Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Sand Rock Country Border

Gilbert Reese and his team of elite wizards arrived quietly at the border of Sand Rock Country, their faces set in grim determination. Their mission was of utmost secrecy, and they moved with practiced caution, attempting to keep a low profile.

But even with their careful approach, their presence did not go unnoticed. The neighboring countries' wizards, ever vigilant and suspicious, soon picked up on their movements.

The air grew tense as the foreign wizards leaped to the wrong conclusion. Without knowing the true purpose of Gilbert's mission, they assumed his team was there to eliminate them.

Acting on this mistaken assumption, they launched a sudden and furious attack, their spells crackling with violent intent. Energy blasts and elemental conjurations filled the air, and chaos erupted along the border.

Gilbert's team, taken by surprise, had no choice but to retaliate. Gilbert himself remained calm, his eyes cold and focused as he countered the incoming attacks. Yet, with each spell exchanged, the conflict escalated, drawing more attention. The clash was fierce, and the commotion quickly reached the ears of allied forces stationed nearby.

The Yellow River Academy, always prepared to defend its own, responded swiftly. Upon hearing of the skirmish, they deployed a strong squad of wizards to aid Gilbert's team in fending off the foreign attackers.

The allied wizards, witnessing the reinforcement, felt a wave of relief wash over them. Gratitude swelled in their hearts as they watched the Yellow River Academy's forces enter the fray, turning the tide of battle.

Gilbert, however, was left with little choice. The situation had spiraled beyond the scope of his covert mission, and now the only way forward was to decisively crush the opposition.

His team fought with precision and unmatched skill, neutralizing the foreign wizards one by one. With each defeated enemy, Gilbert felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him, knowing full well this battle was a distraction from his true goal.

Meanwhile...

In the background, far from the battlefield, the Royal Force Hall Academy and the Weapon Palace Academy watched with keen interest. These two institutions had long harbored their own agenda, their eyes not on the foreign wizards or the border skirmish, but on one individual—Vincent Carey.

To them, Vincent represented a looming threat to their dominance. His potential, if fully realized, could ensure the rise of the Yellow River Academy to a level they couldn't afford to allow.

Even though the country itself was destabilized by the ongoing attacks from neighboring nations, these two academies had not forgotten their private calculations. Their aim was clear: to eliminate Vincent Carey before his power could grow.

But despite their intentions, they were met with frustration. Gilbert Reese had been dispatched to the border, a key figure in the Yellow River Academy, yet there was no sign of Vincent Carey leaving the academy grounds.

This frustrated them to no end. It became apparent that the Yellow River Academy was intent on keeping Vincent protected, likely aware of the brewing conspiracies against him.

The Academy seemed determined to shelter him within their walls, guarding their rising star until a time of great need—a moment when every wizard would be called to defend the country. Until such a moment arrived, the Royal Force Hall Academy and the Weapon Palace Academy could do little but wait and watch from the shadows.

What they didn't know, however, was that Vincent Carey had already been selected by the ""True Element Society"", a prestigious and powerful organization. This fact was kept hidden from many, and had they been aware of his induction into such an influential group, their petty schemes would have crumbled instantly.

For the ""True Element Society"" was a respected force, and any attempt to harm one of its members would bring the full wrath of the ""Mage Union"" down upon them.

The two academies, wary of crossing the ""Mage Union"", tread carefully in their plans. Their ambition to halt Vincent's rise was tempered by their fear of drawing the Union's ire. For now, they could only watch, waiting for an opening, knowing that if they made one wrong move, they could find themselves in a far worse situation than before.

....

A few days later, Gilbert and his team finally shifted their focus to finding a safe passage. By now, they were far from the chaos of the initial battle, deep within enemy territory, moving with caution and precision.

Their objective was clear: secure a route that would allow them to slip through undetected. The team had to ensure that no foreign wizards were lurking nearby, ready to ambush them. Every movement was calculated, as they were now navigating the border region of ""Tolu Country"".

The terrain here was harsh and barren, a desolate expanse that stretched between ""Tolu""and ""Sand Rock Country"". The lack of mana in this region was palpable—there was hardly any vegetation, just dry, cracked earth that mirrored the land's emptiness.

This made the area unattractive for any significant wizarding activity. Even seasoned wizards would struggle here, as the sparse mana meant that once a wizard's reserves were depleted, replenishing their energy would be a slow, painful process.

In such conditions, battles were avoided, and only the truly desperate or well-prepared dared to traverse this forsaken land.

But for Gilbert and his team, this was the perfect location. The natural deterrents that kept others at bay served as a veil for their covert mission.

Few wizards would bother to patrol a mana-deprived wasteland, and that gave them the edge they needed. They were cautious, ensuring that the region was truly deserted before continuing their journey deeper into the borderlands.

Beyond the immediate terrain, Gilbert's mind worked tirelessly, analyzing the geography and strategic options available to him. The ""Lizzen State"", nestled between two neighboring countries, was their immediate concern.

But if they traveled farther north, they would soon reach the dense expanse of the ""Magic Forest"", a vast and formidable region that spanned across multiple borders.

The forest was impenetrable by land—it was so dense with mystical forces and wild magical creatures that anyone attempting to walk through would surely meet their end. The only way across the Magic Forest was by aircraft or airship. Discover hidden stories at empire

Once they crossed it, however, they would enter the lands of richer regions—lands filled with abundant mana and far safer for a wizard of Vincent Carey's caliber. From there, the path would open up to the ""Ancient Redwood Country"", a distant but promising destination, and an ideal place for Vincent to escape his enemies and continue his growth.

The Ancient Redwood Country was known for its unspoiled magical lands, brimming with ancient trees that exuded pure mana. It was a place where one could recover their strength and thrive without constant threat.

These thoughts swirled in Gilbert's mind as he led his team through the barren landscape. He wasn't naive. His years of experience in warfare, border skirmishes, and covert operations had taught him a great deal about the lands surrounding their homeland.

He understood the geopolitical balance and the tactical advantage that came with knowing how to move between regions without drawing attention.

"Once Vincent reaches the other regions,"Gilbert mused, he will find safety. From there, it would be easier to navigate through larger nations with rich mana supplies." Those lands, untainted by constant conflict, would give Vincent the perfect opportunity to grow in power and prepare for the inevitable battles ahead.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Gilbert knew the stakes. This mission wasn't just about evading enemy wizards—it was about securing Vincent's future and protecting the potential that the Yellow River Academy saw in him.

As long as they could pass through the barren region, they would be one step closer to ensuring Vincent's escape to a land where the challenges of survival would be replaced by the opportunities of growth. The key was reaching the next region undetected. From there, the game would change.

...

Meanwhile,

back at the ""Yellow River Academy"", the Dean sat in his private study, carefully reviewing the latest report from Gilbert. Each detail was scrutinized as he weighed the risks and benefits of the operation.

Gilbert's discovery of the mana-deprived passage had piqued his interest, confirming his belief that this was, indeed, the safest route for Vincent Carey's escape. It was an unconventional path, one few would dare to use, and that was precisely why it was perfect.

The Dean leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers thoughtfully against the polished wood of his desk. The passage Gilbert had identified was not just any route—it was a barren, inhospitable stretch of land that no wizard would willingly cross unless they had no other choice.

The scarcity of mana in that region posed a significant risk to anyone who ventured through. Without a rich supply of ambient mana, wizards would find it nearly impossible to heal or replenish their strength if they were injured or drained in battle. This inherent danger had kept the passage largely ignored by others, making it a hidden gem in terms of covert escape routes.

"No one would think to search there," the Dean mused, his eyes narrowing as he considered the brilliance of the plan. The lack of mana acted as a natural deterrent, creating a shield.