Chapter 270 270: Practical Training

"As a Body Mage, we are experts in close combat. While we can use long-range attacks, our firepower wouldn't be as strong as when we are attacking using our bodies nor are they as complex as the magic of Spirit Mages. We are not adept at using complicated magic and it was also not ideal for us to fight with a large number of enemies"

"However, while we have our cons, we also have our pros. Firstly, while we generally have lesser mana compared to Spirit Mages, unlike them, we also store mana on our physical bodies. Since we have mana flowing on our physical bodies, it is easier for us to use magic at a moment's notice"

"We are also more durable and we can endure receiving more attacks compared to Spirit Mages even if we don't use any protective barrier and even if we used all of our mana, we wouldn't be completely powerless as we still have our raw physical strength to rely on"

"Since Spirit Mages store all of their mana into their elixir field, they generally take a long time casting magic. While they are still gathering their mana, we Body Mages might have reached them already and attacked them before they could attack us"

"With our physical bodies, we don't have to rely on magic for everything which is a huge saver of mana. We could traverse harsh terrain with just our bodies without the aid of magic. We are also more resistant to poison and even if someone tries to assassinate us, we are not as fragile as Spirit Mages and we have a higher chance of surviving"

"Today, I will teach you a basic skill that every Body Mage should have"

Inside one of the large rooms in the training center, the tribesmen were split into two. The first one is the mages that are already Body Mages or they would choose to be one when they advanced to the Junior Rank. The other group is the opposite, they are either Spirit Mages or they will choose to become one when they finally advanced to the next rank

It has only been a little over a week since the tribesmen entered the City of Hope but quite a number of them already broke through and reached the Junior Rank

The city provided the apprentices with support so that they could reach the Junior Rank

Since most tribesmen are generally already at the peak of apprentice rank for a long time, after they were taught and they cleansed the impurities of their bodies, it has become easy for them to advance

Of course, this is also thanks to the laws of the realm which made it easier to advance into the Junior Rank

Apprentices are nothing but stones on the road and only those that are at the Junior Rank can offer some help. As such, everyone is recommended to at least become a Junior Mage

Compared to the first time, the tribesmen are more interested in the lessons as they found themselves improving faster than before

It temporarily quelled the tribesmen's desire to flee from the city though, of course, this wouldn't be a permanent solution

"Since fighting a large number of enemies is not advisable for us Body Mages, we have to be mindful of our mana consumption so that we could last longer in battles. This was especially because the number of magic beasts always outnumbered us"

"The first thing Body Mages must do is to always keep some mana on our feet. We have to have the ability to increase our speed in one fast burst in case we have to dodge an attack or if we want to save the people we care about. Only by moving fast enough could we avoid dangers and help others"

"The second thing which was equally important is that we must rely on our physical bodies. Unlike Spirit Mages that have to use a constant amount of mana to use attacks with even power, we Body Mages don't need to do that"

"The attack of our physical bodies is already as strong as magic attacks. We don't need to use a lot of mana to attack with power equivalent to our rank. If Spirit Mages need to use 10 points of mana to cast magic with 10 points of damage, we are different. Our physical bodies can already deal maybe 3 or more points of damage and we only have to use 7 points of mana to reach 10 points of damage. This is an edge we have as a Body Mage"

"In fact, the more skillful mages even have a lower mana expenditure while maintaining enough attacking power. Normally, we will cover our whole bodies with mana while storing more on our feet for the quick burst movement I talked about earlier

"However, the experts move differently. Instead of covering their entire body with mana which is kind of wasteful, they know how to use mana only at appropriate times and manner. Instead of fully covering their bodies with mana, they would only use mana on their fists when throwing a punch, on their elbows when they want to use them to attack, their feet for kicks or fast movement. There are Body Mages that are that kind of expert"

"Of course, while that style of fighting is useful, it can also be a double-edged sword. If they were not able to react in time, they might be attacked without being able to defend themselves. Even if our physical bodies can endure more damages, it doesn't mean that we are invulnerable"

"Today, all of you have to practice the burst movement that I am talking about. You only have one to three months before you are to be sent to the battlefield, this basic technique could be one of the things that could save your life. You must survive until you grow stronger!"

After the lengthy explanation, Wermon started demonstrating the basic technique. While this technique doesn't offer strong firepower, in terms of raising the tribesmen's survivability, it was very useful

Depending on the application, the tribesmen can use this technique to dodge and save their lives. They can also use it to save others or finish their enemies by giving them a surprise

One to three months' time is not enough for the tribesmen to become strong enough to protect themselves while on the battlefield. What Wermon wants is to increase their survival ability as much as he could

The Body Mages watched as Wermon's speed would have a sudden boost from time to time as he moved around

He even asked the tribesmen to do the same and to make sure that they would take his teachings seriously, Wermon started using the same style of teaching that is used in the military

Wermon would use the technique he taught to the tribesmen and every time his speed burst, one or more tribesmen would be punched in their guts

If the tribesmen don't want to be hit, they have to use the technique that Wermon taught them

Those that are short-tempered and would try to use other magic to defend themselves or even attack Wermon would be punished by his lightning and suffer more pain than the others

They don't have a choice but to use the movement technique if they don't want to suffer

While this method of teaching was crude and barbaric, it was very effective. The movement technique is being engraved in the tribesmen's instinct faster as none of them wants to continue to suffer from Wermon's heavy punches

On the other side of the training room, the Spirit Mages and those that would choose to advance as a Spirit Mage are also being taught by Philome

"As Spirit Mages, we have an inferior physique compared to Body Mages but our soul is superior and we also have more mana. With a superior soul, it means that we are also more sensitive to mana fluctuations"

"While we cannot easily use our bodies to deflect or dodge attacks as Body Mages does, we can sense magic attacks faster than them. That is why, as Spirit Mages, we have to constantly train our senses. We already have a superior soul, we have to make good use of our advantage"

"Since we don't have enough time, I won't teach you any fancy powerful offensive magic. We would focus on the abilities that could increase your survival rate. Wermon is also doing the same with the Body Mages. Only when you survive could you have more chances to become stronger. I want all of you to return to us even if you are sent to the battlefield"

While the words used are different, the contents are similar. Wermon is worried about the tribesmen and he wants all of them to return and Philome was the same but the latter is more open and frank with her feelings

Instead of trying to turn the tribesmen into glass cannons that could only use offensive attacks, they opted to increase their survival chance