Archers, magicians, and others with ranged weapons started launching their attacks, while assassins and other close combatants waited for orders. The knights guarded the front with their shields and swords. Arrows, fireballs, ice magic, and other types of magic flew overhead.
"Feng!" Kurt ran towards him. "I'm glad I found you. I thought you got lost in the crowds of monsters."
"Do you need something from me?" Feng asked, trying to forget his friend's insolence.
"Not really. I just want to know if you're okay," Kurt replied.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Feng said. "You're a magician. Aren't you supposed to do your job?"
"I am doing my job," he replied. "It's just that intermediate magic level doesn't do that much damage. Only advanced and above levels can attack from a distance, and we are just pawns in the chess game."
"That's so sad," Feng said.
"You're right. I've been in this place for half a year now, and I haven't gotten out from the intermediate level. Every month, the academy conducts a test to measure the magician's power, and if they pass, their levels will increase. Saint- and King-level magicians are allowed to go outside the academy and help rescue people, while Emperor and Omnipotent may even choose where they want to go. It's rare to see an advanced-level magician going out; usually they have someone above their level to go with them just in case they encounter higher-level monsters," Kurt explained.
Feng remembered Shin. He must be a high-level exorcist, for he could go outside by himself. His interest to become like him even grew deeper. He wanted to become stronger, even if he couldn't perform magic.
"Currently, there are only five god-level magicians in this academy," Kurt said. "And they are very strong. Our master, the god-level fire magician, isn't here today. He set out on his journey to find the origin of these monsters, the same with the water, earth, and light magicians. Only the god-level wind magician is here."
Just as Kurt said those words, lightning struck from the skies, followed by a loud roaring of thunder. A lady with blue hair stood at the rooftop of the building together with other wind magicians. The people started shouting as the thunder struck the monsters and wiped them out.
"That's the power of the wind magician. She can make not only a tornado but also lightning," Kurt said.
"That was... frightening," Feng replied.
"Precisely, the god-level magicians have frightening powers; that's why almost everyone admires them and wants to become like them," Kurt said.
"I've decided," Feng asserted. "I want to become like them."
"But how would you do that? You can't use magic, right?" Kurt asked.
"It doesn't matter if I can't use magic. I'll still become one of them, not as a magician, but as an assassin," Feng replied.
"Are you a fool? How could an assassin become one of the Magic Five?" Kurt asked. "You must be dreaming, my friend. Please wake up!" He shook Feng.
"You're my friend, Kurt; aren't you supposed to support me instead of belittling me?" Feng asked.
"Okay, fine." Kurt let him go. "Go do what you want. I'll support you, even if that seems impossible."
"Thank you," Feng replied. Then he joined the crowd as they went back inside the academy, as the monsters were already defeated.
"Feng, wait!" Kurt ran after him.
The next day, Feng went to the dining hall as usual, but instead of lining up, he continued to the old woman's spot, who introduced herself as Pamela. Pamela has already set aside some food for him. Feng helped Pamela with the distribution of the food to the students. After that, Feng took his food and ate it. He heard the students around gossiping about what happened yesterday.
"Thanks to Cleopatra, she saved the last place where monsters haven't invaded," Pamela said.
"So, her name is Cleopatra?" Feng asked, interested to know more about the god-level magician who could control the wind and lightning.
"You do not know her?" Pamela asked. "Everyone in this place knows her. Some even worship her."
"Nope. I had just gotten into this place, so there are things I don't know yet," Feng replied.
"You can ask me anything if you have questions," Pamela said.
"Thanks, ma'am. Can you tell me more about the magic five? Their names and what kind of magic they are specializing in? And also, I want to become one of them. Is it possible?" Feng asked.
"It's okay to dream, boy, but not all dreams have to be fulfilled. The possibility of achieving that dream is not for me to answer. Only you can answer that, if you have the courage and determination to persevere," Pamela replied. "I'd like to tell you about them, but I'd rather not."
"Why, ma'am? What's wrong?" Feng asked.
"Nothing in particular. It's just people of low status shouldn't talk about people with higher status, and also, it's not good talking about other people's lives," Pamela said.
"Uh, okay," Feng replied.
"You're welcome. It's nothing big. You should go now if you're done eating. You still have a training," Pamela said.
"Thank you, ma'am." Feng quickly finished his food and went to the court where assassins were being trained. Allen scolded him for being late and punished him with a hundred push-ups. Feng started the push-up, but he stopped halfway. His arms weren't that strong, but Allen told him to get up and continue and turn the pain into power.
Allen only stopped scolding the boy when the blue-haired woman came. Everyone was shocked. They wondered what this god-level magician was doing in the assassination club.
"Stop it, Allen," she said, approaching the leader of the assassins. She stopped in front of him and glared at Feng, who swallowed in fear.
"We... We're just training, master," Allen said.
"Training doesn't have to be a punishment," the woman replied. "You should treat your apprentices with a little care."
Feng didn't expect to hear this from the god-level magician. He thought she had gone through very difficult training and was stricter than the leader of assassins, but he was wrong. She helped him stand up. Feng never expects to hold hands with the goddess.
"Allen," she said, and Allen trembled in fear. "I hope you get what I mean. You can't motivate your students by forcing them."
"Y—yes, ma'am!" Allen replied.
"Good." The woman went away. Then everyone started laughing, as they had never seen their leader shrink before; this was the first time he became submissive, especially to a woman, which they found humorous.
"Shut up!" Allen exclaimed, and everyone shut their mouth, afraid that he might punish them like what they did to Feng. Allen went to his room to forget the humiliation, but he couldn't really hate the goddess and instead fell for her boldness.
Meanwhile, Feng was so confused why the woman rescued him from Allen. They didn't know each other, nor did she show any interest toward him. Anyway, he thought, maybe she just wanted to be kind.