One thing the group gained from their training sessions fighting the Terra warriors was how to efficiently pace and control the fight according to their available stamina and spirit energy. That was what Emery and the others just did.

Even though their appearance looked strong and frightening, these creatures were certainly not as strong as them.

This was especially so when the group was equipped with tier 4 equipment and had various kinds of spells in their pockets. Simply put, these orcs were not their match as long as they advanced carefully.

The thing that was tested in this Magus Game was the tenacity the acolytes had, the ability to keep their fighting spirit as they continued struggling in what seemed to be a battle without end.

Emery and the others showed what the upper echelons of the Magus Academy wanted, but the group also brought a welcomed surprise to this stage. By utilizing great teamwork and tactics that they had prepared in advance, they overcame the level three challenge with relative ease.

Thanks to the recovery time provided by Klea's actions, Emery and the three other boys regained their strength. They were, once again, in their prime condition, ready to fight the last hundreds of the opponents.

Of course, this endeavor was not as easy as it sounded, especially with the Orc Warchief still alive and being protected by half a dozen Orc Champions.

Emery discovered he couldn't get close to the Orc Warchief at all no matter what he did, not even with his [Weeping Phantom] or [Blink].

The massive frame of the six Orc Champions, as well as the similarly large bodies of the Uruks had completely filled the space within the entire 8 meter wide bridge. There were no visible gaps as far as their eyes could see.

At this moment, seeing his usual tricks weren't working that well, Emery decided to give the new skill he had recently learned a try. He straightened his back as he stabbed one of his swords in the ground, while raising the other to the sky with his two hands.

A strong deluge of spirit energy began to channel out of Emery's dark core and heading toward the sword in his hand. A few moments later, when the sword was already entirely suffused with the energy, the young man immediately swung it horizontally.

[Shadow Edge]

The next instant, a massive crescent-shaped jet-black energy was unleashed from the swing of the sword, rapidly heading in the direction of the orc horde.

Swiissssshhh!

The dark energy blade split the air and struck the orc horde, cutting through a few of Uruk standing at the front row and even cleave an Orc Champion that was unlucky enough to be in its trajectory.

Splaaatttt!

Patches of blood painted the stone bridge's pale crimson, as the unlucky Orc Champion died without even having a chance to cry its death throe.

Alas, the destruction that the [Shadow Edge] Emery unleashed had to come to an end as the Orc Warchief took action. It swung the massive saber in its hand forward, stopping the dark energy in its tracks. However, this didn't come without a cost.

Clank!!

The huge frame of the Orc Warchief was thrown back a few steps, while its hand holding the huge saber was visibly shaking. As if ashamed by this disgraceful display, the Orc Warchief let out a loud roar that told everyone on the scene it was extremely infuriating.

Unfortunately, its rage-filled roar had to come to an abrupt stop, as the sky had filled with countless objects. The dozen Uruk around it quickly tried to cover and take the hits for their chief, but the barrage of arrows sent by Chumo were simply too much. Some even successfully landed and injured a few Orc Champions who panicked.

Seeing this opening, Emery quickly cast [Blink] and appeared behind the Orc Warchief. Two swords already in hand and brought to the air, he proceeded to use [Heroic Strike], leaving two deep cuts across the Orc Warchief's wide back.

This surprise attack managed to make the Orc Warchief's ankle go weak, as its knees dropped to the hard bridge. However, Emery understood this attack was not enough to fatally wound the thick skin of Orc Warchief, that was also protected with tier 3 armor.

Hence, he immediately decided to send his [Shadow Edge] once again, taking advantage of the moment of weakness it showed right now.

Bllaassstttt!

A beastly scream resounded in the air. The powerful skill sealed the Orc Warchief's fate, deeming it to eternal darkness. It even blasted the Orc Champion who was standing next to it away.

Now that the deed was done, Emery quickly returned to the center of the bridge by using [Blink], retreating before being overwhelmed and pummeled to the ground by the crazed Uruks.

Following the death of the Orc Warchief, the [Warcry] effect bestowed upon the orcs started to lose its effects. Seeing this, the group immediately went ahead and carried out the killings, making use of everything they had trained.

Now that the main threat was gone, Emery decided to take his time in killing the remaining few dozens of Uruk, so that he was able to catch his breath and recover some of his spirit energy. He also took this chance to see how his friends were doing.

He saw how Thrax also managed to overpower the Orc Warchief at his side. With Julian's assistance that helped isolate the chief from its warriors, Thrax was having a one-on-one fight with the monstrosity and ended up emerging victorious.

A few minutes later, all the orcs, Uruks and Orc Champions included, were finally defeated and the group once again gathered at the center of the bridge.

[Congratulation on clearing level three]

[You are awarded 10.000 contribution points]

[Total number of acolytes: 232/692]

[Five minutes until level 4 starts]

The information that appeared actually brought the group quite a surprise. Surprisingly there were 450 acolytes who were eliminated in the third level. That's almost two thirds of the acolytes who participated in this year's Magus Game.

But after a deep reflection, Emery could somewhat understand this shocking outcome. In fact, he could imagine their group would also be eliminated if Klea didn't have such a destructive spell. After all, Julian and Thrax would be completely exhausted and might be accidentally knocked out of the level if Klea didn't give them time to recover.

Seeing the number of acolytes who had failed, further proved that the Earth Team's acolytes could no longer be compared to the regular class. With this result, their placement within the elite class was secured.

The others besides Emery also seemed to have reached the same conclusion, as broad smiles appeared on their faces.

"Now that we are set for the elite class. We just need to make sure Emery passes the next level!" Julian said passionately. Emery could clearly see the determined look on everyone's eyes, telling him their commitment to achieving the task.

Emery, however, said. "No! We will make it together No one is allowed to be eliminated in the next level!"

Julian, Klea, Thrax and Chumo didn't say anything, only staring at Emery with a warm smile. It was at this moment that something happened.

The orb that was floating next to them suddenly flickered and slowly lost its form, dissipating into numerous energy motes.

This phenomenon shocked the four close friends.

"Wait-What? Did we fail?"

"No way!!"

Panic began to spread among the group as they didn't know what to do. Fortunately, a notification came to their mind right after the orb completely disappeared.

[New objective - Survive the next hordes]

All of them subconsciously released a sigh of relief. It was Thrax who spoke first and lit up their fighting spirit again.

"Huh! This is good news right! We don't have to worry about protecting the orb anymore!"

Emery, however, had a worried look on his face. The objective had indirectly suggested the next level would be drastically harder than its precursor, as the only thing they had to do was survive.

Unfortunately, Emery didn't have the opportunity to think any longer as loud sounds could be heard coming from the two stone gates. He quickly gathered his concentration and prepared himself for what was about to come.

"Huh! Like I said before, whoever comes through that door! No matter how many! All will fall to my blade without exception!!"

As soon as Thrax said those words, a loud shrieking sound could be heard. However, the group quickly realized it was not coming from either gate. It came from above them.

The group immediately jerked their heads to the sky, to see a dozen massive creatures come charging into their location.

[Wyvern]

[Magical beast, level 50]

"Dammit, not from the sky?!! This is cheating!!"

Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,

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