The crackle of flames and the crash of the shattering objects echoed through the corridors of Saratoga, painting a grim symphony of chaos and destruction.

These cultists acted no differently than mundane bandits who raided villages, looting everything of value and destroying the rest.

They moved from one classroom to another, stealing precious books and scrolls. They moved from one dormitory to the other, burning everything to the ground.

They moved unihdered…

For now.

"Professor Whitaker said the reinforcements would arrive soon," Arthur spoke through gritted teeth. "Where the hell are they?!"

Currently, Lisa, Biden, and Adam's three students had gathered together and were racing towards the spot where the elderly professor had said Edward was advancing.

Initially, Professor Whitaker was adamant about not letting any of the young Magi outside the hall. But something changed her mind… Perhaps it was Eleiney's words, or it was because of the firm resolve that was gleaming in everyone's eyes.

Regardless, she still forbade all Mana Foundation Magi to partake in the battle. They were young and had a bright future ahead. As for the rest, they weren't forced. They could fight the cultists only if they were willing to.

No one judged the people who refused to battle on the front lines. Especially when their friends and families were also involved. For example, Michael Isaac's two boys were within the castle. As such, he wished to stay by their side and protect them should anything happen.

The people who did, however, choose to battle the cultists were separated into groups. Then, they were sent to specific locations inside the castle, places devoid of any enemy Mana Vortex Magi.

Meanwhile, Professor Whitaker and the rest of the faculty members had also joined the fight. They'd be fighting the Mana Vortex-level cultists… to the best of their capabilities. They, too, had scattered throughout the ancient castle.

There was one thing that the elderly woman had said to them that still echoed in their ears…

'Powerful allies are coming…'

"Why don't I see them?" Aiden retrieved his sword, which was lodged in the chest of a cultist, then wiped its blade.

The group had just finished a small group of Mana Foundation Magi being led by a Mana Liquefaction Magus. It was an effortless task for them, but… this was already the sixth group they had to face off against since they left the great hall.

"There are just too many of them!" Biden gritted his teeth in frustration. He couldn't help but add in annoyance, "Are there any reinforcements at all? Or was that just a lie to appease the masses? All of Saratoga's powerful Magi are in Ravenfell, either fighting or…"

"Careful, Magus." Eleiney shot him a cold glance.

Biden glared at her, gritting his teeth. In the end, he looked away and heaved a heavy sigh. "Forgive me, I'm… I'm on edge."

Lisa ignored their interaction. She turned to Eleiney and asked with concern, "How far away are we?"

"Two layers down, towards the northeast section of the East Wing," said the young lady.

After catching their breath for a few moments, the group quickly resumed their journey toward their destination.

***

In another secluded part of the castle, far removed from the echoes of explosions and the guttural growls of undead creatures, Mathilda Whitaker stood at the end of a long, wide corridor.

To her left, hung portraits of ancient, powerful Magi who had once studied at this prestigious institution. To her right, a series of long, arched windows offered a breathtaking vista of the Verdant Valley.

A thick, crimson carpet stretched down the corridor, flanked by dozens of statues of knights cast in stone, wielding all manner of weapons, standing silently like eternal sentinels.

Her expression remained calm, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the far end of the corridor. She was clearly waiting for someone.

As she stood in silence, memories from her youth resurfaced… of running through these very halls as a carefree child, laughter echoing between the stone walls like a distant dream. She had practically grown up within Saratoga's embrace, and today… today, she was determined to fight, protecting it till the very end.

Her thoughts drifted to her pupil, who ventured to the spirit world and never returned. To Autumn, who had immense arcane potential, and how she never truly got the chance to properly guide her.

She thought of Adam, dozing off during her lectures, and of the many students she had come to cherish over the years. She thought of her fellow faculty members, comrades-in-arms, now more than ever.

And at last, her thoughts settled on the indomitable pillar of Saratoga itself - Headmaster Blackwood.

Professor Whitaker took a deep breath, steadying her resolve. Then, she whispered:

"…So be it."

The next moment, she conjured a black staff, carved from an ancient, peculiar kind of wood. As soon as she tapped it firmly on the ground, a deep hum resonated through the stones beneath her feet.

Within the next minute, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching from the other end of the corridor. Slowly, a silhouette appeared in the darkness. It was an elderly man with long, grey hair and dark, lifeless eyes.

Daggett of the Cult of Bones!

He looked at the elderly professor with an arched eyebrow, clearly amused. "Just you?"

Mathilda's back was straight as an arrow, and she showed no fear in her eyes. So what if she was facing a Mana Core Magus alone? She would not back down!

"You've made the grave mistake of intruding upon my home," she said. "Are you prepared to face the consequences?"

Daggett remained silent, intently looking at the elderly professor. Then, he looked past her, trying to determine if there were any more people accompanying her. Soon, his lips formed a smirk, "Tell me, old hag. Do you think you're actions are brave? Or simply foolish?"

Mathilda didn't answer. She silently raised the wooden staff, then tapped the floor once again.

A simple act, yet one that caused Daggett to frown. An invisible hand clawed at his heart, and in that moment… he knew that the wooden staff was an extremely dangerous artifact!

A dark frown appeared on his face. He felt uneasy for some reason. Something in the air had shifted. Then, Mathilda's cold words echoed through the corridor, reverberating through every corner of this ancient castle.

"Rise."

An indiscernible ripple of energy originated from the staff, spreading outward, touching every inch of the castle.

Nothing happened for a brief moment.

And then…

The statues of the stone knights came to life.

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