The Golem Mage

The clash didn’t last long before the Tier 4 mages quickly made short work of their foes, it didn’t matter if the goblin they faced was even in the Tier 5 realm, if it got caught by them, all that awaited it was to be impaled by a flurry of long-range weapons.

While many wondered how the Gordons were so skilled at this, despite it clearly being their first time fighting in such a cavalry-based style, Alec simply smiled, as only he knew the truth behind their fast progress.

The main secret behind their prowess lay in their training, and more importantly, the influence of Alec’s system.

All the mages under him had received the Basic Equestrianism skill, after training with their golem mounts.

The lowest among them had already reached level 3 in the skill, and it didn’t just improve their riding—it enhanced everything tied to mounted combat: balance, speed, coordination, reaction time, and syncing with their golem mounts, all this had only been possible because of the influence of the system.

Thanks to that, the Gordons’ Tier 4 mages tore through every goblin sent their way, their clan could no longer be overlooked for staying quiet during earlier stages of the battle, as they have finally bared their fangs, and the result was undeniable.

The high-rank goblins levitating in the air near the space gate finally recognized the threat the Gordons posed, some of the High-rank Hobgoblins and goblins began to show signs of frustration, especially those not originally from the settlement.

Many had only joined because of contracts with Goten, when Red gave the order to target the Gordons, they hadn’t raised any concern neither were they bothered, even when Fizzle and Griz issued warnings, all because they believed the goblins held a clear advantage.

But now that Red’s plan had failed spectacularly, resentment grew, as none of them wanted to follow an unworthy leader, and someone had to take the fall for the loss of thousands of goblins in mere minutes., so Red had become the most convenient scapegoat—after all, it was his decision that drew the Gordons’ deadly attention.

“Alec!” Zack called out, his tone betraying the boredom growing within him.

The Gordons had always been a clan known for diving headfirst into battle, either to slay or be slain, but ever since Alec took over, things had changed, he rarely sent everyone out at once, instead deploying them only when he saw fit, claiming it was for the best.

Sure, everyone still got their share of combat, but the delay of watching their fellow clan members charge in, kill, and show off only made the rest more restless, as they got intoxicated by the thrill and eager for their own call-up.

“TIER 5 mages, take the lead!” Alec ordered.

“You and the Tier 4 group won’t be stopping here, you’re heading straight to the mid-rank battlefield. It’s time we put an end to the goblins’ rampage.”

The newly appointed sub-leader of the Tier 5 mages raised his hand to his helmet, dragging down a segment as a layer of metal slid into place, forming a sleek ninja-style mask that left only his eyes exposed.

The other eager Tier 5 mages followed suit, quickly lowering their visors before summoning their metal golems.

Unlike the Tier 4 beast-style rhinos, their golem mounts were shaped like horses—sleek, fast, and combat-ready.

They rode down to join the Tier 4 mages already assembled below the hill, awaiting their next orders after such a thrilling clash.

“The Tier 6 are free to act as they see fit, just stick together and don’t let anyone die. If they do, I’ll hold you responsible,” Alec said, turning to Zack.

Zack, thrilled to finally be released into the fight, shivered at Alec’s warning but nodded in understanding.

As most of the Tier 6 mages were part of Alec’s inner circle, which belonged to the younger generation, and are seen as critical assets to the future of the Gordons Clan by all the other elders.

If any of them died under Zack’s watch now that he had just been promoted to Elder, it wouldn’t just be Alec who held a grudge, he was sure that the entire clan might turn against him.

After agreeing, Zack and the rest of the Tier 6 mages of the Gordons Clan summoned their spirit equipment sets.

Their mana signatures flared violently into the air as they shot off toward the battlefield where the Tier 6 human mages were clashing with their goblin counterparts, the Gordons were no longer passive observers, it was now an all-out engagement from them.

The Tier 5 mages led the charge toward the mid-rank battlefield, with their golem mounts faster and more agile, cleaving through any enemies in their path, while the Tier 4 mages followed close behind, a relentless tide of steel and magic.

Meanwhile, the low-rank Gordons mages had begun their own march, moving to support the city guards and other human forces, with shields raised, they advanced in disciplined formation, while the rear line launched specialized spells—techniques they had pushed to the very limit of the Low Tier after Alec had provided them with a fresh arsenal of spells to practice in addition to the ones they learnt for the last blood moon battle.

What made the Gordons low rank mages truly terrifying, however, was the seamless way all three low tiers of mages coordinated their assault, it was as though they weren’t from different realms at all, their unity, awareness, and synchronization turned them into a single, deadly organism on the battlefield.

With the battle-hardened and well-equipped Gordons who had been aching for action—now unleashed, the momentum shifted decisively in favour of the human mages, as the City guards now took an attack approach with the reduced pressure on them

The Gordons cut down goblins with smiles on their faces, while keeping track of their kills as though competing in a deadly game.

While the bloodbath unfolded, three groups silently watched from different vantage points: the high-rank human mages levitating near the city gates, the high-rank goblins and hobgoblins floating near the space gates, and the duo Gordons Elders who stood with Alec at the center of it all.

Now only Alec, the Fourth Elder, and the Third Elder remained atop the hill on the battlefield’s right flank.

“Is it finally time?” the Third Elder asked as Alec remained crouched, eyes fixed on the unfolding battle below.

“Hm… they’re doing just fine,” Alec said calmly.

“Which means it’s time for us to get to work. I hope you’re ready.”

“You’re really serious about this? You’re going to attack the high-rank goblins even when the battle’s still at a standstill? That’ll force the high-rank engagement to start early,” the Fourth Elder said, as he knew that Alec’s move would inevitably drag the other human mages into action—whether they liked it or not.

“Exactly my intention,” Alec replied with a calm smile.

“I want to end this battle as quickly as possible before we start taking real casualties, and the fastest way to do that is by slaying enough high-rank goblins to send them running. Don’t worry, these ones aren’t zombies—they can still feel fear. Just trust me.”

As he spoke, Alec let the upper part of his kimono fall to his waist, revealing his battle-worn torso, as he gripped the still-sheathed Blood Changdao in his left hand, while the bone katana at his waist rested in a shortened form, resembling a Wakizashi in its new length.