Chapter Fifty-Three: The Crisis in Dorro Town

“Fire!” Felix shouted, marking the beginning of the magical assault.

Suddenly, the mages beside Han Shuo and the others began chanting spells. Sharp blades of wind, blazing fireballs, spear-like icicles, lightning bolts from the sky, and radiant swords from the light mages all howled forth, striking at the charging wolf riders.

Vannie, Jean, and the others also began chanting, summoning skeletons and zombies that staggered out from behind the front-line warriors, rushing toward the oncoming wolf cavalry.

In an instant, the orcs riding wolves were devastated under the storm of magic. Whistling wind blades carved deep gashes into both riders and their mounts. The fireballs engulfed a few entirely in flames. Icicles and lightning claimed more than a dozen lives among the wolf riders.

Yet, there were about five hundred wolf riders. This first magical salvo only managed to kill thirty or forty at the front. The survivors showed no fear or hesitation at their comrades' deaths, continuing their charge with reckless abandon.

As the mages began chanting a second wave of spells, the wolf riders suddenly produced crossbows. With a swift motion, a storm of arrows shot high over the heads of the heavy sword warriors, aiming directly at the mages and archers in the rear.

“Not good, everyone, be careful!” The clear voice of Blanche, the elven archer, rang out as she rallied her fellow archers to return fire.

The mages, who had been preparing to attack the wolf riders, hastily redirected their spells to intercept the incoming arrows. Magical bolts exploded in the sky, shattering many of the deadly missiles before they could reach their targets.

However, not all arrows were destroyed. A dozen or so still found their mark, their force killing two junior lightning mages instantly and injuring three others. At this critical moment, three priests began chanting healing magic, tending to the wounded.

Because the mages had focused their spells on the arrows, the wolf riders suffered no further losses and closed in even faster. The wolves’ ferocious momentum shattered the first line of skeleton warriors and zombies in an instant.

Under the wolves’ charge, the low-level skeletons were crushed to fragments without offering any resistance. The zombies held out a little longer, but under the orcs’ heavy blades, a dozen were beheaded and fell immediately.

“Hmph, so the undead creatures of the necromancers are truly worthless,” sneered Erin and the other light mages, watching the undead fail to slow the enemy.

Han Shuo, gripping his dagger, remained utterly calm. His eyes stayed fixed on the wolf riders, ignoring the taunts from the light mages.

Another volley of arrows whistled through the air from the wolf riders. The mages behind quickly used their spells for defense, some of the more advanced ones destroying the arrows aimed at them while continuing to hurl attacks at the onrushing cavalry.

Five arrows suddenly screamed toward the necromancers. Vannie and Jean’s faces changed; they unleashed bone arrows, shattering three of the incoming bolts midair. One arrow veered off into an empty corner, but the last arrow hurtled straight at Amy.

Amy, flustered, began chanting a spell. Jean and Vannie, equally anxious, tried to cast spells of their own, but they were clearly too slow to intercept the arrow.

A dagger flashed coldly through the air, flying like lightning to intersect the projectile. With a sharp crack, the arrow splintered into pieces. At the same moment, Han Shuo darted forward, stepping in front of Amy and catching the falling dagger before it hit the ground.

“Thank you, Brian!” Amy beamed in relief as the danger passed.

“No need to thank me,” Han Shuo replied with a smile, nodding before returning to stand beside Vannie and Lisa, scanning the battlefield with practiced calm.

At last, after losing seventy of their number, the wolf riders broke through the magical onslaught and engaged the warriors of Doro Town head-on. A fierce melee erupted, with fifty or sixty fully armored warriors wielding heavy swords and spears, and a dozen knights armed with lances fighting the wolf riders atop their steeds.

The mages resumed their chanting, and brilliant spells rained down on the rear ranks of the wolf riders. Amid the thunderous explosions, the southern edge of Doro Town was engulfed in the chaos of war.

Han Shuo, Vannie, and their companions remained behind the warriors, chanting spells and unleashing volleys of bone arrows and spears at the orc wolf riders threatening the defensive line.

Hovering in midair, Felix became the primary target of the wolf riders’ crossbows. Dozens of arrows screamed his way, but Felix, unruffled, cast a high-level wind spell. A ten-meter tornado formed in the sky behind the wolf riders, sweeping up enemies in its path and filling the air with their anguished wails.

With the tornado raging, Felix swept his staff, summoning dozens of wind blades that shattered the incoming arrows. A magical shield enveloped him, blocking the arrows that managed to reach his position; Felix himself remained entirely unharmed.

“Amazing! This is the true power of a real mage!” the light mages near Han Shuo exclaimed in awe as they watched Felix’s calm display, admiration shining in their eyes.

Yet, just as everyone was marveling at Felix’s prowess, the previously unflappable mage suddenly cried out, “Not good! More wolf riders are appearing in the distance, and it looks like there are orc shamans among them. We must retreat—everyone, scatter and head for Zakias City!”

Felix’s announcement had an immediate and profound effect. Han Shuo was the first to react, grabbing Vannie’s hand and saying calmly, “Follow me, quickly.”

Vannie hesitated for a moment, glancing at Han Shuo’s stern, composed expression. The rebuke she was about to utter turned into, “Alright, but where are we going?”

“To the stables. We need horses—only by riding can we hope to escape to Zakias City. Otherwise, we’ll never outrun the wolf riders,” Han Shuo replied decisively, his mind working swiftly.

Understanding his reasoning, Vannie quickly called out, “All students, follow me!”

Hearing her rally the group, Han Shuo knew she had agreed with his plan. He then noticed Lisa glaring jealously at him for holding Vannie’s hand, and with a wry expression, he grabbed Lisa’s hand as well.

Without another glance at their reactions, he pulled them both along, racing toward the stables.