Yuga looked at everything before him, unsure of what to say. The enemy's advantage was clear, but they had no choice but to buy time here. Perhaps the people in the Alchemy Workshop weren't really a threat; Simon alone could handle them, but this Dark Wizard was not that simple. He had never been able to discern what school of magic this Dark Wizard belonged to. It seemed this Dark Wizard had fallen before ascending to the Gray Robe rank. Fallen souls aided in comprehending the laws of darkness; every unscrupulous method, every vile scheme, every despicable plan was always laid bare through them. Yet, against such fallen individuals, one was often helpless, wasn't one?

Yuga looked at Simon again; the latter was no longer distinguishable as a cat or a human. This hadn't been an issue in the past, but under Kuyi Tulan's agreement, these volunteers had become neither truly human nor monster. Yuga could no longer tell if Red Cat Simon was human or cat. Simon's face was no longer human-like, yet it couldn't be said he looked like a cat either, for no cat's nose was as large as a bull's. However, Yuga was in no position to mock Simon. His own appearance wasn't much better; wherever they went, they would be called monsters.

Yuga controlled the Wind Elemental at his command. He could vaguely sense another Wizard in the Alchemy Workshop, also a Wind-type. The Wind Elemental this other Wizard had summoned was Hail Storm Wings, a powerful entity. However, for some reason, this Hail Storm Wings had remained motionless; from what he could feel, it seemed to be in its most nascent stage.

Yuga was currently unable to determine if this Wizard was friend or foe. Although the Wizard seemed to have just ascended to the Gray Robe rank, the mere fact that they could summon Hail Storm Wings was enough to put Yuga on high alert. It would be wise to be cautious of this top-tier Wind Elemental. Such a rare elemental, one in a million, wouldn't heed human commands unless absolutely necessary...

Yuga cautiously watched the Great Witch Biggs. For individuals like her, whose allegiance couldn't be determined, further probing is necessary. This task naturally fell to Jemma. Jemma, unlike Yuga and Simon, had once been one of the Glorious Seven Knights of the Empire—a title that would strike fear into anyone, anywhere it was uttered. But times had changed; the title of the Glorious Seven Knights had been abolished by the Empire and no longer held its deterrent power.

As a protector of Guru Mountain, Jemma felt she had to give her all. This is our home. How can we tolerate others destroying it so wantonly?

Jemma soon received Yuga's request. After Joseph had escorted Kuren away, scouting tasks naturally fell to her. Jemma focused her gaze on the Great Witch Biggs. The auras and significance of the other individuals seemed roughly similar, but this witch looked strange. In a way, Jemma would have investigated her even without Yuga's prompting.

Yuga could clearly feel Jemma's Spirit Power Feedback. Strangely, even after Jemma probed, it remained difficult to discern the Great Witch's intentions. This Great Witch's true aura was indeed hard to ascertain; it was a challenging task. Probably no one in this world could fathom the intentions of someone who remained as still and unreadable as a stone statue. Although Jemma possessed eyes different from ordinary people, she too could not determine if this strange Great Witch was friend or foe.

Events were unfolding so rapidly that Yuga sometimes had no time to think before facing another blow. That Dark Wizard consistently delivered considerable "surprises."

For the moment, Yuga couldn't figure out what school of magic this Dark Wizard employed. He only knew that the Dark Wizard possessed a diverse knowledge, some of which seemed to transcend the typical scope of Wizards. The enemy was well-prepared; this Dark Wizard understood them thoroughly.

Buy as much time as possible! Yuga muttered to himself, feeling utterly exhausted. His Wind Elemental was not Hail Storm Wings; it didn't possess such a vast reserve of Spirit Power. Each time this Wind Elemental manifested, it drastically depleted Yuga's physical strength and Spirit Power.

The opposing Dark Wizard clearly understood this, which was why he consistently employed delaying tactics. The enemy's refusal to attack was purely a strategy to exhaust him. Anyone else might have been able to play this waiting game with the scoundrel, but not Yuga.

Yuga was an explosive-type Wizard; he had another nickname in the Wizard Alliance. Of course, he much preferred this other nickname. It was straightforward and closely matched his personality: 'Explosive Yuga.'

This nickname might sound more fitting for a Flame Wizard, but it was Yuga's. His personality was like fire: impetuous, intense, always wanting to accomplish everything in an instant.

He liked this moniker; he felt it was much more potent than any title like 'Sage.' At least this name didn't make him sound so weak and fragile.

Yuga recalled the moment he had resolutely signed the agreement with Kuyi Tulan. Though it had been voluntary, there was also a degree of anticipation; Yuga hoped to become 'Explosive Yuga,' just like his nickname. He wished for his wind-based abilities to integrate with his magic, to truly achieve an explosive effect.

He had to admit that Kuyi Tulan was a rare genius, although, from a certain perspective, this youth was still immature and often acted too rashly. The whole affair with the agreement was entirely because Kuyi Tulan hadn't been ready...

In truth, Yuga didn't hate Kuyi Tulan. The resentment in his heart was directed at himself. He felt that, as an elder, he had still been too impulsive and eager for quick results; it was truly unbecoming.

But this—this was his true self. Although the agreement had cost him his normal human way of life, he had also gained what he desired most: that explosive self.

Explosions only reveal their power in the right place, Yuga began to mutter to himself again. These mutterings were the voice of his innermost heart. He had always considered Guru Mountain his second home; it was where he had found his true 'explosion.'

Therefore, Yuga didn't want anyone to disrupt the mountain's overall balance. He wanted it to remain a paradise for monsters, and he wanted the Great Mentor to continue guiding those who couldn't survive in the ordinary world.

He himself had been such a contradictory person in the past: on one hand, wanting to achieve his true self, yet on the other, unable to let go of the life he possessed...

However, none of that mattered now. He, Yuga, needed to guard this mountain—to protect it in his own way.

He knew he needed to buy more time for the people of Moonflow Stream, but he was more inclined to take a gamble...

I am Explosive Yuga, and I excel at explosive tactics!

Yuga twirled his fingers and gritted his teeth. The outcome seemed to hinge on this very moment.

He was no longer a child; he was well aware of the pros and cons of such an action.

He would undoubtedly lose a war of attrition. Even though their plan offered no real chance of victory, they were merely buying time...

He chose to risk it all because of the yearning in his heart!

Sometimes, offense is the best defense.