Rot Heart: A LitRPG of Rot Magic in an Ancient World (Book 1 completed)

With Div and En's combined awareness and the power of Blighted Passage, They were rushing to help students under attack. all over the student group. Whenever possible, they would skewer a Dire Bird to their spear, but most of the time, they were content to block and repel the beasts harassing their classmates with the shield.

Thankfully, while some students were under heavy pressure, most of them had gathered the courage to fight, making his job easier.

Segorix and Ambisena were staying close to Gennorina, putting themselves between her and the attacking birds while Lugsellos used his bow to keep them at bay.

A glance at Vedovessa fighting the three Evolved Rank birds along with the injured warriors showed that their side had the upper hand. One bird was already missing part of a wing.

Dire Birds were grotesque. With their gray, uneven plumage, they would be nothing but glorified pigeons if not for being nearly as large as a human.

It was messy.

At least, Div and En noticed that the rot-attuned mana their Rotten Shield was sneaking inside the monsters' bodies was having an effect. It wasn't as drastic as the fast-spreading rot their Rotten Spear could afflict, but it weakened the birds over time.

Furthermore, Div's sensitivity to rot made it easier to track the birds afflicted by their magic.

With the downpour, it was difficult to keep an eye on the sky. While the birds were having a harder time flying than they would in clear weather, it still gave them an advantage.

Using the fifth direction to navigate the battlefield, Div and En hurried toward a boy who was being assaulted by three birds. They took advantage of the beasts' focus on his poor classmate to strike one with his spear. The other two retreated.

"Thanks!" The boy said.

[I feel bad I don't remember his name.]

(Same.)

But it had to be expected. They had only met him yesterday and they didn't interact much.

They couldn't stay and get to know each other better. Both the boy and them were instantly on their feet looking for another place where their help was needed.

It only took a few steps through Blighted Passage for Div and En to appear next to Gennorina and block a bird that slipped through their friends' defenses.

They swiftly followed up with a spear strike, but the bird didn't die on the spot. That didn't matter; the rot would finish the job.

(This is where Facet of the Army Breaker would have been nice.)

[Too late for regrets, there aren't many birds left.]

There were only twenty-five Basic Ranks Dire Birds that had made their way past the front line where Evolved Rank archers whittled their ranks down.

Div and En had already killed five and infected at least ten with rot-mana. With the other students putting in the work, the attack was being repelled.

The situation completely resolved itself when Vedovessa found an opening to kill the three Evolved Rank birds she was fighting. Div and En didn't even understand what happened. One moment, she was fighting three enemies, the next they had all collapsed to the ground.

Once free, their teacher swept through the remaining Basic Rank birds with a masterful display of water magic. Specific raindrops turned into arrows, one per bird, simultaneously ending the lives of the remaining attackers.

"Good job, all of you," she said, pointing to one of the injured warriors. "If anyone is injured, follow Eponilla. She will take you back into the village. If you try to stay despite your injury, I will make you regret it."

Div and En watched as about half of the students left the field. They were surprised to see Segorix among them. The blonde boy shrugged at them, his left arm was bleeding.

They hadn't even noticed.

(I'm not happy about our performance.)

Div agreed. They had two minds, they should have noticed. They should have done more. What was the point otherwise?

[And what is Gennorina doing? Segorix might not have gotten hurt if she hadn't needed guarding.]

Vedovessa shook them out of their thoughts as she continued speaking, "Regroup, recover, but don't let your attention waver."

Meeting her students' gaze, she chose to add, "Gennorina is doing her duty as a druid. I know it's frustrating, but you have to protect her when necessary. Once the rain stops, you will understand."

(Well, that settles it.)

[I guess, but it's indeed frustrating.]

(Still no idea what all this mana is for?)

[No, even if there are hints of similarity between rot-attuned mana and nature-attuned mana, they are still different. And I'm not an expert on rot-attuned mana in the first place.]

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

(Sorry about that…)

[No, I understand your reticence. But we'll need to study it to achieve our goal.]

(Let's think about it.)

If he was sure the separation plan was going to work, En would have agreed in a heartbeat. But as things stood, it was a risk he wasn't sure he was ready to take.

There were a lot of monsters in the forest. As they watched the battle continue, Div and En couldn't help but sweat at the idea they had been alone out there for so long.

Unending waves of furs, scales, and feathers crashed onto the defenders' lines. They even saw a Cyclops joining the fray.

"Does this happen every year?" They asked Lugsellos and Ambisena who were standing next to them.

"It happens about five times per year during fall," Lugsellos said, his tone somber.

"But," Ambisena added, "The first dark day is always the worst."

"Why?"

Vedovessa had overheard their conversation and explained to the whole class, "The following dark days will be much less intense because a large portion of the monsters living around Camboaci will die today. It takes time for their population to recover. On that note, depending on my judgment of your capabilities, I may ask you to fight on those days."

The students looked at each other, breaking into conversations. Some were excited, others wanted their teacher's approval but were also scared.

"Of course, there will be Evolved Ranks supervising you," Vedovessa continued. "But this is a good opportunity for young adults who have yet to evolve."

To Div and En, this was an interesting idea. Quite different from how they understood Kheiron organized their armies. There, most of the work was left in the hands of the three great clans. They were responsible for the city's safety.

But opportunities to rise to the Evolved Rank were certainly not shared with everyone.

However, they had to admit the city was located in a safer environment than the Wildlands. Different situations call for different policies.

No more monsters made it past the frontline to reach Vedovessa and her students for the rest of the battle. It lasted for the entire day. But as time went on, the strength of the monsters attacking was slowly waning.

At some point, the rain stopped, and the remaining monsters dispersed. So did the clouds, revealing the sky's pink sunset hue.

It was over.

The warriors were wary. Relief was visible on their faces, mixed with a tinge of apprehension. Nobody had died on this side of the battlefield, it wasn't the only one. The village had been attacked on all fronts.

Gennorina opened her eyes and met Div and En's gaze.

She sighed, "I failed."

Div and En raised an eyebrow, "Failed?"

Before she could explain, Ambisena comforted her, "Don't worry, you'll succeed eventually."

"Not easy," Lugsellos agreed.

"I hope you're right."

Div and En were lost, apparently everyone knew what she had been attempting to do.

"Oh, sorry Diven," Gennorina said, realizing the Kheironite boy couldn't know. "I was trying to reach out to the spirit of the wall of trees. For it can help us. But I'm still too weak."

"It didn't answer you?" Ambisena asked.

"It did, but all it said was that my mana didn't taste as good as Brigaseta's. I can only keep on trying."

It was the duty of all druids in the village. As it turned out, the wall of trees wasn't just a fortification surrounding the village. It had a conscious spirit. According to Div and En's friends, none of the druids in Camboaci had managed to form a connection with it aside from Brigaseta.

Considering how vital the wall was for the village's safety, it was an issue.

"Just hearing its voice is already a feat few have accomplished," Vedovessa said. "Good job, Gennorina, Brigaseta will be happy to hear about your success."

"It wasn't a success! I wasn't able to help at all."

"Nobody expected you to. Your task was to communicate with the wall of trees, and you did."

Gennorina's eyes went from her teacher to Diven and back.

"I'm sure Diven understands," Vedovessa added.

"I do," Div and En confirmed. "Congratulations, Gennorina."

At least, it was enough to ease the frustration Div and En felt toward the girl. They would have appreciated a warning. But considering how hectic the dark day had been, they couldn't blame her. Furthermore, she had made some headway with the trees. They were not experts on druid affairs, but they could still appreciate her achievement.

Once everyone was back inside the walls, they gathered the entire village near the tree towering at its center.

(I wonder if this tree also has a spirit.)

[At this point, it would be weird if it didn't.]

(Yes, the giant tree in the middle of a village ruled by druids doesn't have a spirit? Tell that joke to someone else.)

Every person living in Camboaci was there–even the injured warriors. Brigaseta stood in front of the assembly, perched on one of the massive roots of the tree.

They all could see her.

"My friends," she said. "You have triumphed over the dark day."

Cheers echoed in the crowd.

"This is a moment of celebration, but let us not forget those who have fallen today."

She paused, appreciating the silence.

"Tenorsena, Rigmerix, and Gallumos have left us today, laying their lives to protect the village and give you a chance at ascension. Sadly, no one was able to grasp it this time. But I trust their sacrifice wasn't in vain. I trust that you all took small steps toward this new height and that someday, you will reach it."

Three dead Evolved Ranks. The village had plenty, but it was still a heavy blow for a single day. Div and En didn't know those people, but they could see the news had impacted many around them.

"You can return home," Vedovessa said. "Please return your weapons at school tomorrow."

Just like that, it was over.

Div and En could simply return to their bed in Belilamos and Carmeta's house. The danger was gone, nobody had ascended, and they hadn't even leveled a single skill.

It felt empty.

They watched as their classmates left. Some reunited with their families. Others, like Lugsellos, left on their own.

Unsure of their emotions, Div and En found their host picking up Dubnonamos from his teacher. He had spent the day at school as if it was a normal day.

His parents had taken the time to wash the blood and gore off their clothes. Although some blood remained, they were presentable enough to their son.

"Diven," Carmeta said, her greatsword strapped to her back. "What did you think about today?"

What did they think? They weren't sure. Neither Div nor En had an easy answer to her question. It had been different from the battles they fought when they were alone.

Not better, not worse, different.

Unable to provide a clear answer, they settled for congratulating Carmeta for her actions. They remembered her slicing the Stonehide Bear in two. That, they knew, was undeniably cool.

Their praise also reached Belilamos and soon, Dubnonamos was asking for more stories about his parents' prowess during the battle.