Elden Ring: The Shattering!

The Glintstone lamp illuminated the meeting room like snow, but the inside of the ancient, rustic room had little sound… This wasn't because the first proposal was too difficult to teach these Magic techniques, but because their thoughts were impractical, and they were not focused on serious consideration.

Speaking of which, this group was more like human-shaped weapons, with scholars and scientists being more precise in their thoughts. There were countless puzzles waiting to be solved, yet who had the leisure to think about war?

After a brief silence, the unfortunate Oritis had no choice but to bang the table again. Seeing that no one responded to him, he couldn't help but call out, "Professor Lleó, do you have any opinions from the Sea Demon classroom?"

A Sorcerer, huddled in the corner, lifted his head. Standing over two meters tall, his strong body caused his robe to puff out… He appeared to be a person of the Academy's discipline, a war magic expert researching combat spells, and nothing could surpass the moment when he looked up.

"Ahem, my point is that the Academy's main gates cannot be sealed. The Cuckoo Legion has indeed suffered heavy losses... But they still have the ability to operate on their own. Right now, the Demi-God wars are not over, and there are potential threats everywhere."

His voice was hoarse, as though two stones were rubbing together, sounding extremely grating.

"The main reason the Cuckoo Legion must be sealed is due to their betrayal abilities," said the female voice to the right of the Sorcerer, a sharp tone in her speech.

"Betrayal? What can they do, occupying the Academy? What ability do they have to counterattack the royal family? Matthew isn't foolish enough to use the Carian people as human shields."

"But their failed items still have value," the female Sorcerer countered.

"Professor Ella!" Lleó emphasized, spreading his large hand, "The Cuckoo's value is determined by the strength of Carian. The latter still has the power to counterattack. Once the Cuckoo Legion retreats, they could reclaim all of Liurnia, regroup their forces, and wait for the next full moon to conquer again?"

The female professor's momentum immediately diminished, and after a long while, she couldn't find any words to respond. Indeed, this Magic hall was easy to defend but difficult to attack, yet it couldn't withstand a full siege.

There was logic behind it, and the external threat was real. The group of professors fell silent. After a long pause, a deep voice finally broke the silence.

"I've heard that Valkyrie Malenia's army is about to head south. Is it possible to invite her for some assistance?"

Everyone turned their heads to look, and it turned out that it was Chelona, the head of the Olli Venice classroom. Known for always burying her head in books, she looked at the professors with two faces, thinking of what might be feasible. The sound of light applause broke the silence.

"Professor Chelona certainly has a vivid imagination," Seluvis said, his voice still tinged with sarcasm, clapping his hands as he spoke. "Now, who will contact that Valkyrie? I've heard the Sea Demon classroom has connections with them. I suggest that Lord Lleó go himself... But still, a word of warning: the Carian royal family is a political marriage, and it's hard to say who they will assist…"

These words caused people's blood pressure to rise sharply, and time and again, there was no way to refute them. They truly had imprisoned the former Elden Lord's wife. Considering the relationships, Malenia was really the Moon Princess, a half-sister from a different mother. How the hell could this even be brought up?

"There's no need to consider my suggestion to temporarily leave the Academy's main gates unsealed, and continue maintaining harmonious relations with the Cuckoo Legion. You all don't want your research to be interrupted by war, do you?"

Oritis decisively ended the topic and moved on, thinking it might lead to a heated argument with Seluvis.

"I agree."

"It can only be this way."

The group of people raised their hands, as there was no better solution for the time being. It still came down to the old saying: before the Carian royal family completely loses its ability to retaliate, the Academy needs Cuckoo, and Cuckoo cannot leave the Academy.

"But we can't let Cuckoo continue to drain us forever. We must find a way to break the balance." Oritis looked to the right, his words shifting: "Professor Lleó, how many summoned Sorcerers are there currently?"

"A total of forty-five, and the number is still increasing. However, these people have been away from the Academy for too long, their personalities have become odd, and they've learned many strange and peculiar Magic techniques."

"This is a good thing. They've traveled through The Lands Between, and their combat experience is stronger than normal students. However, their loyalty needs to be strengthened. I suggest that we restart the drawing ceremony, and each professor should be assigned a disciple."

This time, the group hesitated for a moment. Raya Lucaria Academy's structure was strict, and they had never allowed first-year students to wear headscarves or begin internships. The hierarchy went from formal students to professors, to faculty, department heads, and finally the dean. At the level of a first-class professor, there were scientific research duties, so there was no time for psychological counseling.

Thinking it through, teaching disciples was not something they were familiar with. Also, Cuckoo's greedy attitude was truly infuriating... If there were battlefields, Sorcerers could risk their lives, and they could quietly continue their research.

"I agree."

"It's possible, but each professor can only have three disciples at most. I still have some critical projects that need their assistance."

The two proposals passed "joyfully" without needing Oritis to announce the end of the meeting. The professors all hurriedly stood up to leave, their minds filled with complex experiments.

"Professor Ella, please wait a moment." Oritis called out to the only female professor, Ella, who reluctantly turned her head to face him.

"Ahem, but I want to ask, is Professor Sellen still studying under you?"

"Her talent is quite good. She has already begun independent research. Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing, Sellen is a genius sorceress of the Academy, and also a new Sorcerer who serves as a model." Oritis crossed his arms over his stomach, his tone gradually becoming serious. "For this very reason, we should guide her on the right path. Don't forget who her first teacher was."

Ella remained silent, lifting her head to glance at the painting on the wall. It depicted a tall, elderly figure—one of the founders of the Academy, Master Azur… but he had long been exiled due to his research into the forbidden Primal Sorceries.

"Are you worried Sellen will walk down the same path?"

"Yes, once the seed of crime is planted, it will bloom one day. We cannot afford to be careless."

The professor's words were ten times more serious than before. Carian sought power, but researching forbidden sorceries sought life itself—it would hunt fellow Sorcerers, gathering their bodies to form a bridge. How could the Academy easily forgive that?

Ella grew serious as well. If something happened to Sellen, she would be held responsible: "What if she does walk down that path?"

"Simple." Oritis sank into a shadow, his voice echoing eerily in the room.

"While she hasn't yet condensed Primal Glintstone, we must destroy her body and erase her soul!"

...

Kaelith strolled through the deep, quiet camp, taking a walk after dinner. Having been here for so long, the Fingercreepers had become accustomed to his scent.

Their fingers twitched as they surrounded him, circling him. Occasionally, Kaelith tossed a stone, and the Fingercreepers eagerly flew toward it, clenching it tightly before scurrying back.

"Besides being disgusting, they're no different from pet dogs," he continued throwing stones. With too much force, one struck the wall, and the Fingercreeper charged forward, slamming into the wall with a loud "thud" and leaving a crack before collapsing to the ground in a dazed, twitching heap.

Ha ha ha, truly amusing.

Kaelith laughed shamelessly, then sat down beside the dry fountain to rest.

Aside from a few forbidden areas, he had already turned Caria into a camp, and after the novelty wore off, it began to feel rather boring.

Miriam had gone outside the city to Iji, Blaidd had vanished without a trace, and Ranni, the ancient lady of a thousand years, was as elusive as ever, which left Kaelith, in his free time, with nothing to do but exchange glares with the Glintstone Dragon or seek out the Albinauric group to listen to their boastful nonsense. Occasionally, he would tease the Fingercreepers.

When hungry, he ate, when tired, he slept. When he thought of sitting by the Moonlit Pool to drink, time seemed to fly by in a pleasant blur.

Kaelith, despite his strong self-discipline, never slacked off—he read books daily and practiced swordsmanship without fail, yet something always felt lacking.

"The growth of my power is just too slow," Kaelith muttered, gazing at the distant Erdtree. He was not a Templar, but the higher his vision, the more urgent his sense of need became.

In this land, filled with the power of the Gods and Monsters, he lacked a sense of security. He slammed his thigh and stood up.

"Still, I should go check on Ranni. After all, I need to find something to do."

Kaelith turned and walked toward the city. But just as he took a step, he paused, raising an eyebrow and turning his head.

A tall figure emerged from the archway—fluffy hair, handsome armor, and a giant sword on his back. Wasn't that Half-Wolf Blaidd?

Blaidd saw him too, his eyes narrowing, standing still, motionless.

Why the suspicion in his gaze?

As a swordsman, Kaelith's observational skills were sharp, and he raised a hand in greeting. "So, you've finally returned. What were you up to?"

"On a secret mission. Don't ask too many questions." Blaidd's voice remained cold and hard, unbothered by Kaelith's words, and he moved past him without a second glance.

As they crossed paths, Kaelith suddenly spoke again without context. "I brought some wine from His Highness. Would you like me to host for you?"

"We'll talk later. I have to report to His Highness first." Blaidd responded as he walked away.

Kaelith watched his retreating figure. The Fingercreeper hopped over to inspect the area, then climbed back up the wall. Everything seemed fine… but he squinted his eyes slightly, gently stroking the hilt of his long sword.

Something was off.