After reading the texts floating over me and calming myself down a little, I glanced at my surrounding once again and stood up with the help of the middle-aged man who I assume is someone close to me or the person I was portraying.
''What happened?'' I asked in a hoarse voice.
''We didn't expect them to know about our ambush. There are only 17 people alive due to the traps they laid for us''
'I still didn't have any relevant information about the war'.
''Where should we go?'' I asked
''We already informed Sir Solomon about the failure of the mission, He said to gather the bodies of the soldier and wait for them to arrive''. The man said.
''Leo, I'm glad you're alive, I... I thought I lost you too.." He said almost tearing up again.
'I was feeling a little uncomfortable and sad for him but I didn't say anything
''I promised your father that I'll keep you safe Leo''
''Basil! Did you find someone ?'' A voice called from afar.
I looked to the left to see a huge man with a big scar on his face. His hand was over his eyes. He looked like a failed soldier. Dirt seemed so worked into him that the lines of his face were like writing.
''Yes, Commander! I found my nephew Leo but he's injured'' The man named Basil stood up respectfully before addressing the person in front of him.
One look at the general and I could tell he was way out of my league. I could also tell he was devastated about the loss of his soldier from just one look on his face.
''You're a lucky kid. You're probably the only first-circle mage to make it out alive'' He said with a sad smile on his face
''Basil, take him to Leah and get him healed. We cannot afford to waste any time, General Solomon will be arriving here shortly.
''Yes sir!'' Basil helped me stand up before casting a wind spell to make me levitate in the air.
After about 10 minutes, we reached a small camp where about a dozen or two men and women were resting.
Basil took me to a brown-haired woman who was washing her hands filled with blood.
Her face was not young, but it was simple; it was not fresh, but it was mild. She had large eyes which were not bright, a great deal of hair which was not 'dressed,' and long fine hands which were–possibly–not clean.
She looked at me floating in the sky before turning her head towards basil and said with a smile
''See, I told you he'll survive. You were freaking out for nothing.'' She then looked me in the eyes before casting a spell which I presume to be a healing one as I felt so very comfortable.
After chanting the spell multiple times and exhausting a good amount of her mana, My wounds finally started to heal although the scars remained.
''Thank you for healing me'' I said with a little bow and those were probably the first words I said since coming to this place.
She just chuckled and told me not to worry. She also advised me to rest a little before the General and his crew come.
After that, Basil left me in a camp and went back to do his duties. I lay there for a while thinking about the things that happened in the past hour or so.
I also noticed a mirror at the side and looked into it.
The dark, tangled hair reminded me of a swamp, which surrounded the two wide dark brown eyes.
The face was average too apart from a little scar on the forehead which I presume he got into battle earlier as it looked fresh.
I tried to feel my mana and fortunately, I still had it. Summoning it outside my body, I finally felt a little comfortable and secure. I could at least guarantee my safety a little now.
Suddenly I heard loud noises from outside. Fearing it was another attack I ran to the camp only to see them act like nothing and I could finally see what was causing the sounds.
Huge War-horses were coming this way and the one leading them was sitting on a bigger horse, around 5 meters in height and looked dangerous.
The commander that met me on the battlefield was also here standing, Waiting for the General I presume.
The general stopped and mounted off his horse before looking at the surrounding.
''Halt'' he said calmly and all the soldiers behind him came to a pause.
He was commonplace in complexion, features, manners, and voice. He was of middle size and ordinary build. His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe… Otherwise, there was only an indefinable, faint expression on his lips, something stealthy — a smile — not a smile — I remember it, but I can't explain.
He looked at every soldier present and his eyes rested on me. He rose his eyebrows in curiosity as I was the weakest and only First-circle mage I presume. After monitoring the surrounding, he walked towards the Commander and asked
''How did this happen, Robert?''
It was such a simple question but the authority I felt in his voice was something I never experienced and expected. From a glance, I could tell that he was probably an archmage. One who is at least at the Seventh-circle
I was sweating hard because I know the dungeon asked me to survive the first tide but how the fuck can I do that when there will be Seven-circle mages fighting each other.
I knew I could win with a Second circle but fighting them one on one and fighting them in the war was different.
''They knew about it, Sir. They were prepared for it and even set up traps. We successfully killed them but the losses were too high this time.
The commander, Robert told the news with a cracked voice. This was his squad and he treated his soldiers like family, not some disposable packages that he could sacrifice easily.
The general just sighed. He also knew what happened was not his fault but he was enraged at the death of so many soldiers. The war just started and yet there were so many deaths.
''Pack the things here, we are moving to the base right now. You are in no position to lead someone here with this many soldiers.'' The one who died, and their family will be amply compensated.
Bury their body before leaving'' The general said before lighting up a cigar.
''we're going to our base, Astrea''. He declared