They said Wizardry were the least potent mystic art due to its penchants for invoking spells through cheap stratagems. The Easter-rite sorcerers thought it was evident; hence the growing irksome sentiment from the wizards, despite them outnumbering the sorcerers by twofold.
Apart from the fact that some Eastern magic arts were closely related to the principles of cultivation—strengthening the body, soul, and mind at the same time to produce greater magic power (even for the sake of attaining divination or theosis)—Wizardry was arguably too superficial, at least for other mystic arts adepts. Indeed, most wizards were the practitioner reliant upon the brain. With their intelligence and their innovative kismet, they often sought “shortcuts” to master their craft, either through shortened methods or the creation of new magical equipment. However, such proclivity begat a lack of depth in terms of spellcasting, leaving Wizardry vulnerable to more complex and nuanced forms of magic. An irony of their own principle.
One glaring example of this was the fact that Wizardry lacked a spell to create image duplicates of the caster—a clone, one could say—that could both act and engage in combat autonomously. Truly lamentable, especially when compared to the several sorcerers in the room, who had mastered the art of image duplication magic, creating clones of themselves that emerged from their bodies with the help of the sorcery spell Icons of Imajik.
Wizardry might be the last resort for someone who desired to study magic (like they had a choice!). But it did not mean that the fate of losing was already sealed for the Magisterium scholars. History had recorded their magical intellectual prowess, and history said otherwise. The Wizardry practitioners were determined not to tarnish that record, even when trapped within an illusory domain alongside sorcerers who almost outnumbered them.
"Hey, don't just let Barthie block the door himself! Help him!" exclaimed Grand Magus Haddock in the midst of the complicated skirmish.
The monks had shifted their focus to pursuing Alicia and her companions. The wizards had no choice but to pull them back and persist in the relentless conflict, risking their lives so that the others could escape unharmed. They erected barriers of magic, summoning more bookshelf monsters to guard the door. It was a cruel irony that they now willingly ensconced themselves within the accursed chamber.
Meanwhile, another sorcerer and his four replicas surrounded Grand Magus Haddock, who was still too stubborn not to go after Merlin's three guardians. Merlin—always eager to test his might as ever—calmed behind him.
Those five personages rammed into Haddock in tandem! Haddock pushed one sorcerer away and blasted magic at another. When they got too close, Haddock utilised Static Ligaveris to slash them one by one. One of the clones pinned him from behind while the other pummeled him with punches all over his body.
Grand Magus Haddock remained defiant, despite the bruises on his countenance. Oh, it was just a simple clone spell after all! He had endured far graver trials than this! His dignity would never be restored if he, a Grand Magus of the international magic congregation, submitted to mere imposters!
The long, blue coat of the Grand Magus flailed about in a violent whirl. Those surrounding him momentarily froze, and there his coat still whirled. Surely this was an effect of a gust, generated from his body swinging here and there, they surmised. Regardless, their curiosity lingered; unbeknownst to them, their faces drew closer to the writhing garment. A grave mistake. An utter grave mistake.
It was common sense not to peek at someone's undergarments at random. From whichever precinct these monks hailed, such decorum had eluded their instruction. But one should not need to worry, for they would soon learn this knowledge.
In a sudden burst of movement, a magic broom darted out of the Grand Magus' coat!
CRACK!
Echoed the cracking of the approaching monk’s skull. Blood and brain splattered, coalescing in a grotesque harmony. The flying broom smote the monk's head like a racing torpedo.
Fortunately, the victim was but a mere clone, as its vessel and the remnants of its head flashed and vanished into thin air. Still, the dreadful spectacle endured in the minds of those who beheld it.
The doppelganger that once flanked Haddock was now left unguarded as well, providing the Grand Magus with an opportunity to elbow it in the stomach and break free. Finally, on his feet, Haddock retrieved his cherished magic broom. The same magic broom that shattered the throat of Plaxenin-3499, the favoured familiar of Necromancer Agosh Grendi. A glossy solid dark-blue cane, specially made of beautifully engraved blue gemstones. Each strand of glittering golden fibres consisted solely of Hapikern gold, a golden substance imported from Paititi, the continent of Mu, replete with magical potential, capable of absorbing one's mana to be harnessed according to the caster's whims. Judging by its appearance and its constituent components, it was strictly forbidden to use it as a floor sweeper. Haddock's perky magic broom was a different cleaning tool; a cleaning tool to cleanse the presence of annoying magical “pests”. And it was hungry for pests.
"Gentlemen, introducing Jubilant Jay!" Haddock cheered, "Or, The Gay Jay! People like to call it The Gay Jay. I don't know why they are fond of calling it that, but every man for himself! This is no ordinary magic broom at all. This broom requires mana and you, good men, are fish full of mana! You cannot run away. You can't, because you've missed the opportunity to do so!"
Haddock gestured his wand to guide Jubilant Jay to its first target, intending to extract the monk's mana by piercing his flesh. The monk foolishly ran towards the broom and managed to board it, but Jubilant Jay bowed to no one but the Grand Magus Haddock. It then rebelled, flying about at high speed—even tending to graze the monk against the obscured wall on purpose. The monk gradually gained control of the broom with force, and now he directed Jubilant Jay at its own master, still embroiled in the fray with the other combatants.
WHOOSH!
Jubilant Jay swerved from the fresco sky past the multitudes, rushing towards Haddock. Thankfully, Haddock was nimble to counter, as he kicked the clone of the other sorcerer and then evade broom when it arrived.
The broom-riding monk riding managed to snatch the golden blue wand from Haddock's hand. But the little wand heist was barely a triumph; Jubilant Jay's sudden sprint came to an abrupt halt, as if fettered. The monk caught sight of Haddock; he was almost drawn to take flight together. But no, albeit his body tilted, his sturdy legs were still firmly on the floor. Initially startled, Haddock's countenance shifted to one of profound relief.
To everyone's astonishment, it became apparent that the Grand Magus' wand had not fully disengaged from his grip. It remained tethered to a metal rod, cleverly equipped with a spring mechanism, allowing it to extend and retract. Furthermore, a remarkable contraption, resembling a skeletal structure, encompassed the wrist up to the base of the upper arm, concealed beneath the wizard's attire. Another fancy toy from the scholarly minds of the practitioners of Wizardry!
"Too late by a century to wrest a wizard's wand!" Haddock uttered aloud. He jiggled his hand and the wand automatically retracted into the Grand Magus' wrist. The potent force of the mechanism sent the sorcerer dislodged from Jubilant Jay. Haddock then immobilised the monk with his electric spell, Fractionem Tonitura Custos.
Having vanquished the monk, Haddock and Jubilant Jay hunted down other pestering sorcerers. Jubilant Jay banished five artificial sorcerers and crashed into three others, leaving them in critical condition with their mana drained. The clones it slew turned out to have mana, too. In retaliation, the sorcerers conjured more clones, encircling the Grand Magus.
"Shine away, Jubilant Jay!"
The Jubilant Jay did shine, through the carvings on its cane. Standing tall, Jubilant Jay spewed out a sonic boom from the accumulation of the foe’s mana, plunging his besiegers into their subconscious in agony!
Then it came for the head of all monks, Merlin himself. []
They said Wizardry were the least potent mystic art due to its penchants for invoking spells through cheap stratagems. The Easter-rite sorcerers thought it was evident; hence the growing irksome sentiment from the wizards, despite them outnumbering the sorcerers by twofold.
Apart from the fact that some Eastern magic arts were closely related to the principles of cultivation—strengthening the body, soul, and mind at the same time to produce greater magic power (even for the sake of attaining divination or theosis)—Wizardry was arguably too superficial, at least for other mystic arts adepts. Indeed, most wizards were the practitioner reliant upon the brain. With their intelligence and their innovative kismet, they often sought “shortcuts” to master their craft, either through shortened methods or the creation of new magical equipment. However, such proclivity begat a lack of depth in terms of spellcasting, leaving Wizardry vulnerable to more complex and nuanced forms of magic. An irony of their own principle.
One glaring example of this was the fact that Wizardry lacked a spell to create image duplicates of the caster—a clone, one could say—that could both act and engage in combat autonomously. Truly lamentable, especially when compared to the several sorcerers in the room, who had mastered the art of image duplication magic, creating clones of themselves that emerged from their bodies with the help of the sorcery spell Icons of Imajik.
Wizardry might be the last resort for someone who desired to study magic (like they had a choice!). But it did not mean that the fate of losing was already sealed for the Magisterium scholars. History had recorded their magical intellectual prowess, and history said otherwise. The Wizardry practitioners were determined not to tarnish that record, even when trapped within an illusory domain alongside sorcerers who almost outnumbered them.
"Hey, don't just let Barthie block the door himself! Help him!" exclaimed Grand Magus Haddock in the midst of the complicated skirmish.
The monks had shifted their focus to pursuing Alicia and her companions. The wizards had no choice but to pull them back and persist in the relentless conflict, risking their lives so that the others could escape unharmed. They erected barriers of magic, summoning more bookshelf monsters to guard the door. It was a cruel irony that they now willingly ensconced themselves within the accursed chamber.
Meanwhile, another sorcerer and his four replicas surrounded Grand Magus Haddock, who was still too stubborn not to go after Merlin's three guardians. Merlin—always eager to test his might as ever—calmed behind him.
Those five personages rammed into Haddock in tandem! Haddock pushed one sorcerer away and blasted magic at another. When they got too close, Haddock utilised Static Ligaveris to slash them one by one. One of the clones pinned him from behind while the other pummeled him with punches all over his body.
Grand Magus Haddock remained defiant, despite the bruises on his countenance. Oh, it was just a simple clone spell after all! He had endured far graver trials than this! His dignity would never be restored if he, a Grand Magus of the international magic congregation, submitted to mere imposters!
The long, blue coat of the Grand Magus flailed about in a violent whirl. Those surrounding him momentarily froze, and there his coat still whirled. Surely this was an effect of a gust, generated from his body swinging here and there, they surmised. Regardless, their curiosity lingered; unbeknownst to them, their faces drew closer to the writhing garment. A grave mistake. An utter grave mistake.
It was common sense not to peek at someone's undergarments at random. From whichever precinct these monks hailed, such decorum had eluded their instruction. But one should not need to worry, for they would soon learn this knowledge.
In a sudden burst of movement, a magic broom darted out of the Grand Magus' coat!
CRACK!
Echoed the cracking of the approaching monk’s skull. Blood and brain splattered, coalescing in a grotesque harmony. The flying broom smote the monk's head like a racing torpedo.
Fortunately, the victim was but a mere clone, as its vessel and the remnants of its head flashed and vanished into thin air. Still, the dreadful spectacle endured in the minds of those who beheld it.
The doppelganger that once flanked Haddock was now left unguarded as well, providing the Grand Magus with an opportunity to elbow it in the stomach and break free. Finally, on his feet, Haddock retrieved his cherished magic broom. The same magic broom that shattered the throat of Plaxenin-3499, the favoured familiar of Necromancer Agosh Grendi. A glossy solid dark-blue cane, specially made of beautifully engraved blue gemstones. Each strand of glittering golden fibres consisted solely of Hapikern gold, a golden substance imported from Paititi, the continent of Mu, replete with magical potential, capable of absorbing one's mana to be harnessed according to the caster's whims. Judging by its appearance and its constituent components, it was strictly forbidden to use it as a floor sweeper. Haddock's perky magic broom was a different cleaning tool; a cleaning tool to cleanse the presence of annoying magical “pests”. And it was hungry for pests.
"Gentlemen, introducing Jubilant Jay!" Haddock cheered, "Or, The Gay Jay! People like to call it The Gay Jay. I don't know why they are fond of calling it that, but every man for himself! This is no ordinary magic broom at all. This broom requires mana and you, good men, are fish full of mana! You cannot run away. You can't, because you've missed the opportunity to do so!"
Haddock gestured his wand to guide Jubilant Jay to its first target, intending to extract the monk's mana by piercing his flesh. The monk foolishly ran towards the broom and managed to board it, but Jubilant Jay bowed to no one but the Grand Magus Haddock. It then rebelled, flying about at high speed—even tending to graze the monk against the obscured wall on purpose. The monk gradually gained control of the broom with force, and now he directed Jubilant Jay at its own master, still embroiled in the fray with the other combatants.
WHOOSH!
Jubilant Jay swerved from the fresco sky past the multitudes, rushing towards Haddock. Thankfully, Haddock was nimble to counter, as he kicked the clone of the other sorcerer and then evade broom when it arrived.
The broom-riding monk riding managed to snatch the golden blue wand from Haddock's hand. But the little wand heist was barely a triumph; Jubilant Jay's sudden sprint came to an abrupt halt, as if fettered. The monk caught sight of Haddock; he was almost drawn to take flight together. But no, albeit his body tilted, his sturdy legs were still firmly on the floor. Initially startled, Haddock's countenance shifted to one of profound relief.
To everyone's astonishment, it became apparent that the Grand Magus' wand had not fully disengaged from his grip. It remained tethered to a metal rod, cleverly equipped with a spring mechanism, allowing it to extend and retract. Furthermore, a remarkable contraption, resembling a skeletal structure, encompassed the wrist up to the base of the upper arm, concealed beneath the wizard's attire. Another fancy toy from the scholarly minds of the practitioners of Wizardry!
"Too late by a century to wrest a wizard's wand!" Haddock uttered aloud. He jiggled his hand and the wand automatically retracted into the Grand Magus' wrist. The potent force of the mechanism sent the sorcerer dislodged from Jubilant Jay. Haddock then immobilised the monk with his electric spell, Fractionem Tonitura Custos.
Having vanquished the monk, Haddock and Jubilant Jay hunted down other pestering sorcerers. Jubilant Jay banished five artificial sorcerers and crashed into three others, leaving them in critical condition with their mana drained. The clones it slew turned out to have mana, too. In retaliation, the sorcerers conjured more clones, encircling the Grand Magus.
"Shine away, Jubilant Jay!"
The Jubilant Jay did shine, through the carvings on its cane. Standing tall, Jubilant Jay spewed out a sonic boom from the accumulation of the foe’s mana, plunging his besiegers into their subconscious in agony!
Then it came for the head of all monks, Merlin himself. []
