"What's wrong?" Thomas asked casually.
"Logically, these skeleton warriors should have dissipated after half a day under my 'Illumination Spell,' but half the day has passed and there's been no reaction at all?" Cherie said with confusion.
"Could your light magic have failed?" Thomas mocked slightly.
"Teacher Elina, why is this happening?" Cherie ignored Thomas and asked Elina directly.
"Let me see," Elina said, walking towards the skeleton warriors, intending to examine closely whether what Cherie said was true.
But just as Elina approached the skeleton warriors, a bizarre event occurred.
Those skeleton warriors, previously lying motionless on the ground, seemed to be imbued with new life; they abruptly stood up with a "whoosh," transforming their hands into claws and lunging at the completely unprepared Elina!
"Ah~~~~~"
Cherie was stunned by the sudden turn of events. She never expected the half-dead skeleton warriors moments ago to suddenly attack their teacher with such fierce speed!
"Teacher, watch out!" Fortunately, Solomon reacted quickly, kicking the skeleton warrior away. Otherwise, Elina would certainly have been injured.
Elina was, after all, a mage. Although she had learned some self-defense techniques, being caught completely off guard by the skeletons' sudden assault made her hesitate, and that sliver of hesitation was enough to cause injury!
"Bang~~~~"
The skeleton warrior that was kicked away crashed into a tree.
"Thank you!" Elina said to Solomon, still quite shaken.
Solomon said nothing, instead turning to the still-dazed Cherie and asking, "Cherie, what magic were you using exactly? I felt like you were actually healing or perhaps intensifying them! What on earth is going on?"
Hearing Solomon's question, Cherie snapped slightly back to attention, though she still looked somewhat dazed.
"I... I... I was just using the standard 'Illumination Spell'!" Cherie felt a bit wronged and also couldn't figure out why these skeleton warriors suddenly stood up!
Not only could she not figure it out, but even Zhong Shenxiu, if he were present, would have been astonished!
Truth be told, this Dark Witchcraft had only recently been developed, and many of its inherent secrets remained unsolved.
Everything had its counter, and while light magic was supposed to suppress dark magic before Zhong Shenxiu modified it, the nature of things had subtly shifted after his changes.
Light magic had become a catalyst for these skeleton warriors, promoting their evolution from infants to adolescents.
These skeleton warriors were no longer useless weaklings with no fighting power, easily slaughtered; they now possessed a degree of defense!
Just as Cherie was feeling aggrieved, all the skeleton warriors that Solomon had previously cleaved in half stood up, completely restored. Moreover, they all wore vicious expressions.
"Everyone, be careful, the skeleton warriors are alive again!" Thomas warned.
"Don't worry, everyone, I'll handle them. Thomas, cover my flanks, watch how I put them down again!" Solomon declared, swinging his sword and charging back in.
Solomon truly lived up to his reputation as an elite from the 'Homebody Magus Academy.' At this moment, far from being flustered, he grew even more composed. Adversity seemed only to stimulate his potential!
The might of a Great Swordsman was certainly not something these newly rebellious skeleton warriors could match. In a short time, the skeletons were again cut in half and lay sprawled on the ground.
To others, it looked as effortless as Solomon’s initial victory over them, but Solomon himself clearly knew it wasn't that simple!
The sensation transmitted through his blade told him that these skeleton warriors were somewhat tougher than before. If the previous ones were like tofu, the current ones were like cabbage—while a blade could still cut through them easily, the necessary force was different!
If Zhong Shenxiu were here, he would be thrilled. This was a new discovery, a way to strengthen the skeleton warriors summoned by his Dark Witchcraft, potentially even more effective than soaking them in potions!
"Alright, they shouldn't be able to get up for a while. Cherie, hurry up and purify them. Don't mess up this time!" Solomon said to the still somewhat bewildered Cherie.
Cherie stared blankly at Solomon, saying nothing, but walked a few steps forward. In an instant, her expression shifted, becoming serious.
Judging by her stern look, she was getting serious!
If the 'Light Spell' wouldn't work, then a larger light magic spell was required! With that thought, Cherie activated her magic again!
"From yonder realm you came, to yonder realm return, O radiant light that swings, become an unbreakable sword! With the atmosphere as the bow, and brilliance as the arrow, bear the power of my will!! Left hand, 'Light Annihilation Bullet,' right hand, 'Celestial Light Arrow,' O light arts answering my call, combine, and successively clash forth an even brighter, dazzling splendor! Appear—Splendid Heaven!"
A melodious and gentle voice issued from Cherie's lips, echoing in the air like heavenly music from a dream!
This 'Splendid Heaven' was the most powerful light magic spell Cherie currently commanded, and it possessed formidable offensive power!! Its might should not be underestimated!!
"Jeez~~~~" Thomas backed far away, looking as if he were terrified of being caught in the crossfire. "Is Cherie really pulling out all the stops?"
Elina and Solomon were equally stunned, neither having expected Cherie to unleash her most potent light magic—Splendid Heaven—just to purify a few incapacitated skeleton warriors!
Vast amounts of light elemental energy began to gather before Cherie. A light speck, the size of a firefly, rolled and grew larger and brighter before her, eventually becoming brilliant enough to illuminate the entire night sky!
In that moment, Cherie looked like a descending saint wrapped in holy light, her demeanor majestic and unchallengeable!
She—Cherie, though the youngest, her strength was certainly not inferior to any of her classmates!
Finally, Cherie's spell was complete. A multitude of light orbs and light swords materialized out of thin air, flashing with blinding white light, rushing toward the struggling skeleton warriors on the ground with lightning speed.
Cherie firmly believed that her 'Splendid Heaven' would instantly vaporize and purify these skeleton warriors, for she truly possessed that strength!
No one else, including Elina, doubted this fact!
However, something happened that none of them could accept!