Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 254 Showdown

Link brought about some changes.

The wizards of the Palo Sage Legion suddenly discovered that the medical department had sprung up.

Not only has the long-stalled "Sublimation" potion project finally entered the stage of large-scale promotion, but a separate "Empowerment" potion project has also been applied for.

Even some of the newly concocted potions for healing demonic corruption have had their flavors improved.

This greatly surprised the wizards.

It's not that no one has complained before that this type of medicine tastes terrible.

It's like swill, hard to swallow, yet I have to drink one or two bottles every day; it's truly torture.

But how did the pharmacists in the medical department respond?

"This is the formula. What if changing it affects the results?"

"Is life more important, or taste?"

All wizards have received basic education in pharmacology.

Of course, we know that established formulas cannot be easily altered.

But it's just about improving the taste, not optimizing or upgrading it, so what impact can it have?

Just admit you're bad, why are you being so stubborn?

This time, those birdmen in the medical department actually took the initiative to do "good deeds." Could it be that the sun in the fairy world has risen in the west?

Sensing something amiss, the well-informed wizard quickly discovered the source of the change after making a few inquiries.

Link Grand, the genius apothecary hailed as the next Celine Wizard, is actually the most valued junior of Sage Paro in recent years. He somehow managed to come to the fairy world.

That explains it.

The drugs they developed were all blockbuster products.

Improving the taste of the medicine is no big deal; you can do it without any hands.

As a result, the reputations of the 16 pharmacists in the medical department were inexplicably damaged.

When Link learned of these things, he was both amused and exasperated.

Improving the taste of the potion was something Wizard Salosaar had asked him to do, not something Link had volunteered for.

He hasn't fully recovered from his injuries yet, so he doesn't have that much free time.

Even after his injury heals, Link still has very important things to do.

It is said that only through practice can one gain true knowledge.

Without any actual combat experience, Link designed a total of 8 versions of his sorcery "Armor" based on his own ideas and the information he found.

However, in several actual combat scenarios, only 3 versions were commonly used.

These are combat mode, defense mode, and combined mode.

Other versions aren't without their advantages; for example, the Anti-Loken Armor should be surprisingly effective against Body-Refining Wizards.

However, since it hasn't been tested in real combat yet, it's hard to say what will happen.

Link plans to optimize the existing eight versions of Warframe, focusing on enhancing the combat mode, defense mode, and general mode versions.

The remaining time was then devoted to the "empowering" drug project.

The potion formula and refining method have been officially purchased by the Paro Sage Legion through the academy, granting them the right to use it for the next hundred years.

The medical team set up a group of people who worked overtime to conduct preliminary verification of the project according to the plan given by Link.

Link should act as a leader in "scientific research," controlling the direction and progress, without having to do everything himself.

Time flies.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The feedback from the large-scale promotion of the "Sublimation" drug project is very positive.

10 fairies of various races have already been injected with the "sublimation" potion, completing the enhancement of their innate abilities.

Almost every fairy has increased their combat power by at least one extraordinary level.

From cannon fodder to gloriously promoted to henchman.

This provided the Paro Sage Legion with a considerable amount of additional combat power.

The first phase of the project yielded impressive results, prompting an immediate expansion into the second phase, which now boasts a total of 20 fairies.

In any case, the raw materials for refining the "sublimation" potion can already be planted and produced in areas of the fairy world that have been heavily corrupted by the will of the wizarding world.

They can be self-sufficient and have no logistical pressure.

The validation process for the "empowering" drug project has concluded; the situation is not bad, but it's not exactly good either.

Experiments have shown that fairies can indeed be given two additional superpowers, and these can effectively avoid conflicts and coexist harmoniously with their innate superpowers.

However, fairies injected with the special "empowerment" potion need a long time to adapt to the existence of the extra ability and integrate it into their combat system.

Just like in the era of cold weapons, a warrior who was used to fighting on foot suddenly became a cavalryman and needed a long period of training to adapt to the new way of fighting.

The Palo Sage Legion didn't have the time to allow the fairies to grow.

As a result, the "Empowerment" drug project immediately changed its direction, transforming from a general project similar to the "Sublimation" drug into a specialized project.

Select some high-quality, highly talented fairies and inject them with "sublimation" and "empowerment" potions.

These fairies will be formally recruited into the Paro Sage Legion as auxiliary troops, serving as its attendants in battle.

The 10 fairies of various races in the first phase, who were only injected with the "sublimation" potion, and the 20 fairies in the second phase, were used to fight "street battles" and consume a large number of low-level abyssal demons.

Within a month, the situation had changed dramatically.

Even though the three main groups take turns going out to raid and reduce the number of low-level abyssal demons, it is only a temporary solution.

The abyssal demon army besieging the fairy world and the Palo Sage Legion is growing ever larger.

The number of low-level, mid-level, and high-level demons has increased dramatically.

The former leader of the Abyss Demon Army, the Level 5 Fire Demon, has "stepped down and yielded the throne."

The one currently commanding the army of abyssal demons and confronting the Palo Sage Legion is a level 6 Rock Demon.

Even the Sage Paro finds it extremely difficult to kill a level 5 Balrog.

Not to mention a level 6 Rock Demon with a higher transcendental level and stronger defensive capabilities?

With the help of a guiding rune array constructed by his personal guard, Sage Paro used himself as a guide to receive the will of the wizarding world.

Taking advantage of the fact that the level 6 Rock Demon had just arrived, the bird launched a sneak attack, but could only severely injure the level 6 Rock Demon, instead of killing it on the spot.

The next day, the level 6 rock demon was completely restored.

He then commanded the Abyss Demon Army to launch a seven-day-long assault on the Paro Sage Legion's interstellar defenses.

The interstellar defense line, composed of star-destroying fortresses and interstellar warships, remained sturdy, successfully withstanding the fierce onslaught of the Abyssal Demon army and inflicting heavy casualties.

The cost is that supplies are reduced to the point where they can only continue fighting two more high-intensity local wars.

This made the situation increasingly difficult for the Paro Sage Legion, gradually shifting them from a stalemate to a disadvantageous position.

Once supplies run out, the interstellar defenses will crumble on their own.

The war will then enter the stage of "street fighting" within the fairy world.

"Street fighting" has always been a bloodbath.

The Palo Sage Legion, which has suffered fewer than five non-fatal casualties since the start of the war, may face an extreme crisis.

Even if the entire army is not wiped out, there will be a large number of casualties.

Wizards die even if they are killed!

On the battlefields of countless worlds, there is never a shortage of wizard legions that are wiped out in their entirety.

With the situation changing, the Palo Sage Legion certainly wouldn't sit idly by and wait for their doom.

The entire legion is now in motion, preparing for the upcoming decisive battle.

However, the core decision-making body seems undecided on whether to hold out or break through.

The repeated deliberations and hesitations left the wizards below somewhat at a loss.

"Get ready."

On this day, old man Murphy suddenly pulled Linka aside, whose injuries had healed, and whispered, "If things don't go well, flee immediately. Don't fight to the death."

Link was shocked upon hearing this, his brows furrowing deeply as he asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

Old Man Murphy shook his head, but his expression was very solemn. "The General Staff has reassessed the situation and believes that the best solution is to abandon the Fairy World and break out now. Sage Paro rejected this suggestion and decided to hold out to the death."

"Okay, I understand."

Link knew that Sage Paro's decision to defend the city was at the behest of the Academy.

Although old man Murphy was a senior level two wizard and a backbone of the legion, he was not in the core decision-making level and naturally did not know the secrets involved.

He was simply acting on the instincts of a "veteran" who had been on the front lines of countless worlds for many years, believing that without support from the academy, it was not a good strategy for the legion to hold out in the fairy world, as it was likely to suffer heavy losses.

It's truly remarkable that old man Murphy was willing to take the risk and privately remind Link.

Link was grateful, but he couldn't tell old man Murphy that all of this was part of the academy's arrangements.

Old man Murphy then shared some survival tips with Link before leaving.

After seeing off the seemingly worried old man Murphy with mixed feelings, Link submitted his first request to the Attendant's Office to meet with Sage Paro since arriving in the fairy world.

There are some things that need to be said openly and honestly at this time.

"Is it very important? Is it mandatory to meet?"

Despite his busy schedule, the head of the aide-de-camp personally visited Link to confirm the matter.

As the situation worsened, the Sage of Paro had more to deal with and was under even more time pressure.

Unless absolutely necessary, the head of the aide-de-camp did not want any irrelevant person to disturb Sage Paro.

However, Link Grand's identity is special, and he cannot be refused casually.

"Very important!"

Link understood the implication in the chief of staff's words, but still insisted.

"Alright."

Even though the head of the aide was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree, "Come with me, Sage Paro is waiting for you."

After speaking, the Chief of Staff turned around and led Link through a small part of the forward base, from the medical department's residence to the Palo Sage's tent.

"You all go out for a moment."

When the Sage Paro saw Link enter, he gestured for the staff of the Attendant's Office and the Staff Office who were stationed in the tent to leave first and make room.

"What's up?"

Raising his hand to rub his slightly throbbing head, Sage Paro asked a question while also missing the massages from Wizard Celine.

If the witch Celine knew what the sage Paro was thinking at this moment, she would probably spit out, "Pah! Scumbag!"

"Are you sure you want to hold out to the death?"

Link didn't want to interfere with the Legion's decisions, but since it concerned his own life, he still had to inquire and get a definite answer.

"Didn't you already know that?"

The wise man Paro asked in bewilderment, "Why are you asking now?"

"I knew that all along."

Link said seriously, "But I don't know what backup plans the Legion or the Academy have, nor am I sure if the Academy's backup plans will arrive as expected."

"Well……"

Sage Paro pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Have you developed a distrust of the academy because of the attack?"

Link paused for a moment, then nodded calmly.

When he submitted his request to meet with the Sage Paro, he was prepared to "show his cards."

"what!"

Sage Paro took a deep breath, a helpless expression on his face. "Ms. Lissandra has once again successfully botched something, chilling someone's heart."

After expressing his feelings, Sage Paro said earnestly, "Dean Forrest asked me to tell you that the academy's arrangement for you this time was indeed very abrupt and unfriendly. However, there are actually people protecting you in secret, and you will not be in any real danger."

Link remained silent.

Link made some guesses about this when reviewing the attack.

But once you're heartbroken, you're heartbroken.

Link made no attempt to hide this from the Sage Paro.

She also hoped to convey her thoughts to Dean Forrest through the Sage Paro.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Being too sensible, too considerate, and too concerned about the college might make the college think, "Since you are so sensible, so considerate, and so concerned about the college, then let's do this kind of 'arrangement' again."

What will we do then?

Will we suffer another unprovoked attack?

Another round of being beaten without any chance to fight back?

Link was unwilling, so he had to make his stance clear.

Even though this move may offend some people.

Sage Paro stared intently at Link for a long time before solemnly asking, "Do you remember the spatial storage artifact you sent, and the supplies inside?"

"Remember."

Link nodded in response.

"The portal connecting to the rear camp has been set up, but it hasn't been announced yet."

Sage Paro said calmly, "The legion's logistics are not under pressure, and the interstellar defense line is very solid. The Abyss Demon army cannot break through! In addition, the Academy has also arranged a legion, ready to provide support. But..."

Link continued, "But that legion won't be mobilized until the very last moment, right?"

"No."

Sage Paro waved his hand, denying Link's guess, "We can be deployed at any time. However, I don't think the situation will develop to the point where we'll need that legion's support."

"Understood."

Link pondered this, realizing that the arrangements made by the academy and the legion were quite appropriate.

Every aspect has been considered.

Wizards' ability to subdue demons is not just a saying.

"Alright, now that you've got the answer you wanted, go back. I have a lot of things to do here."

Seeing this, the Sage Paro gave them the order to leave.

"Okay, goodbye."

Link had achieved his goal, so he got up to say goodbye and left the tent decisively without any hesitation.

"Did you hear that?"

Sage Paro suddenly spoke to a secluded spot next to where Link had been standing.

"I heard you."

Dean Forrest appeared along with the voice, "Has the little guy always been so suspicious and wary?"

"I already told you that."

Sage Paro said coldly, "It's because you didn't take it seriously. You insisted on using the little guy as a pawn without communicating with him beforehand. It's normal for things to become so estranged now."

After a pause, Sage Paro looked directly into Dean Forrest's eyes and emphasized, word by word, "If I were in his shoes, I would have done the same. The academy doesn't even treat me like a human being, so why should I trust it?"

"Emmm..."

Dean Forrest was silent for a moment, a helpless expression on his face. "There are many things I can't stop. My second sister is too spoiled and too much of a 'me's man."

"This is none of our business."

Sage Paro didn't buy it and had no idea of ​​understanding Dean Forrest's difficulties. "We ordinary people who have built our lives from scratch through our own hard work are also 'me' at the center."

"Alright."

Dean Forrest didn't dwell on that point further, instead asking, "Is everything ready?"

Sage Paro nodded.

Dean Forrest estimated the time and considered the college's other arrangements, then waved his hand:

"Destroy these abyssal demons."

(End of this chapter)