Chapter 30: Team Battle (3)

The appearance of the Gorgon, this transformed beast, undoubtedly placed immense pressure on Jiang Zhe and Dia.
Although the Gorgon could only use ordinary second-level magic spells like fireballs, it had three heads, allowing it to launch three fireballs at once. Even ordinary first-year students would likely be unable to deal with such a transformed beast, let alone Bobby, who was watching from the sidelines.
It was like a small cannon tower in a game!
“Hiss! Boom! Hiss…”
Watching the fireballs continuously strike the shield Dia had created, and seeing her body tremble with each explosion, Jiang Zhe couldn’t help but worry.
“Can you hold on?”
Dia didn’t speak; she merely nodded. Perhaps she didn’t have the strength to talk anymore, as sweat began to bead on her forehead.
It wasn’t that Jiang Zhe stood by helplessly—it was simply that he couldn’t intervene. The magic system in this world wasn’t like in games; one couldn’t attack enemies outside the shield while inside it.
It was easy to understand—water-based defensive magic’s function was “neutralization,” but this neutralization was two-way. It not only offset external damage but also internal damage. As for fire magic—could fireballs made of flames penetrate that water barrier? It was simply impossible!
After all, shields were generally meant to resist large-scale magical attacks and protect one’s teammates. Once a shield was activated, it meant that magic attacks couldn’t be launched from within the shield—this was the rule of this world.
Of course, if one had the control skills of a grand mage, it might be possible to maintain the shield while creating a “small gap” to allow attack magic to pass through. Unfortunately, Dia wasn’t capable of that yet.
Frowning at Dia, whose forehead was covered in sweat, Jiang Zhe glanced at Bobby across from them and turned to leave the shield’s range. But as soon as he moved, Dia grabbed the sleeve of his robe.
“Don’t… don’t leave…”
Jiang Zhe naturally understood what Dia meant. He could clearly see that although Bobby was casually casting fireballs to weaken the shield step by step, his eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhe.
Jiang Zhe was sure that the moment he left the shield’s protection, a barrage of fireballs would greet him…
Tch!

Jiang Zhe had a good idea. Bobby had indeed been keeping an eye on that junior with dark golden hair in the distance. As soon as he left the shield, Bobby’s fire magic would pour down on him in full force, and by then, it wouldn’t just be fireballs…

While paying attention to Jiang Zhe, Bobby also observed the junior girl who was using the shield. Logically, under the continuous magical attacks from his own summoned beast, that shield should have collapsed by now…

Ah, one really can’t underestimate the juniors…

As he was pondering these things, he suddenly heard three “bang” sounds beside him. Turning his head, he was taken aback.

A white mist rose in front of his teammate Sam. Once the mist dissipated, three exceptionally large wolf-like creatures were crouched in a line on the ground. Their fur was a mix of blue and white, and they didn’t seem particularly fierce, but the two giant fangs on their upper jaws made it clear these wolves weren’t friendly.

[Summon: Fanged Wind Wolves]

Bobby blinked in confusion and said, “Sam, is it really necessary to summon Fanged Wind Wolves? And three at that? Didn’t the professor say we can’t summon more than three contract beasts? There’s no need to break the rules for juniors in their third and first years, right?”

“I’m not breaking any rules!” Sam said, his expression very strange.

Seemingly unaware of his teammate’s expression, Bobby frowned and said, “Including the sand lizards and sand snakes, that’s five, isn’t it?”

“Sand lizards?” Sam asked with a wry smile. “Look carefully—where are they?”

“Right there…” Bobby scanned the area and froze.

Huh? Where are the sand lizards?

Weren’t they here just now…

At that moment, he noticed the boy named Allen. It wasn’t anything special about the boy, but rather the “thing” he was tightly gripping in his hand—a snake writhing in pain, covered in thin flames…

“Bang!” The snake turned into a puff of smoke.

Wait, are you kidding me?

Killed a flame-possessed sand snake with just one hand? Even with [Bull Force] activated, no one could have that much strength. What kind of monster is that guy?

“The sand lizards and sand snakes…”

“They were taken care of by those two!” Joe said seriously, pointing at Allen and Scott in the distance, before immediately strengthening the three Fanged Wind Wolves.

[Enhancement: Wildness Endowment]
[Enhancement: Fury Suppression]
[Enhancement: Resilience]

Under the influence of the three enhancement spells, the three-fanged wind wolves became even more massive, with sharper claws and fangs, exuding a fierce aura. Yet their blood-red eyes still retained a hint of sanity.
Jo had originally intended to use [Petrified Skin] and [Anti-Magic Skin], but unfortunately, the three-fanged wind wolves were experts in guerrilla tactics and ambushes, being highly agile contract beasts. Using those spells would significantly reduce their speed, making it not worth the risk.
“Hey!” Allen, who had just dealt with the sand snake, saw the three-fanged wind wolves slowly approaching him and Scott. With a helpless tone, he said, “I barely managed to take care of that one… Senior Sam, that’s too unfair!”
Hearing the snickers from his companions, Sam felt frustrated.
Indeed, in battles between magicians, when both sides weren’t very strong, frequently summoning contract beasts was a rather unscrupulous tactic. Even if a magician wasn’t particularly powerful, one specializing in summoning could still defeat their opponent with these beasts. Of course, in battles between high-level magicians, unless they summoned advanced contract beasts, it was useless and would only waste magic power.
But in battles among apprentices, even low-level contract beasts, enhanced by spells, were beyond the capabilities of lower-grade students. Most of their courses focused on theory, with little practical training, and they hadn’t yet developed a complete “magical system.”
After all, the world of magic was vast—mastering thousands of spells was clearly impossible. Even great magicians wouldn’t claim to be proficient in all of them.
It was crucial to choose the right spells from one’s areas of expertise to build a strong magical system.
Take fire-based blue magic, for example. Magicians usually choose between [Fireball] and [Flames], or between [Fire Wave] and [Fire Resistance Ring]. Once you opt for offensive spells, do you choose one or several defensive spells? Should you choose defensive spells from blue magic or arcane spells from black magic? Do you need to learn [Enchantment], [Enhancement], [Illusion], and so on?
Only the spells that suit you, the situation, and the environment are the strongest.

Before an individual’s magic system is fully developed, dark magicians—especially those specializing in dark blue magic—are extremely weak, as their attack methods are too limited.
Just like Scott and Allen, who were overwhelmed by the guerrilla attacks from the three enhanced long-toothed wind wolves…
Just like Jiang Zhe, who couldn’t counter with fireballs inside Dia’s water-based shield…
The fluctuations in Dia’s magic power made Jiang Zhe realize she was about to run out of strength—maybe three more minutes, or even less…
That dark-haired girl named Lilia had clearly expended too much magic in previous battles and then helped Scott and Allen cast enhancement spells; she could hardly be of any help now…
And Scott and Allen were also struggling to take care of themselves…
Only himself remained…
His extraordinary talent allowed his magic power to recover quickly. Although his mental strength had declined after the battle with Ravia, his magic power had recovered. The earlier exchange of fireballs with that senior named Bobo hadn’t cost him much magic power…
But Dia’s water-based shield…
Should he just go out?
But if he did, without Dia’s protection, even if he could cast fireballs quickly, it wouldn’t compare to the speed of that senior and his three fire snakes. Not to mention he wasn’t good at defensive magic—even if he were, he couldn’t multitask…
Was he doomed to lose?
“This is something we’ve worked so hard to find. I definitely won’t give it up, hehe!”
No, there must be another way!
Glancing at Dia, who was breathing heavily beside him, Jiang Zhe calmed down and started thinking of strategies.
Was there any way to pass through this shield without harming Dia?
Tch!
Hearing the constant hissing and booming sounds, along with Dia’s increasingly rapid breathing, a sense of anxiety began to rise in Jiang Zhe’s heart. But the next moment, a cool, refreshing breeze seemed to surge from somewhere, instantly dissolving his negative emotions.
This feeling…
It was similar to when he had contacted Professor Hodde last time…
So comfortable…
Just a bit sleepy…
No, no, now isn’t the time for a nap!
Pass through this shield… Pass through… Ignore it…
I can’t move at all!
Had all this fire element been gathered in vain?
Tch!
If I had known, why would I have learned fireballs? What’s the use of fireballs if I can’t cast them?!
Damn… Wait!
Cast them?
I remember Professor Hodde said that day…
He talked about the difference between fireballs and fire bombs…

The essential difference lies in the form of the attack…
He seemed to say…
※※※
“That’s enough for today, Thos!”
“Ah, it’s finally over… But Professor, don’t you really plan to teach me another spell?”
“We’ll talk about it when you satisfy me!” Professor Hodde said with a happy smile.
“But Professor, I only know one spell so far—Fireball…”
“Who said one?” Professor Hodde interrupted Jiang Zhe, stroking his hair. “It’s two. Haven’t you already mastered Fire Bomb? And it doesn’t even require a spell!”
“But it’s transformed from a Fireball. Besides, what’s the difference between a Fireball and a Fire Bomb? Its power is even less than that of a Fireball!”
“What’s the difference?” Professor Hodde sneered, his face stern. “Tell me, what are the characteristics of a Fire Bomb?”
“Rapid attack, high temperature, scorching heat!”
“And what about a Fireball?” Professor Hodde continued.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Zhe replied, “High temperature, scorching heat, explosion!”
“Isn’t that it?” Amid Jiang Zhe’s frustrated look, Professor Hodde laughed heartily. Then he glanced at Jiang Zhe and, after some hesitation, asked, “Thos, let me tell you—there is a difference between a Fire Bomb and a Fireball. Of course, it’s not that a Fireball can explode while a Fire Bomb can’t. I’m referring only to the difference in the form of the attack. Do you understand?”
“The form of the attack?” Jiang Zhe tilted his head; obviously, he didn’t understand.
Sighing impatiently, Professor Hodde explained, “The form of attack for a Fire Bomb involves highly concentrated flame. Compared to a Fireball, a Fire Bomb doesn’t explode, so its internal elements are more dense and stable. It’s also much heavier than a Fireball of the same size. Combined with the speed at which it’s cast, it releases a large amount of heat upon touching the opponent, transferring the temperature from the Fire Bomb to them. But the damage isn’t just from burns; there’s also the impact force generated when casting the Fire Bomb. That’s the form of its attack.
A Fire Ball, on the other hand, has loose and relatively unstable element arrangements, which allow it to explode and cause instant damage. It can’t increase the damage from impact force by speeding up like a Fire Bomb. In other words, whether moving or stationary, the damage from a Fire Ball’s explosion is almost the same. Compared to that slight impact force, the power of a Fire Ball’s explosion is much greater. You should be able to understand this!”
“But Professor, even though a Fire Ball doesn’t need impact force to enhance damage, its form of attack is still the same as that of a Fire Bomb…”

“You idiot! I’ve explained so much—don’t you still understand? A fireball doesn’t need impact force to increase its damage! In other words, this magic can bypass distance… as long as you have enough control! As long as you can expand your mental power!
What is the concept of magic? It’s to use physical and mental energy as a cost to control elements in the atmosphere through spells, artifacts, gestures, magic circles, etc., arranging those elements in a specific pattern—this external manifestation is the process of casting magic!
As long as your mental power is strong enough, as long as the distance you can ‘perceive’ is far enough, you can even form a fireball right in front of your opponent and detonate it! Different from a fire projectile, this is another application of a fireball!
Now do you understand why a fire projectile is only an introductory-level magic, while a fireball is a fundamental one?”
“I understand that, but it’s not a violent fireball. Even if it explodes right in front of the opponent, it probably can’t break through their defenses, right?” Recalling the ‘power’ of a single fireball, Jiang Zhe tilted his head in confusion.
Facing Jiang Zhe’s doubt, Professor Hod laughed lightly and said, “Weren’t you almost mastering the ‘transformation’ technique just now? And your compression skills are also… quite satisfactory, ah! Thos, if you use spells to cast magic, you’ll never reach…”
“Reach what?”
“That’s too early for you. Let’s stop here for today.”
“Hey!”
…
“That’s it!”
Jiang Zhe, lost in thought, suddenly opened his eyes, almost startling Dia beside him.
“Thos?”
“Dia, hold on a bit longer!”
“Oh…” Dia nodded in confusion, turning to look at Jiang Zhe. She saw him close his eyes and slowly raise his right hand, palm facing afar. The fire elements gathered around him gradually dissipated, replaced by an expanding aura of magic energy.
Expand mental perception as much as possible…
Gather fire elements from afar…
Form a fireball…
Compress…
Transform simultaneously upon explosion…
Just raising his right hand with his eyes closed, without any visible action, left Bobbi, who had been watching Jiang Zhe, puzzled.
Suddenly, he sensed something was off…
He felt the fire elements in the atmosphere as if being driven together, gradually converging…
This is…

Fear flashed in Bobby’s eyes as he clearly saw a crimson vortex forming above his transformed beast. Soon, after absorbing enough fire elements, the vortex turned into a fireball the size of a washbasin…
That guy?!
Bobby was too shocked to speak, but what shocked him even more was that a second similar vortex appeared in the sky…
“Hm?”
Suddenly realizing that the three-fanged wind wolves were no longer attacking them but were looking up at the sky, Allen and Scott were puzzled. When they glanced at their seniors across from them, they saw that they too had stopped attacking and were staring at the sky above them with astonished expressions…
The sky? What was there?
Allen instinctively looked up and was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out.
What the hell? When did three washbasin-sized fireballs appear above my head? Damn it, they were even yellow and white in color… Uh, four now…
Those fireballs…
“Be careful, you two!” Lilia’s warning came from behind.
Looking at those fireballs, Scott’s eye twitched as he swallowed hard and said, “Go back!”
Seeing Scott and Allen retreating quickly, Dia also began to shrink and strengthen her water-based shield. Although they were far away, the energy of those fireballs worried her greatly.
At the same time, the seniors across from them also recovered from their shock. Before they could even order their contracted beasts, Sam shouted loudly, “Bobby, the fire absorption barrier! Joe, the shield!”
Before he could finish speaking, after a rapid chant, two defensive spells were cast simultaneously with a “swish” sound.
Apart from the three-fanged wind wolves growling at the fireballs in the sky, everyone present held their breath, staring intently at a boy with dark golden hair…
Four… That was already the limit…
Amidst everyone’s held breaths, with his eyes closed and sensing the elemental fluctuations from those four fireballs in the distance, Jiang Zhe slowly brought his right hand together and snapped his fingers.
“Boom! Boom boom boom!”