The Golem Mage

# At the War God Mage Academy

In her office at the War God Mage Academy, Selene sat reading a report given to her by one of the students under her, and the mage who had suggested that Selene ordered Alec and his team back approached her to provide an update.

”As you commanded, we had an agent student tail them without their knowledge, and it has been confirmed through message birds sent to me that they will soon reach the academy,” the mage informed Selene of the latest development.

Upon hearing that Alec and his team would soon arrive, Selene smiled, though it held a hint of bitterness, as reading the report in her hand had raised some concerns.

”I understand that I may not be in a position to say this, but how do you plan to send the team to the capital city before the competition begins?” the mage asked, expressing his doubts.

”Collins, you have worked with me the longest, so by now, you should realize that I have plans in place for everything, don’t worry, I owe the Dean for this one, as he has agreed to teleport us directly to the capital with his space door Artifact,” Selene assured him.

”Well, that’s settled, however, it does not change the fact that the team remains weaker compared to the competition’s standards, your expression suggests that you agree with me after reading the reports from the other seven star academies attending the competition,” the mage pointed out.

”I also want you to remember that many instructors are eagerly waiting for the team to fail miserably, as they see it as an opportunity to challenge you,” the mage warned.

”they cannot do anything to you since you have been given the green light to lead the academy’s team as General Edward’s only disciple and the strongest student, but with the General away, and with the possibility of the team losing face miserably, it would be the perfect time for them to unleash their anger on you, even if they are not truly invested in the competition, the mere fact that a student was chosen ahead of them has infuriated them,” Collins explained, but Selene merely smiled in response.

”Well, let them come at me with their best. I accepted this, which means I am prepared for whatever comes along with it, now, get ready to pick Alec and his team from the gate and bring them straight to this place while I go get the Dean to help teleport us,” Selene declared with determination.

Collins bowed his head in acknowledgment to Selene and promptly left the room.

He practically ran out, disappearing so swiftly that it seemed like he had vanished.

He was clearly eager to go and pick up the team.

--

Alec and his team had left the inn as soon as the sun rose, their demeanor was noticeably more serious than the previous day, and conversation was scarce.

They were heading back to the War God Mage Academy and from there to the capital , where they would fight for the honour of the academy.

Although the details regarding the rewards had not been discussed, but it was clear to all that performing well was crucial.

Nervousness settled in as they reached the ancient-looking gate of the academy, recognizing the guards, they nodded and presented their student badges, allowing the spirit frog to scan their student badges by the side of the gate before they were granted entry.

”We’re back!” Pale exclaimed.

”Now that I think about it, some students were said to have died during the training phases, how do you think the academy handles their situation? And how do they explain to the families of those students, who may belong to influential clans, that their child has perished?” Agnes asked, with Lucas chiming in to provide an answer.

”Well, that is one of the specialties of the War God Mage Academy, they have dealt with many cases of student deaths throughout the years, so they have become experts at delivering such news, we should leave it to them to handle their own problems,” Lucas replied, arms crossed.

While the rest of the team engaged in small talk, Alec focused his attention on the group of mages waiting for them.

Squinting his eyes, he was certain that the mage in the middle was Orion—the mage to whom he had promised a life-and-death battle some time ago.

Alec had nearly forgotten about the guy after the match had been postponed and he had been preoccupied with other pressing matters that now demanded his attention.

However, the sight of Orion seemed to resurrect all the unpleasant memories of how he had been attacked back when he was just a Tier 2 Mage, as another thought crossed his mind: how had Orion known they were about to arrive?

It dawned on Alec that the academy must have kept them under surveillance, despite assurances of independence.

He couldn’t help but wonder how much the observer must had seen of his actions.

”Look who we have here, the one who’s been hiding behind a lady’s skirts all this while,” Orion said, spreading his arms wide as his lackeys erupted in mock laughter.

Alec’s eyebrow quirked as he regarded Orion’s attempt at humour, then slowly shook his head.

”Even your iron skin has improved, now it seems you want to shamelessly dodge the fight to the death we agreed upon, since you’ve been absent, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment when I get to tear you apart,” Orion declared, unleashing his full aura.

But Alec simply placed his hands inside his pocket and met Orion’s gaze nonchalantly.

Orion looked at Alec in surprise, realizing that Alec was blocking his aura with nothing but his body, and not only for himself but also for the rest of his team huddled behind him.

’Shit! He’s gotten stronger again, no matter what, I have to kill this bastard here and now, i can’t keep living in fear that he might surpass me one day; that would create a heart demon for me, that’s why I have to kill him,’ Orion thought, trying to justify his urge to kill.

”You don’t seem to have gotten any stronger at all, you’re still as weak as when I last saw you,” Alec finally opened his mouth to speak, but the words that came out were so bold that Orion and his lackeys all stared at Alec as if he had lost his mind.

The lackeys behind Orion were perplexed as to why things were not unfolding according to the script they had concocted in their minds.

They had anticipated that Alec would attempt to apologize to Orion after failing to reach the Tier 5 Mage Realm, hoping Orion would then let him off the hook, as he should know he would not survive against Orion when he was not yet in the Tier 5 Mage Realm.

However, not only had Alec refrained from apologizing, but he had also further provoked Orion.

They thought Alec would have the good sense to realize that, despite being a captain-ranked student, he still lacked the strength to challenge another Tier 5 Mage from the War God Mage Academy ranking, as none of the captains were pushovers—they were all exceptionally powerful.

”Come again!” Orion demanded angrily.

”Let me simplify it for you, since you seem to be struggling to grasp my words, the last time we met, you were a low Tier 5 Mage, and I was merely a lowly Tier 2 Mage who just won’t bow, as you so eloquently put it,” Alec said.

”But now, here I stand before you as a High Tier 4 Mage, while you are still languishing in the low Tier 5 Mage Realm. What’s your plan? Are you waiting for me to catch up to you?” Alec’s slight smirk finally pushed Orion over the edge as he unleashed his gravity powers.

[> Mid Tier Spell – Gravity Force Field x 100 Mid Tier Spell – Gravity Negation