Chapter 1171: Alex and the Training with the Old Mage

The next morning, the gates of the Omega Stronghold opened to admit a familiar figure.

It was Alex, the ever‑reliable runner, though he really had a Leaper Talent that made him move really fast...

For now, he strode in with a broad grin and a huge backpack.

Inside were items that couldn’t be stored in System Inventory.

They had been gathering dust in some storage across allied shelters... There were unused robes, enchanted trinkets, and, most importantly, several boxes of Mana Crystals.

He had promised to deliver them personally, avoiding the punishing trade tax that had frustrated so many clans.

"Whoaaa..."

This was only his second visit to the Stronghold, and the sight before him nearly stole his breath.

The last time he had come, the fortress had been impressive but quiet, its courtyards were still settling into their new purpose.

Now, it was alive.

The courtyard bustled with activity.

Peddlers had set up stalls along the main road, selling roasted meats, steaming bowls of broth, and skewers of fruit glazed with syrup.

Survivors crowded around, laughing and bargaining prices, while the noise of construction could still be heard around.

There weren’t many children here as expected, but some of them darted between the stalls, clutching bread rolls or sweet tonics brewed in the Vineyard Dome.

Alex knew that these families came from Neutral Shelters that had been popping out recently.

Soon, slowed his pace, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Wow..." he muttered. "It wasn’t like this before."

He passed a stall where a woman sold talismans carved from Spirit Stones, each glowing faintly.

Another offered charms made from zombie cores, claiming they warded off nightmares.

Furthermore, the smell of spices and smoke wafted in the streets, and Alex couldn’t help but smile. The Stronghold wasn’t just a fortress anymore... it was becoming a city.

As he moved deeper inside, he noticed mercenaries lounging near the training grounds, polishing weapons and boasting about contracts.

Artisans carried bundles of cloth, while smiths hauled ingots toward the Auto‑Forge. Everywhere he looked, there was movement, purpose, and life...

"This place..." Alex whispered, "it’s thriving."

Now, he even considered migrating here... After all, it would be fun seeing how this place would develop... Furthermore, he knew how solid this stronghold was...

Not even the Cross-Apocalypse Event managed to break through its walls.

Of course, they even broke several Barrier Generators, but the walls and the Goldsteel Ramparts itself stood.

"I need to talk to Tieria... Is he in his office?" He asked one of the guards.

"Sir Alex? He’s been waiting for you. Let me escort you, Sir." One of the recruited guards replied.

Guided by this soldier, he made his way to the command base.

Tieria was there... His mechanical eye seemed to be scanning the various reports on his table.

Alex bowed slightly as he set down his backpack.

"Commander Tieria," Alex said... His voice was tinged with excitement. "I’ve brought gifts. Mana Crystals, enchanted gear, robes... things that might stir something in the old man. Where is he?"

Tieria looked up. He couldn’t help but smile after seeing him looking so excited.

Well, magic is indeed something everyone wanted to learn...

"Hey... Are you thinking of becoming his apprentice or something?" Tieria joked.

However, as he thought that Alex would just laugh, he actually froze and scratched his head... "Ahem... Who knows? Maybe I have the talent..."

Tieria was stunned.

"W-what the... Alright. Merlin is at the training grounds." Tieria said as he waved his hands. He couldn’t be bothered with this anymore.

Alex’s eyes lit up. "Training grounds? Don’t tell me... he’s practicing magic?"

Tieria gave a faint nod. "Go see for yourself."

Alex didn’t need to be told twice.

He hurried through the corridors, guided by the sound of shouts and the movement of energy.

As he stepped into the training grounds, his jaw dropped.

Merlin was there, hovering slightly above the ground, his robes were fluttering as arcs of blue mana swirled around him.

Facing him were five heavily armored Super Soldiers, each clad in the Epic‑Grade Tyrant Set.

Their armor granted them immense resistance against magic... 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The battle was already underway.

Merlin raised his hand, and a volley of blue bolts of arrows streaked through the air...

They were Magic Missiles, precise and unerring...

No matter what movement they did, the projectiles would follow them.

The Super Soldiers raised their shields, as they absorbed the impact.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Sparks flew as the ground was scorched where the missiles struck.

One soldier charged, as he swung his massive blade in a horizontal slash.

Merlin moved aside, his body moving with surprising agility for his age.

He muttered a word, and a gust of wind propelled him upward.

For a moment, he hovered, then descended with a burst of lightning that sizzled across the field.

The soldiers staggered but their armor absorbed most of the shock...

Still, the force was undeniable.

"Ha!" Merlin laughed, his voice filled with joy.

"It’s been too long since I’ve felt this alive! Come on!"

Another soldier charged with a spear, thrusting forward.

However, Merlin conjured a dome of mana...

It was Mana Shield!

The weapon struck harmlessly against it. Then, he retaliated with a wave of fire!

Whoom~

The flames roared across the training ground. The soldiers braced as their armor glowed, resisting the blaze. Unfortunately, the heat forced them back.

Alex watched in awe.

The old man wasn’t just casting spells... he was dancing with them, using various elements together with his incredible accuracy...

Soon, he shifted from fire to ice, freezing the ground beneath the soldiers’ feet, then shattered it with a bolt of lightning.

"Hahaha... This is it! This is how to use my Spells!"

He then soared briefly with wings of mana carrying him above their heads... However, it was just for a brief moment, before diving with another barrage of missiles!

The Super Soldiers, however, were no ordinary opponents.

Their Tyrant Sets granted them immense durability, and their training with the Monks allowed them to learn a bit of Aura!

One soldier slammed his shield into the ground, creating a shockwave that disrupted Merlin’s flight. Another hurled a weighted chain, forcing Merlin to dodge mid‑air!

Yet Merlin only laughed louder.

"Excellent! Push me harder!"

The soldiers grinned beneath their helmets.

"What an old man..."

"Masochist..."

"Haha! Bring it on!"

They were enjoying it too. For them, this was more than training... it was a rare chance to test themselves against true magic!

The clash continued, neither side yielding.

Merlin’s spells lit up the grounds in a multitude of colors... There were fireballs exploding, ice shards slicing through the air, bolts of lightning crackling across the field.

The soldiers countered with brute strength, shields raised, blades flashing, plus their coordinated formation!

At one point, Merlin conjured a storm of frost, encasing the soldiers in ice.

For a heartbeat, it seemed he had won.

But then, with a roar, they shattered the prison, their armor glowed as it resisted the chill!

They charged together, forcing Merlin to retreat, his shield was being forced to the limit as he absorbed the blows.

Alex couldn’t tear his eyes away. The old mage moved with grace as his laughter echoed across the grounds.

He wasn’t fighting to win... Without a doubt, he was fighting to feel, to remember what it feels like to be a Mage...

Indeed, as Merlin moved, each spell seemed to stir something within him, fragments of a past he couldn’t quite grasp.

Meanwhile, the soldiers were also exhilarated. They had faced countless enemies, but this was different. Merlin’s magic was unpredictable, vibrant, and seemed alive as they kept following their movements!

Every clash was like a test...

Minutes stretched into an hour with the battle raging like a dance.

Sweat glistened on the soldiers’ brows, with their armor scorched and battered...

Finally, Tieria arrived, watching from the sidelines.

His mechanical eye glowed faintly as he observed.

"See? He’s enjoying himself," Tieria murmured. "And so are they."

Alex glanced at him and nodded... He thought that Tieria was busy but it seemed that he was also curious.

"Commander... I think this is exactly what he needed. Look at him. He’s alive again."

Merlin landed lightly with his mana shield fading, his breath was now steady despite the exertion. He then looked at the soldiers, who saluted him with respect.

"Well fought," Merlin said with a warm voice... "You are strong. Stronger than I imagined."

One soldier chuckled. "And you, old man, are far more dangerous than you look."

Merlin laughed, shaking his head... "Dangerous? No no... I remember now how kind I am..."

The super soldiers just laughed it off...

At this time, Alex stepped forward with a smile. "Sir Merlin! I’m Alex... I brought you gifts from the various high-ranking officers of the Clan..."

Merlin turned. He didn’t recognize Alex, but he seemed like a nice guy.

"Gifts? For me?" He asked.

Alex nodded. "For you. It’s from the clan. You’re one of us now... Ahem, so... would you like to meet with a Necromancer? Actually, he requested a meeting with you."

The question just came out of nowhere...