Allen looked around at the guards who had just slightly recovered their magic and had resumed their encirclement stance.

  Earlier, he had held back, unwilling to strike with full force, but these people had taken advantage of his restraint and kept pestering him without end.

  From the viewing platform, people watching the crystal mirrors saw dozens of guards combining forces to attack Allen alone.

  Everyone was outraged, voices rising in anger,"This is outrageous! So many of them ganging up on just one Allen!"

  "Even if it's to please Kaelor or to gain some benefit, they have already been defeated by Allen once. How dare they attack him again?"

  "It's probably not just about the rewards or currying favor."

  "Kaelor is the son of the Governor, with a powerful background and massive influence. These guards dare not offend him and are simply following his orders to attack Allen."

  Everyone on the platform was enraged, yet powerless.

  At that moment, the scenes displayed on several crystal mirrors in front of the platform suddenly changed.

  The apprentices who had been scattered across the resource battlefield, searching for resources and clashing with each other, were now all rapidly converging in the same direction.

  "What's happening? Why is everyone moving in the same direction? That looks like the place where Allen is being surrounded."

  "Could they also be going to attack Allen to please Kaelor?"

  "Allen hasn't offended any of them! If they go to attack him too, that's completely unfair!"

  Meanwhile, in the Shadow Mountains resource battlefield, the Archmage facing Allen showed a trace of bitterness on his face and said,

  "Allen has offended us. We have no choice; it is not our intention to be enemies."

  "We…"

  Before he could finish explaining his predicament, a noble youth from nearby shouted in frustration,

  "Stop talking nonsense. Don't waste time here!"

  "Attack! Use your full power! Whoever can take down this useless Allen today, I will reward them with one hundred thousand Advanced Magic Crystals!"

  The Advanced Magic Crystals were enough to rapidly increase one's magic power and break through to higher tiers.

  At the mention of the reward of one hundred thousand Advanced Magic Crystals, greed flashed instantly in the eyes of the surrounding guards.

  They sighed deeply, then no longer hesitated. They could neither offend Kaelor nor resist the temptation of the Advanced Magic Crystals.

  "Let's attack together!"

  The guards launched the first strike, using all of their magical skills to assail Allen.

  Allen remained calm, scanning the approaching enemies and readying himself for battle.

  Since these people did not know their place, he would no longer hold back. He planned to teach them a thorough lesson and completely crush their intentions.

  But just then, the situation changed. From the dense forest surrounding them, dozens of figures suddenly burst out at high speed.

  In an instant, they scattered the guards surrounding Allen, blocking them outright.

  The deafening sound of collision filled the air as the dozens of apprentices clashed with the guards immediately.

  Magic light intertwined, surges of mana swept through the area, and the sounds of battle and weapon strikes echoed throughout the forest.

  "What are you doing! We have no grievances with you! Why are you attacking me?"

  The guards had never expected so many people to suddenly charge out and help Allen.

  Allen stood where he was, looking at the sudden reinforcements, feeling somewhat baffled.

  Most of these people he knew, and he had interacted with some of them at the Academy.

  They were not close, but they also had no past conflicts. How could they suddenly appear and help him deal with these guards?

  Not far away, Marius, still covered in injuries, saw these people suddenly clash with his own guards. Ignoring the pain coursing through his body, he roared in anger,

  "What are you doing! Are you trying to help that useless Allen!"

  "Stop immediately! Stop right now!"

  "Do you even know what happens to those who offend us? I'm telling you, if you know what's good for you, back off immediately."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Otherwise, once we leave this resource battlefield, we will make sure to destroy each and every one of you, and you will pay a terrible price!"

  Within the battle group, Kent raised his hand, conjuring a spell that forcefully drove back an Archmage guard in front of him. He turned his head toward Marius and said,

  "We're not here to help Allen."

  "Don't forget, this is a resource battlefield. The rules are survival of the fittest, and it's all about snatching resources! We're here only to grab what we can!"

  The noble youths nearby fell silent at Kent's words, each frozen in place, momentarily at a loss for what to say.

  It was obvious to them that these people had come deliberately to help Allen. But because they did not want to openly offend Kaelor or make themselves his enemies, they used the pretext of the resource war to snatch resources, helping Allen while leaving themselves a way out.

  So many people converging on their side at the same time, all coming to steal their resources?

  Such a coincidence was impossible. This was clearly a deliberate move against them.

  "You bunch of bastards!"

  "Do you even want to stay in Aetherlan City?"

  "You've offended so many of us. From now on, you'll find it impossible to survive in Aetherlan City!"

  Yet it seemed as if they hadn't even heard the threats from the noble youths. They continued their attacks as if on autopilot.

  The entire resource battlefield erupted in dust and chaos. Magic lights crisscrossed the air, the sounds of combat, roars, and collisions echoing continuously, turning everything into a tangled mess.

  "Allen! You go steal from Kaelor!"

  "He's the son of the Governor. His stuff will be the most valuable."

  "We won't fight you over this. Leave these guards to us! Go take care of Kaelor and seize all of his resources!"

  In an instant, the previously sporadic battles across the resource battlefield became a full-blown scene of chaos.

  People scattered across the field, hearing the sounds of fighting, converged here. Even the other noble youths who had been beaten by Allen and fled earlier rushed in upon hearing the commotion.

  They had intended to curry favor with Kaelor, but the moment they arrived, they were immediately caught in the maelstrom.

  More and more people joined the chaotic battle. In an instant, the entire resource battlefield became a complete free-for-all.

  From the viewing platform, seeing this unprecedented scene of chaos, everyone erupted into cheers.

  All of them were full of excitement and anticipation. No one expected that on just the second day of the resource war, they would witness such a scene, something never before seen in any previous resource war!

  Deep down, everyone understood that the ordinary apprentices participating in the resource war clearly held longstanding grudges against the noble youths.

  The noble youths, relying on their family influence, had always been arrogant and oppressive in the Academy, bullying ordinary apprentices, seizing their resources, and humiliating their dignity.

  This time, taking advantage of the resource war, the ordinary apprentices could no longer tolerate it. They only wanted to take proper revenge on these noble youths who had oppressed them for so long.

  The sounds of fighting and screams never ceased. The entire battlefield was in utter chaos. Everyone was struggling fiercely, either to seize resources or to exact revenge.

  But strangely, no one dared approach Allen, who stood at the very center of the melee. No magical fluctuations reached him either.

  Whether ordinary apprentices or noble guards, they instinctively avoided him.

  Kaelor stood in place, watching his guard team being tightly engaged by numerous apprentices, unable to break free. His expression instantly darkened.

  Then he slowly turned his head and fixed his gaze on Allen, who stood calmly not far away. A disdainful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

  "I really didn't expect this, Allen," Kaelor said.

  "To think someone would actually risk offending me just to help you, treating you, a useless wretch, like a big shot!"

  "But don't get too cocky," Kaelor paused, a flash of cruelty in his eyes.

  "In Aetherlan City, no one has ever dared to be so arrogant in front of me, Kaelor."

  Kaelor spoke, then began walking toward Allen.

  "You don't have the strength for this, so just endure it! Don't overestimate yourself here!"

  "Don't think that just because you are Berton Headmaster's apprentice, I won't do anything to you!"

  "I'm telling you, Allen, even if I destroy you today, no one would dare stand up and oppose me! The authority of the Governor's office is not something you can provoke!"

  A faint smile appeared on Allen's face. He was not intimidated by Kaelor's pressure at all, and he looked calmly at Kaelor, who was slowly closing in,

  "Then why don't you try? Let's see if you have what it takes to destroy me!"

  Hearing Allen's words, Kaelor's face instantly twisted into a cruel smile."You asked for this. Don't blame me if I show no mercy."

  In the next moment, Kaelor's body became a blur, moving at extreme speed straight toward Allen.

  In an instant, he reached Allen's front, fingertips gathering magical energy, aiming directly at Allen's vital chest!

  Allen remained unflustered. He leapt lightly into the air, immediately creating distance between himself and Kaelor.

  Allen thought to himself, Kaelor is indeed different from ordinary Archmages. Both his combat skills and his control over magic are very strong.

  Seeing Allen constantly evade instead of meeting him head-on, Kaelor sneered,"Not daring to face me directly? You're nothing more than this!"

  He was about to press the attack again, trying to force Allen into close combat.

  But just as he made his move, Allen struck first. Countless spells rained down on Kaelor, instantly cutting off all his escape routes!

  Kaelor froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Allen to suddenly counterattack with such ferocity.

  Yet he did not panic. Immediately, he raised both palms, forming an incredibly thick defensive barrier that enveloped his entire body.

  Moments later, Kaelor waved his hand, and a massive surge of magical energy exploded outward, instantly dispersing the barrage of incoming spells.

  At the same time, Allen unleashed another Flame Curtain Seal!

  Feeling the terrifying power descending from above, Kaelor finally could not afford any carelessness.

  He had not expected Allen to truly master master level spells, and their power was so formidable!

  Kaelor waved his hand, and a long spear, condensed from raw magical energy, appeared in his grasp.

  The moment it appeared, it tore through the air with a sharp whistle and shot directly toward the Flame Curtain Seal.

  A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield, dust and debris flying everywhere.

  Kaelor took the brunt of the attack, his body forced back several steps by the shockwave.

  Looking up at Allen hovering in midair, he said,"Is this your trump card?"

  "But if you want to surpass me, if you want to defeat me, you are still far from it."

  Kaelor soared into the air again, charging directly at Allen!

  He had already realized that although Allen could cast master level spells, he was still only a Senior Mage.

  His physical strength and close combat speed could not match Kaelor, an Archmage. He could only rely on master level spells for ranged attacks.

  As long as Kaelor could close the distance and engage him in close combat, he would easily crush Allen.

  Seeing Kaelor eager to fight at close range, Allen's lips curved into a casual smile.

  He stopped dodging, standing his ground, quietly waiting for Kaelor to arrive.

  Until Kaelor reached him and threw a punch, which collided solidly with Allen's fist!