"Three hundred and thirty," Kate said. "Plus Reidar’s existing summons makes three hundred and forty-five."
The group exchanged glances; hope was quickly replacing despair. The point was, that with 2500 monsters, the group would be assured of leveling up easily.
"The shared skill uses your own mana pool, not mine," Reidar said. "Most of you probably have the standard hundred mana points. That’s enough for five summons, but not much more."
"How long do the summons last?" George asked.
"Thirty minutes. After that, you’ll need to re-summon them, assuming you have the mana."
Margaret frowned. "What if we don’t?"
"Then you fight as you did until now while your mana regenerates." Reidar looked around the group. "There’s something else. Those of you who level up during this fight will gain attribute points. I strongly recommend putting them into A.C.U.M.E.N."
"That would increase our mana..." Sarah said.
"Indeed, A.C.U.M.E.N. increases your mana pool. More mana means more summons, stronger spells, better magical endurance. In the long term, everyone’s going to need magical abilities to survive in this world, so you might as well increase A.C.U.M.E.N. now that we need it." Google seaʀᴄh NoveI(F)ire.net
Though Reidar knew that was a pretty big request, and that was simple. Since skills were scarce, to the point of being nonexistent in Malcolm’s group, meant that most people went with S.H.I.E.L.D. and fought with weapons. Putting points into A.C.U.M.E.N. wasn’t exactly a priority, even if Reidar’s words were true, and they might need it in the future. As things were now, the group would benefit more from getting physically stronger, rather than getting more mana.
At the same time, they knew that without the Rift-Sprite Squad skill they would have no way to win.
Reidar was right in assuming all that, because some faces showed resistance to the suggestion. Many had probably planned to increase other attributes. Switching to a magic-focused one felt like hindering their chosen path, and since this was not a game, but real life, that could actually mean death.
Others, however, looked intrigued. The prospect of wielding actual magic clearly appealed to them.
"I don’t know," David, one of Malcolm’s core group, said. "I’ve been focusing on sword work. Changing to magic now might mess up my fighting style."
"Your choice," Reidar said. "But consider this: how many level ten monsters can you kill with sword work alone since you don’t have skills that actually makes you stronger? You have no way to protect or heal yourself, neither to increase your physical capabilities. Getting some points in A.C.U.M.E.N means that you will be able to use those kinds of skills when you get them, and it will come in handy in the current situation."
Malcolm studied the school grounds again, weighing their options.
"We’ll actually be able to summon creatures?"
"Five Rift-Sprites each, at your level. They’ll have the same abilities as the ones I summon—high elemental attack power, enough durability and basic intelligence."
The group went quiet, thinking it over. With sixty-six summoners, the whole fight would change completely.
Kate spoke first. "I’m in. Anything that improves our chances of saving those kids."
"Same here," James added. "Putting some points in A.C.U.M.E.N. seems a waste now, but if it keeps us alive..."
One by one, the others voiced their agreement. Even the skeptics recognized the necessity of having some kind of backup in case their creatures got destroyed. They needed every advantage against such odds.
Malcolm made the final decision. "Do it."
Reidar nodded and activated his Skill Sharing trait. The cost hit him immediately—six hundred and sixty mana points drained from his pool in seconds. His vision blurred slightly from the sudden depletion, but his Guardian Shade was already working to replenish his reserves, and more would come once he used arcane leech on the Rift-Sprites.
Around him, the group gasped as the Summon Rift-Sprite Squad skill integrated into their status.
"I can feel it," Sarah said, staring at her hands. "I know how to summon them."
"It’s like the information was always there," George marveled.
"This is incredible," Malcolm said. None of the present had actually used a skill before that day, so it was a pretty magical moment.
"Everyone, summon your squads. Get used to commanding them before we engage."
The clearing filled with the sounds of spell-casting. Portals opened in rapid succession, and Rift-Sprites stepped through by the dozens. Within minutes, over three hundred summoned creatures stood ready for battle.
The group stared in amazement at their magical army. Ember Sprites with glowing orange eyes, Stone Sprites with gray granite skin, Aqua Sprites trailing wisps of moisture, and Wind Sprites surrounded by swirling wind.
"I’ll never get used to this," Linda said, watching her five summons await orders.
Even Frank, usually pessimistic, couldn’t help but have a pleased expression, which quickly shifted to wonder. "These things will actually fight for us?"
"They’ll follow your commands," Reidar told them. "Just picture what you want them to do: attack, defend, move somewhere, and they’ll do it. Keep it simple for now."
Margaret sent a mental command to her Sprites. The creatures formed a defensive line in front of her, fists raised and ready.
"This is extraordinary," she said.
Kate tested her own summons, directing them through basic maneuvers. "With this, I think we might be able to do it."
Malcolm looked at their force with growing confidence. "Three hundred and thirty summoned fighters, plus eighty-three humans. We’re looking at over four hundred combatants in total. It’s still far less than the rift sprites, but at least most of our forces can be re-summoned. We might be able to level up again during this battle."
"It’s even better," Reidar said. "Our summons are level-matched to their controllers. Most of you are level five or six now, which means your Rift-Sprites can hold their own against the level seven and eight, but they will get stronger the more you fight, so if we level up, we will progressively have stronger forces."
All of that gave an incredible morale boost to the others. Minutes earlier, the group was sure it would be impossible to save the kids. Now they were confident they might be able to do it.
"Formation planning," Malcolm said, slipping back into his military role. "Reidar, what do you think we should use as summons?"
"Mixed elements in each squad," Reidar said. "Aqua Sprites are powerful against Ember Sprites, Ember Sprites are strong against Stone Sprites, Stone Sprites are strong against the Wind Sprites, and the Wind Sprites are strong against the Aqua Sprites. Also, don’t cluster them too tightly, or they will have less chance of avoiding the enemy attacks."
The group spent several minutes organizing their forces. Summoned creatures arranged themselves into the formations Malcolm and the others came up with, while their human controllers tried basic commands.
"Remember," Reidar told everyone, "Your summons aren’t expendable resources given you have few mana points. They’re force multipliers. Use them wisely, and they’ll keep you alive. Waste them, and you’ll be fighting with swords again, and that... Well... you know how things will end up."
Malcolm checked his weapon one last time. "Everyone ready?"
Nods and murmured confirmations answered him. The group moved toward the school.
Reidar thought as they advanced.