Chapter 0099: Prelude to the Great Battle

The Shadowy Cavern was infamous as a place of intrigue and danger. Although no one intentionally spread the word, by the early hours of the next day, a terrifying rumor had swept through the entire Wizard Tower like a plague. A novice, barely advanced to an intermediate-level apprentice, had defeated Toriel, the Warton family’s most promising candidate for advancement to full wizard, in a one-on-one fair duel. The moment this news arose, countless apprentice wizards scoffed at it.

In the wizarding world, even a difference of one or two minor ranks within the same tier created a staggering gap in power. Some enthusiastic record-keepers had noted that, in a normal battle, a quasi-wizard could easily withstand the combined assault of two or three advanced apprentices, or even endure attacks from a dozen intermediates. So, when most people first heard the news, they dismissed it as nothing more than a slanderous fabrication concocted by the Wartons’ enemies. Yet as the "rumor" intensified, even those well acquainted with the elite apprentices swore by its truth.

In an instant, the apprentice community of the Shadowy Cavern Wizard Tower was set ablaze! Countless apprentices—novices, intermediates, and advanced alike—rushed about, seeking out the real version behind the rumor. Soon, snippets of information from all directions converged on a peculiar, unfamiliar name: Grim. Thus, more and more details about Grim began to surface.

When Grim had first arrived at the Shadowy Cavern, he had been only a novice apprentice. On his first descent into the underworld, he had slain the fearsome Vine Witch, claiming the head of his first fallen apprentice. Invited to join the training camp, he had even bested two advanced elite apprentices in succession…

Pieced together, these feats left all who heard them dumbfounded.

How could this be possible?

Everyone was intimately familiar with the strength of those newly initiated into the ranks of intermediate apprentices. At this stage, their capabilities were at their most awkward—usually only two or three offensive spells at their disposal. A few particularly strong ones might master a defensive spell ahead of schedule, but most intermediates would struggle for a long while before gaining their first defensive spell.

To pit such strength against the tempered might of advanced apprentices, or even quasi-wizards nearing the pinnacle of apprenticeship, was akin to setting a six-year-old child against a near-adult youth. No amount of skill or experience could bridge such a disparity.

Yet soon enough, it was discovered that Grim was likely a prodigiously gifted puppeteer, capable of commanding powerful magical constructs far beyond his rank. When this news broke, the few puppeteers among the apprentices swelled with pride, walking and speaking with newfound vigor.

But little did they know, while they discussed this remarkable puppeteer, Grim himself, ears burning from all the talk, had already plunged deep into the Shadowy Cavern with Mary and Karbi, stealthily making their way toward the ruins of the Wizard Tower along the route he had previously scouted.

Truth be told, though Grim had meticulously planned every step of this treasure hunt, facing a creature of wizard-level power threw all his schemes into uncertainty.

Riding atop the Crocodile Hunter, the three gathered and reviewed the tasks before them. To get past the Flower Spirit, Grim not only bore tremendous pressure himself, but had also assigned critical roles to both Mary and Karbi.

As the main force in combat, Grim’s very purpose was to draw attention and fire. Only by luring the terrifying Flower Spirit away from the entrance to the ruins would Mary and Karbi have a chance to sneak inside and locate the Spirit’s true body. Severing the mental link between the Spirit and its body was the only way Grim might stand a chance against it in open combat. Otherwise, against the complete form of the Flower Spirit, even sacrificing all his constructs would hardly tip the scales in his favor.

Perhaps the lesson from last time had been too costly—this time, the pack of hyena-men that had guarded the outskirts of the ruins were nowhere to be seen, much to Grim’s surprise, as he had planned to clear the perimeter first.

When the Crocodile Hunter reached the enchanted forest, both Mary and the green-skinned goblin Karbi were left gaping in wonder. Such a scene might not be unusual on the surface, but to find a lush, verdant forest nearly twenty miles below ground was astonishing to those accustomed to the bleakness and solitude of the underworld.

“Go on—remember your tasks. As soon as the Flower Spirit leaves, move quickly. I won’t be able to hold out for long!” Grim reminded them sternly before they parted ways.

Mary flashed a sweet smile, her delicate form leaping into the air and, in an instant, transforming into a palm-sized red bat that fluttered into the forest.

Grim had little worry for Mary. Whether it was her strength as an advanced vampire or her newly awakened charming ability, both were her greatest guarantees for survival. Especially the latter—in this chaotic, enchanted forest, as long as she did not attack, the magical creatures and plants would not turn on her. Her charm could transcend race, gender, or alignment, acting directly on the subconscious of intelligent beings—a peerless gift for wilderness exploration. It was said that many specialized career paths required charm as a foundation.

Karbi, meanwhile, was clad in tattered leather armor and an old cloak that suited his frame, clutching his ever-present short wooden staff.

“Master, don’t worry, I’ll do my utmost to complete the task!” Karbi bowed respectfully before hopping off the Crocodile Hunter and scurrying into the depths of the forest.

Though the enchanted forest was perilous, to a goblin skilled in invisibility and camouflage, the lesser monsters posed little threat. With Mary secretly watching over him, even if he were discovered, it would likely be the monsters themselves who met a sudden end.

Once his companions had vanished from sight, Grim dismissed the Crocodile Hunter, freeing up the two points of mental energy it required. In the coming battle, he would need his full strength, and every ounce of energy was precious.

Steeling himself, Grim summoned the Lightning Giant and a Stone Python. The Lightning Giant required seven points of mental energy to maintain, the Stone Python three, and Grim now had 13.25 points (including the +1 from his noble circlet)—enough to summon another Stone Python or a Water Elemental if he pushed himself.

This was the most powerful combat combination Grim could muster, pushing himself to the very limit.

Given the environment’s constraints on the Water Elemental’s power, Grim opted for the Stone Python.

The moment the Lightning Giant appeared, the vast underground space reverberated with the rumble of thunder. Wreathed in crackling lightning, its gaze blazing, the giant floated more than ten meters above the ground and charged into the enchanted forest.

Grim gritted his teeth, adjusted his gear, and followed without looking back, the massive Stone Python dragging its heavy body behind, guarding against attacks from the rear.

Thus the man and his two magical beasts advanced slowly through the forest.

There was no need for Grim to deal with obstructing undergrowth; wherever the Lightning Giant passed, any plant that strayed too close was reduced to ash in a flash of thunder. Even the small creatures hidden within the dense foliage were not spared—if the Lightning Giant sensed life, a bolt of lightning would strike.

With the Lightning Giant’s quasi-wizard peak strength, even the sturdiest iron-armored rhinos could not withstand its blows, let alone these lesser magical beasts known for trickery and stealth.

They marched forward, crushing all before them.

Where they passed, all was left in ash, the ground scorched and split by the constant barrage of lightning.

Though the magical creatures longed to defend the source of their power, when the fiercest wolf pack was wiped out before the Lightning Giant, terror finally set in. They began to flee madly from the death-bringing harbinger.

And there, at the ruins of the Wizard Tower where Grim had last stopped, the Flower Spirit’s ethereal form appeared.

She gazed into the distance, at the swirling black clouds gathering above the forest, from which dazzling bolts of lightning crashed down, followed by the deep, rolling thunder. Although she could not yet see the enemy’s numbers, the very power of the summoner’s thunderclouds made her frown in doubt.

The storm was moving straight toward her.

If these intruders brought battle here, the damage to the subterranean source of life could be catastrophic. Determination flashed across the Flower Spirit’s beautiful face. She reached into the air, and her magical bow—her companion since the dawn of her consciousness—appeared in her hands.

With a whispered incantation, the magical plants around the ruins grew and spread wildly, quickly concealing the hidden entrance beneath a lush green shroud.

Her preparations complete, the Flower Spirit let out a furious cry, beating her nearly transparent wings as she sped to confront the invaders.