Lennok was well aware of the nurous shortcomings despite having reached the realm of Sengwi (Realizing Self-Domain) and ascending to the level of a Sangwi Wizard (Accomplished Wizard) through his duel with McQueen.
The most significant challenge lay in the extensive preparation required to successfully imprint his Self-Domain.
During his battle with McQueen, Lennok resorted to the use of drugs worth hundreds of millions to maximize his condition. Furthermore, despite McQueen gaining the upper hand by activating his domain first, Lennok verbally elucidated his own domain and pushed the boundaries of his magical manipulation abilities to the absolute limit.
Even after exploiting every avenue to augnt his abilities, the fact that he had to utilize his current capabilities to such an extent clearly illustrated the imnse scope of the imagery he had chosen.
In essence, the issue stemd from the sheer enormity of the imagery he had incorporated.
Having chosen an imagery that involved observing and implenting parallel worlds derived from countless branching points, Lennok had prepared himself for the burden, but it proved to be far more demanding than he had anticipated.
Even in the relatively leisurely battle with McQueen, using this imagery was a formidable challenge, and there was no guarantee of its effectiveness in a truly urgent battle.
Anyway, its not sothing that can be resolved right away.
While imprinting an imagery served as proof of reaching the level of a Sangwi Wizard, it didnt necessarily grant one the ability to seamlessly control their Self-Domain.
Even among Level 7 sorcerers, there was considerable variation in the developnt of domains and the fundantal ability to cast spells, and Lennok had only just entered this realm.
It was evident that he would need to overco these challenges through ti, effort, and research, but he remained hopeful that a solution existed.
As a result, Lennok deliberately sought to refine his abilities through combat training with Evelyn, with the intention of delving deeper into the combat skills of high-level superhumans.
Evelyn Marcia, in particular, stood out as not only the leader of the agents but also the most cooperative superhuman working with Lennok among the city governnts ranks of extraordinary beings.
As a physical enhancer and a skilled archer, Lennok expected to gain valuable insights into fighting against Level 7 vanguards through dueling with her.
Level 7 superhumans, especially those as active as Evelyn Marcia, rarely had the opportunity to give direct feedback on ones abilities. Additionally, the chance to train and spar with her continuously for days was a rare and valuable opportunity.
In many ways, this was undoubtedly the most significant benefit Lennok could derive from this experience.
Evelyn gazed directly at Lennok and initiated the conversation.
Seems like you have a lot on your mind. Should I start the conversation?
Do you have sothing to say?
I think I have a rough idea why you set such conditions. Evelyn replied as she descended from the rock and faced Lennok.
Lets assu that you beca a Sangwi Wizard at the mont you killed the president of the Cartel.
Lennok remained silent, though he was well aware of this fact. Was she pretending not to know for his benefit?
Lennok chuckled, prompting Evelyn to continue.
Whether a sorcerer or non-sorcerer, its no different. Youve entered a higher realm, but in fact, your own physical strength hasnt changed much. Unlike the realm of military wizards where combat ability jumps significantly by mastering the nature of magic, its quite different.
She extended seven fingers toward Lennok.
Essentially, this is about defining seven stages of self-transformation that a human can reach, concluding that all hierarchies are achieved the mont ones own imagery is completed. The seventh stage is called Sangwi for this reason but in a way, its a very loose classification.
That ans theres a huge disparity.
Exactly. You understand quickly because youre a wizard?
Keep going.
Evelyn explained further, pointing her index finger at Lennok.
The disparity in levels among sorcerers who have reached the sa Sangwi realm is huge. The proficiency in domain deploynt and whether the abilities of the domain are helpful in combat vary greatly due to age, ti, or physical conditions.
Evelyn explained.
Thats why Level 7 is the stage with the largest disparity in skill among the seven hierarchies. Its essentially just lumping all superhumans who have completed their imagery at the end Anyway, thats how it is.
Lennok thought about Parden McQueen.
Decades ago, he had reached the Sangwi realm as a Level 7 sorcerer and had crafted his own imagery. However, aside from his expertise in deploying his Self-Domain, his combat abilities were comparable to those of the blood mage Avid Yonsen.
His body and mind, having grown old and accustod to a peaceful life, had lost the sharpness required on the front lines.
In the end, if Lennok hadnt pressured McQueen into a corner, compelling him to release his domain hastily, he would have t his demise without even deploying his domain.
Thats a dangerous idea.
Its almost like saying that human effort and realms dont an much. Evelyn replied with a faint smile.
Dont you think so?
Of course, not many are as foolish as McQueen to let ti pass and beco rusty. But even superhumans who have completed the hierarchy must eventually accept death. If not, they must eventually abandon humanity and move on to the next stage.
With these words, Evelyns eyes began to emit a slow, green glow.
You must feel it to so extent too. Standing in each battlefield, watching monts where life and death intersect Its not too hard to let go of yourself.
Evelyn, you
Maybe the fear of not being able to leave any aning to the values you have cherished is whats troubling you, but the answer might be closer than expected. Or, maybe that itself is an insurmountable wall for you.
Lennok hesitated for a mont, then spoke to her in a asured tone.
You where are you at now?
She remained silent, instead letting out a small sigh and rising energetically.
Well, anyway, it ans even soone as strong as you has a lot of things to worry about. So, I guess you need to work even harder to beco stronger, right?
The clouds dissipated, and the gentle moonlight illuminated the prairie landscape.
Beneath her jet-black hair, her face displayed a sowhat bittersweet smile.
In that sense, it was a wise decision for you to ask for training. In the process of asuring your limits, you wont die unluckily, at least. Lets start properly from tomorrow.
* * *
En route to the volcanic region, Lennok engaged in mock training sessions with Evelyn daily at a specified ti, pitting their respective skills against each other.
Initially, he grappled with how much power to exert, but as he recognized Evelyns exceptional evasion and counterattack abilities, his hesitation gradually vanished.
On the second day, Evelyn restricted herself to evasion alone.
Yet, on the third day, she began to retaliate, wielding her own equipnt.
Your magical system is almost perfect.
Kagagagak!!
Effortlessly evading the ground-hugging wind blades, Evelyn comnted.
I dont know who taught you or what kind of vision you received, but the number of tactics you have and your ability to utilize them are almost flawless. Your strategy seems to focus on mid-range combat, but its ready to pounce on close-range enemies, which, to other experts, signals to maintain their distance.
Now you can comfortably chant your high-powered magic, requiring ti Thats how it goes. In fact, not many fighters are sophisticated enough to pose such a complex dilemma every mont.
Lennok remained silent, and Evelyn continued to speak.
anwhile, an arrow in her left hand effortlessly sliced through the air, deftly avoiding every move Lennok made.
This is partly because your spell casting speed is exceptionally fast, and the patterns are too random to predict But having faced you directly, its unbelievably!
Dadadadadak!!
In the midst of her explanation, Evelyn paused to catch her breath and fervently gathered her mana.
In an instant, her form vanished like black smoke in the air, reappearing five tis in rapid succession before suddenly materializing in front of Lennok.
Imdiately thereafter, ice crystals that had ford at all the points where she had materialized erupted, filling the surrounding area.
Observing Evelyns landing in front of him, Lennok couldnt help but grin.
Caught you.
[Accumulated Fire]
Hwarururuk!!
Intensely compressed flas converged in Lennoks palm, as if being squeezed.
He swung his fiery hand directly in front of Evelyn.
Given Lennoks limited physical coordination, striking Evelyn with his bare hands was an impossible feat, let alone capturing her effectively.
Her physical agility and combat instincts surpassed those of any other expert he had encountered.
Above all, what astounded him the most was her agility displayed on the first day of training.
Her ability to change direction with utter freedom, as if weightless, even under extre acceleration, was remarkable.
The fact that she could execute such maneuvers mid-air, without any support, was astonishing.
Even when relying solely on magical senses, relinquishing the use of his eyes, it seed as though she vanished from her position every mont, rendering her movents challenging to track.
The capability to alter her direction at will, at any given instantLennok recognized the extraordinary and intricate nature of this skill.
It defied simple explanation as re footwork or movent.
Her movents, seemingly immune to the constraints of inertia, brought to mind the dissonance he experienced in his battle with Antares.
This must be the power of the microcosm that exists within Evelyn.
It ca as no surprise that Lennok found himself outmatched in their combat training.
Evelyn Marcia, as if second nature to her, was manifesting her microcosm even in close combat.
Considering her exquisitely honed archery skills, it wasnt difficult to imagine her capabilities.
An ordinary wizard wouldnt stand a chance at landing a spell on her, let alone discerning her moventsmost would likely find an arrow through their throat.
However, this was precisely why Lennok could begin to formulate a strategy for dealing with this type of adversary.
The approach he experinted with on the first dayto disperse his firepower in all directions and occupy spacewas not misguided.
The key lay in instilling a certain predictability into Evelyn Marcias evasive maneuvers, compelling her to move in the direction Lennok desired.
Even at his inherent disadvantage, by offering her a pathway to close the distance, he believed she would inevitably charge in that direction.
Close enough for even Lennoks physical coordination to catch up with her.
However, Lennoks hand, carrying the compressed fla, never managed to make contact with Evelyns shoulder.
Just as Lennok swung his arm, a brilliant flash of light descended right before Evelyn, creating a colossal shockwave between them.
Pa-pa-pa-pang!!!
While Lennok was able to deflect the flash from his position in the distant sky, he couldnt prevent Evelyn from using the shockwave as a ans to leap backward.
Was this an attack from an external source?
Contemplating this, Lennok gazed downward, a faintly bitter smile gracing his lips.
Its unbelievably high-level.
What lay at Lennoks feet, leaving a trail of light, was the very arrow that Evelyn had held just monts ago.
While simultaneously evading Lennoks assault and closing the gap between them, she had managed to throw the arrow she had been holding into the air.
Not just anywhereshe had calculated the precise timing for Lennoks counterattack, the arrows landing point, and the resultant shockwave to neutralize Lennoks move.
The idea of launching an arrow without a bow and having it land precisely between them was nothing short of astounding, let alone executing it flawlessly.
Such physicality and coordination were beyond imagination.
The level of archery mastery demonstrated with just one arrow, devoid of a bow, left a profound impression on Lennok.
Its not that difficult. Evelyn finally spoke as she stood up.
Since I know you actually want to close the distance, I just played along with your strategy while laying down a precaution.
If things didnt work out, would you have picked up the arrow and continued the attack?
Lennok understood that it wasnt solely about releasing a shockwave. In a real battle, if Evelyn had genuinely intended to eliminate him, she wouldnt have employed the arrows shockwave to retreat.
Instead, she would have intercepted the descending arrow mid-flight and directed it straight toward Lennoks heart.
That this seemingly impossible feat was well within her capabilities, Lennok knew from his own experiences.
In the end, thats what matters.
Evelyn approached Lennok at a deliberate pace and retrieved the arrow.
Even after such a rigorous sparring session, only the pleasant scent of grass clung to her.
She waved the arrowhead before Lennok and wore a smirk.
The battle between superhumans of a certain level is essentially a confrontation with the unknown. A probing battle to draw out the opponents hand, a strategic struggle to exhaust their resources And to discover how far they can hide their trump cards, you must always keep a bit of reserve even when exerting full effort.
You, being a wizard, might be more thoroughly aware of this aspect than But thats why I have sothing to tell you.
What do you an?
Evelyns eyes settled calmly.
Youre too perfect. Precisely speaking, thats the problem.
(To be Continued)
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