Chapter 408 408-Red Eye's Head Is Mine
Typically, for a pure-blooded advanced elf level 3 sculpting magus, the average time to master this technique is one week, with proficiency for combat application usually taking over fifteen days.
For humans, this duration extends to two to three times longer.
Yet, Howard managed to grasp a significant portion of it in just two days, achieving a mana recovery rate of about twenty percent.
If he continues at this pace, he might fully master the technique in just around five days, even faster than an advanced elf.
As a pure-blooded human, Howard had no inherent advantages in mana perception.
Greg thought it sounded like boasting.
Howard glanced around, then raised his hand to reveal his palm.
A stream of mana burst forth, swirling into a dagger-shaped form.
After a second, under Howard's control, the dagger collapsed, part of the mana was recovered under control, but the majority of it still dissipated directly into the air.
"The mana recovery rate is around twenty percent. Without extensive further practice, it's unlikely that the recovery rate will improve much in the short term," Howard said.
"I can feel that precise mana perception is a threshold. I can't master the dynamics of so many mana turbulences in such a short time."
Watching Howard's progress, though slightly unpolished but shockingly fast...
Greg's eyes twitched slightly.
Mastering the circulation process within five days...
Greg remembered it took him sixteen days to master this skill.
The speed was threefold, and although Greg had no guidance at the time, the difference in duration was still vast.
If Greg hadn't been certain that Howard previously lacked this skill, he might have suspected Howard was toying with him.
However, whether it was from practice or from their sparring sessions, Howard was completely a novice.
Despite possessing the mana flux and mana capacity of a level 3 magus, he had hardly mastered any corresponding techniques.
Howard's performance was puzzling, seemingly incongruent with the abilities and talents he had displayed.
Mana flux and mana capacity set the lower limit of a magus's combat power, while mastery of various techniques and understanding of mana define the upper limit.
As the terms suggest, mana flux refers to the amount of mana a magus can control within a unit of time, and mana capacity refers to the amount of mana a magus's body can contain, essentially the upper limit of mana.
"Pretty much, your progress is considered fast. It took me about the same time initially," Greg touched his nose, thankful his thick beard hid his embarrassment, "But you could be faster. Moreover, mastery is just the foundation. If you can't make this technique instinctual and apply it fluently in combat, it's meaningless."
"Understood," Howard nodded humbly.
Despite being slightly concerned about Greg's odd tone, he was aware that Greg's advice was sound.
If the technique couldn't become instinctual, it would instead be a distraction in combat, posing even greater danger.
Fully mastering this technique was also a major prerequisite for advancing to a level 2 magus in the New World.
The advancement of a magus is not solely based on mana flux and mana capacity but places greater emphasis on the magus's own skills in controlling and understanding mana.
After all, the magus community originated among researchers, and compared to individual combat power enhancement, the development of magic techniques was deemed more crucial.
An individual's mana flux and mana capacity are ultimately finite, even for legendary species like dragons, whose mana flux and capacity do not exceed that of a first-class magic matrix.
Therefore, the skills in mana manipulation and the understanding of mana are fundamental for a magus.
As the two talked and walked, the streets were mostly empty, so they made no particular effort to conceal their conversation.
Otherwise, it would seem more suspicious.
Their attire as adventurers allowed them unimpeded passage.
Though the majority of adventurers are also ordinary people, they are, after all, a profession accustomed to combat, and common folk generally try to avoid conflicts with adventurers.
Unluckily tangling with those adventurers who have mastered basic mana sensing or have started on the path of a magus could cost ordinary people dearly, including, but not limited to, their lives.
While some aspects of this country may seem advanced, barbarism is equally ingrained.
"Let's stay in this area today," Greg suggested, looking around to ensure no one was following or paying attention to them.
They were at a fork in the street, the kind of hidden path nestled between streets and buildings, typically frequented by locals of Lorinda.
Not far from Harry's building, if they positioned themselves on rooftops, they could watch the comings and goings of people inside.
Should anyone leave, they could follow quietly, offering unseen protection.
As personnel lurking in the shadows, their primary mission is not protection but vigilance.
Direct protection would be more effectively implemented in the open, where restricting the movements of those being protected can significantly reduce the likelihood of them encountering danger.
However, operating from the shadows also has its necessary advantages, allowing those with malicious intent to reveal themselves.
Eliminating threats at their root is Antalya's philosophy.
She prefers taking the initiative rather than passive protection.
Howard and Greg serve as her sentinels.
As the largest bandit leader near Breeze City, Red Eye, with the strength of a level 3 magus, rarely makes direct appearances.
Cunning and deceitful, several of Breeze City's defense force's encirclement campaigns have ended in failure.
A bounty for Red Eye still exists at the adventurer's office in Breeze City.
The reward is three thousand gold coins.
Among bounties for criminals with official magus capabilities, this amount is quite substantial.
For a family of three, three hundred gold coins could suffice to start a decent small business.
While not living in luxury, diligent work would at least ensure they live without want.
For instance, the value of Antalya's tavern is around one thousand gold coins.
Of course, one thousand gold coins is the asking price, but acquiring it without certain means would likely cost upwards of two thousand gold coins.
The saying goes that great rewards bring out brave deeds, yet to this day, Red Eye remains at liberty, even venturing into the realm of business.
While part of this is due to the magi of Breeze City not taking action, it also highlights the danger Red Eye poses.
Without the addition of Howard and Ali, Antalya might have reconsidered the feasibility of hunting down Red Eye.
But there are no "ifs" in reality, and Antalya now sees Red Eye as her prey, having laid a trap to wait for him to walk into it.
Although Red Eye rarely shows himself, it's improbable that he wouldn't be watching the transaction from the shadows.
When the appointed time comes, he will undoubtedly be hiding somewhere in Lorinda, overseeing the transaction while directing his subordinates to handle any contingencies.
For anyone involved, Red Eye's demands represent a substantial fortune.
Lorinda is unwilling to relinquish its interests, and Red Eye would not easily let slip a ripe opportunity.
Inevitably, conflict between the two will result in damage to one party, and whether it's Red Eye or Lorinda that suffers, it wouldn't be bad news for Antalya.
Her role is to emerge at the right moment to slay Red Eye.
Although the commission paid by Harry is not high, the bounty on Red Eye is far from negligible.
The three thousand gold coins in reward money are the real motivation behind Antalya's decision to take on this assignment.
"Greg, where do you think this Red Eye could be hiding?"
On the sloping rooftop, Howard and Greg were concealed in close proximity, surveying Harry's small building in the distance.
"We've already scoured Lorinda. If Red Eye were here, we should have noticed by now."
"I don't know either. If I did, I wouldn't be squatting here on watch," Greg rubbed his slightly reddened nose, "If I knew where Red Eye was, I'd have gone and killed him by now. The slayer gets at least forty percent of the bounty. Think of how much ale that could buy."
As he spoke, Greg seemed to envision a vast array of fine ales before him, his gaze shifting.
Should one say it's just like a dwarf, whose first thought upon earning money is to buy ale?
Howard rubbed his temples, somewhat concerned about the wisdom of his decision to join this group.
"I've decided."
Greg suddenly declared loudly.
"Decided what now?"
Looking at Greg, who seemed somewhat agitated, Howard asked with a hint of unease.
"I'm going to be the slayer! I absolutely must be the one to kill him! Red Eye's head will be mine!"
With determination, Greg nudged Howard's waist, "Keep your eyes peeled and don't miss any suspicious figures. Red Eye could be hiding among them."
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr𝒆e(w)𝒆bnovel