Limestone Wasteland

The Grand Canyon Margaret was a location that suffered from strange geographical conditions and an ever-changing natural climate. This area was home to various terrains such as grasslands, mountains, forests, marshes, and deserts.

Its weather was unpredictable, with rain and thunderstorms occurring frequently. The canyon was also known for enormous intermittent sandstorms, which could be a calamity even for official Magi. Fortunately, these sandstorms had specific timings, so they could normally be avoided.

Nevertheless, advancing through such an environment was a severe test for a Magus' physical body and Spiritual Force. This is where the Seated Lupin Wolves came into play.

The Seated Lupin Wolf was a unique species that grew up within the Grand Canyon Margaret. The original species of mountain wolves had undergone evolution and modification through mana radiation, evolving into an organism that was completely capable of adapting to the terrain and climate of the Great Canyon Margaret.

Magi factions on both sides of the Great Canyon Margaret had captured, tamed, and transformed these wolves into a necessary tool for traveling through the Great Canyon Margaret.

The Seated Lupin Wolves were sturdily built and continuously dashed across the grassland, bounding forward from time to time to avoid the obstacles ahead. Their sharp canine teeth and claws were enough to deal with most of the wild creatures, saving the magicians from having to cast spells, and letting them rest atop their backs as they traveled.

According to Leylin's guesses, there were definitely one or more large Magus families that had joined hands to run the lucrative Broken Axe Pub and its Seated Lupin Wolves business. If not, they wouldn't be able to reap in such sizable benefits from this huge territory.

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After many days, Leylin found himself beside his mount, ready to resume his journey as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

[The Grand Canyon Margaret, with its unique topography, had become a haven for a myriad of unusual creatures. Legends suggested that traces of species thought to be endangered or even extinct could still be found here…] 

'You're citing ancient legends now? That's unusual. You typically scoff at anything that isn't factual,' Leylin mused.

[This is different. The monotony of this long journey has me seeking amusement in your reactions to unconventional information,] Aralis' digitized voice responded, tinged with boredom.

'I'm not at all interested in your state of mind. However, your words might hold some truth, if I'm fortunate. If it weren't for the Grand Canyon Margaret's intricate and ever-changing landscape, and the massive sandstorm that engulfs it for most of the year, this canyon would have long been exploited as a natural resource mine by magicians…'

With a swift leap, Leylin mounted his wolf and joined the rest of his group, who were already on the move. 'Keep an eye out for anything of interest, like those magic crystals I stole from the old hag Marian,' Leylin secretly instructed as he saddled his Seated Lupin Wolf, observing the surroundings gradually brighten with the rising sun.

As time passed, the ash-gray rocky forest around Leylin and his companions began to dwindle. Eventually, their surroundings were reduced to scattered small stones and yellow-gray sands, reminiscent of a desolate biome.

"The journey through the Limestone Wasteland has begun. We've successfully integrated into the standard route. Over the next ten days, we can afford to relax a bit. However, looming ahead is the daunting Golden Desert, the notorious gathering place of the Kary Vultures. It's crucial that everyone conserve their energy and mentally prepare for the impending battle."

The leader of the Magi group, a seasoned but physically unimpressive elder, continued his instructions without pause, astride a Seated Lupin Wolf, distinguished by a few strands of white beard on its face.

'Limestone Wasteland? Aralis, bring out the map,' Leylin commanded, lowering his gaze as a holographic projection, visible only to him, materialized before his eyes.

The map displayed various danger zones within the Grand Canyon Margaret. A winding green route, stretching from one edge of the map to the other, marked the path they were to follow. The 'Kary Vultures Gathering Place' was highlighted in a striking red font, indicating a significant obstacle along their route.

On either side of the green line were areas marked in scarlet, signifying extreme danger and impassability. This left them with no option for a detour.

To traverse the Grand Canyon Margaret safely, Leylin and his companions had no choice but to confront and disperse the Kary Vultures blocking their path.

Upon examining the holo map, Leylin located the Limestone Wasteland, depicted as a large ash-gray area. A note beside the region read: 'Limestone Wasteland. Confirmed to pose a minimal threat, with no high-energy life forms detected within…'

It was clear that, throughout the years, the Grand Canyon Margaret had been thoroughly explored by numerous magicians from both sides of the canyon. The group's chosen route, despite its challenges, was deemed the safest path across. The presence of the Kary Vultures, when compared to the unknown threats lurking in other areas, was considered a relatively minor danger.

Upon entering the Limestone Wasteland, Leylin noticed a subtle relaxation in the Seated Lupin Wolf's muscles and fur, suggesting a sense of relaxation in this environment.

The air here had a noticeably lower concentration of energy, almost as if there was a leak causing the energy to dissipate.

Leylin conjured a small flame on his palm with a snap of his fingers. The flame flickered in the breeze, threatening to extinguish at any moment. Outside this area, such a flame would burn with a brightness several times greater and possess a power of at least one degree more.

As Leylin had anticipated, the Mana Energy concentration in the air was indeed heavily reduced. Casting spells with full power in this place would require more mana than usual.

Sorcerers and magical beasts relied on the energy particles in the air to perform a variety of extraordinary magic. A decrease in Mana Energy concentration would inevitably lead to a reduction in the power of the spells cast.

Furthermore, a prolonged stay in such an area could potentially lead to mutations in living beings. Consequently, those proficient in magic would typically avoid these regions.

The Limestone Wasteland, according to the Book of the Giant Serpent, appeared to be the aftermath of a war between two high-ranking Magi. Leylin was beginning to believe the legends that the Grand Canyon Margaret was the result of a battle between two powerful Magi.

However, the desert-like landscape of the Limestone Wasteland was advantageous for travelers. The absence of random, exotic species meant they could rest and conserve energy without fear of ambush.

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This peaceful journey lasted for fifteen days. Despite encountering some adverse weather and other challenges along the way, Leylin, a well-prepared and cunning magician, managed them effortlessly.

On the eve of their departure from the Limestone Wasteland, the elderly leader gathered the six Magi, including Leylin, who made up his group.

Among them was a female sorceress named Lancey. Her provocative figure, straight blonde hair, and green eyes were striking. Her every move hinted at a hidden loneliness. Leylin sensed that she had a story to tell, but he chose not to pry, as he did not find it necessary.

During the initial allocation of tents, Leylin was paired with this woman. They had maintained a cordial relationship throughout the trip, with Leylin's charming smiles and gentlemanly demeanor, a rarity among Magi, seemingly winning her over. By now, one could say that Leylin was the only member of the group Lancey would trust with her life.

"Attention, everyone! As of tomorrow, we bid farewell to the Limestone Desert and set foot into the Golden Desert," announced the elderly man, his face etched with wrinkles that danced in the flickering campfire light, his eyes gleaming with an uncertain resolve.

"In the heart of the Golden Desert lies our third supply point, now under the control of the dreaded Kary Vultures. Our decision to form smaller teams was primarily for this purpose. Now, we must make our final decision."

The elder carefully surveyed the group, "Do we proceed with our initial plan to slay the Vulture King, or do we simply drive it and its minions away?"

"Isn't it obvious? We kill it!" A burly man, seemingly the least formidable of the group, was the first to voice his opinion.

[Materials harvested from the Vulture King can fetch tens of thousands of magic crystals, and the tavern owners at both ends of the canyon offer additional rewards. Could there be a more enticing prospect?] Aralis declared, more as a statement than a question.

This advice was originally imparted by the bartender at the Broken Axe Pub to Leylin — Slay the Kary Vulture King, and ensure it does not escape.

Accomplishing this would not only secure the materials from the Vulture King for the group, but the taverns on either side of the canyon would also reward them generously with magic crystals.

The presence of the Kary Vultures had been a thorn in the side for those transporting goods across the canyon. It seemed their patience had worn thin. Moreover, Kary Vultures were known for their vengeful nature. If the Vulture King survived, it would rally more of its kind and relentlessly pursue any visible Magi.

After a brief discussion earlier in the night, Leylin's makeshift team had unanimously agreed to eliminate the Vulture King.

Given that official Magi were always in need of resources, they couldn't afford to pass up any opportunity to amass more. The elder's proposal was merely a formality to confirm their decision.

"Absolutely!" "Didn't we agree on this previously?"

The burly man's words resonated with the group, and Leylin, usually reserved and quiet, silently nodded in agreement. As long as it aligned with his objectives, he was willing to lend his support and earn some extra magic crystals.

Lancey studied Leylin's expression intently. Only once she saw his agreement did she cast her vote. She was unwilling to fight the vultures unless Leylin was committed to the same course of action.

"Good, very good!" The elder's face crinkled into a smile, resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.

Observing him with a focused expression, Leylin surmised that the Vulture King must possess a material the elder desperately needed. This likely explained his enthusiasm for hunting down the Vulture King.

"I shall now assign tasks to everyone based on their abilities. The Kary Vultures are crafty beasts, and their ability to fly makes them particularly challenging to combat. Those among you who are proficient in Rank 1 flying spells…" The seasoned leader began to delegate combat roles to each member.

In stark contrast, Leylin chose to remain silent and inconspicuous, refraining from revealing his expertise. His aloofness was evident, but as long as he proved useful to the team, no one raised any objections. He was ultimately assigned the role of supporting the attackers.

The leader's distribution of roles was equitable, adhering to the principle of 'greater effort, greater reward'. Each magician was assigned a task within their capacity, and a detailed plan was developed accordingly.

During the planning phase, the flying magicians, who were designated as attackers and interceptors, were given the privilege of choosing the spoils of war. The leader took this opportunity to demonstrate his unique flying magic.

Among the Rank 1 Magi, the ability to fly was still relatively uncommon. Not only was the specialized Rank 1 flying magic seldom seen, but it was also impractical unless they managed to acquire a few magic artifacts that could assist their flight.

However, for Rank 1 Magi, only mid-grade magic artifacts were considered useful. For instance, the liquefying metallic ball, known as 'Bright Silver', held by Bosain. While it was highly beneficial at the acolyte level, for an official Magus, it would be deemed weak due to its low power. The artifact's most crucial attribute, speed, had not reached an acceptable standard, and using it to assist with flying would be seen as laughable.

Mastering the Rank 1 flying magic, like the elderly leader, was still a rarity.

A pair of pale green wings sprouted from the leader's back. As he ascended into the sky, Leylin keenly sensed the fluctuations in the wind currents and particles. It was clear that the leader was a Magus specializing in Wind element energy particles. His Elemental Essence Conversion was estimated by Aralis to be of around 15-20 percent.

A thin beam of red light flashed across Leylin's eyes. Aralis could now assess other magicians during sudden energy bursts to determine their general stats. However, to obtain the most accurate data, Leylin would still need to penetrate the target's protective force field, a step he would avoid unless facing a formidable enemy.

Before a Rank 1 Magus' stats could be fully scanned, the moment Leylin used Aralis to penetrate the opponent's protective force field, it would be akin to Leylin stripping the other party bare. This would undoubtedly incite extreme animosity from the other party. Leylin had no desire to make unnecessary enemies unless it was essential for his advancement.

Perhaps he could wait for Aralis to be upgraded again, allowing him to penetrate another magician's force field undetected. Leylin continued to calculate in his mind, eagerly anticipating such a capability.