The atmosphere had brightened, and now the prisoners were assisting in constructing makeshift walls using wood and rock. There were approximately 80 prisoners, mostly men, of which around 50 were strong enough to help.

“They're coming,” Erik announced.

"Well, that was quicker than expected," I remarked to no one in particular. At least there was no foliage, and we could see their numbers.

“I count 94,” Erik spoke again, and a glimmer of doubt washed through the men once more.

Alira quietly interjected, “That speech was nice, but we don’t stand a chance. They're equipped like soldiers, while our men are in rags.”

“We can’t do anything about numbers or gear, so morale is our only option,” I said as they continued advancing.

“You have a plan?” she asked, more surprised than anything.

“More like an idea. I'm going to challenge their strongest to a one-on-one fight. If I win, the other side surrenders,” I explained. It wasn't the best idea, but it was an idea.

Alira looked at me angrily, “Even if you win, do you really expect them to surrender?”

“Of course not, but it will lower their morale and eliminate their best fighter,” I replied, trying to maintain a confident demeanor.

“They may not care, or they could attack you all at once,” she warned.

“See the leader dressed in the fine suit? He's standing back, but his clothes make him stand out. If there's one thing I learned from history, it's that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer,” I said with a smile. “And judging by his clothes, he thinks he's better than everyone else.”

Alira nodded, “Be careful.”

When I got within shouting distance, I announced that I was there to negotiate. An arrow struck me in the chest, then another. By the tenth arrow, I think they got the message, but just in case they didn't, I launched a Lightning Bolt at a group of three archers hiding behind a rock. Instead of an explosion, the lightning was grounded.

A few tree vines appeared near me; one went for my leg, and another for my hand. They weren't hurting me because of the shield, but they were restricting my movement. With a few bolts, a couple of charred vines were left in their place, but I was beginning to think my gamble would not pay off.

More arrows followed, along with a few spells, and vines kept appearing. It was time to cut my losses and head back.

“So, what was that you said about overconfidence?” Alira was the first to speak as I returned past the rampart.

“I admit I may have been the one with inflated confidence,” I replied in a fake hurt tone.

“At least you had the wisdom to retreat,” Erik threw a little jab my way.

“Hey, I was not retreating,” I paused for effect, “I was just advancing in a different direction.” A few chuckles were heard.

“But my plan worked… somewhat,” I added with a smile.

“What plan? The one to duel?” Erik retorted.

“Yes, there was a distinct lack of a duel,” Alira quipped.

“That was plan A, but you should always have a plan B,” I replied, giving Erik a little wink.

“And what was plan B?” Elara asked.

“To prove I can hold my ground alone, I intentionally missed with my spell to make it seem less threatening,” I explained, my gaze intense. “Now, they’ll overestimate my defensive abilities—maybe even feel a bit of fear—while underestimating my offensive power. At the same time, our allies will see that if I can stand firm out in the open, they can certainly hold their own behind some walls.”

They nodded in agreement. Even Alira seemed to nod but soon came near me and whispered in my ear, “That was such rubbish, there was never any plan B.”

“I almost had you; you have to give me that at least,” I whispered back with a smirk.

“Sure, tell yourself that if it makes you feel better,” she replied.

“People, get ready! They are making their move!” Erik shouted, and everyone began grabbing anything that could be used as a projectile.

The enemy had courage, I'll give them that. They charged without any protection. Well, they had some wooden shields, but those were more liabilities than anything. My lightning bolt made them explode into projectiles, injuring the surrounding people.

As they got closer, some casters focused their attention on the wood, launching fire spells that set it ablaze, gradually weakening the structure. Once we had to retreat from the heights because of the fire, the fight became more balanced. Vines appeared everywhere, grabbing people and immobilizing them, making them easy targets for the archers.

“Leave the melee to us; you need to break up their casters. They're destroying our lines!” Alira shouted to me.

I switched my focus to the vines, destroying them, and then went after the casters who were standing back. That seemed to be a mistake at first.

The group of knights that I was holding back with my spells clashed with the prisoners wielding pickaxes. Despite their efforts to defend themselves, the knights' superior training and equipment gave them the upper hand. With swift strikes and disciplined formation, they overwhelmed the prisoners, driving them back and breaking their lines.

But soon Malvina, Alira, and Elara arrived, and as their powers required proximity, they began to turn the tide.

The casters were proving to be nothing more than glass cannons—fragile and easily broken despite their offensive power. They had no real defense except that red shield spell, and one by one, they were falling. Meanwhile, my shield held strong, absorbing their half-hearted attacks. Alira had warned me about this; she’d pointed out that their spells were all about show and effect, not true destructive force. A fireball didn’t explode with raw energy but spread flames as if its purpose was more about creating chaos than causing immediate harm. Their magic was impressive to watch, but it lacked the punch needed to break through my defenses. Without any protection of their own, they were vulnerable, and it showed.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

At least the mages proved they were indeed the smartest; They immediately routed when they saw they were all alone.

Without the crucial support of the mages, the vanguard began to falter. Their once-steady advance slowed as the pressure mounted. Slowly, they were forced back, step by step, their formation weakening as the lack of protective spells and ranged attacks took its toll.Panic started to set in, and soon after, the vanguard began a disorganized retreat. What had started as a steady fallback quickly turned into chaos, and with each step, more soldiers fell.

“I can’t believe we won,” Elara said, stunned for a moment as she surveyed the mass of wounded left in the attack's wake.

Remembering I had a third spell, I cast Arcane Intellect on her. “This should help with the healing spell,” I told her, nodding, and headed for the wounded gathering in the largest building.

Erik looked at me as if it were the first time he had seen me. “I must apologize. In the previous fight with the basilisks, there was a lot of fog, and I thought you got lucky,” he seemed to ponder his words. “I’ve never seen a mage resist that kind of punishment. Without you, we would have been defeated, so I thank you.”

“That was awkward,” I admitted. “I think I liked you more when you were messing with me.” I tried to lighten the mood, but reading the room, I continued, “Your help was invaluable as well; thank you.”

I was actually tired, so I found myself a rock to sit on.While I was helpfull in combat situation I had nothing for help after. Perhaps I should focus on some support spells instead.

Surprisingly, Mara came and sat next to me. She had a few burns, but nothing serious.

“What was that spell protecting you? It is impossible for a shield to be that powerful,” she said, looking at me. “Or at least, I thought it was.”

After a quick pause she continued “And you only use one offensive spell? You are aware there are more spells, right?” she had every right to be surprised; the mages I saw today were mediocre at best.

“I have actually no idea how or where to learn a new spell,” I shrugged.

“From a mage tower!” she looked even more perplexed. “Were you living under a rock until yesterday?”

“Actually, until last month, since I arrived in this world,” I shrugged again.

“You’ve been a mage for a month?” she was getting more agitated. “I thought you had meditated for years and achieved nirvana or something.”

“Mages actually do that?” I started laughing.

“Well… yeah… some,” she stammered, then recovered. “That means… how much intelligence do you have?” Her look was almost predatory now.

“More than you, I imagine,” I replied, trying to keep it light.

"You’ve clearly gained some insights, maybe more than one. So, can those secrets be shared, or do we have to discover them on our own?" She was completely engrossed.

“There is no mysticism involved; it’s just knowledge,” I explained.

“Then can you share some that knowledge?”

I could understand her lack of patience, but I really didn’t know her, so I had to ask, “What do I get out of this?”

“I may not have much, but I know people at a mage tower in the capital. They can offer money, titles, women, everything you could want,” her voice had climbed an octave.

“Can you keep it down? People are staring,” I said, and she nodded after looking around.

“And as trite as it may sound, I can’t accept any of those things. I mean, money would be nice, but clearly it would come with strings, and I would have to sit in a library explaining all I know all day long; it would get old fast, and that is the best-case scenario. So thanks, but no thanks,” I said, not seeing any other way to put it.

She paled her eyes darting left to right as if trying to think up something, “We can share knowledge; you said you don’t know how spells are learned. I teach you something, and you do the same,” hope again building in her eyes.

“Sure, that sounds more reasonable, but can we do it in the morning? I’m really tired,” excusing myself, I stood up and began walking, searching for a quieter spot as more people started to gather around us.

“You really are modest,” Alira said without a hint of sarcasm as she reached me. “Refusing all that, were you rich or famous in your old world?”

“I guess you would call me middle class, so at a point where more money wouldn’t translate to more happiness, and fame was something I never understood the appeal of. As for women, knowing they hang out with you just because someone told them so, that’s basically slavery with extra steps.”

“I must have told this five times by now, but your world is really something,” Alira said, at least not calling me out for my borrowed phrases.

“You keep prasing it yet out of curiosity, would you give up magic to visit my world if you had the chance?” I was really curious about the reverse experience.

She was clearly in thought; it was not an easy question.

“I ask because many, and I mean many, people from my world would give up all they have for a chance to be in a world where they could use magic.”

"Would you have come if you were asked instead of taken?" she asked, her expression unreadable.

Gathering my thoughts, I responded, "I... Some days, maybe. Other days, no. If I knew I would have to kill people, definitely not."

She started walking away, so I asked, “I think you owe me an answer.”

“Yes, I do, but it’s complicated; maybe tomorrow. I came to show you where the sleeping tents are.” and with that I followed her.

I wasn’t even finished with my breakfast, and Mara was already pushing me about the lesson.

“Fine, tell me how to learn a spell, and I’ll start to teach you something." I just hoped I wouldn’t have to study for months for a spell like Alira.

“A demonstration first,” she waved her hand, and some fruit appeared before us.

To say I was shocked would have been the biggest understatement of the century. Maybe it was not what I was thinking. “Did you transport this fruit from somewhere?”

"No," she replied, matter-of-factly. "It’s just a basic conjure food spell," she explained.

“That’s impossible; you can’t create matter out of nothing,” I said. Magic existed here, sure, but the laws of physics surely still applied. Right?

“It’s easy; just wave your hand like this, and while you might not make an edible fruit, you should make something at least looks like a fruit,” she encouraged. I was not so convinced.

I waved my hand three times, but nothing happened. After listening to more explanations about what to think and feel, I still had absolutely nothing after 10 minutes.

“So, you basically have no food problems?” I was intrigued; this could end world hunger. It would be pretty boring for the mage, but a small price to pay.

“Not really. It’s not as nutritious as real fruit, so you can’t live off conjured food, but it will help for a couple of days,” she explained. It was still something, but more realistic maybe.

After 10 more minutes, I gave up. “This spell just isn’t for me.”

Alira laughed near me as she enjoyed every second of my failures. “Guess we won’t be calling you Tiberius the Conjurer anytime soon.”

“Yes, yes, laugh it up,” turning to Mara, I said “What about that frost bolt spell that looked super cool?”

“That is way more advanced, but whatever you say,” she replied. Then she explained again some theory about how I should think about it and the hand motions, but I was starting to believe those were all crap.

“Do the frost bolt spell so I can see it, maybe do it slower if possible,” I requested.

As she channeled, I could see water vapors condensing then freezing. Could it really be this simple? ‘Basic’ matter manipulation.

I brought my elbows straight and palms facing forward, closed my eyes, but then remembered I had to see something, so I opened them again. Focusing on the water vapor near my palm, I could sense something. I started pulling on them, and very surprisingly, some water did condense. My pulse skyrocketed, and I could feel my heart in my chest. I concentrated on slowing the speed of the water molecules, and it slowly started to freeze the droplets.

After about thirty seconds, I did not have a frost bolt, but let’s call it an ice lance, and throwing it just like a Lightning bolt, it burrowed into the earth.

“You couldn’t conjure some food but learned an advanced spell in 2 minutes?” Mara was as surprised as she was confused.

Alira started chuckling like she just thought of the most amazing joke. As soon as she looked at me, she started smiling, trying to hold it in.

Clearly knowing my fate, I might as well accept it. “Common, let me have it.”

Still chuckling, she finally said, “I’m calling you Frost Boy from now on.”

As the others were smiling, I said, “Words are like bullets,” in the most serious tone I could muster.

While the others did not get the joke, Alira burst into laughter.