Quest 4 in the Frontlines
The train was speeding toward the Western Command Headquarters, and I had successfully reached level 80 during the journey.
At level 80, I would be able to create a 4th circle. So today, I could finish the 4th stage of the Arsia quest.
For the time being, I would be able to level up quickly thanks to the Salander tears, but even with fixed damage, the 3,000 power of my attacks fell short of what was needed for a 4th circle.
After level 100, it would hardly shine. Still, pairing magic with it would let me level up a bit faster than fighting normally.
If the system hadn't stopped me for my abnormal growth, I could have reached level 200 in no time. It was such a pity.
By the way, a 5th circle required level 120, with its difficulty rising sharply.
Level 160 for a 6th circle, and level 200 for a 7th circle.
Once I hit the 7th circle and became a Great Mage, every country would promise me the title of count or higher to recruit me.
So my first goal was to reach level 200.
'Becoming a 7th circle Great Mage meant Arsia would naturally become a peer Aura Master.'
In a world full of sci-fi technology, one might think mages come second.
But knights' swords? It sounded absurd. Yet it wasn't.
With technology advancing, there were ways to greatly amplify the power of Aura.
The moment I achieved level 200 would be when I shed my previous shame and showed my true self.
Of course, I had to take precautions so no one suspected I was Manuel Lucas's Arsia user.
I had already thought of something for that.
It would take about two months to reach level 200.
Whenever I had time on the battlefield, I would log in with my face set like iron.
"How long will it take to reach the Western Command Headquarters?"
My question was answered by Commander Hwan, who stroked his neatly trimmed beard.
"If we stick to the current route without changing it, it should take about three hours."
The maximum speed of the Injure Train was 900 km per hour, but safety meant I couldn't push it to the limit.
From the Lawrence Manor in the northern kingdom to the Western Command Headquarters was about 1,600 km.
At an average speed of 500 km per hour, that would be the calculation.
I nodded and stood up from my seat.
"I'll rest a little in the private room. If anything happens, send me a message through the terminal."
"A message?"
Commander Hwan looked puzzled as I pulled out the game connection headset and shook it in front of him.
"......"
Anyone could see I was up to no good.
Commander Hwan and the rest of the staff frowned.
But I asked in a tone that suggested I didn't understand.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
The staff couldn't object because I was the acting lord.
"How ridiculous. So the rumor was true...... Are you okay? Soldiers will see you as a powerless commander."
Someone spoke up without hesitation, his opinion out loud.
It was the tall knight named Dalton.
He was a high-ranking knight of the Aura Expert class and one of the ten Vanguards in the Lawrence barony.
His words carried extra weight.
The atmosphere inside the train quickly sank.
The ranking for knights and mages was as follows.
1st to 2nd circle (Apprentice Mage) = Mana User (Apprentice Knight)
3rd to 4th circle (Regular Mage) = Aura User (Regular Knight)
5th to 6th circle (High Mage) = Aura Expert (High Knight)
7th circle, Wizard (Great Mage, title) = Aura Master (Knight Captain, title)
8th circle, Grand Wizard (Great Mage, title) = Grand Master (Knight Captain, title)
9th circle, Lord Wizard (Great Mage, title) = Lord Master (Knight Captain, title)
As a high knight, he would rank as a 5th or 6th circle mage.
And "Vanguard" meant special combat power equipped with Force Armor and Force Swords.
Vanguards were the core of warfare and the most prioritized force when evaluating a nation's military strength.
But even if Vanguards were amazing, reacting to the acting lord was clearly treason.
If I had my escort knight Byson here right now, he'd have raised hell.
"Dalton. Watch your words."
Instead of Byson, the vice-commander of the knight order, William, who had been hiding his presence until now, stepped in.
He was also a Vanguard and the commander leading the knight order on this expedition.
"Your words are wrong. Not only is the rumor bad, but you're dragging a woman along and even wanting to game during the battle. Well, I can understand since the woman is beautiful."
"Tsk."
Commander William shot him a deadly glare, and the bear-like Dalton immediately frowned and backed off.
"I overstepped as a subordinate. I apologize."
William nodded as if he understood everything and pointed politely at the game headset.
"During a long journey, a little recreation is necessary. I'm sure there are soldiers playing cards together. As acting lord, you don't have to worry about your subordinates' eyes."
His tone was different, but his gaze was ice-cold.
I had never intended to care about what they said.
"I'll put a message when I arrive."
"Understood."
I headed to the private room without hesitation.
Arsia naturally followed behind me.
I felt countless gazes piercing my back, but I was used to this reaction and didn't flinch.
***
[You have achieved level 80.]
[You have been transported to a secret space by the God Ariel.]
While the Injure Train headed for its destination, I had reached level 80.
I moved to the 1st floor of Manuel Lucas's magic tower, which managed the Arsia.
The Arsia quest wasn't finished just by leveling up.
To clear the complete quest, I had to defeat a special named monster.
[Arsia Quest 4th Stage]
Condition: Reach level 80 (clear), defeat Demili Lich Emaers
Reward: Open Manuel Lucas's magic tower 5th floor
This time, a Lich-class monster famous for its difficulty had appeared.
Demili was known to be somewhat dim-witted compared to regular Liches and had slow casting speed.
"Well come, food."
But the Demili Lich I and my supporter Arsia would face from now on looked like a complete Lich, not a half-baked one.
That clear voice was proof......
"Stone Curse! Icicle Lance!"
Arsia had already cast it beforehand, binding my feet with Stone Curse before I even got into battle stance, then used the piercing magic Icicle Lance toward me with wicked speed.
"Master!"
Arsia quickly broke free from the curse, but she couldn't block the attack magic aimed at me.
"Hup!"
I would have used Salander tears if I could, but unfortunately this trial had to be cleared with my own ability.
[Use of consumable attack items like bombs or scrolls is impossible.]
The message I hadn't worried about before now felt painfully sharp.
-BOOM!
"Kyaaah!"
I tried to dodge by jumping, but Icicle Lance still pierced my shoulder.
It was the most painful pain I had ever felt since getting the Arsia.
My head went white, and I could barely keep my mind.
"Hahaha! Where to! Fireball!"
The moment I heard the Demili's irritating laugh, the image of my enemy Cedric overlapped with the creature.
Now I could see his voice sounded very similar to Cedric's.
Somehow, the pain that had been crushing my whole body slowly disappeared, and strength filled my fists while my mind cleared.
-WHOOSH!
Meanwhile, a Fireball came flying with a loud noise.
I dodged it with movements so quick it surprised even me, then ran toward the Demili.
-KWAAANG!
A Fireball from behind slammed into my back and pushed me forward.
Arsia, who had caught up to me, ran ahead with her shield raised high.
In that time, I used the 3rd circle healing magic Heal on the Demili.
Heal was a healing spell for humans, but it became a powerful attack magic for undead Liches.
"Kyaaah!"
The Demili, who had been smug, let out a scream.
That delayed its casting, and I swung my magic staff to beat the Demili together with Arsia.
"M-Mage, why are you swinging a staff!"
The Demili was so startled by my close-range attack that it tried to cast a spell.
-THUD! THUD! CRACK!
"Die! You bastard like Cedric!"
However, the creature, being beaten senseless 2:1, failed to cast every time.
When I imbued my equipment with light attribute, the screams with Cedric's voice grew louder.
'When there is no priest, the most effective way to fight a Lich.'
It was simply beating it to death with close-range attacks.
"Ghk! Firewall!"
The Lich panicked at my unexpected counter and desperately cast the 4th circle Firewall to create distance.
I was only a 3rd circle mage, but the Demili had already used 4th circle magic.
"Die!"
"T-This madman...?"
But I didn't hesitate and plunged through the flames, swinging the staff.
It was an action based on my confidence as a mage that I wouldn't die with this much.
-CRACK!
"Aaaah!"
It felt like hot oil had been poured over my whole body.
But strangely, when I heard its scream, the pain seemed to fade.
The image of rolling after Icicle Lance vanished.
***
They say adrenaline makes you not feel pain when fighting.
Was it the same for me?
"Kyaaah!"
Having defeated the Demili with Arsia, I shouted in victory.
But that shout soon turned into a scream.
As soon as the excitement that had made me feel like a berserker died down, a shock that seemed to slash my whole body came crashing in.
[You have cleared the 4th stage of the Arsia quest.]
If the named monster hunt in the Arsia quest was for real experience, this time I had properly experienced it.
Was my crawling on the floor a perfect metaphor?
Arsia opened my inventory without permission and fed me a healing potion.
A supporter opening the master's inventory on their own will.
It meant how special she was.
[The next section of the magic tower has been opened. Manuel Lucas's magic tower 5th floor is now open.]
[Would you like to go up to the 5th floor of Manuel Lucas's magic tower?]
Whether it was from the healing potion or the adrenaline surging again in the message, the pain gradually eased and I was able to stand up.
I nodded and headed to the new floor, which welcomed me with a more splendid and grand space.
"Oh?"
However, what caught my eyes more than anything was the treasure chest with the most distinct presence.
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