-328- The improvement after a year and a half

At this moment, the world in Rozen's eyes transformed into an entirely different dimension.

In this world, Rozen could perceive the fluctuations of all phenomena.

In this world, Rozen could sense the pulse of all living beings.

This sensation wasn't unfamiliar to Rozen.

Over the past year and a half, Rozen had used the "Mind's Eye" skill countless times in actual combat, but he had only been able to use it to a limited extent, struggling to master it completely.

Now, Rozen had finally achieved full mastery over the "Mind's Eye" technique.

"One year and a half..."

Rozen maintained the state of "Mind's Eye" at all times and sighed deeply.

"It took quite an effort to reach this point."

Rozen owed much of his success to the SAO game world, which emphasized physical sensation and provided numerous opportunities for practical combat. Without SAO's existence, Rozen's progress in mastering this skill in the real world might have been much slower, or even uncertain.

"I've finally succeeded."

Rozen couldn't help but feel excited.

With this, Rozen officially entered the final stage of being a Magus—after mastering "Telekinesis," "Spirit Vision," "Rigid Body," "Magic Defence," "Heaven's Eye," and "Magic Resilience," he finally grasped "Mind's Eye."

"If I were to return to the real world now, I would definitely be able to manipulate my magical power perfectly, enhance my comprehension and learning speed of magic, and greatly improve my ability to control familiars."

Rozen was getting impatient.

"Unfortunately, I can't use magic here."

Rozen swung the sword in his hand, sheathing it back in its scabbard, all while recalling the feeling brought by the sword technique he had just employed.

"This move, 'Vorpal Strike,' is as effective as ever. It's unbeatable against monsters."

—'Vorpal Strike.'

This was a single-strike heavy attack technique with a one-handed sword.

As mentioned earlier, this technique was a single-strike attack. After nearly a year and a half of SAO running, players had already unlocked various combo-based sword techniques. In theory, single-strike techniques wouldn't measure up to the versatility of multi-hit combos. However, heavy attack techniques were a different matter.

This sword technique could unleash an attack range more than twice the size of the sword's blade. It possessed power comparable to a two-handed spear, and among all the sword techniques for one-handed swords, it had the highest damage output. Though it had the drawback of a slightly longer recovery time after using it, employing it during a duel could leave an opening that could be exploited. It was very dangerous to use it at the wrong moment, but it was extremely popular among high-level players for battling monsters.

Of course, unlocking this technique wasn't easy; one needed to raise the proficiency of the 'One-Handed Sword' skill to around 950.

In other words, to unlock this technique, one would need to almost fully master the 'One-Handed Sword' skill.

Rozen had naturally achieved this.

Half a year ago, Rozen had already unlocked this technique. What's more, just a few days later, he had fully mastered the 'One-Handed Sword' skill and unlocked all the sword techniques for one-handed swords, thereby learning them.

Nearly a year later, Rozen's level had seen a significant increase.

—Level 82.

That was Rozen's current level.

Thanks to this, Rozen had obtained eleven skill slots, and within these slots, he had assigned eleven skills:

1. One-Handed Sword.

2. Blade throwing.

3. Sprint.

4. Martial Arts.

5. Hiding.

6. Extended Weight Limit.

7. Battle Healing.

8. First Aid.

9. Parry.

10. Acrobatics.

11. Straining.

These were the eleven skills Rozen was currently using.

Among these skills, Rozen had completely mastered only three: "One-Handed Sword," "Blade Throwing," and "Martial Arts."

This had prompted Kirito to mockingly comment, "If it were just 'One-Handed Sword,' I'd understand, but why are you fully mastering 'Blade Throwing' and 'Martial Arts' as well?"

For top players who frequently used a primary weapon for combat, by the time nearly a year and a half had passed, they should have already fully mastered their weapon skills.

Even some players had fully mastered two skills—one being a weapon skill, and the other being a non-weapon skill. This was because skills only gained proficiency through usage, and players couldn't equip two weapons simultaneously, which meant they could only improve proficiency in one weapon skill while the other was likely a support or passive skill.

The fact that Rozen had completely mastered three skills was indeed remarkable, but the fact that they were all attack skills left people astonished and speechless. Did this mean that Rozen frequently used thrown items or unarmed combat in addition to weapon-based fighting?

That was why Kirito couldn't help but make fun of him.

But there was no help for it.

While practicing the "Mind's Eye" skill, Rozen could comprehend all phenomena and understand the best tactics to use in different situations.

As a result, Rozen used every possible method.

He used Martial Arts against enemies when he is recovering from sword skills.

Use blade throwing to attack unexpectedly while using Martial Arts.

After using blade throwing, he would follow up with another sword skill.

Through intense training and facing opponents, these three combat skills, under Rozen's wild experimentation, improved significantly, as if he were using just one skill against his foes.

As a result, Rozen had fully mastered all three skills.

It was estimated that within the entire SAO world, only Rozen could have reached this level of proficiency.

It was precisely because of this that Rozen could finally achieve complete mastery over the "Mind's Eye" today.

In other words, both in-system and out-of-system skills, Rozen had made immense progress.

Aside from this...

"Gu!"

Accompanied by two pleasant cries, two rainbow-colored phoenix butterflies glided over from the side, showering countless phosphorescent particles as they arrived in front of Rozen.

Naturally, they were Saichou and Hanachou.

After nearly a year and a half, Saichou and Hanachou had also made significant progress.

For instance, in terms of levels, Saichou had reached level 81, just one level below Rozen, while even the once-inexperienced Hanachou was now level 80. Coupled with Rozen's guidance, their proficiency in various negative-status skills had improved dramatically, and their modes of operation had been continuously refined. They were undoubtedly much more formidable now.

Rozen looked at his two familiars, playfully extending his hand to interact with them and spoke with a smile.

"Well then, let's head back a bit early today and consider it a celebration and relaxation."

Before this, to give himself that extra push, Rozen had spent a full two days in this labyrinth area, mastering the "Mind's Eye". It was time to head back and rest.

By the way, the previous one-horned monster wasn't an ordinary creature; it was a miniboss on the 55th floor labyrinth area. Thanks to the pressure and training it provided, Rozen managed to defeat it, obtaining significant rewards. It was a cause for celebration.

"Gu!"

Both Saichou and Hanachou responded with pleasant cries, obediently returning to Rozen's shoulders.

With that, Rozen left the room, exited the labyrinth area, and headed towards the main street area.