Warrior Training System-Chapter 341: War declared

It was almost night when, Cassian and his group fell into formation, joining the growing crowd assembled before a massive, time-worn stone platform. The stage stood empty for now, but the air buzzed with anticipation—soldiers, mercenaries, and officials packed tightly together. Cassian’s gaze swept over the gathering, landing on Julius deep in conversation with a cluster of officers. He considered approaching but decided against interrupting.

"Anyone know why we’ve been called here?" Althea asked, shifting restlessly beside him.

Wanni shrugged, pulling pastries from her spatial ring and passing them around. "No clue. Maybe to do something with the cult? Or some grand announcement."

Cassian accepted the offering with a nod, though he’d already stocked his own spatial ring with rations. Old habits died hard—after one too many nights stranded in the wilderness, he’d learned to always be prepared.

The others had obtained spatial rings through their earnings and battle rewards. Production mages were assigned to create more war materials - even Katherine had to craft magical instruments for combat, though Cassian didn’t know he’d see them in action soon.

"Did you hear anything from Cassandra?" Cassian asked Lumine.

She shook her head. "She’s been fighting at Sixth defensive band since you left. I haven’t seen her since..." Her expression showed worry.

"She’ll be fine," Cassian reassured. "It’s not easy to harm a sixth circle warrior."

Seeing Lumine still worried, Cassian opened his mouth to reassure her further when the surrounding chatter suddenly grew louder. He glanced around to find the source of commotion - everyone was now staring at the stone stage. At its center floated a marble-sized bright orange flame, wrapped in a thin, transparent layer of mana that Cassian could clearly sense.

"Get in formation, soldiers!" Julius’s voice boomed across the area. Immediately, everyone on the ground scrambled into orderly lines, though Cassian and his team exchanged confused looks as they complied.

Then, without warning, an old man materialized beside the floating flame. He looked exactly how storybooks described powerful wizards - long white beard, pointed hat adorned with magical symbols only the knowledgeable would recognize, and clutching a black staff topped with a glowing crystal orb.

Grand Mage Yuliresio..." Wanni whispered. The whole team turned to look at her - some shocked, while Cassian just looked confused. He’d heard that name before somewhere, but couldn’t quite remember where.

"The Vice Tower Master?" Robert asked, staring at the old man ahead of them who was now gazing intently at the floating flame. The loud talking around them had faded to whispers, and then to complete silence as the old man finally spoke.

"This flame..." He tilted his head, watching the fire dance in his palm. "So fragile a thing. A sigh could steal its life. A child’s breath could undo it entirely." His voice was dry parchment, weathered but precise. "And yet."

The old mage paused as the thin mana layer surrounding the flame dissipated. A collective wince ran through the crowd - though Cassian remained unaffected, having shielded both himself and Lumine with his domain.

The sudden exposure revealed the flame’s true nature: it burned like a miniature sun now hovering above the stage. While it didn’t actually burn anyone, the intense heat radiating from it was barely tolerable. Many had to squint as they watched it flicker.

"This flame," the mage continued, his voice carrying across the hushed crowd, "has never once faltered since the first stones of our city were laid." He raised his hands as the fire surged upward, its light intensifying yet its heat strangely subdued. "They say it was born in an age when shadow choked the world - when darkness ruled unbroken. These fires were lit across the lands, not to blind us with hope, but to patiently gnaw at the night until morning came."

The flame roared higher, painting the night sky in hues of gold and amber, turning darkness into false daylight. Yet where its light should have scorched, it only warmed - a paradox of power and protection. "What began as defiance," the mage murmured, "became our constant companion. Not a symbol of what we lost, but a reminder of what we reclaimed."

"Freedom—" His voice rose, ringing clear over the crowd. "Freedom for all. The street sweeper. The protector. Every soul beneath this flame’s light walks free. In this city, no emperor’s decree binds you. No god’s will overrules yours. You answer only to your own conscience—and to those who would dare steal another’s liberty."

A hush fell, heavy as stone. Even the nobles—accustomed to power—stood motionless. In Magisteria, status meant nothing. Only ability. Rise high by merit, or live simply, but never shackle another.

Cassian’s pulse hammered in his throat. This was why he fought. Since being cast into this world of magic, he had clawed for every scrap of autonomy.

Then, without thought, the words tore from him:

"For freedom—"

The crowd answered before he could finish, a thousand voices crashing together:

"FOR FREEDOM!"

The very air trembled with their cry. The Grandmage thrust his staff skyward, his roar splitting the night:

"FOR FREEDOM WE FIGHT!"

"FOR FREEDOM WE FIGHT!"

"FOR FREEDOM WE FIGHT!"

"No tyrant..." The words fell like stones. "No god... shall ever chain what we have forged in fire." A weighted pause stretched as the flame’s light guttered across his aged face. "We fight to keep. We fight to hold. And now—" His staff struck the stage with a crack that echoed like bone breaking.

"—now, shadows gather at our gates." The admission hung in the air, thick as smoke. "They would snuff this light. They would have the world kneel once more in endless dark." His eyes burned brighter than the hovering flame. "But darkness forgets—fire leaves burns. And we... we remember how to burn."

The flame’s light wavered as Yuliresio stepped forward, his shadow stretching long across the stone. "They think us softened by peace," the Grandmage continued. "They see our markets, our music, our children at play... and mistake it for weakness." A thin smile. "Let them."

The flame suddenly roared higher, its light catching on a hundred drawn blades in the crowd. On the hilts of soldiers’ swords. On the daggers tucked into bakers’ aprons. On the sickle-gleam of a farmer’s tool.

Yuliresio’s voice never rose above a growl, yet it carried across the square like rolling thunder. "Magisteria kneels to no one. We do not bargain. We do not cower." His staff cracked against the stone stage, sending embers spiraling into the night. "So when the thieves of light come creeping from the shadows—"

"WE’LL BURN THEM BRIGHTER THAN DAWN!" A voice cut through Yuliresio’s speech - but the old mage simply nodded as the crowd erupted. This wasn’t chanting. This was a thunderous war cry roared from a thousand throats in perfect unison: "WE’LL BURN THEM BRIGHTER THAN DAWN!"

Soldiers erupted in a cacophony. Sword hilts pounded against shields in crashing rhythm. Spear butts struck stone like hammerfalls. War axes clashed against tower shields, sending sparks dancing through the suddenly electric air.

Above the din, the mages acted. Fireballs roared into the night sky, trailing crimson tails. Bolts of cerulean lightning arced between towers. Pulse after pulse of emerald energy shot upward, the very air vibrating with power as the night became a kaleidoscope of magical light.

Cassian felt it in his teeth - the vibration of spellwork, the thunder of boots stamping in unison.

Magisteria City has declared war against the Cult—the first ones to do so.

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