abcnovels
Chapter 515 516-A Hymn to Courage
Chapter 515 516-A Hymn to Courage
Chapter 515 Chapter516-A Hymn to Courage
With the subhumans gone, Ali, holding the rear, became the target for everyone.
Regardless of the attackers' goals, it was presumed they wouldn't want an uncontrollable element at the scene.
It was time for Ali to start looking for a way out.
Still silent, the figure was like a true mute, making no sound at all, only crouching once again, preparing to pounce like a feline predator.
In the instant mana erupted, both figures vanished simultaneously!
The sword tip cut through the air leaving a white trail, while the figure's blade split the air, leaving behind swirling vortices.
The opponent possessed near-ultimate speed, but Ali was equally fast.
A tempest exploded, instantly sweeping through the small cabin, the fragile wooden walls whining under the strain of near-breaking, but ultimately succumbing to destruction.
The full-force explosion of the two, even just the remnants of their battle, was enough to tear apart any ordinary person.
The circulating mana could hardly keep up with their movements, devoid of mana's support, they had no control over their bodies, relying only on inertia for one final strike.
Even if this strike couldn't decide life or death, the recovery of mana following the collision would become the key to survival.
Being a step slow meant death!
This isn't an exaggeration but a reality in combat.
It doesn't require a second, not even half a second.
Between two magi of equal level, if one lacks mana, it only takes one move to determine life or death.
Blood splattered, the warmth of it splashing across Ali's face, making her slightly dizzy.
Another life had been extinguished.
Ali's eyelids drooped as she withdrew.
Her sword traced an arc, mirrored by a corresponding arc on the ground.
Turning around, lifting her eyelids, she saw several people standing at the other end.
"What do you want?"
The same question, asked for the third time.
Still, there was no answer.
Ali let out a cold laugh.
Did they really think numbers would give them strength?
Her eyes narrowed, and deep within her mind, turmoil began, her mana capacity steadily rising.
Level 3 magus limit… breached.
Level 2 magus (phase 1) limit… breached.
Level 2 magus (phase 2) limit… breached.
Level 2 magus (phase 3) limit… breached.
Although each use would directly reduce her lifespan, the gradually emerging fear in the eyes of those at the other end gave Ali a perverse sense of pleasure.
Come on, let's see who dies and who lives!
To say a magus is like a bucket is actually inaccurate.
The principle of the weakest link might be evident when the power gap is not significant.
However, when the strength of the two parties is not on the same level, you might not be able to exploit the opponent's weaknesses even if they're apparent.
Take Howard, for example.
Although his speed might be faster than Red Eye's, and his reactions possibly quicker, he still ends up being passively beaten in front of Red Eye.
Because his attacks simply can't break through Red Eye's defense.
What if Red Eye's speed isn't fast enough?
He just needs to allocate four parts to offense and six to defense, and the one who ends up dead will definitely be Howard.
The reason legends exist is due to their irreplicability.
People began to retreat as Ali's presence became even more imposing without releasing her power.
Taking a step forward, a sudden loud noise from a nearby cabin drew everyone's attention.
What was happening? Both the cloaked figures and Ali herself were momentarily stunned.
She certainly didn't possess the ability to demolish a building tens of meters away through sheer will; if she had such power, half of the cloaked figures present would have already been dead, instead of this standoff.
Boom—
A second explosion scattered countless shards of signage, forcing Ali to step back and clear the way.
Then, through the dust-filled air, two figures, one tall and one small, slowly emerged.
Could it be... they came out on their own?
When had Jelia become so powerful?
How could Ali continue to pretend to be superior in front of this young girl?
...
The scene shifts back to a moment earlier.
In the corridor, Jelia and Roronora faced off, the situation seemingly collapsing into a hopeless deadlock.
Jelia was completely powerless to stop it.
"Special-level magi may not be numerous, but they certainly aren't rare throughout history. A legacy from an unknown magus isn't inherently valuable since the magus system has developed quite comprehensively," Roronora continued.
"But, what if this magus wasn't human?"
"What if this magus was a subhuman... a half-orc?"
Perhaps due to weakness, Roronora's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for Jelia to hear clearly.
She might not grasp the full implication of Roronora's words, but his tone was unmistakably clear to her.
In simple terms, this legacy is of immense importance.
If word gets out, it will attract unwelcome attention like rotting meat draws flies that cannot be shooed away.
Of course, magi and flies are not the same, but then again, humans and half-orcs are also different, aren't they?
A legacy left by a special-level magus who is a half-orc could potentially alter the dynamics of an entire region, even the fate of a small country.
It's important to note that although humans and "otherkind" differ constitutionally, human mana technology is almost entirely built upon the foundation of "otherkind" mana technology.
Despite subsequent breakthroughs and advancements, the discovery of any "otherkind" legacy might signify a disruption in the existing mana technology system.
Many theories could be overturned, and many lives could be lost.
But at this moment, Jelia just wanted to get out.
She asked impatiently, "How can I obtain those legacies?"
She wasn't concerned with how many humans might die as a result; she just wanted to leave and continue her journey to find Howard.
"You... you're also a half-orc. Though not a Werewolf, you might still be able to access the legacy," Roronora said, his words dripping with skepticism.
He seemed doubtful that Jelia could acquire the legacy, his expectations of her limited to having someone to converse with.
"I suppose you don't yet know that this space actually prohibits the use of mana."
Roronora turned and walked deeper into the corridor.
Hesitating for just two seconds, Jelia followed.
"The crystal containing the legacy is located on the ceiling of the cavern, unprotected. As long as you can touch it, you can obtain it. However, the ceiling of the cavern is over one hundred and fifty meters high. "
"From such a height, falling into the water is no different from hitting the ground – it's death either way. Climbing to the ceiling with bare hands and then acquiring the crystal is the entirety of the test for the legacy."
Roronora spoke slowly, but his words were laced with a mocking tone.
"There's only one test. It doesn't require any profound understanding of mana or any fancy manipulation of it; as long as you're not afraid of death, you can keep trying."
"Until you secure the legacy."
"Or die."
"We're this blunt about it because life and death are always just a moment apart."
"Did you know? Before you and me, at least thirty people have tried."
Jelia didn't need Roronora to spell it out; she could guess the fate of those previous attempters.
They ended up feeding the fish in the lake.
The two walked at a steady pace, eventually returning to the cavern.
Looking up once again at the brilliant, starry sky, its beauty hid the cruel struggle for survival.
Without obtaining the legacy, one could only be trapped to death here.
No wonder the wolf's head she saw was deep crimson.
Approaching the edge of the lake, Roronora pointed towards a glowing crystal on the cavern ceiling, bright as the moon in the center: "See that? That's where the legacy lies."
"I've told you everything I know. Whether or not you want to try is up to you."
After saying this, Roronora sat down by the lake, grimacing as the cold ground bit into him.
"Actually, staying here might not be so bad. You don't have to worry about anything. When you're hungry, just catch some mice. One isn't enough, two are about right to fill you, three is a celebration. If you're really lucky and find a whole nest, you can afford to lie around for a few more days."
Is this really living?
What's more important, courage or survival?
Jelia looked up at the brightest star in the starry sky and suddenly smiled.
"Silly Werewolf, have you ever heard this saying?"
"What saying?"
Roronora looked at Jelia curiously, tilting his head with a smirk on his face.
"You want to try? Impossible! I've tried before, fell from seventy meters high, broke a dozen bones, and never recovered."
"The reason beings are called intelligent is precisely because they do what is known to be impossible. The hymn of all creatures is a hymn to courage!"
Jelia didn't even realize that when she said these words, her eyes weren't filled with fear but with the pure excitement of a climber at the sight of a high mountain.
Why climb the mountain?
Because it's there.
The words differ, but the principle is much the same.
Tightening her clothes around her, Jelia set her cloak aside and began to survey the entire layout of the cavern's ceiling.