KINGDOM OF MAGIC

The orc shrouded in mystery

*I will become the Prime mage! I will surpass may limits!...*

".... So why is it this hard to surpass it!!!!!" Castro muttered as he went for the final lap of the jogging

"He said, 'we'll jog around for a bit'... This is not a bit!" Xero said to Castro and Jolie.

Castro, Xero and Jolie dragged their feet to carry them to the entrance of the tower. Funny part is that everyone was tired. Well, that was obviously expected... They woke up technically before dawn and had been jogging since then...

After minutes of panting and wheezing, they all made it to the tower. And not just any tower, the tallest tower in Rein kingdom!

Zora, not even breaking as much as a drop of sweat, turned to the students...

"Okay, lackeys! You all have to climb the tower now. I actually wanted to take the harsh approach to this, such as beating the ones behind with a whip... But I realized it's better to let you surpass your limits yourself. Let's rest for a while!"

The students, including the Langnon trio, cried for joy. Meanwhile, Zora took a surprisingly long and deep breath...

"Whoa, that was refreshing! We're back in session!"

Castro spat blood, everyone spat blood.... Cursing in their hearts.

Everyone began running up the tower with ease at first. But the more they went up, the more they lost strength. Some began using Mana reinforcement. It worked, but only for a while. And so, not only had they used up their strength, they had also use dup their mana reserves... Well, more like they didn't have the strength to keep up the reinforcement.

Everyone began crawling up, literally! Well, Castro went from running to trotting, and Xero's just about reaching his limit too. Jolie reached her limit long ago and was crawling with the rest.

Everyone was sooooo close! That's what kept even Jolie going. Zora was already at the top, waiting for them.

"Hey slowpokes! Hurry up, I'm losing stamina just by waiting for you!"

It was clear he was getting impatient.

At the end, it was a boy named Alexander who made it to the top. As for Castro and Xero... They had expended their energy for too long and their bodies just fell, without thinking. Alexander was then given preferential treatment... Such as sleeping in for an additional hour.

"It's not fair!!!!!!!!!" Castro cried out.

Later on that day

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A letter dropped in for Zora. Zora, looking at the messenger, took the letter and dismissed the messenger before opening the letter to read it's content.

With every paragraph, his face became more tensed, wrinkles now seen on his face. It looked like an angry face, but it was actually more of a worried face.

"The problem is: 'Can they handle it?'"

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

The students were in the dining hall. Eating to their heart's content. Though Alexander had the best food assortments. People eating couldn't help but drool after seeing his table. Castro, not minding the food, gave Alexander the stink eye, making Alexander feel uncomfortable.

Just then, Zora appeared in the hall through shadow movement.

"Okay, students. I just received news.... Due to classified factors, the authorities have decided to postpone the magic knights contest..."

All the students began cheering. The news meant there was more time to train and become better. But the words that came out form Zora's mouth made their happiness look like a lie.

".... Because there's war coming!"

Everyone began panicking

"That means we'd have to fight!"

"I gotta call my mom and tell her I love her.... In case this is the last time we're going to talk!"

"I'm scared!"

"Me too!"

Castro, Xero and Jolie were shocked by the new turn of events... But something bothered Castro more than the upcoming battle

"How the hell are the classified factors still classified?!" He blurted out to the audience of many panicking people.

"I said it to sound cool!" Zora grinned.

"I always thought maturity comes with age..." Jolie thought.

"But, on a serious note. I won't let anyone die. I'll be our last line of defense, and kepp everyone safe."

The panic subsided and everyone was calm. Zora used the opportunity to tell them the details of the opponents.

"According to our intel, there are 50 orcs and a 100 high orcs making their way towards Rein. Among the orcs, there are some that are mages and are being led by an orc mage that is suspected to be an Elder Mage."

The students shuddered at the thought of actually going up against an Elder Mage. Their chances of defeat was high at this point. But their chance of victory was increased because of Zora.

"You'll have to take this training seriously, okay?" Zora said

"Yes!!!!" Everyone shouted in unison

"Okay then.... Let's do this! The orcs will be here in one week. So let's train hard!"

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Meanwhile, the orcs make their slow but steady march towards Rein kingdom...

An orc , already sweating profusely, signalled the rest of the troops to stop and camp her for today. As they commenced camping, the same orc went behind the troops, going into a carriage. He bowed in front of the figure in front of him.

"At this current speed, we will reach Rein kingdom in two days, my liege."

The mysterious orc looked at the orc before him and nodded.

"Very well, we shall camp here for the night. We resume our march before dawn. We must not falter."

"Yes, my liege." The orc responded and left the carriage.

The mysterious orc took out a green, crystalline orb that glowed immediately he brought it out. black figures donning hoods appeared in the orb.

"Are you near?" An eerie voice streamed out of the orb.

"According to the orcs, we will get there in two days' time."

"We'll allow it. We see you have camped, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Good. Get to Rein kingdom and finish the job... Or else..."

Suddenly, the transmission from the orb got cut off immediately and the orb no longer glowed...