[Touch of Light: LV1 (15/100)]

[Touch of Light: LV1 (36/100)]

...

Duke was completely immersed in exploring the control of this Touch of Light; he discovered that improving proficiency was not just about the number of times it was cast but more about the complexity and precision of each maneuver.

Attempting more intricate operations seemed to accelerate proficiency growth.

He even began trying to simultaneously form and control two strands of light, which immediately heightened the demands on his precise spiritual power control.

Initially, the two strands were completely unmanageable, either becoming entangled with each other or moving out of sync.

But Duke enjoyed the challenge, seeing it as an excellent exercise for honing his control over spiritual power.

While Duke was engrossed in magic practice, unaware of the passing time in the outside world, the Wizard's Mark in his mind suddenly stirred.

Only then did Duke pause the practice to check the message, discovering it was from Catherine.

Catherine had almost no strict demands for her subordinates and never arranged any urgent or dangerous missions.

Perhaps, for her, someone like Duke who was always cloistered in the lab was easiest to manage, as long as he didn't cause trouble outside.

Otherwise, if these people caused any problems, Catherine would have to clean up the mess.

The message from Catherine was straightforward: the war was about to begin, and everyone was to gather immediately.

Duke promptly ceased his magic practice, dispelled the Touch of Light, and tidied up in the lab before hurrying out.

Exiting the lab and returning to the main passage of Goose Peak Castle, he found that the atmosphere inside the fortress, though once busy but orderly, had drastically changed.

Teams of fully armed Knights and Wizards were quickly running to their respective assembly areas, and the heavy footsteps of golems could be heard rumbling in the surroundings, while Floating Airships densely occupied the sky for transporting supplies.

The air was thick with a tense, excitement-mixed anticipation of battle, with everyone hastily on the move.

Duke dared not delay and immediately joined the flow of people headed toward the tower, where the assembly area was located in the open space beside it.

It was an expansive area on the side of Goose Peak Castle, near a large exit, and when he arrived, a considerable number of people had already gathered.

Vivian was also there, waving at him; she hadn't disturbed Duke these days and was herself immersed in lab research and cultivation.

"Duke," Vivian said upon seeing him, her expression serious, "it looks like the main assault is about to begin."

Duke nodded, his gaze sweeping across the assembly area.

He saw Ella and Leonard, the siblings standing together, surrounded by an unapproachable aura of low pressure.

Samuel had also appeared at some point, leaning against the shadow of a stone pillar, absentmindedly chewing on some candy-like snack, seemingly indifferent to the surrounding tense atmosphere.

Arthur stood not far away; seeing Duke and Vivian together, his eyes flickered for a moment but eventually looked away.

Richie soon appeared as well, his face showing a hint of fatigue, clearly having expended a lot of energy writing reports and handling inquiries from superiors.

Catherine then descended from the tower, scanning everyone before speaking: "The United Legion's main assault on the north line of the Toulouse Territory is about to begin, and our orders have been issued."

Everyone listened in rapt attention, even Samuel stood up straight to catch the ensuing instructions, as he seemed somewhat interested in the battlefield.

In fact, among the seventh squad of youngsters present, only Duke had truly experienced plane wars; the others were participating in plane warfare for the first time.

"Our squad will not participate in the first wave of frontal assaults." Catherine's words visibly allowed a few people, especially Ella, to relax.

To Duke, this was unsurprising; the early stages of war typically only involved the Slave Creature Legion, with wizards generally not participating in the frontline battles.

Let alone the fact that they were only Level 1 Mages, whose impact would be limited.

"Our task is to serve as a reserve and rapid response team, stationed at the newly established third forward observation post on Goose Peak Castle's northern outskirts. Responsible for monitoring abnormal frontline energy fluctuations, providing limited magical support for retreating troops when necessary, and staying vigilant for small enemy units potentially infiltrating from the main battlefield's flanks."

Catherine continued, although the task sounded perilous, it was actually far from it.

"Simply put," Catherine's tone softened but carried an unmistakable authority, "your primary job is to observe. Stay within the reinforced observation post and record the battlefield situation in this direction, strictly prohibited from leaving the observation range."

Her sharp gaze swept over each young person present, especially those like Ella with little combat experience:

"The Toulouse Territory now is like a trapped beast in its lair; all their strength must counter the frontal onslaught, rendering it virtually impossible to send a structured unit on a long detour to attack our far-back observation post. Therefore, as long as you're not foolish enough to expose or leave the fortifications yourself, it's one of the safest places."

"Of course," she added with a turn in tone, "war holds no absolutes; maintaining necessary vigilance is essential. Any anomalies, no matter how subtle, must be immediately reported to me, without taking independent actions, understood?"

"Understood!" This time, a majority of the group responded.

Especially Ella, who regained some color in her face; the task was indeed safer than imagined.

"Very good." Catherine nodded in satisfaction, "Richie will lead you to the third observation post and oversee on-site command. Remember, your observation and reports contribute more to the legion than your magic. Now, go receive your standard reconnaissance supply pack, and set off promptly."

The so-called reconnaissance supply pack contained not only regular potions and military rations but also high-powered alchemical telescopes, small-area energy fluctuation monitoring compasses, several signal flares of different uses, and some common magic potions.

Although heading in the northern direction, this time the route was entirely different from previous reconnaissance missions.

They did not march onto open wasteland but followed a newly developed path along the fortress perimeter, equipped with simple shelters and warning markers.

In the distance, the roar of war resounded like continuous rolling thunder.

On the horizon, flashes of various spells flickered wildly, akin to an apocalyptic aurora, casting an eerie and tumultuous illumination over half the sky.

Occasionally, in the far-distant air, enormous figures could be seen engaged in combat with the flying demons or Awakened of the Toulouse Territory.

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