Under the Oak Tree - Time Before You

37 Circle

I'm stronger than I think I am.

Maximilian uttered repeatedly to herself. She had been holding her arms up for quite some time now, and the static pose made her strikingly aware of every nuance with her body. Her skin was cracking from the bittercold wind, her muscles were sore with all sorts of bruises, and now there was a particular strand of hair clinging to her left cheek that she could not get rid of. She was coated with a thick layer of dust and perspiration; exhausted yet unable to move.

Exasperated, the professor mumbled another spell to reinforce her shield. A fresh surge of energy shot through her arms, providing the slightest relief even though it was draining out her stamina. The enemies were not wavering at all. This was a battle of endurance; until either side had reinforcement.

Not like it's fair play.

Surrounding Maximillian were ten other arch mages of seemingly different gender and age. Like a typical scene of magical combat, each of these sorcerers were hidden underneath a thick black cloak. They were prideful of their devilish schemes, yet too embarrassed to reveal their respective identities. Individually, their prowess was nothing compared to her. After all, she could be ten times more senior than some of them. Maximilian grimaced upon that train of thought – it was awful having to live this long.

The professor sighed as she studied the circle of attackers. No matter what Richt Breston and his followers were thinking, the elixir of life was nothing desirable. Why would anyone want to live so long and watch incarnations of your loved ones living?

Her white lightning of magic wavered upon the thought and one of her attackers took the chance to intensify his attack. The surge of energy alarmed Maximillian. She immediately diverted her attention back to the circle.

Come to think of it, are they using dark magic?

Their spells were casted with an eerie shade of green, and when intersected with hers, felt much colder than those of usual mages. Magic in this universe consisted of six elements; four of which she had learnt in Nornui and the last two only centuries after gaining access to forbidden libraries. Unlike the elements of fire, water, wind and earth; light and darkness were components discouraged by the academy due to its highly volatile nature. Mages who practised these elements were often documented to go berserk; burnt by the very element that brought them power. She too had considered harnessing their powers in her lonelier dark years, but...

Maximilian shrugged her shoulders to cast off the sombre thoughts clouding her mind.

Stay focused, Maximilian Calypse.

With a deep inhalation, the professor reassessed her present situation. She was unsure when her reinforcement would arrive. If the enemy were to increase their manpower soon, she would eventually run out of stamina. While her magical prowess had strengthened over the past two centuries, she had not been actively practising them during peacetime. Moreover, magic was historically frowned upon so much that they had to live underground once again. A complacency, she noted, but it was too late to regret now.

Taking a quick peek to her left, Maximilian noted Sergeant Charon's well-being. The latter was quite a distance away, but she could make out his caramel brown hair amidst the chaos that was happening. Elliot was caught in a close combat, engaged with a burly man with platinum blonde hair and pale skin. They were fighting neck-to-neck. For some reason, both had dropped their guns and were charging at one another with their bodies and short knives. It was a rather fearsome sight to behold as two men bulldozed one another with all their might, wrestling in slippery black mud as they tried to tackle one another's weaknesses. Maximilian quietly urged for her comrade. The presence of Elliot nearby was reassuring – at least she was not alone. The sergeant was discreet in his role as a chaperone, she was always aware of his presence. While he had always showered her with kindness since the first day they met at her mansion, it was clear that the protection order came from his captain.