Chapter 50: Magic Practice Run

Chapter 50: Magic Practice Run

As they approached, Elyse caught sight of the scene and rolled her eyes dramatically, her lips curling into an amused smirk. She let out an exaggerated cough, clearly meant to interrupt Purphoros's boasting about his supposed "exploits" against the Wild Beasts and Dire Beasts from Madelaire.

Purphoros snapped out of his reverie, immediately turning toward Odin and the others. His face lit up as he rushed over to them.

"Master! You're back safely! You don't know how much I worried when I saw your HP gauge dropping close to zero percent. I thought for sure you were a goner!" Purphoros looked genuinely relieved, showing worry in his expression. "I'm glad to see you alive."

Odin waved off the concern with a casual gesture. "Mhm, no need to panic. Everything went as planned." He glanced around the cavern. "Any trouble while we were away? Trolls? Goblins? Or maybe a field boss respawned in the cavern?"

Purphoros shook his head. "None that I'm aware of, Guildmaster. Everything's been quiet."

Odin nodded, satisfied. "Good. Seems like the bosses with that purple color, similar to NPCs, aren't respawning. That simplifies things. Anyway, prep the villagers for departure. We'll be heading straight to Fullbaz."

Purphoros blinked in surprise. "Aren't we going to the Hobgoblin Tribe to kill them?"

Odin let out a tired laugh. "If you've got the stamina to fight, feel free. As for me, I'm spent. I want a hot bath, some dwarven mead, and a Wagyu A5 steak."

With that, Odin walked past Purphoros, leaving him momentarily stunned. Elyse followed closely behind, muttering under her breath. "A bath sounds amazing right about now... And sharing one with Odin? Even better."

Purphoros, overhearing her, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, he turned toward Malfurion, who looked equally exhausted.

"You had a tough raid in that labyrinth, Malf?" Purphoros asked, noting the way Malfurion's usually energetic demeanor seemed a little dimmed.

Malfurion gave a tired nod. "Don't ask. Odin nearly died against the boss. He did all the heavy lifting while Elyse and I stood around like useless baggage. We were more of a burden than help."

Purphoros whistled low, impressed. "Man, why didn't Odin bring me along for the raid? You know I'm the best tank when it comes to boss mobs."

Malfurion let out a dry laugh. "Trust me, it wouldn't have mattered. The boss was immune to physical attacks. You wouldn't have been able to hold aggro on it."

"Hah, forget it, Purphoros. I'll send you the recording of the boss fight later. Just... don't go posting it on SkyNet for clout. There's some sensitive information in there about Odin's 'Saharan Successor' class skills."

Purphoros held up his hands defensively. "Come on, man. You know I'm not a snitch rat."

Malfurion chuckled but then pointed toward Elyse, who was now walking ahead. "By the way, you might want to hit her up. She looted an epic shield from one of the golems. We didn't get a ton of gear loot, but the stuff that dropped was pretty powerful. That shield? It's at least level 85-90. It'd be a big upgrade for you."

Purphoros's eyes widened. "Wait, she got an epic shield? Is that why she's been giving me that 'disgusted' look this whole time?"

Malfurion shrugged. "Who knows? But if I were you, I wouldn't pass up the chance. Go talk to her. She'll probably make you work for it, but that shield could be a game-changer for you."

Purphoros grinned, nodding. "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll go catch up with her."

With a final glance at the brunette, Purphoros excused himself, heading after Elyse with a determined stride. As he approached her, he cleared his throat, ready to negotiate for the prized shield. Elyse, noticing his approach, gave him a knowing smirk.

"You after something, Purphoros?" she teased, clearly aware of his intentions.

Purphoros gave her a sheepish grin. "I heard you looted an epic shield from one of the golems. Think we can, uh, work out a deal?"

Elyse raised an eyebrow, pretending to think it over. "Hmm, depends. How much is it worth to you?"

Purphoros frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. He had been through this with Elyse before, and she always drove a hard bargain. "Well, I don't have much on me right now, but I could trade you my two-handed spear from the dropped from the Goblins. It's a rare drop, and it has a +10% critical hit rate, it will sell like hot bread on the Auction House."

Elyse rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "A spear? Really? You think I'm the type of person who uses something like that? And don't even mention the Auction House. You know that Epic-rated items are by extension rarer than your spear. Up your offer, or you'll get nothing."

Purphoros offered with a straight face, thinking about the prices of items he saw in the Auction House. "Okay, okay. How about this? 5,000 gold coins"

"What? 5K for an Epic Shield? You think I'm dumb? Epic items sell at auction houses at a minimum of 10K, and that is a low-level item. The scarcity of Epic-rated Shields would make the rich whale Tanks salivate at the sighting of this shield."

Purphoros winced. "Fine. 5,000 gold coins and…. I'll owe you a favor. Anything you want."

Elyse's eyes lit up, her interest clearly piqued. She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Anything? You're really desperate for this shield, huh?"

Purphoros nodded. "I mean it. It'd be a game-changer for me. I can't let some rich bastard take it from beneath my nose."

Elyse tapped her chin thoughtfully, clearly enjoying the position of power she had. "Alright, Purphoros. I think we got a deal. I will tell you when I might need your favor, but I don't want to hear any bitching about it, even if I tell you to jump in Titan's Sewers."

Purphoros groaned inwardly, but he knew better than to try and argue with Elyse when she had that gleam in her eye. "Fine. You've got a deal."

Elyse grinned triumphantly, extending her hand. "Pleasure doing business with you."

As their conversation wrapped up, Odin approached the cavern's exit, giving his companions some space. The air outside was noticeably more relaxed and damper from the Wyrnwood's darker atmosphere. 

The sky was painted with the soft hues of late afternoon, and Odin could hear the distant rustling of the wind through the trees.

His gaze swept across the camp outside, where a few of the horses he rented from Fullbaz Stables already sensed his return and reacted in various forms to express their pleasure to see their favorite human.

Off to the side, Odin's black mare stood, tethered to a sturdy post. The sleek horse's coat shimmered in the fading sunlight, her muscles tense as she pawed at the ground. She sensed her rider's approach even before Odin reached her, and her ears flicked back in recognition.

Odin smiled as he approached her, placing a hand gently on her neck. He could feel the familiar connection between them, his Red Energy subtly flowing through his hand and into the mare, calming her.

"There, girl," he murmured softly, stroking her neck. "We'll be off soon."

The mare snorted softly in response, her body relaxing under Odin's touch.

He checked the saddle and reins, making sure everything was secure. The routine was second nature to him, a habit ingrained since the first weeks of his adventure inside Satisfy World, where he had the fortune of being taken in by an old cabbage lover as his apprentice. 

As he worked, memories of those early days came flooding back, the long hours of training inside Satisfy from swordsmanship to footwork, but also the rudimentary tasks a Knight should always know how to handle. While it was true that he was forced into becoming a free labor hand in the cabbage field, he learned the recipe for Kimchi by heart.

This secret of his, he was sure that if he would meet his future in-laws, they would be blown away by his kimchi-making skills.

Those were far simpler times than this current chaos he was embroiled in. While it was arduous the task of balancing his IRL job with his aspirations at Satisfy World, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Doing those menial tasks, allowed Odin to indulge himself in this nostalgia.

He finished preparing his mare and moved to the horses he had rented from the Fullbaz Stables. 

Each horse reacted differently to his presence, some stomping their hooves in anticipation, others softly neighing as if they too could sense the end of the journey drawing near. 

Odin moved quickly, strapping their reins together with his own horse's, ensuring that they would follow him closely on the ride back.

As Odin prepared the horses, the rest of his companions busied themselves with a different task. Purphoros, Elyse, and Malfurion had taken up positions around the villagers, forming a protective circle around them. 

It was an unspoken gesture, but Odin recognized it as a tacit acknowledgment of the leadership he had shown throughout the campaign. They were stepping up, ensuring the safety of the people Odin had fought so hard to rescue.

Purphoros, his usual bravado momentarily subdued, kept a watchful eye on the perimeter. His Guardian Knight armor gleamed in the dimming light as he stood tall, his posture exuding a sense of calm strength. 

Despite the playful banter he had shared with Elyse earlier, Purphoros was fully aware of the gravity of their situation. He moved quietly among the villagers, offering reassuring words to those who were still shaken from their ordeal.

"Stay close," he said to a group of villagers huddled together. "We'll be moving out soon, and I promise, nothing will harm you while we're here."

The slender brunette woman Purphoros had been speaking with earlier stood nearby, casting him a grateful glance. He acknowledged her with a nod but kept his focus on the task at hand. 

He knew that any sign of complacency could lead to disaster, especially with the dangers lurking in the Wyrnwood.

Elyse, on the other hand, moved with a kind of restless energy. Her amber eyes scanned the surroundings, alert to any potential threats that might approach. 

She was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. 

"We're almost ready to go," she said to one of the villagers. "Just stay close to us, and we'll make it back to Fullbaz safely."

Despite her tough exterior and the indifference she initially showed to the NPCs from Madelaire, Ording, and Wesmar Village, they grew in her eyes because of all the emotions they had shown so far. 

It finally dawned on her why Odin was so 'humane' with the NPCs they encountered as if there was no difference between himself and them. 

They too, could feel emotions, so what would make them different from her? They lived in a simulation? So what? We could also live in a simulation created by a higher existence.

Since then, Elyse has been gentle with the villagers, her voice calming even when she didn't realize it. 

She had always been fiercely protective, especially of those who couldn't protect themselves. As the villagers gathered closer, she made a point to walk among them, ensuring that no one felt left out or abandoned.

Malfurion, meanwhile, stood quietly at the edge of the group, his gaze fixed on the treeline. 

Though he wasn't a natural leader like Odin, Malfurion had always been reliable when it mattered most. He was the glue that held the newbies all together in the toughest moments.

At one point, Purphoros glanced over at him, a rare moment of seriousness in his expression. "You alright, Malf? You've been quieter than usual."Malfurion nodded, his eyes still scanning the horizon.

"Just thinking about my future. I was thinking that maybe it is worth quitting my corporate 9-5 job for this raw and unexplored world."

"Also, we need to make sure nothing catches us off guard since we silently took the role of covering for Odin."Purphoros grunted in agreement.

"Yeah, no kidding. Boss needs a break once in a while. Besides, we've come too far to let something slip through the cracks now."

Odin, having finished preparing the horses, mounted his black mare with practiced ease. He gave a final glance at the trio, appreciating the way they had stepped into their roles without needing any instruction. 

They were capable, and more importantly, they trusted him enough to take on the responsibility themselves.

Odin tightened his grip on the reins with a small, satisfied smile, motioning for the others to prepare for departure. Purphoros, Elyse, and Malfurion quickly fell into formation, positioning themselves at critical points around the group of villagers. Clearly, they had taken on the role of protectors, ensuring that the villagers would remain safe on the journey back.

The pace was slow, deliberately so, to accommodate the villagers who had been through so much. 

Odin led the way, his black mare trotting steadily at the front while the other horses followed obediently behind. Purphoros took up the rear, keeping an eye on any potential threats from behind, while Elyse and Malfurion flanked the sides, their eyes constantly scanning the darkening woods for any signs of danger.

As the group steadily made their way through the darkening woods of the Wyrnwood, a sense of unease began to settle in for Odin's keen senses, and he didn't slack from using his 'Sovereign Insight' to peer deeper into the forest.

'It seems we got company. I can't pinpoint their exact locations, but I feel them approaching.'

Odin could feel it, an almost imperceptible shift in the air, a tension that crackled like static on the wind. 

He tightened his grip on the reins, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surrounding trees. The villagers walked in a loose formation, flanked by Purphoros, Elyse, and Malfurion, who all remained alert, though unaware of what was stalking them from the shadows.

[Why overcomplicate your life with assumptions? Just use the Magic Detection spell I've given you. You'll instantly find out the exact location of any living being, be it a rat or a goblin.] 

'Not much of a difference between the two. But, sure, let's see how great your spells are, teach.'

Before he cast this spell, he took another look at the description and effects of the spell to remind himself of certain instances he might find helpful in the future.

[Magic Detection (Enhanced) Lv.1]

A magic detection spell developed by the legendary great magician who has completely overturned the activation formula.

Emits a large amount of mana in all directions, locating all living things in a radius of 10 meters.

The higher the magic level, the wider the detection range and the more information that can be seen.

Resource Consumption: 3,000 Mana.

Skill Casting Time: 6 seconds.

Skill Cooldown Time: 10 minutes.

--

'That's a lot of MP for a scouting spell, but I guess with my mana regen, I can handle it.'

'Magic Detection'

[User has consumed 3,000 MP]

The moment Odin began to channel the spell, the arcane symbols around him flared illuminating the immediate area. Within seconds, Odin's mana expanded outward in a wave, like a ripple in a still pond, flooding the surrounding forest with his energy.

The spell reached far, much farther than most detection spells of its kind, and within moments, it began to return information. Odin's mana brushed against every living being in a radius of ten meters, each pulse revealing more about the entities hidden in the dense foliage around them.

His eyes flashed crimson as the results came pouring in.

Six distinct figures, crouched low in the shadows, slinking silently toward the group. They were spread out, each approaching from a different direction, but all with the same malicious intent. 

Their movements were disjointed and erratic, typical of their kind, the lowest of the low.

'Not bad. My 'Sovereign Insight' only got 3 goblins from this far.'

Odin's smirk widened as the spell painted a detailed mental map of their positions in his mind. 

He could feel their foul breath, their twitchy movements, the way their beady eyes locked onto the weakest members of the group. They thought they were still hidden.

His smirk vanished as his gaze grew cold. 'Sneaking toward us like rats.'

Odin knew their exact locations now, with three advancing from the right, two from the left, and one directly ahead, likely aiming for the group of villagers. Odin's eyes narrowed. 

These creatures were scouting, likely a vanguard for a larger group. But the moment they made their move, they'd be dead before they even reached their targets.

His mare remained still beneath him as if sensing her master's focus. Odin didn't even need to alert the others just yet. There was no point in creating unnecessary alarm. 

This was something he could handle personally and swiftly.

Just as one of the goblins emerged slightly from the brush, its grotesque face barely visible in the dim light, Odin's hand twitched, crimson mana surging through his fingertips as if he was preparing his mana for the fight. 

The goblin was oblivious, its beady red eyes focused on the weakest members of the group, mainly the women. They crept forward like feral dogs in heat, their foul grins revealing yellowed, crooked teeth. 

They thought themselves predators, but Odin would remind them of their place in the food chain.

[Goblin Scout - LV. 100](15,450/15,450 HP)

His grip on the reins tightened for a moment, but his expression remained calm. His mind was already calculating the best approach. His eyes gleamed with a crimson glow, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. 

'Prime time for the Magic Missiles. Should I grab Elyse's Flameweaver staff to boost my damage?'

'Well, it's not necessary with 1,796 AP.'

These goblins had no idea who they were dealing with.

"Stay close and don't panic!" Odin called out, his voice carrying the authority of a monarch.

Without waiting for a reply, he extended his hand, his fingers crackling with crimson energy. A faint red glow illuminated his palm, and a circle of arcane symbols briefly flickered into existence before his hand. The air around him pulsed with mana as he summoned his spell.

'Magic Missile'

[User has consumed 400 MP]

With a mere thought, a volley of glowing red projectiles formed around his hand, crackling with arcane energy.

Each missile was a concentrated bolt of power, aimed precisely at the advancing goblins.

Odin didn't even need to speak the spell's incantation anymore unlike other mages who had to vocalize their spell incantation for the magic control. 

Since gaining Braham's Knowledge Fragment, the flow of magic inside his body felt effortless, as natural as breathing.

The first goblin lunged, a wicked blade gleaming in its hand as it rushed toward one of the villager women. Before it could take another step, a red missile zipped through the air faster than the goblin could even react.

[Critical Hit!] 

[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.]

 [You have dealt 5,658 damage to the target.]

The projectile struck with pinpoint accuracy, obliterating the goblin's chest in a flash of crimson energy. Its body was flung backward with a sickening thud, crumpling against a nearby tree, its health bar dropping to zero instantly.

The goblin never knew what hit it.

[You have slain the Goblin (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 2,500 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, 52 Silver Coins]

The other scouts hesitated, but only for a moment. Odin's eyes flashed again, and with a flick of his wrist, four more missiles streaked through the air, each targeting a different goblin. 

The projectiles tore through the air like guided missiles, slicing through the trees and underbrush as they honed in on their targets.

Each goblin was struck mid-lunge, their grotesque forms jolting violently as the missiles ripped through them.

[Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.]

[Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.]

In the span of seconds, two more goblins were nothing more than lifeless husks, their bodies disintegrating under the sheer force of Odin's magic. His face remained calm, even as he unleashed a storm of death upon the would-be attackers.

Elyse, who had taken position near the villagers, turned her head at the sound of Odin's spells. 

Her amber eyes widened in awe as she watched the crimson missiles slice through the air, effortlessly dispatching the goblins. She had known Odin was akin to a Demon King when it came to melee encounters, she had seen him in battle so many times by now. Yet, seeing Odin use Magic Spells so effortlessly was dumbfounding.

She didn't know what type of spell he was using, but those crimson magic projectiles gave her the vibe of a Magic Missile, but instead of the projectiles taking in the purple or blue color of 'Mana' it was crimson red, just like Odin's ruby eyes.

She clenched her staff, a strange blend between admiration and… something else fluttering in her chest. Was it envy? Awe? Perhaps both. Elyse had always been fiercely competitive, always pushing herself to be the best. Yet, watching Odin who was known as one of the strongest melee players, now do a Magic show for the villagers, she realized how far ahead he truly was.

He was a professional 'Satisfy' player, his control even of the magic spells told her this much.

'He makes it look effortless,' she thought to herself, biting the inside of her cheek. 

Odin, seemingly unaware of Elyse's gaze, continued his barrage of Magic Missiles, while holding a casual talk with Braham, as he was asking curiosities of how the Magic Missile had taken the red color.

'Why does it glow red, Braham?' Odin asked, his voice low, almost casual, even as another Magic Missile blasted through a goblin's chest. 

He had grown accustomed to the legendary magician's presence in his mind, though Braham's arrogance still grated on him at times, but he could get used to it. There were times when it felt he was starting to show signs of schizophrenia, but the BGM he controlled at will could diminish the effects it had on his mind.

Just listening to his Folk Metal BGM was enough to cleanse his mind.

Braham's response came swiftly, his tone carrying an edge of amusement as if the answer were obvious. [I also got skeptical when I first saw you use Arcane Intellect because it looked different from mine. But now after seeing you utilize Magic Missile, I can conclude that it might be related to your Titan's blood.]

[I would've thought you'd realized that by now.]

Odin's brow furrowed, though his movements remained fluid, dispatching another goblin with ease. Titan Blood? If his assumptions were correct, it wasn't related to the Titan Blood Elixir from the Reputation Shop, but instead, it was related to something he received from the Red Emperor when he cleared his quest.

But this was the first time Braham had made a connection to his magic.

'You're saying it's because of my blood that the magic's red?'

Braham chuckled, the sound rich and full of pride. [Indeed. If you could peer into your own Mana Core, you would find something most mages never witness. A core like a Red Lake, overflowing with your Titan blood's power. Your magic has mutated because of it, giving it that distinct crimson hue.]

'Will it affect the spell formula? Or is it like I'm suffering from some magic disease?'

[Far from it. Your Mana is stronger than the one of a human or even a demon. You just have to Awaken your Mana Core to its fullest potential.]

The moment of reflection was short-lived, however. The goblins, undeterred by their comrades' brutal deaths, were still rushing toward the group. The last remaining scouts tried to flank from all sides, their grotesque figures blending into the darkening woods.

Braham's voice cut through the air once again, his tone laced with anticipation. [Let's make things more interesting. Use the spell I taught you, Alarm. I believe it's time for you to see the full extent of its potential.]

Odin's crimson eyes narrowed as he knew this spell felt like a scam when he first read its effect.

[Alarm (Enhanced) Lv1]

A spell developed by the legendary great magician who has completely overturned the activation formula.

You can set all types of alarm sounds at the desired timing and location.

As the level rises, the diversity of the sounds and the range will increase. 

Resource Consumption: 500 Mana.

Skill Cooldown Time: 1 minute.

--

Even now, it felt akin to a scam. How are you supposed to use this one? When does it ring? How do you trigger it? All of those questions rose in his mind at the same time, which had Braham frown a bit.

'Explain how it works, mister. I'm not an idiot, as you might have noticed, I can handle my casting decently thus far. It's just, this spell's description is terrible garbage, as if someones set on trolling me.'

Braham's voice rang out in Odin's mind, quite indignant, the pride of a legendary magician stung by the insinuation that his spell was anything less than genius.

[Garbage? Troll?] 

[You insult the work of a magician who has transcended the limitations of human magic itself! This spell is a masterpiece, one you barely understand, yet you dare call it 'garbage'? You should be grateful that I've bestowed such knowledge upon you!]

Odin raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Braham's outburst. He had grown used to the magician's flair for the dramatic, and overall being a bipolar asshole, though this time, he could feel the genuine sting behind Braham's words. 

'Calm down, old man,' Odin deftly sending another red Magic Missile into a goblin that tried to lunge from the underbrush. 'I'm saying the descriptions bad, not the spell itself. If you want me to use it properly, then explain it properly.'

Braham let out an exaggerated sigh, though Odin could sense him starting to cool off. [Fine. I'll forgive your ignorance this time. Listen closely.] Braham's voice softened, but there was still an air of condescension as he began to explain.

[The essence of Alarm lies not in its raw power, but in its versatility. It is designed to manipulate the battlefield, to allow you to create triggers and responses that will catch your enemies off guard.]

[Think of it as an extension of your own awareness. Instead of merely reacting to an attack, you set the conditions for when and how your magic strikes. It's about timing, precision, and control of everything in your surrounding.]

[You should know what I mean since you also seem to possess the bearing of a Monarch]

Odin frowned, his gaze shifting from the battlefield to the floating red missiles that still hovered in the air. 'So, this Alarm spell is about me timing the trigger for setting off the Alarm.'

[Exactly! You're catching up things quickly. Good. I hate explaining multiple times something so basic.] 

'I managed to graduate my bachelors in engineering… Understanding those magic principles is nothing compared to the Course for Material Resistance II.'

Braham's voice took on a note of satisfaction, pleased that Odin was catching on. [Don't know what that was, but sounds intriguing, maybe we have a discussion about this 'Material Resistance' subject in the future.]

'No thank you. I forgot most of the theory from that crappy course. Go back into the Alarm spell.'

[Alright. Let me give you an scenario for how to use the Alarm spell at its maximum efficiency.]

[For example, let's say you're surrounded. You set Alarm on your Magic Missiles, attaching a specific trigger, such as when your enemy moves within a specific range or tries to attack you. The missile will then activate precisely, like a trap lying in wait.]

[The beauty of this is that you don't have to be involved directly. The magic will handle itself according to the conditions you set. You only have to cast your Magic Missiles.]

Odin's eyes narrowed as he began to understand. It was a tactical spell, not something that would give an immediate edge in damage, but one that could turn the tide of battle through strategy, which he could boast that it was his fortes inside Satisfy. 

He glanced at the remaining goblins, their feral eyes locked on him, and an idea began to form. 

'So, I could set an alarm to activate based on their movements—like when they lunge at me?'

[Precisely!] Braham said with pride. [The goblins won't even see it coming. You've already seen the benefit of using Magic Missile for direct damage. Now you will understand how much more devastating it can be when combined with Alarm's timing.]

Odin smirked. This made sense. He lifted his hand again, forming another set of crimson missiles, and whispered, "Let's give it a try."

'Alarm'

[User has consumed 500 MP.]

He focused, letting the spell take shape in his mind. The Magic Missiles hummed with energy, crackling as they hovered in place. This time, however, Odin mentally attached the Alarm spell to them. He set the trigger to activate upon the goblins' lunge when they came within striking range.

The glowing red projectiles floated ominously in the air, seemingly inert. The goblins, seeing no immediate threat, snarled and rushed forward, hoping to overwhelm Odin through sheer numbers.

"Pathetic. You can't even make me dismount my horse."

The moment they moved within range, however, the Alarm triggered.

A sharp, metallic ringing sound filled the air. It sounded like a distinct alarm bell that reverberated through the woods. The goblins paused for the briefest of moments, their movements faltering as they tried to make sense of the sudden sound.

[Critical Hit!] 

[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.] 

[You have dealt 5,658 damage to the target.]

[You have dealt 5,658 damage to the target.]

[Critical Hit!] 

[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.] 

Odin watched as the goblins' health bars dropped to zero, their bodies crumpling lifelessly to the ground. Realizing their numbers were dwindling, the remaining creatures hesitated, their aggression faltering.

[You have slain the Goblin (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 2,500 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×3, 44 Silver Coins]

[You have slain the Goblin (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 2,500 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, 26 Silver Coins]

The experience points gained could no longer give Odin the extra incentive to hunt down those Goblins. It was mainly his hatred for this species and his interest in testing his Magic Spells that drove him to hunt down the Goblins without even one escaping.

With the first successful cast of the Alarm, that even Braham couldn't help but be impressed for a Swordsman who had no prior experience in spellcasting, he was decent.

Odin allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Not bad," he muttered. 'It's like setting traps with magic.' He could see the potential now, on how he could use Alarm to control the battlefield, manipulate his enemies, and keep them guessing.

Braham, clearly pleased with himself, chuckled. [Now you're starting to see. And this is only the beginning. As you level up the spell, the range and versatility will increase. Soon, you'll be able to create entire zones of control, setting alarms on multiple spells, perhaps even layering them just like I was doing in my golden age.]

[Imagine a battlefield where every step your enemy takes triggers a magical response, where they cannot move without falling into one of your traps.]

Since Odin had a creative mind, it didn't take much for his mind to race with those scenarios. 

A battlefield where he controlled not just the space, but the timing of every attack? The idea was intoxicating. He could see how this spell would become invaluable, not just in small skirmishes like this but in larger battles, where controlling the flow of combat was crucial.

'Alright, I admit it. The spell's not bad. Maybe I was a little hasty in judging it.'

[Hasty?] Braham huffed, though there was a hint of smugness in his voice. [It's a brilliant spell, one that only a mind as great as mine could conceive. But I'll forgive your earlier remarks now that you've seen its true value.]

Odin chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he prepared to move on. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let it get to your head, old man. I've got more goblins to deal with since all of this blood would attract them monsters."

As he rode forward where his domineering energy and dignity even influenced the way the horses acted, not showing the sign that they were herbivores, they just remained tall and proud.

Meanwhile, Odin was already thinking of new ways to use the Alarm spell, but Braham's voice put a pause to his thoughts, his voice echoing in his mind, still dripping with pride. [Just remember, there's more where that came from. I've only just begun to impart my knowledge to you.] 

[You'll see, child of the Titan's Blood. With my spells and your strength, the limits of magic and combat will be yours to break.]

'Huhuhu, you have a way with the words, Braham. Do you want me to sell my Soul to you, to gain all of your spells?'

[Even if you soul your soul to me, I can't share more with you because of my fragmented state. Second, your Intelligence is still too low to contain all of my Knowledge. Work on that in the future.]

Odin nodded calmly, while his crimson eyes glowed in the dimming light of the forest as he rode ahead.