The teleportation array successfully transported Leylin and two other team members to the Sanctum of the Sun. Upon arriving, their faces looked grim.
Leylin did not linger inside; he quickly left without a word. The loss of three team members in vain left Leylin deeply depressed.
Death had never felt so close, so personal, as it did now. He lay flat on the straw mat outside the temple, pondering why they had suffered such a devastating defeat.
He clenched his fists tightly, trembling with frustration and sorrow. The power he had wielded, the magic he had learned, surged within him like a restless storm. He knew he had the ability to save them—he felt it deep in his bones.
Sometime later, Grand Magister Belo'vir approached Leylin.
"Rise, student. I need you to tell me the details of the mission."
Taking a deep breath, Leylin followed Grand Magister Belo'vir and re-entered the temple.
"As my student, I don't have the time to counsel you. Tell me the specific mission details," Grand Magister Belo'vir asked sternly. His tone made it clear that Belo'vir was not satisfied with Leylin's current state.
He felt that his excellent student was not strong enough. Leylin clearly understood the meaning of his teacher's words and tried to cheer himself up and regain his composure.
He wiped the gloom from his face and fully explained the details of the entire mission to Grand Magister Belo'vir.
"Leave the results of the mission to me."
Unwrapping the magic package, Leylin handed the map to Grand Magister Belo'vir. The Grand Magister held the entire map in front of Leylin and said,
"I'm so grateful you brought this map back. It holds special value. The Rangers' sacrifices were not in vain."
These words did little to shake Leylin from his gloom of self-blame. His face was heavy.
"We only found one sacrificial altar, which is far from our mission plan."
"No, your team did find an altar. Your mission, according to the Rune Stone mission plan, is a complete failure," Grand Magister Belo'vir said.
A complete failure? He couldn't imagine it. Had his initial sensing work been wrong?
Leylin was half-dazed. If that was the case, then the deaths of the three team members were his fault.
"Student, don't dwell on your failure. As a qualified and powerful mage, you must not forget the guidance I gave you," Grand Magister Belo'vir said patiently.
What did he mean by that? Leylin fell into deep thought. If this mission was a complete failure, then where did his sorcery sense come from?
The only explanation was that the troll witch doctor was deliberately guiding Leylin.
From the very beginning, he and the entire scout team had fallen into Zul'ajik's plan. This was probably why they were able to allow Leylin and two other team members to escape in the end.
Thinking along this line of thought, Leylin couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
"Teacher, I think I understand. It was Zul'ajik's sorcery that led me to make the wrong judgment!"
Grand Magister Belo'vir nodded and continued, "Your sorcery sense wasn't wrong. If it were me, I would have gotten the same direction at the time."
"I understand. What exactly is Zul'ajik's plan? He wants to use the map I brought back to ambush the mages who continue to infiltrate." Leylin's thoughts were clear. By analyzing the details of the entire mission failure, Leylin had figured out Zul'ajik's conspiracy.
No, Leylin remembered what his mentor had just said. This map still had value. Was he saying we should continue infiltrating this place? "Teacher, knowing this place is still dangerous, we can't proceed," Leylin said.
Grand Magister Belo'vir was pleased with his student's quick thinking. He hadn't expected that in such a short time, he had already completely sorted out the details following the failed plan.
"Of course we must execute it, student. Zul'ajik thought his approach was clever, but he overlooked one thing. His plan exposed him to our sight. We finally have the opportunity to confront this troll witch doctor leader." Grand Magister Belo'vir smiled faintly.
"I've felt the power of this troll witch doctor. He's formidable, especially in Zeb'Nowa, where the sorcery is so dense," Leylin said.
"Of course, one magister can't solve these problems, and neither can we."
A familiar voice echoed from within the temple. A purple arcane teleportation array transported the other two strongest magisters to the Sanctum of the Sun.
Magisters Nallorath and Senethir stood before Leylin. Such a large-scale operation—is this an attempt to capture Zul'ajik and bring him back to the Sanctum of the Sun?
Leylin's suspicions were correct. The scout team's failure presented the three strong magisters with a golden opportunity.
That's what defines a strong magister, they can leverage seemingly dismal information to find the perfect opportunity for a counterattack.
The Grand Magisters' ever-kind smiles taught Leylin another lesson.
A powerful mage shouldn't dwell on failure, but rather capitalize on the present situation, immediately devise a counterattack, and deliver the most devastating blow possible.
"I understand. Teachers and Magister Senethir, please discuss your plans. I'll be leaving."
"Wait, student. We need your assistance with this plan," Magister Nallorath stopped Leylin.
Surprised, Leylin asked, "What do you need me for?"
"Bait."
It was perfectly acceptable. Leylin knew the pent-up anger Zul'ajik harbored towards him, a human mage. Zul'ajik had already resented Leylin enough for teleporting him a dead troll in Zul'Aman.
"Understood, Teacher."
The mission was scheduled for the next day. After listening to the magisters lay out their assignment, Leylin returned to his residence.
After a brief magical refresher, Leylin didn't stop but headed for Magister Nallorath's residence.
He knocked and waited. The wooden door opened automatically, and Magister Nallorath seated Leylin on a bench.
His piercing eyes reflected years of wisdom and curiosity as he leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled beneath his chin.
"Leilyn," the magister began, his voice steady yet warm, "how fares your study? Are there any obstacles or difficulties you wish to discuss?"
Leylin, a young mage with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes, nodded politely. "Thank you, Magister. I am progressing well. I don't currently face any specific problems."
Nallorath's brows furrowed just slightly, a sign that he was attentive to every word. "That's good to hear. But tell me, do you feel your progress has plateaued? Any signs of reaching a limit?"
Leylin considered this for a moment, then calmly replied, "I believe I may have reached a bottleneck. My progress has slowed, and I find myself revisiting the fundamentals, reinforcing my basics."
The magister nodded thoughtfully, a hint of understanding passing across his face. "A wise approach. Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come not from rushing forward, but from solidifying what we've already learned. It's like building a sturdy foundation before reaching for the heights."
Leylin's expression was composed, but inwardly, he felt a flicker of anticipation. He continued, "I plan to continue refining my basics. I believe that once the right opportunity presents itself, I'll be ready to break through to the next level."
Nallorath smiled subtly, eyes gleaming with approval. "Patience and perseverance—those are the marks of true mastery. Keep laying your groundwork, and stay alert for the signs of change. The universe often whispers its secrets when least expected."
Leylin inclined his head respectfully. "I will heed your advice, Magister. My focus remains steady, and I am confident that a breakthrough will come at the right moment."
The two shared a moment of silent understanding, the weight of their shared pursuit of knowledge hanging in the air. He knew that sometimes, progress required patience, and that mastery was built one careful step at a time—until the universe itself granted the opportunity for that next great leap forward.