The array formation overhead activated before they could even find the person who had spoken just then. Crackling sounds filled the air as dark purple bolts of lightning descended from the array.
As the lightning bolts materialized, the air became charged with energy. In a swift, practiced motion, most of them summoned their magic barriers, creating a shimmering shield of protection. Others, their armor or robes pulsating with power, activated the intricate protection array woven into the fabric.
Mages who were considered geniuses among geniuses were the only ones who deviated from the usual action. Among these were Demir, Quan, and Yule's group. Instead of defending against the descending bolts of lightning, they chose to evade them and, at the same time, attacked the array above.
"Don't just aim randomly at the formation!" Quan shouted to no one in particular. "Aimed at those dark purple-colored runes!"
The others near him did not need to be told twice, as they also noticed that those dark purple runes controlled the summoning of lightning bolts. As long as they destroyed those, the number of bolts of lightning bolts descending from the array would be reduced.
Frankly, none of them recognized the runes, and all they had were speculations. However, one thing they were clear about those runes was that they emitted the same magic fluctuations from the lightning bolts.
The Adamas Family was proficient in Metallurgy Magic, which made it easy to guess their family's innate magic—any magic related to metal.
Demir took out his long spear and summoned smaller titanium spears, aiming at a circular spot on the array formation that was filled with rotating dark purple runes.
Arjuna, who was also a combat mage like Demir, took out her silver bow and summoned steel arrows. While it was better to focus on one spot of the array with those dark purple runes, she decided to aim at a different spot because there were just too many of them.
Oria, on the other hand, focused on summoning copper plates and boulders to assist the others. She reckoned that her Copper magic was the most appropriate counter to the bolts of lightning.
The Blade Dancer Family originally consisted of mages with Weapon magic. But as time went by, their innate magic branched out to different forms that seemed unconventional for their clan name. Because of this, they trained all their mages to be proficient in weapon wielding while utilizing their innate magic.
Quan took advantage of the copper boulders that Oria summoned and led the Blade Dancer Clan to another spot filled with dark purple runes.
Now, the one feeling somewhat anxious with the barrage of lightning overhead was the Glacio Clan. From their clan name alone, it was easy to guess that their family's innate magic was related to Ice magic— a terrible match for Lightning-based magic attacks.
Nevertheless, Yule and his fellow Glacio Clan representatives chose to fight.
Issar used the copper boulders that Oria summoned as a foothold to hoist himself up toward the array. Ice formed on his forearm and fist, turning into huge ice gauntlets.
"Oria! Coat my arms with your magic!" Issar shouted at Oria.
Oria was quite a distance away from Issar, but she heard him loud and clear and complied immediately. They might not be part of the same clan, but their clans had been on good terms for such a long time that there were regular exchanges between their elites. This was so they could improve and form a sort of teamwork with them.
"I know that," Kyran replied. "That's why I'll turn them when I am ready."
Diara scowled at him. But then she stopped as realization dawned on her, and she blurted, "You plan to keep them here?"
Kyran nodded and turned his attention back to the spectacle happening before them. "Communication outside is impossible when you are inside the tower," he started to explain. "They will not be able to send SOS messages to their clans."
"T-That's true," Diara replied apprehensively. "But letting them stay here... is risky. What if they try to take advantage of it to improve their magic knowledge further? What if they broke through to the next level? You will end up unable to turn them then!"
"I didn't know you had little faith in me."
"That is not the case! This tower is created to assist mages in improving themselves. Not imprison them," Diara argued.
Some of the Ancients behind her also nodded their heads in agreement. Although most only observed them without showing any signs of siding with Diara or with Kyran.
"Don't worry about it," Kyran replied dismissively. "I'll arrange their accommodation with the Tower."
"You...!" Diara started but then stopped because she did not know what to say. After all, she and the Ancients only knew about the tower's system, not the Tower itself.
"Give me a month— or, at least, a month in the Higher Realm. I'll improve my knowledge and level then and turn them in," Kyran told Diara. "By then, I'll also find a way for you guys to leave this place."
"..."
Diara initially wanted to snort at Kyran's absurd promise. But when he said the latter, she and the rest of the Ancients fell silent.
To be honest, they had already accepted their fate, and even when Kyran promised them he would help them, they did not want to get their hopes high. They believed he could do it, of course. But saying that he would do it in a month's time? Impossible.
In the end, they decided to keep their mouth shut.
Kyran sensed their doubt and understood why. Thus, he decided to drop the subject.
"I'm done choosing my targets. We can start cleaning up."
As soon as Kyran gave the word, the Ancients moved in and attacked all the mages on sight.