Academy Grounds

When all six magma giants of the mid-level locked on to them at once, no one could even move a muscle. As everyone tried to move, their backs were drenched with sweat, but they still couldn't move under the pressure of all six magma giants.

The giants were far from them, but they began moving towards them slowly, destroying every building they saw on the way. 

'What do we do?' Vine began wracking his brains for answers. If they could use <Arcane > he would have Anson use the Serene Night <Arcane > so the pressure would be alleviated, but they couldn't even move a finger, much less cast an <Arcane > right now.

Anson was also of the same thought and was trying his best to use the <Arcane >, but to no avail.

Just then, the moving magma giants were suddenly stopped by a barrier.

*BANG*

A magma giant was stopped by a barrier for a second, but the barrier broke down on one impact. Then, small spheres of light began attacking the magma giants. When the lights attacked them all of a sudden, the giants lost focus for a second.

"Everburning Brazier!" Vine shouted out and looked back towards the place where the Relic Department was located. "The Relic Wardens are helping us!"

It was not actually the Relic Wardens, but Doyle alone. The Relic Wardens were mostly only worried about safekeeping the Relics, which they were currently doing. And the Relic Engineers were all cowards, including Doyle. That was why they chose the relatively safe path of working on Relics.

But right now, Doyle was on the roof of the Relic Department building, looking at everything that was going on. When the orange light suddenly struck down on the ground like lightning, he saw towering giants appearing from within the light. Although he could feel pressure while looking at them, he seemed to be able to move.

But that was not the same for the knights he saw gathered on the church. As soon as the magma giants looked at the knights, he saw that they couldn't even move a muscle. Gritting his teeth, he decided to help them by pouring what little essence he had into the brazier and creating a barrier to stop the magma giants.

When he used the Brazier, it sucked almost every drop of essence he had inside his body. Remembering the fate of the two Relic Wardens from before, he decided to stop pouring his essence and sit down on the side after just activating it. As a result, the barrier exploded and activated the attack as soon as a magma giant collided with it, but he was safe and he had created an opportunity for the knights. 'It's up to you guys now...' Doyle smiled and fainted on roof of the Relic Department building.

Using this opportunity, Anson casted Serene Night 7 to 8 times in succession, enough to cover all the knights. Using so much essence at once took a heavy toll on his body and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The knights were enveloped by a faint Azure aura, which would help them relieve some of the pressure put on by the magma giants.

"Let's move to the academy right away! We'll make them focus their attention there!" Vine commanded the knights.

"What about the people of the church?" Anson inquired.

"Edana and her group will stay here! Now move!" Vine started to move to the academy which was far across the church with the knights.

Edana didn't get to say anything, but she decided to follow the orders and defend the church. Marshall Buck and Anson moved with Vine, leading their knights towards the academy.

The academy was a huge place, enough to hold the six towering giants. It was a smart move on Vine's part to make the giants focus their attention on them at the academy. That way the people would be safe in the church. But it would only work if they could fight against the giants on equal footing.

"Their eyes are dangerous, stay away from their sight!" Marshall Buck shouted out and alerted all the knights.

"How'd you know that?" Vine looked back at Marshall Buck.

"I don't know.. It's my instinct."

"Seems plausible, we were able to move when they lost their focus on us.." Anson joined in with his observation.

Nodding his head, he ordered the knights to stay hidden from the giant's sights, and decided to send a knight back to the church to relay the information.

They quickly entered the academy and hid behind the structures and buildings. The magma giants had already gained their balance again and were moving towards the academy, according to Vine's plans. 

BAM BAM BAM

The knights awaited the giants to make their move, with sweats on their forehead, hiding behind the buildings.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

The giants started to destroy the class buildings of the academy, sending tremors throughout the academy grounds. The knights stabilized themselves, awaiting for orders as the magma giants still hadn't reached in their range.

"Wait..." Thorn signaled the knights with his hand.

BOOM

"Attack!" He started showing the groups some hand signals. "Flank!"

When a giant destroyed a building near them, he ordered his knights.

The knights came out of hiding and started hurling fire balls at the giants. Combining their essence, the knights used Night Flame Wave to create a barrier with enough time for them to move to safety. When the giant got their attention and began attacking, the flank started to bombard the giant with <Arcane > and started getting it's attention.

Then casting Night Flame Wave, the flank went to safety. Going back and forth like this, they began to attack a giant in front of them, but to no avail. The giant was not getting damaged, but the knights were getting injured from the different types of attacks from the giants like the ash shards from their armor and their magma spit.

The three groups spread across the academy grounds and got the attention of three giants this way. As for the other three giants, they were still approaching the knights as they were further away.