A Rather Unpleasant Day

The subtle silver light of two moons illuminated the land. 

Usually, nights were dangerous for humans, but these days, even the distant howling of wolves in the forests sounded more calming than frightening. 

The cicadas buzzed, and the wind felt somehow fresher.

It was as though something that was lost to the world eons ago had returned.

Well, it was mana.

The WAA conducted an extensive search operation at the Hawkin Group's headquarters after the battle, marveling and shuddering at its sheer vastness and complexity, eventually discovering the five enormous mana storage crystals. 

Following the advice of one of their arcanists, they carefully opened a small crack in each, allowing mana to leak out slowly.

Destroying the crystals would have caused an unnecessary mana fluctuation, potentially triggering a massive explosion that could wipe out Yon Augenn City. 

A slow release was the safest approach—and so it was done