FALLEN ORACLE

**Chapter 9: The Strongest Mage (1)**

After several days of travel, Chen Yi and the others finally returned to the academy.But as soon as they reached the gate, they could tell something was different. The normally wide driveway was now lined with rows of barricades, and many professors and trainees seemed to be reinforcing them with magic."Professor Mendes, of all times to come back—why now?"At the gate, a stocky man called out to them."Ah, Professor Cobb. We managed to stop the war between the two nations," Mendes said excitedly. "But what's happening here? Why does the academy look like it's preparing for an attack?"The four of them exchanged uneasy glances. They had barely prevented a conflict in the Central Plains—was the academy itself about to be engulfed in flames?"Some professors and trainees on field trips discovered a massive swarm of Blade Beetles heading this way.""Blade Beetles? Why would those monsters appear here?" Chen Yi asked in confusion.Despite their name, Blade Beetles were creatures about the size of tigers or leopards. Unlike big cats, they were social creatures, with flat heads that tapered into sharp, blade-like points.Blade Beetles moved slowly but were covered in tough shells. To make matters worse, as offspring of demonkin and native monsters, they could use Strengthening magic to enhance their strength and defense. A few individuals could even use simple elemental magic.Blade Beetles usually lurked in deserts and wastelands, burying themselves in the sand to ambush passing people or animals, feeding on their internal organs.Rongqi Academy was located on the banks of the Divine Radiance River, surrounded by reed marshes, wetlands, and towns. A large swarm of Blade Beetles suddenly heading this way was deeply unsettling."Has the academy asked the Church for help?" Mendes asked.Professor Cobb said, "A messenger left half an hour ago. Even if all goes well, the Knights' Order probably won't arrive until tomorrow. By the way, Carl, Phil—I recall your families hold significant positions in the Duchy and the Kingdom. Could you ask them for reinforcements?"Rongqi Academy held a unique position on the continent. Though it maintained neutrality in political affairs, few powers would dare offend such a powerful institution.Besides Carl and Phil, many of the academy's three thousand faculty and students came from noble families. Most of the powerful mages who shaped both nations' politics had also graduated from this school.Thus, if Rongqi Academy were threatened, all factions would likely help. Still, an attack by a large swarm of monsters was rare in the academy's thousand-year history.Hearing the professor's request, Phil and Carl naturally agreed. They immediately turned their horses toward the nearest military encampments.Though the two nations had just been on the brink of war, they would surely cooperate when it came to the academy's safety."Mendes, stay here and help me organize the defenses," Professor Cobb instructed. "And you—Chen Yi, was it? Go to the dormitory area and help evacuate the townspeople seeking shelter."Unlike the headmaster, Professor Cobb didn't know Chen Yi well. He instinctively believed that keeping an intermediate trainee on the front lines at such a critical moment was too dangerous."I'll stay with Mendes and help defend," Chen Yi said firmly."Fine. Suit yourself."Professor Cobb was already overwhelmed. He hurriedly tossed out the words and rushed off elsewhere.---Meanwhile, in the academy's top-floor conference room, Headmaster Morin, seated at the head of the table, asked, "Have all the residents of Kanter Town and the other villages been evacuated into the academy?"The headmaster had received the report about the Blade Beetle swarm two hours earlier. He had quickly deployed countermeasures and called this emergency defense meeting."Yes, they're being housed in the student dormitories," replied Professor Joan, one of the academy's younger professors and a mentor for Elemental magic.Though the townspeople were reluctant to abandon their homes, faced with such a monstrous horde, their lives came first. They could only grab their essentials and seek refuge at the academy.Rongqi Academy was not so fortunate. As a thousand-year-old institution, it embodied deep historical, cultural, and magical significance. Its very existence was a testament to human dignity.If this highest seat of learning were overrun by monsters, with the statue of the Great God Yan Yan surrounded by their filth and eggs, it would be a devastating blow to the spiritual fabric of all humanity."How are the perimeter defenses coming along?" the headmaster continued.Professor Fangting said, "Professor Lab and I agree that destroying the Rongqi Bridge with magic is unnecessary. Blade Beetles are strong swimmers—they can easily cross the Divine Radiance River. Blowing up the bridge would serve no strategic purpose and would severely hamper post-war recovery."