volume 3 - Chapter 216 – Preparation for war 5 (1/2)
Chapter 216 – Preparation for war (5)
Brendel gave up raising the Nine Luminaries Sword Arte after it reached level 7 for the time being. The skill needed more than 250000 TP at that level, and the XP gained from the grimoire’s fragments could hardly keep up with the requirement.
The Nine Luminaries Sword Arte at level 7 could produce eight illusions and deal 50% damage of the base body. It was just a step away from producing the maximum number of illusions, which was nine.
The youth also realized that the illusion’s duration was affected by the level. The initial duration only lasted a little longer than a second in the beginning, but each level increased the duration by approximately 0.1 seconds.
[Hmm. Typically my physical abilities use my stamina points, but my illusions use MP instead. Charge uses 6 MP, Piercing Strikes uses 20 MP. Since I’m a warrior, my MP is significantly lower than my stamina. I only have 250 MP in total, and casting eight illusions along with a Charge and Piercing Strike will use up almost everything.]
Brendel experimented with one of the illusions casting a magic spell.
[There isn’t really much time for the illusions to do any real casting, but let me try using the illusion as a defensive tool. Barkskin— Hmm. It adds +1 to armor. Barkskin requires 50 MP, but if an illusion does it, the ability requires 100 MP instead. That’s double the MP usage.]
He continued to experiment with the ability and called out Kodan to test out the Sword Arte. The illusion could not cast another illusion on its own, and it did not seek to actively swap places with him even if the main body was in danger.
But after Kodan fought the youth for a day, he complained in frustration and refused to do so any longer.
Brendel had become even stronger than before, and the Nine Luminarinaries Sword Arte was too bizarre. The old man was literally a punching bag for the youth; a normal person would refuse to become one and it was even more so for a Gold-ranked Swordsman.
Kodan did not show up on the second day.
But Mephisto came to look for Brendel. The youth did not know where the Sword Saint of Ashes heard that he was looking for someone to train with, but the latter did not beat around the bush and bluntly asked for a duel immediately.
[This is a little puzzling. There’s really nothing to learn from me at your skill level. Your stats or swordsmans.h.i.+ps are vastly superior to mine. It’s more appropriate to say you are guiding me or something.]
Brendel obviously did not refuse someone who was willing to aid him. What was unexpected was how Mephisto limited himself with a handicap and fought the youth patiently.
Mephisto had more insight than Kodan and his eyes narrowed in recognition of the ancient technique.
“This technique is beyond my understanding, but your clones are using the same standard of your military swordsmans.h.i.+p. There are some minor things you can do to improve it.” Mephisto said.
[As expected of a Sword Saint. His command of the Empire’s Military Swordsmans.h.i.+p is really something. Even though there are some differences with Aouine’s Military Swordsmans.h.i.+p, they are somewhat related to each other. I feel like I’m moving closer to level 17 Military Swordsmans.h.i.+p, though it’s a pity I can’t get a +1 on my Military Swordsmans.h.i.+p like how I got it from Kodan and my grandfather.]
Brendel’s mind was itching. The effect for a Swordsmans.h.i.+p above level 15 was tremendous. The higher the level of the Military Swordsmans.h.i.+p was, the more bonuses a.s.sociated with it.
[If I seek out all the Sword Saints in the continent and get to learn from them, maybe I can reach the Divine Realm? Or maybe not. There are more than ten Sword Saints, but these people have really peculiar personalities. Some of them are even evil. Mephisto is really considered to be a normal person when I compare them. A really normal person amongst normal people.]
It was an impossible task to raise friends.h.i.+p points for all of them, though Veronica jokingly said she could teach him her swordsmans.h.i.+p if he defected to become a citizen of the Kirrlutz Empire. It was naturally impossible for him to accept.
That was a loud clang which jolted Brendel from his nonsensical thoughts, and the tremendous feedback that transmitted to his hand nearly tore his sword away. He hurriedly retreated and three illusionary clones behind him rushed forward to stop Mephisto from continuing his attack, allowing him to escape.
Mephisto watched the illusions disappear in front of him, but he did not continue his attack and instead put away his sword while he looked at the panting youth.
“You lost your concentration?” He asked.
Brendel nodded and took in a deep breath: “Yeah.”
“Then let’s call it a day.” Came the short reply.
Brendel nodded again, but he suddenly blurted out with curiosity: “Count Sutherland, we haven’t got to know each other for very long, but it has been fifteen days. I think I’m quite certain of your personality, and you would never take the initiative to lower your head or express goodwill, right?”
Mephisto did not reply. Brendel’s words were acknowledged.
“I think you have an insight into my character as well. I don’t mind joking about the minor things, but I am definitely not regretting or delaying the promise I made to Lady Veronica to restore your kingdom.”
Brendel paused for a moment.
“But I think your intention today is to teach me swordsmans.h.i.+p…..?”
“When do you plan to leave the forest?” Mephisto did not answer his question.
“The Druids have prepared all the necessary war equipment. The Elves and human mercenaries are geared up and ready to move out, but it’s a problem to transport the food supplies over to Firburh on such a large scale. Even with the natives’ aid, there are not enough horses to travel quickly.”
Brendel frowned as Mephisto threw out the most problematic issue he had. If the army was to travel on foot, then it would take at least a month’s journey.
“But back to the question you asked, I’ll be leaving in a week by the latest. A portion of the army will follow me separately to travel light and return to Firburh quickly.”
Mephisto nodded: “I’ve heard that your territory is under attack. How confident are you in winning this battle?”
[So you’re afraid that I will lose?]
Brendel finally understood why Mephisto was teaching him. He took a long look at him and replied:
“Count Sutherland, I always wanted to ask you a question. Even though I’m not sure what kind of agreement you came to with Lady Veronica, do you know that I have enemies all over Aouine? Choosing to get on my s.h.i.+p is perhaps a bad choice.”