I created my own system

"Hmmm...."

The system could restore stamina, but it couldn't stop the pressure that kept building inside my mind. Even with multiple bodies it could not ease up te burden I am feeeling.

The mental burden of constant casting… the strain of handling three authorities at once… It was catching up to me.

[Creator, your brainwave signals are fluctuating again,] Jeremiah noted in a concerned tone.

[You've exceeded your recommended spellcasting threshold by 438%.]

"I'm fine," I lied. My body wasn't trembling, but I could feel it my mind is increasingly foggy. And my spell casting is also getting slower. This isnt good, also I have been useing the authority of mystics it seem th also contributed to my current state.

With my attacks not as sharp as before Alicia began to noticed it too.

"Apollo," she called softly, walking beside me as she adjusted the blade strapped to her back. "You should rest. I know you're tired."

I thought about it—just switching to another Clonis body and continuing. But I knew better. A new body didn't erase the mental fatigue. The stress lingered. The mind carried the burden even if the body didn't.

"…You're right," I said at last I hate to admit but it seems I am overusing my body. "I'll leave things to you and the others for now."

I stepped back, preparing to retreat into the fortress.

And then it came.

Jeremiah manage to warn me so I was able to retreat into the first wall with Alicia.

"Dont tell another celestial?" My body was still in good shape so for a moment i thought maybe I should just let it fight, in autopilot mode.

More warnings came and soon a crack in the air came. A low, vibrating pitch like thunder filtered through snow. Then—roars that irrates me came to my ears.

[Warning: Celestial-ranked magical signatures incoming.]

"Of course," I exhaled sharply, summoning my spear to attack for me.

"Damn it they all look strong, should I really go autopilot"

[Thats dangerous]

"How about you control my body"

[Lady Alicia will notice it, it might put you on edge]

I sigh not liking the situation but before I saw the owner of those dangerous presence.

Massive figures emerged from the forest, parting the snowy trees like they were mere curtains. Their presence twisted the mana in the air. The snow swirled violently. Three Celestial-ranked beasts advanced, followed by a swarm of lower-tier creatures.

Each of them was different.

The first—an obsidian-horned Ravager Drake, shrouded in molten mist.

The second—a crystalline Hydra, dripping with venom that froze the air.

The third—a winged behemoth that shimmered with translucent skin, revealing a black core pulsing with mana.

Alicia's corrupted aura surged the moment she saw them. I stood close to her wanting to show that I am willing to help.

"You sure you wanna stay here?" she said with a dry smirk, already drawing a magic circle from the air. The snow beneath her feet burned into glass.

I stood beside her again, forming a bullet embedded with temporal delay and spatial authority. The authorities pulsed through me, Time, Space, Gravity.

"Let's keep this quick."

We moved as one.

Alicia struck first, her spell shot forward, curling around the Hydra's neck. Corrupted mana spread like a virus across its body. The beast screamed, but Alicia didn't flinch. She manipulated the corrupted mana making it a poison to the hydra, she then yanked it forward while conjuring blades from her circle, slashing through the other necks mid-spin.

The Ravager Drake roared in retaliation and charged at me.

"Too slow," I whispered.

Bang!

The bullet curved midair, delayed for 0.7 seconds before reality folded on itself. It hit the ground next to the Drake and triggered a pocket of gravity distortion—flattening the space and dragging the beast to the ground. I followed up with a spear, imbued with the spell of positive lightning.

But then when I was about to land another spell another beast suddenly came in. Casting a shadow that completely devoured my figure.

It was a beast that came in from the horde, I move to dodge then made a counter attack by firing a firecannon right into its heart. Then I return my focus to my previous prey who barely able to move from my previous attacked.

I commanded my spear and activated another spell within it.

Crackling arcs of power split the beast's head. A blinding burst of light followed.

But the winged behemoth wasn't idle. It move to attack opening its mouth, it fire a beam of burning light, straight toward Alicia.

"Watch out" I called feeling that the fire is way too hot, it even melted my barrier.

"I've got it!" she responded then to my surprise she throw a punch at the cascading flames making me and Jeremiah surprise and worried.

"Apollo!" she shouted. "Focus you have an enemy from behind!"

I nodded.

With a flick of my hand, I summoned six spells combining into one as it descent towards my target. The spells overlap with each other striking multiples after duplicated the spell to repeated strike the same spot over and over again. Soon the beast's protective skin broke and was penetrated by the spell. Apollo's spear follow through tearing through the wound and piercing its heart.

More enemies are falling over, looking up the spell tower and the long ranged weapons are firings non stop. More bodies fell and none of the maigcal beasts coul even reach the front of the first wall.

The tide was turning.

But then—I staggered.

My head is spinning and the system is trying to remove the fatigue out of my head but it seems even for the sytem rest is essential.

Its been a while since I felt this, the feeling of getting tired.

Alicia grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"I can do this now, rest is what you need, I know you are overworking more than usual."

She didn't wait for a response, with a flick of her finger I found mysef in my bed, my nano armor was replaced by pajamas.

"What the?"

I felt confused but its not the first time it happens so i decided to rest. I remove remove the effects of the spell Clonis to completely recovered.

[Creator dont worry you can recover fast]

I just nodded as I close my eyes and starting sleeping.

.

.

.

Back to Alicia she was left fendinng off the wall.

She jumped forward, just her mere force was enough to sned dozens of beast away.

The Ravager Drake rose again, only for Alicia to crush it beneath her feet.

"Not dead yet? So persistent," she said.

"Alya, I'll clean this up. Keep sending me coordinates of dangerous enemies"

{No worries big sister Sonya can handle them, just stick to the wall, the hordes is the problem. More are coming so reserved your stamina}

"Okay"

Alicia took out a sword Apollo once forge for her for some reason she suddenly wants to use it.

"If I end up breaking it again, I wil just ask for more"

She thought so as she filled the sword withe her mana. Roars came right after but soon the power of the mages engulf them.

"I should aim properly" as she was about to strike, golden shards of light surrounded her, as the power of Aaron's blessings took action, few familiar figures came in. It was a mechanical soldiers but somehow one stood out. It looks different, more powerful and resilient than the rest.

{I know that one looks strong right? That is the new version if the mechanical soldies, they just came in from the Blue Moon tower}

Alya told her feeling that Alicia must be confused about the situation.

"It make sense now thank you"

She then lifted her sword and made a slash that cut through half of the marching beasts.

On the other hand Sonya led the tower mages, directing magic spells onto the beast that continue to pour on them.

Jillian and Casper manned the cannon towers. Vesta's flute played again—her lullaby slowing the beasts down. Samael manipulated the flames replacing the boost that Apollo placed on them though a bit weaker

The night raged.

The beasts screamed.

But walls remained still, the fortress stood tall.

Even with the sky glowig bright though it was night. The batte continues. Blood and sweat began to mix, cries were muffled with explosions.

And then, finally… dawn came.

The sun broke over the snowy ridges, golden light piercing through the mist. The beasts retreated. The last of them vanished into the trees.

The mages from the next rotation arrived at thier postready to take the ext horde.

"You've done enough," one of them said. "It's our turn now."

The class want back to thier beds, while Alicia went and look for Apollo, who is still sleeping soundly at his bed.

"It looks like he is resting fine"

She smiled, and gently touch his forehead.

"Well i should rest too"

Her body disappeared as quietly as she enters

The second day of the blood season had barely began but some of the impires most powerful assets are having a hard time defending thier own territories.