The firebird spell was quite robust, but it still required a supply of mana. Especially if it were to remain for longer than intended. Normally, the bird would attack onmand and rush through the mana it isposed of. Using it as a show of force was certainly not normal.


    While the upkeep was not as much as a normal fire spell at its level, Eldrian still needed to feed it mana to keep it stable. At this distance, Sofiera couldn''t exactly do that.


    It was this mana upkeep that Levana noticed, informing her of the fact that Eldrian had somehow taken over control of the spell. A feat she knew was far more difficult than dispelling a spell, and normally only possible if the new owner was above the original caster.


    Evidently, from the power of the firebird, Levana understood that this case was the opposite. She had never encountered this spell before, but the sheer quantity of mana inside it made it clear it was a Tier 7 spell.


    The fact that Eldrian could take control of it meant his abilities must be at the top of Tier 6 and likely he just needed a push to reach Tier 7.


    ''I must kill him.'' She resolved her heart again while keeping the best fake smile she could muster to lull Eldrian''s sense of danger. Which worked wonders, as he returned a kind smile in return.


    "I think we should talk..." Levana paused, realizing the sneak attack would not work. She refrained from giving themand to attack or retreat, wishing to have support close by. She also informed the rest of the fort via a secret technique.


    "Would you like toe in and have some tea while we discuss the details?" She offered from atop the walls, all smiles. "You must understand. It will take some time to prepare everything and especially to have everyone understand the situation."


    ''Why do I feel she is stalling?'' Eldrian wondered, not na?ve enough to enter the enemy''s den. "Thanks for the invitation, but I fear I''m not confident in my strength to enter the fort alone. Would you allow mypanions to join us? If not, I suggest we hold the negotiations here. Outside."


    Jumping from the wall andnding with grace, Levana smiled anew, her sharpened canines showing as she giggled. "Then let us talk here." She did not wish to allow more enemies into the fort. "You said you wish for us to relent the fort. You must understand, that does note off as a request but rather a demand."


    "Oh? I guess it does... Well, you can take it as you will. Trust me, I am giving you a chance here— right, please inform those three to stay where they are or I will send this firebird on them."


    "I apologize. I can''tmunicate with them from so far."


    "Oh, there not that far. You just have to raise your voice slightly." Eldrian said, letting the bird take flight.


    Feeling that he needed to add some more oomph to his threat. And since they were so far from the kingdom and all those in the fort might turn out to be enemies, Eldrian had no fear of relying on his more dangerous abilities. His allies were also far enough that they would likely escape any fallout should something massively run out of control.


    Weaving some anger into the bird, it shrieked. The surrounding temperature jumped a few degrees and the nearby nts even caught fire, which Eldrian quickly extinguished. Eldrian even felt like the bird gained some semnce of intelligence.


    "Squeee!" it shrieked again, this time with far more force. This shriek shook Levana as she faced a wave of heated intent to kill. So strong it caused her mind to go nk for just a second. A terrifying feat. Fear covered her from head to toe as she realized the bird seemed to have gained some intelligence.


    ''What can make a spell alive?!'' Her heart quivered as she sensed genuine danger from the spell. She was no longer confident she could survive if Eldrian sent it after her.


    ''Oh my, that was far more effective than I thought...is it because of that title and ability?'' Eldrian''s thoughts were much calmer. ''Sharer of Wrath and aura leak... I will need to confirm once my training has progressed a bit.''


    Levana took a step back—no, she was forced back by the heatwaves emanating from the bird. Yet, somehow, Eldrian seemed unaffected as the rded next to him again. Nuzzling its head against his side. He then even went and petted the bird.


    Levana could no longer make sense of the developments. It wasmon knowledge that even one''s own spell would harm them once fully formed. Yet, this spell was not his! How could he touch it without being burnt? How could he stand next to it?


    Shock after shock, Levana struggled to keep up with what she saw. When she noticed that it no longer fed only on Eldrian''s mana, the ambient mana rushing to the bird, she nearly fainted.


    It was growing stronger by the second!


    This went past it no longer being a normal spell. It was like Eldrian had turned the spell into a phoenix. She even doubted Alec, their trump card, would be able to easily deal with the firebird. And if the fight dragged on...


    And then there were also his friends. They would be able to reinforce within seconds. A kilometer might sound like a great distance, but it was surely nothing to whoever had sent this spell and was with them.


    No matter what she thought of, Levana no longer felt they that they could deal with Eldrian by force. They might be able to put up a good defense, but there were sure to be losses.


    "Stay!" she raised her voice so the three vampires would hear her. "I will hear the elf out."


    Eldrian wasn''t sure if they epted as a matter of fact or disgruntled, but the vampires stopped moving closer; however, they did not move away.


    ''Good enough, I guess...'' Eldrian shrugged, pausing as he suddenly realized his interface had a new icon in its corner. Where party information was normally shown.


    ''What''s this? Familiar? Mmm... A creature created by magic, kept alive by feeding on the ambient mana and its masters mana and will. It will fight for its master until its mana is exhausted, or the connection is cut... Oh, there is even a HP bar. Is this the total mana? Around two thousand currently.''


    While fascinated, Eldrian understood he had to focus on the matter at hand. "Right, where were we? Right, right, you were saying my choice of words, or rather, my request feels more like amand. I guess that''s because it partly is."


    Eldrian''s bluntness shocked the young vampire and made her wonder if his reinforcements might be much stronger than she had first thought. ''He knows our strongest. They might have brought a force strong enough to deal with us with ease. But then...why bother negotiating? Do they fear retaliation, or...?''


    "But I guess that makes it more difficult to agree." Eldrian did not pause, interrupting her thoughts.