"Counterattack? The academy still has the strength to counterattack?" Richard was somewhat surprised after hearing Jolod's words.
If a counterattack was possible, then the Black Tower Wizard Academy shouldn't have been reduced to just the inner ring.
"Sigh, it's cobbled together," Jolod sighed, leading Richard into the laboratory.
Sitting behind the desk, Jolod rubbed his temples with a headache.
"This counterattack wasn't our idea; it was the dean's demand.
While we were fighting the Academy War, the dean and the Great Wizard Meteor mediated with the involvement of several other great wizards.
Now, both sides have essentially reached an agreement, but there are still some terms on which they disagree.
Naturally, neither of the two great wizards is willing to back down, so these terms have turned into a wager.
The dean has stated that if we can reclaim two-thirds of the commercial district, or an equivalent area of land, hold it for more than seven days, and not lose more than two-thirds of the inner ring, then he wins the wager.
That's also our goal."
After hearing this, Richard sighed.
This was truly a case of gods fighting while mortals suffer. The petty quarrels between great wizards could cost the lives of thousands of lesser wizards.
"What's the dean offering as a reward?" Richard asked.
Jolod pulled out a Soul Contract and handed it to Richard across the desk.
"If the wager succeeds, every wizard who participates in this war will receive a direct reward of two thousand Magic Essence. Additionally, the dean's four worlds will be open to all wizards for half a year, allowing them to take slaves and resources freely.
As the spearhead of the counterattack, if you can fulfill the wager, the dean's treasury will be opened to you.
You can take three items from it.
Moreover, the dean will grant you a Secret Realm Fragment covering ten square kilometers as a reward."
Upon hearing the rewards, Richard's heart skipped a beat.
"The dean is really going all out."
"Going all out?" Jolod shook his head. "These things aren't exactly 'going all out.' At most, it's just a bit of a sting.
And with fifty thousand wizards participating in this war, over nine thousand have already died, and nearly thirty thousand soul caskets have been destroyed.
If this were a Plane Expedition, it would be one thing, but this is a fight among ourselves, and the reason is so absurd.
If they don't offer substantial rewards, morale will collapse.
These wizards are our own people, the foundation of the Black Tower Wizard Academy.
If a few of you rise to become great figures in the future and earn the title of honorary alumni, then any amount spent now will be worth it."
Richard pondered this thoughtfully. "Then it seems Great Wizard Meteor is the one who'll really have to go all out. He started this Academy War and gathered so many wizards.
This time, he'll probably have to spend as much as he would on a Plane Expedition."
Jolod shrugged. "That's none of our concern."
Richard carefully reviewed the contract, confirmed there were no problematic clauses, and then signed it.
As the contract turned to flames and disappeared into the air, the atmosphere between the master and disciple lightened.
Jolod got up to brew a pot of magic tea, casually asking, "How are those chimeras I made for you? Are they working well?"
Richard nodded. "Your craftsmanship is truly masterful. The Dragon Beast is an excellent mount."
Jolod returned to his chair with the teapot.
"Glad to hear it. But I'm curious about what you're planning. Alien slaves are decent as cannon fodder, but as soldiers, they fall far short."
Richard chuckled. Although Jolod had partly overcome his prejudice against native aliens because of the Dragon Beast, as an old wizard, he still looked down on them at heart.
"Teacher, wait a moment. I'll go and fetch Makar."
Jolod watched Richard with interest. His student always had some unconventional ideas, and he wondered what surprise Richard had in store this time.
Soon, Jolod saw a three-meter-tall steel giant stoop to enter his laboratory.
Jolod's expression stiffened slightly at the sight of the steel giant.
As a flesh-aligned Alchemist Wizard, he wasn't particularly fond of such purely mechanical golems.
Flesh golems are the best golems! Jolod muttered somewhat discontentedly, "Is this your golem? It looks much stronger than your previous one."
Richard smiled and had Makar deactivate the sealed mode.
In an instant, the life radiation of a third-level being emanated from the armor, causing Jolod to tense up.
He hadn't expected that this "golem" was actually a Fire Lizard clad in armor.
"This is truly a big surprise," Jolod exclaimed.
He knew Richard had a third-level Fire Lizard as a soul slave, which was why he had recommended Richard as an external wizard before the war began.
But he hadn't anticipated that Richard would design a full set of armor for such a third-level creature.
And this armor could even deceive his senses.
Richard pulled out a large metal shield from his pocket and had Makar equip it.
"Teacher, would you like to test the strength of this shield?"
As an experienced wizard, Jolod immediately dismissed the idea of breaking through the thick shield upon seeing it.
"These things... I didn't teach you this, did I?"
Richard laughed. "These are the creations of my Fire Lizard subordinates.
Even this armor has a significant portion designed by their craftsmen.
Teacher, think about it—equipped with these, are the natives really weaker than wizards?"
"Then why don't you equip wizards with these things?" Jolod reflexively countered.
"Because it's unnecessary," Richard said calmly. "A five-hundred-energy fireball can kill, and so can a thousand-energy fireball.
For a four-hundred-energy fireball, a hundred-energy increase is a qualitative leap. But for a thousand-energy fireball, a hundred-energy increase makes no difference.
After all, the opponents we face can be killed with five hundred energy."
Jolod paused, realizing Richard's logic was sound.
The true significance of the equipment wasn't how much it increased combat power but that it elevated an alien slave to the level of a wizard.
If this could be scaled up, the speed of wizards conquering other worlds would greatly accelerate.
But soon, Jolod's expression turned to one of alarm.
He hurriedly cast a silence spell and an anti-scrying spell.
Then, he spoke seriously to Richard:
"Richard, listen carefully. Until you become a great wizard, you must not reveal this.
You're threatening the livelihoods of countless wizards!"
Richard was puzzled by Jolod's reaction.
This idea of his was still in the draft stage. Although he had the Mechanist Mark I prototype, there was still a long way to go before the armor could be mass-produced.
"Teacher, what do you mean?"
Jolod said anxiously, "Think about it. If your slave army is to be profitable, it must be cheaper than hiring wizards. But if it's cheaper, great wizards will naturally prefer using slave armies, reducing their reliance on wizards.
What you're doing might not affect Third and Second Circle wizards much, but First Circle wizards will suffer greatly.
If these wizards don't lower their prices below those of slave armies, great wizards won't hire them.
Once this starts, it'll be a vicious cycle. First Circle wizards are the most numerous in the Wizard World!
You'll be cursed day and night by wizards."
After hearing Jolod's explanation, Richard broke into a cold sweat.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
But this sounded oddly familiar—shifting labor costs, right?
Richard shook off the chaotic thoughts in his head and said with a bitter smile, "Teacher, you're thinking too far ahead. I hadn't considered all that.
But you're right; this idea of mine is indeed dangerous."
Jolod looked at him with a mix of exasperation and concern. This surprise was a bit too big.
"Let's change the subject. How many third-level slaves did you bring this time? With the equipment you've given them, two or three would make this battle a sure win."
Richard said confidently, "Don't worry, teacher. I've brought enough."
...
The counterattack was scheduled for seven days later. During this time, Richard met with his fellow disciples and Ellie.
Among them, only a First Circle senior sister, whom Richard had met only once, had died. The others were mostly unharmed, and even the youngest and weakest, Yelena, had only lost two legs.
Jolod and Susanna had assigned them to the battlefields best suited to their abilities, so unless they were extremely unlucky, they were unlikely to die.
In these days, Richard also made specialized modifications to the armor of the Wizard Hunting squad to better adapt it to the upcoming battlefield.
Soon, the seventh night arrived.
There was no moon in the sky, and the stars shone brightly as they slowly moved across the heavens.
The counterattack forces of the Black Tower Academy quietly gathered at a point in the inner ring.
The wizards of Meteor Academy were also aware of the impending counterattack, so almost all of them had come to the front lines.
Patrolling wizards and scouting magic pets kept a close watch on the entire front.
Over the years, Meteor Academy hadn't been idle; they had constructed a solid defensive line based on the ruins left by the Black Tower Academy.
Although this line was weak compared to the Black Tower Academy's inner ring, as a defensive barrier, it had served its purpose—making the Black Tower Academy's advance more difficult.
The Meteor Academy had more wizards, and if the Black Tower Academy couldn't quickly breach this line, they would have no choice but to retreat in disgrace.
And this was precisely Richard's purpose.
Richard's Wizard Hunting squad could serve as the spearhead, swiftly tearing through Meteor Academy's defenses.
Richard gripped his Mithril Staff, quietly watching the pocket watch in his hand.
The counterattack was set for 12:10 AM. Before that, a few diversionary attacks by wizards would draw fire, minimizing the obstacles to their breakthrough.
Boom! A loud noise came from the Meteor Academy's front line.
The alarm immediately blared across the outer ring of the Black Tower Academy.
Richard calmly observed the wizards on the defensive line, noticing many rushing toward the engagement area.
Soon, the alarm sounded again, drawing another group of wizards away.
Richard glanced at his pocket watch. The minute hand was now at 12:09, and the second hand was steadily moving toward twelve.
Richard silently counted down in his heart:
"Five, four, three, two, one!"
He abruptly raised his head and ordered the Wizard Hunting squad beside him:
"Move out!"
(End of Chapter)