Chapter 84: War Preparation

Another few months passed by since Angus became frustrated over his feelings. Now, Angus lay on his usual spot inside the Spring Dorm's garden.

'I guess that crazy old man is right. I overly focus on something that yet happens. I still could not move on from my past life. I need to take it slowly and leave everything to fate.' thought Angus while he felt calmer and enjoyed the scenery.

Suddenly, Angus could feel a fluctuation of mana in the air along with a scream. "Aaaa.."

After that, the Spring Dorm is back to being peaceful, but Angus feels that someone is approaching him at a fast speed.

"Angus!! Fight me!!" said Jayna who is coming out of nowhere.

"Ehh.. Nope. I am too tired." replied Angus shortly.

At this moment, Jayna already launched an attack on Angus. Like usual Angus managed to dodge it easily. Her punch cracked the ground where Angus previously lay down.

"Huamm... Jayna. Why don't we stop this? We both know this is only a waste of time." said Angus in a lazy tone.

"No.. This time it will be different." said Jayna before flare up her mana.

"This.. First grade. Congratulations." said Angus casually.

"Yeah.. I managed to form my mana core just a moment ago. Now, it's time for your beating." as Jayna launches an attack at Angus rapidly.

Punches, kicks, spells, and skills are launched at Angus without stopping. But Angus could easily dodge them. The only difference is Angus didn't make it look like he dodges them accidentally.

It is not because he doesn't want to do it but because he can't. Jayna's speed and power are different than before. So, Angus needs a little bit of effort to dodge them. Still, her attack didn't even manage to catch Angus at all.

After a while, Jayna's mana quickly consumed and exhausted her since she kept attacking without stopping.

A moment later, "Haa.. Ha… H-How? Why can't I hit you? I am already forming my core. I am supposed to be stronger and faster than you." said Jayna frustrated.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm just too good at dodging." replied Angus nonchalantly.

Then, Angus walked away because of Jayna's attack. It will surely attract some attention from others. Looking at Jayna's slump on the ground, he didn't want to create a misunderstanding that he beat the princess.

Before he got away, "Hic.. Hic.. Why.. Why can't I hit you? Was I still weak like before?" as Jayna begins to cry.

Looking at her, Angus could only sigh silently. "Jayna, why did you want to become stronger?" asked Angus while approaching her.

"I.. I just…" as Jayna stopped talking like she was thinking about something.

"Well, I don't care why you want to be stronger either.  But, aren't you too obsessed with me?" said Angus.

"Ob.. Obsessed? Who will be obsessed with you!!?" rebuked Jayna.

"But, you always try to fight me. Like right now, despite me being on Magician Path, you still choose to fight me after forming your mana core right away." said Angus.

"I just want to teach an insolent person like you a lesson. That's all." replied Jayna.

Hearing the reason, "Ehh.. What a hassle. Find Ian if you want to beat someone." before Angus walks away as the princess already calms down.

Before Angus gets away, the princess is tucking Angus clothes.

Feeling the tucking, "What's it?" asked Angus.

"Umm.. Am I weak?" said Jayna.

"No, of course not." replied Angus shortly.

"B-but.. Why can't I even hit you?" asked Jayna more.

"I don't know. Maybe I am just too good at dodging. Look here, with your current power I bet you could beat Ian easily." said Angus before he continues to walk away

"Really?" asked Jayna again.

"Yeah.. Just beat Ian if you don't believe it. Oh yeah, you should also get away from here." said Angus.

"Get away from here??" replied Jayna confusingly.

At this moment, Jayna heard a female scream behind her. "Kyaaa.."

"M-My Garden!! Who did this?!" shout Millie while looking at her destroyed garden.

Then, Millie looks at Jayna. "Princess Jayna, could you please explain this?" said Millie in a chilling tone.

"N-No.. This is Angus.." as she looked at Angus but she couldn't find him.

'Ehh.. Where is he? He is here just now.' thought Jayna.

"Enough excuse, Princess. Now, why don't you help me fix all of this?" said Millie while keeping her smile.

"Y-Yes… I will help.. I will fix this." said Jayna who is somehow feeling afraid from Millie's smile.

While Jayna is helping Millie fix the garden, 'Fiuhh.. Fortunately, I manage to getaway. Otherwise, I will be forced to fix the garden.' thought Angus while on the top of the dorm before getting away silently.

Meanwhile, Angus enjoys his life at the academy, the world becomes more chaotic as the day for the Monster Overlord attack is approaching. 

All the underground organizations use this chance to spread their power and conflict, while the government keeps focusing on strengthening their defense against the monsters.

This period keeps happening until a few weeks before the monster overlord attacks, suddenly the monster becomes more aggressive. 

Not only at the Dark Forest, but at the other monster habitats such as Astic Ocean, Reese Mountain Range,  Morvo Wasteland, Sagar Desert, and many more monster habitats.

All this place suddenly becomes a forbidden area for civilian society as the monster becomes more aggressive and attacks anything on sight. Not only they attacked, but they also hunted the people from the Civilian Society that entered these places.

Because of this, The Civilian Society is sure that there will be monster attacks from these monster habitats.

Meanwhile, in the Black Fortress, Duke Jacob is doing some inspection towards the wall and defense. Because the approaching time is near, the duke needs to make sure the Fortress is ready to fight anytime.

The Heart kingdom does not underestimate the monster overlord attack and already called all kinds of help they can towards the Black Fortress. Two of the four dukes even reside in this fortress.

Their job is to hold down before King Leon comes from the nearby city. They also hire a few adventurer guilds to increase their manpower. 

Now, the Black Fortress is the most secure place beside the Grand Palace in the Heart kingdom. As Duke Jacob did some inspection, the nearby soldier saluted the duke.

"At ease, soldiers. Anything unusual?" asked the duke.

"Nothing, sir. Everything is calm as usual." replied the soldier.

"Alright, keep vigilant." said the duke before leaving for more inspection.

During this time, "Work hard like always?" said an elf towards the duke.

"I am not like you, Sylvan. I have a responsibility." replied the duke.

Before long both of them laugh together, "Hahaha"

"You should take it easy and enjoy life more. Besides you humans are too life shorted." said Sylvan jokingly.

"Well, compared to your race I bet our life is really short. Anyway I am glad you could come here to help." replied Duke Jacob.

"Don't worry about it. Didn't a friend need to help one with the others? Besides, this will be a good experience for the young elves.

After being together in the investigation team for two years, Jacob and Sylvan become good friends through many life and death situations. Through this friendship, Jacob managed to get help from Sylvan to defend the Fortress.

Not only that, but he also brings a few young elves to gain experience in fighting against monsters. Although they are called young, their age is already hundreds of years and fifth-grade combatants.

While walking together, they saw a woman in grey attire help the logistic squad. Approaching the women, "Priest Saya, please don't overwork yourself." said duke Jacob.

"Duke Jacob, don't worry about it. I just can't sit around and do nothing." replied the priest Saya.

"I am still glad that the Temple of Death could send a person such as yourself." said Duke Jacob.

"The Monster Overlord is the enemy of society. So, it is normal that the temple will send help. Besides this is also the will of the Holiness Lady of the Death."

"I see. Still don't overwork yourself. We have enough manpower for this job." said Duke Jacob.

"Certainly, Duke Jacob." said the Priest Saya before going back to her work.

Leaving the priest, "As an elf, I never believe this so-called god. Especially since their vision is always inaccurate whenever it involves seventh-grade people." comment Sylvan towards Jacob.

"Yeah, I am also not a religious person. But, The Temple of Death is quite different from others." said Duke Jacob.

"How so?" inquired Sylvan further.

"Well, you may not know this since you live in the Roundel City, the Temple of Death is always impartial to any faction. They could also create a contract will absolute death penalty."

"Even Though they didn't have champions and high priests like the others, their force is the strongest among the other religious groups." 

"Rumor said they have high-level spells that could kill any life instantly. Priest Saya is one the person that rumored could use these spells." explain Jacob further.

During this moment, a loud roaring sound could be heard all over the world from inside the forest. The duke and Sylvan immediately go towards the Fortress wall.

Imbue their eyes with mana, "So, it begins." said Sylvan.

"Soldiers, sound the alarm!! The monster horde is coming!!" command Duke Jacob.