My gaze could not remain fixed on one thing. At times, I watched the magics—those invocations that were the reason we had come. Blackcap mages showed my students how to use their power—no flourishes, no wasting time on large magics, adapting to enemies. If there were few, cause immediate damage. If there were many, limit themselves to stunning, disorienting, retreating while releasing progressive damage spells. Poison Mist was a magic I did not know, but I learned it as quickly as I could. The idea of poisoning and stunning at the same time was too beneficial to overlook. Yet I could not keep my eyes on the training—not when Lilith lay in a pillar, screaming to be rescued!
The invitation to Midnight Raven had been made by the Blackcap leader—a pedantic type I had never been interested in meeting. Despite his haughty expressions, the letter was very clear:
"Esteemed third-rate mages,
Since your power is not great enough to be considered a threat, not counting the fact that you present yourselves as users of dark powers, I invite you to the true temple of evil, of destructive power that will face evil. Here, you will see how magic should be used by those who poorly possess such minuscule quantities as yourselves.
In Midnight Raven, I offer you lodging for one month. You will not be able to take theoretical classes, but you will be allowed to attend practical demonstrations of enchantments from which you can benefit.
Do not think I am boasting. To demonstrate the Blackcaps' power, all sessions will be held in the trophy hall, where the crystallized body of the Lady of Darkness lies, trapped by our forces, a mark of the reach of our magic.
Sincerely,
Blackcap Leader."
I traveled spurred by fear. I brought my most advanced students and ten or twenty discipline priests. My master only let them go after I explained that this was not a learning mission—he still feared I would divert his priests from the path of discipline. He still did not believe in Lilith or the Overlord, as he had never had to deal with their troops. But he admitted they were not the bloodthirsty types the Blood Elves had presented. Now I was here, a few meters from the lady who had taught me everything I knew about attack. I had to restrain myself. The place was full of Blackcap mages, most with greater power than my priests. We knew how to better exploit our limits, yes, but we risked dying unnecessarily if I only sought a glorious death. The rescue must be, as always, well planned—nothing influenced by emotion.
At midnight, we received a message. My mirror and the Blackcap's lit simultaneously. It was a call for help. My master was fleeing from mysterious attackers. None of us knew those armors. My master, amid explosions, explained that only a handful of my disciples remained—the rest had died so the others could flee. I began to assess my forces. I had few elements—the best were dark priests. The discipline priests barely understood how to attack; that was why I had brought them. But I was interrupted by a stupid laugh echoing in the hall. Apparently, the Blackcap leader was very amused. Half his students laughed; the other half was serious. He ignored them and began to pack his things.
The Blackcap insulted us, called us weak. His hand—or where it should be—fluctuated, at times moving like an appendage, then forming claws. He laughed, arguing that only the treaty with the other forces had brought us here. But now that we were decimated, he wanted us out of his domain. That made me angry! I did not care if I had to die! I regretted that it had to be this way, but I would not leave this world without saving my mistress and leaving this continent free of conceited bastards like him. I began to think of strategies—poison fields right at his head, blows to burst his joints, even a lucky strike to his trachea to give me time to invoke larger things. But before I could do anything, a small hand stopped me.
Its owner was a goblin. He was dressed in local attire, his yellowish skin and bulging eyes unmistakable. What was he doing here? The Blackcap leader had always said he despised non-human species and would fight them to give humanity a chance at supremacy. Then I heard a voice amid soft laughter:
"Don't worry, not everything is as it seems. You should know that by now. This stupid little man serves our purpose. Half his students, even his faculty, are made up of what he calls 'creatures of darkness.' I take care of that. I am not physically here—my friend is the one who ensures everything is fulfilled. You let the idiot speak; he will help you, even if he doesn't want to.
For now, we fight far away. Enemies are arriving from all four corners of the continent. You defend here. Your enemies come from a volcanic nation—their goddess is violent and cruel. You must resist! The Whitecaps and Redcaps are working on solutions. The Overlord too, but it will take a long time. It is time you showed why you were always my best student..."
As the voice faded, I could perceive how the Blackcap's head glowed. When he finished his stupid arguments, he calmed down and, as if reading a script written in his head, said that nonetheless, any students who wanted to try their luck against enemies as simple as those could accompany us. Meanwhile, in consideration of our treaty, he would provide lodging for the newest priests. From the hall, half raised their hands... Two hours later, we were ready to leave—provisions, experience, and the shame that of all those who offered to help my brothers, none were human.