Elderwood Plains Battle (2)

[You have successfully cast [Ice Arrow]. [Ice Physique] is being activated]

[Blood Totem has gathered one [Blood Mark]]

As the sharp ice arrow left his hand, it travelled 135 meters before reaching his target: Elder Jonick.

[You have killed [Level 9 Druid - Elder Jonick]. You have earned 480 EXP]

As expected, battlefields truly were the place where Arthur could grow the fastest. It didn't matter how much he meditated or fought. In front of absolute killing, nothing could compare.

Arthur could see how weak druids were.

Acolytes were not much different than regular humans in terms of resistance. This is why they developped protective arrays, crafted magical artefacts and learnt defensive spells.

Druids were different. Although they could shapeshift and communicate with trees, they weren't used to fight. Most of elven druids might not have fought once in their lifetime. After all, it was elven archers who did most of the hunting. As druids, they were pursuing alchemical studies, communication with nature and naturally, healing duties.

Why would they even require a defensive spell to begin with? That would require tremendous years of raising spirits.

This was their main weakness.

An acolyte without defensive spell was vulnerable to any soldier in a battlefield

The same went for druids.

And unfortunately for the elven army, Arthur was a good soldier. A damn good one at that.

Without resting, Arthur started to scan and target the elven druids, each one of his spell reaching his targets. There was no escaping his eyes.

[Name – Arthur Landragon

Class – Level 9 [Intermediate Rank] Acolyte (0 / 9 000 EXP)

HP – 100 / 100 | Mana: 115 / 120

→ Experience Stored: 4 360

Attributes:

Strength – 13 | Agility – 5 | Vitality – 8 (+2) | Magic Power – 9

Skills: Advanced Swordsmanship (105), Archery (96), Magical Knowledge (75), Ice Magical Knowledge (68), Deceiving (35), Spell Reading (28), Acting (26), Strategy (19), Cartography (16), Scroll Copying (15), Eloquence (15), Charming (12), Poetry (10), Trading (8), Information gathering (6)

Perk: [Ice Physique: (+2) Vitality, (+6) Magic Resistance, (+30%) Ice Damage]

Knight Technique: Heavy Vertical Strike (58), Power Thrust (32), Killing Intent (40)

Spell: Ice Poison Aura [High-grade] (54), Soul Seal [Intermediate-grade] (35), Freezing Touch [Low Grade] (33), Shield of Ice [Low-grade] (23), Charm [Low-grade] (16), Ice Arrow [Low-grade] (14), Frozen Seal [Low-grade] (10), Frozen Curse [High-grade] (10)

Magical Artefact: Moonlight Ring (Strength Blessing Cast [1/1]), Arcane Fox Mask (+30 Mana), Blood Earing (+5 HP / spell), Blood Totem (Blood Arrow Cast)

Enchanted Items: Celeste (Medium-grade Enchanted Weapon), Ring of Courage (Low-grade Enchanted Item, (+1) Pain tolerance), Amulet of Healing (Low-grade Enchanted Item, +1 Regeneration), Orc General Flag (Low-grade, (+1) Fear)

Research:

[Frozen Warrior Creation] : Progress (28%)]

Taking out the Orc General Flag and his bow, Arthur started to accurately shoot down druids.

[You have activated [Ice Poison Aura]]

[You have successfully headshot [Level 5 Druid]. You have dealt 40 points of damage. You have earned 110 EXP]

'One more!', Arthur exclaimed, almost smiling at the idea of killing yet another druid.

[True Name - Ignis Baleth | Alias - Almar

Class - Level 10 Druid | Form : Saber Lion

HP - 110 / 110 | MP - 100 / 100

Attributes:

Strength – 2 (9) | Agility – 1 (4) | Vitality – 2 (8) | Magic Power - 10

Status - Healthy

Skills - Druidism Knowledge (65)...

Craftsmanship - Beginner Alchemy [14]

Spell - (?)

Magical Artefact - Elven Moonlight Pearl [+30 HP], Vine Ring (Cast [Vine] 1/1)]

The Elder Druid Almar. Arthur could easily see that he was quite strong. Probably not as strong as Hildir, but strong nevertheless. If he shapeshifted, then he would definitely be difficult to deal with. After all, he had heard from his own father that druids could turn into [Sky Eagles], [Saber Lions] and even stronger species of beasts. One such druid had even managed to kill a Southern Advanced-rank knight upon shapeshifting.

This was enough for Arthur to acknowledge druids.

However, the sight before him made him laugh. The saber Lion in front of him was not even half as strong as John Bellford.

'Did I spend too much time in the Ivory Tower?', Arthur wondered, 'Is that why these druids seem so weak?'

The [Ivory Tower] was an amazingly competitive place where the most talented individuals from the continent would gather, exchange knowledge, and try to further enhance their magical attainments by using all means necessary. Some would turn to evil organizations, while others on merchantry to fund their research.

In other words, the [Ivory Tower] was the peak of magic that you could find in the whole Kingdom. Wandering acolytes with no backing were strong enough to leave a mark in the world, and raise their status, like the Lark Household.

However, what if they were trained in the [Ivory Tower], where a natural selection only let the strongest survive? Then, any of the acolytes living there would be several times stronger and more prepared than wandering magically gifted beings.

'An unbelievably powerful Saber Lion, huh...', Arthur analysed Elder Almar, yet he could not find a single benefit to this shapeshifting.

This was truly an imposing beast, and as soon as he revealed his 3-meters-tall monstrous body, many horses neighed.

However, by shapeshifting, he had given up his dexterity and familiarity for strength and vitality.

To Arthur, who had slayed 68 magical beasts during his time in the [Ivory Tower], a druid shapeshifting was like turning into a prey.

[Ice Arrow - Rank 0 Offensive Spell

Condense ice elemental particles into an arrow shape. It is then propulsed towards the target with a burst of mana.

Cost - 5 points of mana

Effect - Deals 10 + [Magic Power] points of damage

Proficiency (10) Effect: You can choose to spend twice the mana cost in order to deal [Magic Power] additional [Ice] Damage]

Taking into account Arthur's [Ice Physique], the spell dealt an impressive 36.4 points of damage if it hit a normal spot. However, the truth is that such a powerful spell would often trigger bleeding ailment and lead to the death of the target.

[You have successfully cast Ice Arrow. Your spell dealt 36 points of damage]

[You have successfully cast Ice Arrow. Your spell dealt 36 points of damage]

Two arrows hit the nimble saber lion and its powerful defenses looked like a joke. Both arrows had landed on the Saber Lion's back, and it had impaled it to the ground, shocking the elves and humans who witnessed this majestic scene.

Arthur was still riding his horse at this point, several dozens of meters away from his opponent.

There was no need to let the druid the time to rest.

Without hesitation, Arthur cast a third [Ice Arrow].

This time, however, it landed on the Saber Lion's head.

[You have successfully cast Ice Arrow. You have hit a vital spot. Your spell dealt 73 points of damage]

[Congratulations! You have killed [Level 10 Druid - Ignis Baleth]. You have earned 580 EXP!]

Opening a tab mentally, Arthur grinned.

[Elderwood Plains Battle - War Mission

Assassinating Elder Hildir of the Jagorn Western Forest has drawn emnity from his tribe of elves. Thoughts of revenge and hatred towards humans clouded their judgement, and caused them to raise an army with the sole purpose of stopping your army. You and your brothers have judged this to be an incredible opportunity to get rid of an opponent in the Southern Gate Region.

Task - Annihilate the Elven Army (progress: 38%)

Rewards - 3 000 EXP, 10 Spell Proficiency points]

Once the battle is over, Arthur planned on levelling up. After reaching level 10, his strength would increase significantly. After all, the higher his level, the higher his [Magic Power] attribute. Since all his spells became stronger with increasingly higher magic power, each level up meant a significant power up.

Smiling, Arthur didn't hesitate to cast [Soul Seal] on the corpses nearby, before revealing his magical artefact.

A dozen blood arrows targeted at other druids made Arthur completely euphoric.

The men who followed him were taken by this sense of triomph. As they came into contact with the rest of elven druids, a catastrophic massacre happened.

If Victor had managed to pierce a hole through the elven army's defences, then Arthur had obliterated the rest of them. Each soldier was swinging his swords every couple seconds, taking a life at this. Druids who were quick-witted enough didn't even try to fight them as they shapeshifted into animals and tried to run.

Unfortunately, the [Blood Mark] from the high-grade [Blood Totem] were extremely potent. Druids who only had a couple dozens of HP would not survive a single spell.

Arthur smiled.

[You have levelled up...]

[Your magic power increases]

[Your existence becomes stronger]

[As you have reached level 10 less than 10 years after your transmigration, you have received an additional attribute point]

[You have allocated two points into your [Strength] attribute].