Kyle and his team arrived at the eastern edge of the vige, where the forest loomed like an ominous shadow in the distance.


    The area had been hastily fortified with wooden barricades, sharpened stakes, and trenches filled with rudimentary traps.


    The men stationed there were the vige''sst line of defense—farmers andborers turned soldiers overnight.


    Their weapons ranged from rusted swords to farming tools like pitchforks and scythes. Despite their determination, it was clear they were exhausted.


    As Kyle approached, a muscr, dark-skinned man stepped forward to greet them.


    His broad shoulders andmanding presence marked him as the leader of this ragtag group.


    His expression was one of immense gratitude, though his eyes betrayed the fatigue of someone who had borne the weight of responsibility for too long.


    "Wee, mages," the man said with a deep and steady voice despite his weariness. "I''m Desmond, the leader of this force. Thank you foring. We had almost given up hope."


    Kyle nodded respectfully and his team followed suit. "I''m Kyle, lightning mage of Vyne Academy. We''re here to help."


    The rest of his team introduced themselves before Kyle went straight to the point. "Can you tell us about the situation?"


    Desmond let out a heavy sigh and his shoulders sagged slightly. "We held back a wave yesterday, but it came at a terrible cost. We lost a lot of good men, and many more are injured and unable to fight."


    He gestured toward arge canvas tent nearby. "The wounded are in there. They fought bravely, but... this tide is unlike any we''ve seen before. The beasts are more aggressive, and some of them are even corrupted. It''s a miracle we''re still standing."


    Kyle''s gaze followed Desmond''s gesture and his expression hardened as he saw the condition of the men.


    Many of them sat ory on makeshift cots and their faces were pale and twisted in pain. Bandages stained with blood covered their limbs, in attempt to make themst longer. Kyle felt great pity towards them.


    "They''ve already deemed this fight impossible," Desmond continued, his voice tinged with regret. "We were ready to die defending our families, but with your arrival... maybe there''s still a chance."


    Kyle essed the remaining soldiers. They were exhausted and demoralized.


    ''These men wouldn''tst another wave, let alone the full tide,'' Kyle thought.


    "Zara, heal them," he turned around and instructed her.


    Zara was surprised at Kyle''s instruction. "Kyle, I have to conserve my mana for the battle. If I run out—"


    "You won''t," Kyle interrupted with a firm voice. "I got plenty of mana recovery potions in my storage. Healing them is more important right now."


    Zara hesitated but eventually nodded. The gratitude in their eyes was evident when Zara approached them with her light magic as some of them were even moved to tears.


    Desmond ced a hand on Kyle''s shoulder. "Thank you. We thought all hope was lost. These men—these boys—they''re everything to this vige. You''ve given them a second chance."


    "We''re here to make sure they don''t have to fight. Rest them—No. All of you should rest. You''ve done enough."


    Desmond''s brow furrowed. "We can''t just abandon the defense. These are our people—"


    "You won''t be abandoning anyone," Kyle said firmly. "We''ll take over from here. You''re no good to us in your current condition, and you''ll only slow us down. Trust us to handle this."


    The men exchanged uncertain nces, their loyalty to the vige warring with their relief at being relieved of duty. Finally, Desmond nodded. "Alright. We''ll stand down—for now. But if you need us—"


    "We won''t," Kyle said with a tone that left no room for argument. "Rest, recover, and take care of your injured. That''s how you can help us."


    The soldiers nodded, some reluctantly, others with visible relief. They blessed Kyle and his team, offering prayers for their sess before retreating to the vige center.


    The injured men, now healed, looked at Zara with gratitude so profound that words failed them. Some wept openly and their hope restored by her efforts.


    Once they were gone, Kyle handed Zara a mana recovery potion from his inventory. "Good work. You''re invaluable to this team."


    Zara took the potion with a small smile. "Thanks."


    Kyle turned to address the rest of the team. "Here''s what we know," he began.


    "Most of the beasts are normal, but there are some Tier 1 mana beasts among them. The vigers were lucky to survive yesterday. We won''t rely on luck."


    He pointed to Finn. "Finn, you and your pet, Brutus will focus on defending the perimeter and making the terrain difficult for the beasts to navigate. Use every trick you''ve got."


    Finn nodded, releasing the stone Bear from his space pouch. "Brutus and I will handle it."


    "Zara," Kyle continued, "You''ll stay alert and provide support. Focus on keeping us in fighting shape, both mana and health."


    "Got it," Zara replied.


    "Celine," Kyle said, turning to her. "You''ll control the flow of the battle. Keep the beasts contained and prevent them from overwhelming us... Look out for openings to help in the fight."


    "Understood," Celine said with a gentle nod.


    "Lina and I will be the main damage dealers," Kyle finished. "We''ll take out the strongest beasts and keep the pressure off the rest of you.


    Stay sharp, and remember: our goal is to hold the line and protect the vige. Nothing else matters."


    The team nodded, their expressions grim but determined. Just as Kyle was about to say more, a low rumble reached his ears.


    He stiffened and his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the forest. The sound grew louder, like the pounding of countless feet.


    "They''reing," Kyle whispered, in a voice that was loud enough for others to hear.


    "Everyone, into position," Kylemanded immediately they got the message.


    "Finn, set up the mud walls inyers—slow them down. Brutus should stay close to you. Use his strength to reinforce the barriers if they''re breached."