Sovereign of the Ashes

Upon emerging from his laboratory, where he had spent over two years immersed in research, Sein’s attention was immediately drawn to Sev.

Nestled in a corner by the laboratory door, Sev had curled up into a ball.

Remarkably, its size had tripled since Sein left the Magus World.

Sein tried calling out to Sev but received no response.

Using his mental focus to assess Sev’s condition, Sein discovered that its vital signs were remarkably stable.

Yet, at the core of Sev’s body, there was an energy source radiating heat outward in every direction.

“Is it about to transform and rank up?” Sein mused while observing Sev.

The energy source that he detected was likely Sev’s magic core.

Before leaving the Magus World, Sein had exchanged the points he had accumulated during the academy war for numerous premium-quality meats for Sev. Among these premium meats, some included the essence of Rank One aero elemental creatures.

On top of that, Sein had also found a Reagan Fruit among the stuff Master Morsidor left behind. It was a rare magic beast fruit that was now extinct in most parts of the Magus World.

By the looks of it, Sev had already consumed the Reagan Fruit that he had given to it.

Sein had no idea how long Sev had been in this transformative state, nor did he know how long it would take for Sev to complete this process.

Under normal circumstances, Sein might have taken an interest in observing Sev’s transformation, considering it a relaxing diversion after concluding a lengthy experiment.

However, the persistent rumbling outside and the violent shaking of the space fortress indicated that this was not the time for something like that.

Sein picked up Sev, who was still curled up into a ball, and relocated it to the quieter incubation room so that it would be less affected by the commotion happening outside.

Sev must have curled itself up by Sein’s laboratory room when the process began because it had been guarding the entrance for Sein.

After settling Sev in the incubation room, Sein left several advanced aero-attribute energy crystals beside it.

It was a shame that he did not have any Grade One aero-attribute energy crystals on him, which would have been more beneficial for Sev.

After taking care of Sev, Sein turned around and left the incubation room.

***

Both the space fortress and the Viridian Venom Flame World must have undergone significant, unforeseen changes over the past two years.

From his room, Sein peered through the window and spotted mechas of several meters tall flying in the sky.

They were still some distance away from the space fortress, but since Sein could spot them with the naked eye, it meant they were not too far away either.

The space fortress was shaking violently right now due to its energy shield rippling under the assault of those mechas.

Throughout the fortress, both inside and out, striking red lights flashed continuously.

Despite the dire situation, Sein had not received any mandatory deployment orders from the main base through his crystal ball.

Deciding not to dwell on this anomaly, he quickly left his room and made his way toward the nearest combat zone from the fortress.

The space fortress, which was the masterpiece of the Magus Civilization’s magitech and alchemy, outclassed the enemy’s constructs in every aspect, making it the safest place on this battlefield.

The situation outside the fortress was a mess, with dense energy rays crisscrossing the sky.

Sein estimated there were more than 400,000 enemy constructs surrounding the fortress.

It also appeared that the fortress had temporarily severed its external communications.

As a large-scale war platform, the space fortress was designed to withstand external attacks. However, its vulnerability lay in enemy infiltration.

Upon reaching the nearest combat zone, the situation was rather chaotic.

There were two types of combat zones in the space fortress.

The first type consisted of the fortress’s internal armaments, including numerous magic cannons positioned all around. However, these magic cannons could only be operated by mages with specialized skills.

The second type was made up of many square platforms, allocated for mages within the space fortress to use during battle engagements.

These platforms were engraved with runes and protected by translucent energy barriers.

Sein was clueless about the precise function of these barriers but he knew that casting spells on these platforms would significantly amplify both the range and potency of his spells!

The advanced magitech of the Magus World was indeed impressive.

Even within the fortress, these platforms enabled Sein to launch powerful spells against the mechas besieging the fortress.

Upon reaching the combat zone, a Rank Two mage immediately spotted him. Before Sein could even say anything, the mage instructed, “Head to Platform Three to unleash your spells, make sure you use mostly pyro elemental spells!”

Upon receiving his order, Sein swiftly flew to the designated platform without any objection.

There were hundreds of combat platforms strategically positioned in the combat zones within the space fortress.

In the combat zone that Sein was currently in, there were a total of eleven platforms.

The platform that Sein had been assigned to was the third from the left, in mid-air.

These platforms were spacious enough for full-fledged mages to cast their spells without any restraint.

As Sein approached Platform Three, he realized that there were already more than a hundred mages on it.

All of them were fervently casting spells, and the air was filled with the distinct odor of magic spices.

Like the first and second platforms, most of the mages on this platform were also Pyromancers.

In contrast, the hundred mages on the fourth platform next to them were mostly casting aero elemental spells.

Arrangements were made to minimize elemental interference during battle.

Positioning inherently opposing elements, such as hydro and pyro, in close proximity could significantly disrupt spellcasting due to the disturbance of elemental energies.

Even if the spells managed to take forms, they might still directly collide if released too near each other. The mildest outcome would be a reduction in effect, but the situation could escalate to an elemental explosion.

In the confined space of the space fortress, a mishap of this nature would be perilous, essentially risking the lives of the surrounding mages.

The Rank Two mage who had directed Sein to this platform clearly recognized his expertise in pyro elemental spells.

This might have been influenced by Sein’s prolonged use of verdant flame for body tempering over the past six months.

Even when Sein was not casting a spell, he radiated intense heat from the pyro elemental energy particles inside and outside of his body.