The fortress reappeared before Lu Shi's eyes.
"I, Lu Shi, am back!"
From afar, the fortress exuded a much stronger sense of menace than before, especially under the crimson light in the sky, making everyone inside feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
As Lu Shi and his companions drew closer, they increasingly sensed the unusual atmosphere within the fortress. The feeling was like solidified frost, exuding a suffocating tension and oppression.
The military mages stood in formation atop the yellow city wall, each with a serious expression and a firm, cold gaze, standing there like statues. Every glance was like a drawn sword, pointing directly at them... in the direction behind them.
At the fortress gate, many students and teachers were entering the fortress in an orderly manner.
By the time Lu Shi arrived at the door, almost everyone had already gone inside.
They quickly followed him through the gate. The military mages guarding the gate smiled amicably upon seeing Lu Shi, offering no questions or attempts to stop him.
Only Zhang Qinglan stopped and carefully observed the fortress gate. Suddenly, he rushed forward, hugged the gate, and kissed it several times, shouting, "I'm finally back alive!"
Completely ignoring Zhang Qinglan, who was acting like a lunatic, Lu Shi led two high school students directly into the fortress.
Only after seeing Lu Shi walk away did Zhang Qinglan release her grip on the door and let out a long sigh.
The guarding military magistrate asked curiously, "Young student, what's going on? Doing performance art? Hurry up and gather in the square, your principal is about to announce something important."
"Oh," Zhang Qinglan replied, thanked her, and quietly approached the square.
Of course, I must stay far away from Teacher Lu.
Once inside the fortress, Lu Shi stopped paying attention to Zhang Qinglan. He wasn't really one of his students to begin with. Bringing him out and back safely was enough for him as a practical instructor.
Lu Shi's current thought is how to deal with the impending Warcraft crisis.
Judging from the current situation, Warcraft's target is definitely the fortress, or even N County.
She had no idea what the Huang family, a magical clan, and the Shadow Society were planning, but she was certain it wouldn't be anything good.
Lost in thought, Lu Shi arrived at the square.
Feng Tianxiao was standing on the platform, and Zhang Tianci was standing beside him. The two were talking quietly.
A group of students and teachers had already gathered in the square.
Compared to when they set off a few days ago, the team was complete and in high spirits.
There are fewer students and teachers now; there isn't even one teacher for the senior and junior high school students.
The remaining first-year high school students and teachers all appeared nervous and at a loss.
When Lu Shi arrived with two survivors from the second year of high school.
The two of them rushed to the podium immediately to report to Feng Tianxiao.
Lu Shi did not follow; she went to the square alone.
Looking at the teachers and students of Class 3, Grade 11, I couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
There were 63 students when they set off, but now there are almost a third fewer.
Four of the eleven practical instructors were also missing, including Wen Tianming.
However, Lu Shi's four children, who were burdened with her burdens, quickly gathered around her as soon as they saw her appear.
Zhou Rui excitedly hugged Lu Shi tightly.
But before they could even catch up...
Feng Tianxiao's voice rang out.
"Dear teachers and students of the first year of high school."
One sentence drew all attention to the stage and silenced the chattering students below.
"Everyone has seen the blood-red sky, right? You all should know that this is the Blood Alert." After a pause of one second, Feng Tianxiao pointed to the sky, and then his voice suddenly rose several octaves.
"That's right, it's the highest level, a red alert. N County has also been notified and is taking action. However, evacuating hundreds of thousands of people won't be quick enough. And the most pressing issue is that our fortress is about to face a monster attack."
The students below screamed when the mention of monster attacks was mentioned.
"Yes, according to the message sent back by Mr. Zhang, the senior teacher, before he died, all the teachers and students of the senior year worked together and sacrificed their lives to wound the 8th-tier Netherworld Serpent, the main brain of this monster attack. However, another 8th-tier Storm Dragon Wolf took its place and became the new leader. The enraged dragon wolf mobilized all the monsters in the central and outer areas, and its target was our fortress."
"Principal!" A sharp voice suddenly interrupted Feng Tianxiao.
Everyone looked toward the person who had spoken.
It was Huang Shixuan. He had a serious expression on his face and said in a solemn tone, "Why would the teachers and students of the senior year provoke an 8th-tier magical beast? As far as I know, the highest-ranking monsters they actually fight are 7th-tier monsters that act alone."
“Huang, I need to correct your thinking. What do you mean by ‘provoking’?” Feng Tianxiao’s expression also turned serious. “Humans and magical beasts cannot coexist. Survival space is earned through exploration and battle. If we retreat when we encounter high-level magical beasts, humanity would have been completely wiped out or enslaved by them long ago. As a mage, you need to seriously examine your responsibilities.”
Huang Shixuan, however, was unconvinced and wanted to continue arguing. Bai Qinya, who was standing next to him, tugged at his sleeve and shook her head at him.
Feng Tianxiao ignored Huang Shixuan and continued, "In this combat exercise, our senior and junior students were basically wiped out. Facing the surging magical beasts, we are not confident that we can protect you first-year students. In order to preserve the flame of our N County Magic High School, we have prepared buses to send you back to N County."
Ignoring the various murmurs from the students below, Feng Tianxiao addressed the practical instructors:
"All of you experienced instructors, please go back with us and take good care of your students."
Finally, he infused his voice with magic and shouted:
"Time is of the essence, let's get moving. Dismissed!"
The sound was loud and lingered for a long time.
After listening to Feng Tianxiao's words, Zhou Rui said indignantly, "Principal Feng was so decisive in confronting Huang Shixuan, but why won't you let us stay? As novice magicians, we are still magicians and can contribute our strength."
"Yes! I really want to ask Principal Feng for clarification." Wu Lie also expressed his indignation.
"Forget it, you four are just a burden... elementary school students, go back to N County obediently. This monster attack is no simple matter. The four of you together can only handle five Tier 1 monsters at most. But this time, there are over ten thousand Tier 1 Gale Wolves alone. The principal doesn't want you to die." Lu Shi couldn't help but speak the truth. Her words stunned the four students.
"Teacher Lu." Feng Tianxiao's voice came from behind.
Lu Shi turned around, bowed, and replied, "Principal Feng."
"Teacher Lu, I know about Wen Tianming from Class 3 of Grade 1. I never expected that he would actually..." Feng Tianxiao's face showed sadness, making her already aged face look even more tired.
"Teacher Feng, it's because that Wen bastard acted so well! I initially thought he was a warm-hearted guy too," Lu Shi comforted her.
"Unexpectedly, Wen Tianming betrayed us at the last minute. Several students from the senior year could have escaped, but they all died at his hands. If it weren't for Teacher Zhang's dying message, we would never have known his true colors." Feng Tianxiao's tone was filled with hatred.
"Given the chance, I will definitely cut off Wen Tianming's dog head. I will cut off all the members of the Shadow Demon Society. These beasts only deserve to be fuel for burning souls." Lu Shi cursed inwardly, sighed, and said nothing more.
“Ms. Lu, I would like to ask you to temporarily take over as the homeroom teacher of Class 3. I know it’s a bit inappropriate to say this under the current circumstances, but I trust you with the students of Class 3.” Feng Tianxiao stared at Lu Shi and said sincerely.
"Principal Feng, aren't you going back to N County together?" Upon hearing this, Lu Shi had a bad feeling.
“Old Zhang’s small force can’t withstand so many magical beasts. I will stay and fight alongside him to the very end.” Feng Tianxiao’s eyes were sharp, yet she remained remarkably calm.
“Old Feng! If you stay here, things will likely turn out badly.” Zhang Tianci walked over and patted Feng Tianxiao on the shoulder.
"Don't say such unlucky things. We've killed countless magical beasts when we were young. We've even fought level 8 magical beasts before. Back then, Huang Tian was so scared he peed his pants. Cui Ling is really awesome..."
"Alright, alright, let's not dwell on past glories. How many years have passed? Cui Ling has been transferred to the capital for so long now." A look of nostalgia appeared in Zhang Tianci's eyes.
Lu Shi gazed at the two elderly people, lost in thought, unsure of what to say.
“Teacher Lu, when you return to N County, if you see my son, please tell him to protect N County no matter what. As long as I am here, the fortress will not stop resisting.” Zhang Tianci looked at Lu Shi and said very seriously.
Oh no, that's a terrible prediction I made.
Lu Shi couldn't help but start complaining in her heart.
But it's not over yet.
Feng Tianxiao also said, "Teacher Lu, I know you are Cuiling's student. If you see your master again, please let me know. I won't let her down."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianci was also startled and quickly said, "So she's Cuiling's student. You old Feng, you've been keeping this from me all this time."
Then, he turned to Lu Shi and said seriously, "Tell your master that Xiao Zhang will definitely do better than Xiao Feng."
"You shameless old man, even at this point you still can't resist arguing with me."
Watching the two old men arguing heatedly, Lu Shi shook her head, seemingly lessening her sadness.
...
Sitting on the bus bound for N County, Lu Shi was filled with emotion.
They arrived in a grand procession, with eight buses.
Going back, there's only this one lonely car left.
There were only students from Class 1 and Class 3 on the bus.
All the students in Class 2 chose to stay.
They are reserve soldiers, destined to fight alongside their predecessors in the military region.
Soldiers are indeed the most respectable group of people, and the most trustworthy guardians.
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