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The mages summoned from the royal capital gathered midway up the volcano, forming a circle around it.
With arms raised high, the mages unleashed their magic, intertwining their powers to gradually construct an enormous magic array encircling the volcano.
Radiant streams of light shimmered, creating a majestic and solemn atmosphere.
Numerous magical steel stakes embedded in the volcano responded to the formation, their enchanted chains clinking and stirring, sinking even deeper into the volcanic rock.
Runes were etched upon the formation, fortifying its structure, and extending its influence beyond its initial bounds.
The second-tier mages stood slightly lower than the third-tier mages, continuously channeling their magic to support them.
When the first batch of second-tier mages could no longer sustain their efforts, the next group stepped up to take their place.
Once the earliest batch of second-tier mages had rested, they returned to the ritual, repeating the cycle over and over.
A dozen third-tier mages focused their minds and began chanting at the center of the formation:
“The God of the Abyss weeps! Gather the world’s chill!”
“The Benevolent Yellow God implores! Sing the lament of the lower realm!”
…
Although Erika was the Duke’s daughter, she received no special treatment.
She was assigned to the ranks of the second-tier mages like everyone else.
After evacuating the civilians, the knights stood guard nearby, ensuring that the mages were not disturbed.
Since magic would attract magical beasts, the knights positioned themselves around the mages, swiftly eliminating any creatures that approached.
“The longer this magic formation enveloping Mount Vesuvius remains active, the more powerful its effect will become.”
As a third-tier mage, Duke Liwei exerted all his strength to stabilize the formation, hoping to delay the volcano’s eruption for as long as possible.
If the formation could be maintained for a full day, it might completely suppress Mount Vesuvius’ eruption.
An hour passed, and the first batch of second-tier mages descended the mountain to rest, while a new group took their place.
Erika was among them, standing behind Duke Liwei. She began chanting softly, transferring her magic to her father.
While drawing runes and reciting incantations, Duke Liwei observed Erika’s every move.
Seeing his daughter handling herself so well, he felt a sense of relief.
“Erika, you’ve grown up.”
The second batch of mages withdrew, and the third was about to step in. However, Erika did not leave.
Secretly, she drank a bottle of the blue potion she had purchased from Liya, instantly replenishing her mental energy.
Duke Liwei was surprised to see Erika still standing there. At the same time, he felt immense pride.
“I never expected Erika to possess such an extraordinary reserve of mental power.”
“At her age, I was nowhere near her level.”
Another hour passed. The third batch of mages stepped back, and the fourth batch took their place.
Erika remained in the formation, continuing to transfer magic to Duke Liwei.
She discreetly drank another potion, completely restoring her energy once again.
If Duke Liwei had only been astonished before, he was now utterly shocked.
“Erika’s talent is terrifying!”
“Her immense mental power already surpasses that of many third-tier mages.”
As her father, he was just now realizing how powerful his daughter truly was!
Soon, the fourth batch of mages exhausted their magic and withdrew to rest.
Erika drank yet another potion and pressed on.
The surrounding third-tier mages began to take notice.
Four hours had passed—where was she getting all this magic?
Was there a boundless ocean of magic hidden within this genius girl?
Unable to suppress their curiosity, the mages turned to Duke Liwei and asked:
“Duke Liwei, is your daughter a monster? How does she have such terrifying mental reserves?”
“Indeed! I’ve never seen an ox plow a field for this long without rest!”
Duke Liwei began to worry. He feared Erika was pushing herself too hard and might cause irreparable damage to her body.
However, seeing that she still looked at ease, he held back his words.
What was going on?
He couldn’t figure it out.
By the time five hours had passed, the first batch of second-tier mages had already returned to duty after their rest.
As they ascended the mountain, they saw the Duke’s daughter still standing in the formation.
She glowed like a dazzling beacon, radiating magical energy.
???
Was she not going to rest?
Indeed, Erika had been secretly drinking potions each time a group of mages rotated out, ensuring that she remained in a relatively comfortable state.
Feeling the stunned gazes of the mages around her, Erika was immensely proud of herself.
‘All thanks to Professor Victor’s potions! This way, I can keep going!’
‘Father will definitely look at me in a new light!’
Just as she was lost in her own triumph, Duke Liwei’s furious roar struck her like a hammer, snapping her back to reality.
“ERIKA! GET DOWN AND REST RIGHT NOW!!!”
Erika: “…….”
For the first time, she saw her father this angry. Startled, she shrank back slightly and obediently stepped away.
Meanwhile, her reputation had already spread throughout the ranks of the second-tier mages.
“Who understands? She’s a total freak! When I left the first time, she was still there. When I came back the second time, she was STILL there!”
“You’re talking about Duke Liwei’s daughter? I saw her too. Her mental strength is already comparable to a third-tier mage…”
“Even Victor might struggle to outmatch her.”
Erika had excellent hearing. Hearing the whispered praises, she felt a surge of pride.
Some were even comparing her to Victor! That thought filled her with joy.
However, she also knew the truth—without those potions, she could never have sustained herself for so long.
Those miraculous potions were made by Victor himself…
Thinking of this, the flattery she received suddenly felt hollow.
After all, she was still no match for Professor Victor.
Perhaps, no matter how hard she tried, she would never even catch a glimpse of his back.
“ROOOAAARR!!!”
A deafening roar erupted from Mount Vesuvius’ summit, causing boulders to tumble down as ashes billowed into the sky.
The black clouds above the volcano cracked like shattered glass, revealing fiery red fissures.
The ground trembled, and magma within the volcano churned violently.
“Look! What is that?!”
A knight pointed to the sky, where scalding droplets of rain began to fall.
The fire rain struck the mountainside, detonating upon impact like explosive charges.
All the mages and knights went on high alert. The mages hastily carved emergency formations, while the knights enchanted their armor and silver swords with magical enhancements.
Was the volcano about to erupt?
Suddenly, a voice echoed in Erika’s mind:
‘It hurts… It hurts…’
“That voice again! What’s happening?!”
She clearly heard it coming from the summit. She desperately wanted to go see for herself.
And perhaps… Professor Victor was there!
Erika remembered how the other mages had slandered Victor.
She didn’t want to believe that he was the one behind the eruption.
But in this situation, anyone would suspect him.
The missing Victor, and the impending eruption…
“No! I have to find a way to reach the summit!”