[Bonus chapter] Weakening Magic

Ileus led the team that built the tunnel towards the palace. Though Caleb was using all his energy to maintain the façade for over hundred soldiers, by the time it was midafternoon, his energy weakened. Sitting in the room from where he was stretching his mana to mask all of them, he was now perspiring heavily. His eyes had become watery and his throat was parched dry. His breath had become shallow and if they extended it for another hour, chaos would break loose. 

Every soldier felt a small snag when they passed through his magic shield. It was as if a thread had bound them to Caleb. However, now the thread was weakening and they felt that Caleb was calling them back. 

The first team hadn't gone very far and their leader, Prince Rolfe asked them to retreat the moment he felt that Caleb's magic had weakened.