killer is definitely under the control of the academy.

Based on the principles of fairness, openness, and impartiality, if the positive side can find a god-killer to assist them, the negative side will certainly have equal support.

Judging from the content of the mural, it is highly likely that one of the deities was not completely dead or was in a state of feigned death, and that his stance was biased towards the opposing camp.

Or rather, that deity's stance wasn't biased towards the opposing camp; they simply wanted to oppose the god-killer.

Link wondered if the opposing camp had found such a deity.

If he finds it, how should he respond?

After thinking for a while, Link suddenly woke up.

He was just a newly promoted third-class wizard apprentice, not even a formal wizard, yet he dared to plot against a god.

Even the gods of this world on the verge of destruction.

Even if the level of civilization in this world is not high.

The so-called deities may not even have reached the level of the Paro Wizard.

But that's not something Link can figure out right now.

He showed absolutely no reverence for so-called gods.

When did this mentality arise?

It seems they are learning about the history of the wizarding world, understanding when the wizarding world waged war against the world of gods, shattering the other world.

The seed has already been planted in my heart.

As time goes by, the seeds gradually sprout and grow.

Having figured this out, Link couldn't help but secretly admire the academy's subtle and pervasive education.

Without any deliberate effort, he instilled in wizarding apprentices like Link a fundamental "contempt" for the gods.

Strategically despise it, tactically take it seriously.

The college's strategy is largely the same.

After that, Link stopped thinking about god-killers and gods.

The god-killer has been awakened.

The feasibility study report on saving the world was also read by the God-Killer.

Main quest 3, which is the faction quest, is about saving the world; that means you've completed half of it.

The rest depends on "divine will"—whether the god-killer is as powerful as depicted in the murals.

Link's current focus should be on the faction conflict in the second main quest.

The competition between the two regions is based on a comprehensive score, and it's not that completing the most important faction task guarantees victory.

You can win by wiping out the enemy faction before the faction mission is completed.

In addition, after completing the faction missions, individual rankings will be determined.

The completion status of all 7 side quests must be taken into account.

Therefore, the current situation is that participating more in faction battles and completing more side quests will help Link win first place in the two-region competition.

I glanced at the real-time reconnaissance footage of the circular flying saucer.

No trace of pursuers has been found near the mountain basin, nor have any other reconnaissance artifacts been detected in the sky.

The pursuers haven't arrived yet; there's still time.

"Lanny, bring up all your footprint maps."

Link opened his eyes, ending his feigned sleep, and spoke to Lanny Taylor, who was not far away.

"it is good."

Lani agreed without asking why.

She took out paper and pen and copied the footprints of the watches of each of her 10 team members.

Link waved to Iris, who had just finished her watch on the mountaintop, from a distance.

"What is it?"

Iris flew over in a flash and asked directly.

"Could you please provide me with your footprint map?"

Link asked a question.

"What do you need this for? To draw a world map?"

"Iris asked curiously."

Aside from drawing maps, she couldn't think of any other use for footprint maps.

"right."

Link nodded in agreement, making no attempt to hide his intentions, "When I'm bored, I do some side quests. I'll trade you all the footprint maps from our area."

"I'll go ask."

Iris did not readily agree.

This matter involves more than just her; we still need to fully solicit the opinions of others.

I'm waiting for your good news.

Link smiled and said something, then took out paper and pen from his bag and began to draw a footprint map.

Before long, before Iris arrived, Lanny came over carrying eleven footprint maps.

She works quickly, is skilled at drawing, and is extremely efficient.

"Wait me a moment."

Link took the eleven footprint diagrams, put them aside, and continued drawing.

A moment later, Link finished drawing ten footprints for his team, but instead of handing them to Lanny, he looked up and asked, "Do you want a map, or do you want to take the footprints back and draw them yourselves?"

Lani replied without hesitation, "I'll draw it myself."

"OK."

Link handed over ten of his own footprint maps, and said he would draw another one to exchange with Iris later.

Lani took the footprint map back and began to draw her world map by comparing it with her memories.

She did this not because she wanted to be strong or compete with Link.

Instead, they believe that drawing their own maps will improve the success rate of the task compared to using someone else's finished product.

That's it.

Iris flew over only after the second set of twenty-one footprint maps were completed.

"for you."

Iris handed Link a thick stack of thirty footprint maps.

"So many?"

Link also handed over his copy, took the footprint map from Iris, flipped through it briefly, and was quite surprised.

The Iris team and the Monro team together currently only have 17 people.

How come there are thirty footprint images?

"We are also drawing maps and have carefully collected some of them."

Iris offered a brief explanation.

However, it was not clearly explained how they collected them.

The storms, the bloodshed, and the fire are hidden in just a few simple words.

After saying that, Iris left without lingering.

With a major battle imminent, there's a lot to do.

With the addition of materials, the incomplete "world map" has been significantly improved.

During this time, Lani came over again and took away the thirty footprint maps that Iris had brought.

Since it's a free ticket anyway, why not take it?

After resting, Jasmine led the group of men and the socially awkward group to start drawing.

I'm just idling around anyway.

If you don't want to be idle, find something to do.

After drawing the map, everyone returned to their state of waiting for the enemy to come to them.

It's rather boring.

As we waited, the "sun" set and the "moon" went to work.

"Day" passes, and "night" begins.

We didn't even see a trace of the enemy.

Some people started to get irritable and muttered a few words in private.

Lanny glared coldly at the impatient Isco Alex.

Ever since Lani changed her strategy from developing independently to "joining forces" with Link Grand, Isco has been harboring resentment.

It's fine to just murmur about it in private.

Now that they've formed a team, everyone is resting in the same concealed fortification, whispering and talking amongst themselves.

Do you really think people can't hear you?

Isco pursed his lips, but ultimately shut his mouth and stopped complaining.

They would say things like, "Where are the pursuers?", "I was discovered and ran away as fast as I could, afraid of a fight," and "You're so concerned about helping others fight, you're really a kind-hearted person."

Link did hear it all, but he didn't take it seriously and treated it as nonsense.

How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?

Time slips away silently, regardless of human will.

Judging by the time, it was almost "dawn".

Link was suddenly jolted awake from his dozing.

He sensed a strong killing intent gathering.

"Wake up, everyone! Prepare for battle!"

Link whispered, waking up the group who hadn't fallen asleep, and gave the order, "Quickly, get to your positions."

The two teams immediately followed the pre-arranged plan, orderly crossing the communication trenches and entering the various attack positions in the tunnel from the underground concealed fortifications.

"Enemy attack!"

Even though the real-time reconnaissance footage from the center-shaped UFO showed no signs of the enemy, Link still issued a warning to Iris and Monroe.

He trusts his intuition and perception.

Especially those that are malicious, hostile, or murderous.

Moreover, he himself possessed a concealed magical artifact provided by Monroe.

The enemy was able to chase Monroe and Iris all over the place, so they must be very powerful and couldn't possibly lack such concealed magical artifacts.

The Monroe and Iris teams, who had been in a state of silence, quickly sprang into action and entered battle mode.

Clearly, they did not blindly trust the reconnaissance artifacts.

Concealing their movements and disguising themselves as infiltrators are common tactics used by both sides during these days of intense fighting.

A rumbling sound suddenly rang out.

A fierce battle broke out at the entrance to the mountain basin.

The opposing forces, who had infiltrated the area, clashed head-on with the Monroe team, who had come to investigate.

It all comes down to whose rune items and magical artifacts are more powerful.

witchcraft?

0-ring sorcery is merely an auxiliary skill.

Link walked around the tunnel, calming the two groups and preventing them from being affected by the sudden outbreak of high-intensity combat.

To be honest, Link was somewhat stunned.

In less than a minute, the two sides used a total of three powerful weapons.

The Monroe team used one.

The pursuers used one or two soldiers to forcefully break through a gap.

That firepower is fucking insane!

The pursuers were numerous and had the upper hand.

The Monroe team held on for a while, but they really couldn't hold on any longer.

Thus, feigned defeat turned into genuine defeat.

Without leaving anyone to cover their retreat, Monroe activated the traps and, with the help of Iris's team, retreated into the basin and towards the riverbank.

A raging fire broke out in the mountain basin.

The pursuers were relentless, clinging to Monroe and Iris.

Seeing this, Link said in a deep voice, "Hold your ground. No one is allowed to launch an attack before I give the order."

Soon, Monroe's team and Iris's team fought their way back to the riverbank.

The two teams shifted to either side, preparing to launch a counterattack as planned, flanking the pursuing troops from both sides.

Monroe secretly hoped that Link's team wouldn't mess things up.

Otherwise, we would have been completely ruined today.

"attack!"

Link shouted the order, "Throw the self-destructing fire grenades!"

Before he finished speaking, Isco Alex leaped out of the trench and charged at the pursuers with a roar.

Alone, yet with unwavering will and high morale.

It's just like a lone knight charging at a windmill.