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As they both prepared to enter, Rael thought of something, which prompted him to speak up.
"Wait, if there's an orc blocking the entrance, doesn't that mean that the dormitory might already be occupied? Entering now might mean encountering even more orcs. Why would the academy direct us to a place like this?"
Daniel, upon hearing Rael's words, entered a thoughtful silence, finally responding with a measured tone.
"I don't believe the academy would do such a thing . There may be a traitor among the academy's higher-ups"
Rael was taken aback by Daniel's statement, his surprise evident as he questioned,
"Are you certain? The academy has maintained its safety for millennia. How could there be a traitor?"
"Do you recall the attack we endured about a month ago? I thought that one of the princes paid a high price for information on the academy's location. Now it seems more likely that our betrayal came from within the academy itself."
As Daniel explained, a logical puzzle assembled in Rael's mind, leading him to admit,
"Your deduction makes sense. So, what's our next course of action? Are we ignoring the academy's instructions?"
"No, I see this as an opportunity. We've already slain a high apprentice orc. How many of them will the attackers dispatch to a dormitory housing first-year students? Considering that only you and I have reached the intermediate apprentice level, while the majority are still beginners, we could venture in and eliminate any orcs present. By doing so, we'll secure blood and save the students within. Plus, the academy would likely reward us ."
Reflecting for a moment, Rael gave a nod of agreement and affirmed, "Let's proceed, then."
With resolution in mind, they approached the entrance of the dormitory. Stepping inside, they were met with a scene that left them astounded.
The once-dignified dormitory, symbolizing the academy's prestige, lay in shambles. Comprising four floors, each housing around 60 rooms, the corridors were now devoid of the ornate paintings that once adorned them. The luxurious carpets that had graced the floors were nowhere to be seen.
The canvases that once celebrated the students' accomplishments had been consumed by fire or obliterated in the chaos. Rooms stood demolished .
walls cracked, doors shattered. Residual fires, rocks, and ice fragments painted a testament to the fierce clashes that had transpired.
The strewn orc bodies told a story of the battle
some scorched, others frozen
While the students' remains were often reduced to mere pulp. Gruesome sights, yet Rael had his fair share of corpses and blood in the missions. Rather than disgust, he felt pity for the students whose lives had been so brutally extinguished.
A few more glances around, and Rael took out his daggers, turning to Daniel with a suggestion.
"Daniel, See if there are any plants you can use 'eyes of nature' on it to spot any orcs around "
Daniel nodded, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, he reported,
"There aren't many plants nearby. Through the few I could see, there was no sign of life. We should explore a bit and then proceed to the second floor."
Following their plan, Rael acknowledged the strategy and set about their exploration.
After five minutes, while making their way to the stairs, the faint sound of footsteps reached their ears.
"I'll sneak up from behind and immobilize him with 'Shadow Hands.' You can deliver the finishing blow with a lightning bolt," Rael whispered his strategy to Daniel.
Daniel nodded, and they parted ways. Rael stealthily moved from behind, spying an orc armed with a spear about 20 meters away. The orc's aura marked him as an intermediate apprentice.
this was another thing he learned in the past month . As he can sense the concentration of the mana on one's body . And with that, he can know what stage the apprentice was in .
Advancing with caution, Rael calculated that he would need to be within ten meters to cast his spell, which had a 15-meter range and a 5-second casting time. As he approached the distance, he readied himself to cast, but suddenly, the orc spun around with startling speed and hurled its spear with uncanny precision.
Though Rael's reflexes served him well, he was struck in the side of his neck. The impact tore away a third of his neck, causing him to collapse. Swiftly, he activated his skill 'Regeneration,' and the process of flesh and bone mending commenced.
The orc, poised to advance, was interrupted by a bolt of lightning summoned by Daniel. Despite his many minor wounds, the surge of electricity only seemed to stoke the orc's fury.
Daniel engaged the orc in close combat, using his sword that buzzed with small bolts of lightning around it.
casting 'Lightning Steps' to increase his speed . His strategy aimed to deflect the orc's attention from Rael while capitalizing on the distracting lightning bolts.
After only a minute he was already suppressed by the orc and was losing if it wasn't for the small lightning bolts he would cast from time to time distracting the Orc he would be seriously injured .
Amid their struggle, a vibrant red illumination suffused the corridor, ensnaring the orc's attention.
Caught off guard, he momentarily faltered, offering Daniel an opportunity to retreat. However, Daniel didn't miss a beat, as he backed off while sending a lightning bolt that kept the orc in place.
Then, a fiery explosion engulfed the orc, followed by the orc's enraged screams. Emerging from the flames, he was met with a potent lightning bolt, before a figure in dark radiance appeared, daggers aglow with red light . Rael had arrived.
Knowing the orc was numbed by the lightning, Rael maximized his power. With 'Darkness Body' casted enhancing his abilities, he lunged at the orc's head with his daggers, infused through [Flame and Weapon Fusion]. In a swift motion, the daggers cleaved through flesh and bone, decapitating the orc.
Daniel approached and said
" you should be more careful if it wasn't for your quick response you would be dead "
"it's not my fault that this orc is a tough nut , but in the end we were the one who won .
Anyway let's go to the second floor " Rael defended himself
Daniel nodded slightly and they continued their journey