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*****
The fact that 'Incursio' could be lent to others for use was undoubtedly good news. This meant that if there ever came a day when he didn't feel like fighting himself, he could completely lend 'Incursio' to someone else without worrying about them keeping it.
For instance, a certain Green Behemoth; given that guy's strength, combined with the buff from 'Incursio,' the result would surely be terrifying.
"Remember my words: do not let power control you."
Watching the Ancient One hand back 'Incursio' and turn to leave, Fini opened his mouth but ultimately didn't ask why she had just refused to manifest the armor.
"Senior Mordo, come out and duel!"
In the early morning, Fini arrived excitedly at Mordo's door, urging him with an impatient face.
The experience gained during combat far exceeded Fini's expectations. For this past week, Fini had been using 'Incursio' to battle Mordo almost every day.
Mordo had been frightened out of his wits the first time he saw 'Incursio' and questioned him for a long time. In the end, Fini, too lazy to answer, could only fool him by claiming it was a magical artifact specifically gifted to him by the Ancient One.
Though the result was that Mordo could often be found muttering in unknown corners about how "it's unfair," "I was here first," and so on.
Back to the point: after a week of testing, Fini found he had vastly underestimated the experience points gained from combat—or rather, experience gained from fighting a powerhouse.
The experience gained from fighting Mordo this week was equivalent to three months of his previous growth. Such a terrifying speed meant that one month of fighting was worth an entire year of his old routine.
Furthermore, Fini discovered that winning a battle granted far more experience than losing. He found this out once when he managed to knock Mordo down while the latter was momentarily distracted.
Fini deeply regretted not discovering this sooner. If he had known, he would have constantly sought out opponents even at the risk of exposure; he certainly wouldn't be limited to just three skills by now.
However, that thought didn't last long. He recalled the Ancient One's warning and, after a careful analysis, realized that even if he had discovered it earlier, things wouldn't have moved much faster.
The most important factors in gaining experience through combat were the opponent's strength and the use of 'Incursio.' Relying on 'Ars Magna' or 'Sumire Karaage Roll' would never allow him to win against anyone truly powerful.
So, it was primarily 'Incursio' that had significantly boosted his combat power, combined with Mordo's own non-negligible strength, that created this situation.
Having thought it through, Fini stopped dwelling on regrets and immediately focused on cherishing the present—which meant pestering Mordo for daily duels to farm experience.
"Have you become possessed lately?"
Mordo complained with a bitter face as he opened the door. Because he was uneasy, he had indeed asked the Ancient One about 'Incursio.' Although she denied gifting it to him, she told Mordo not to worry about it and to help him as much as possible.
"Alright, alright, stop talking and let's go."
Fini dragged Mordo toward the training grounds. Along the way, many sorcerers saw them and immediately gathered around with interest.
Kamar-Taj wasn't that big. The fact that Fini and Mordo fought every day became common knowledge almost instantly. In the cultivation of sorcerers, such sparring wasn't rare.
But Mordo and Fini were, after all, disciples of the Ancient One. Setting Fini aside for a moment, Mordo's level was among the top in all of Kamar-Taj.
Being a sorcerer was not a safe profession. Since their duty was to guard the world's safety, it wouldn't be called "guarding" if there were no threats; learning magic was for the purpose of combat.
Therefore, every time the two fought, many sorcerers would come to spectate.
"Sorcerer Fini, keep it up! Defeat Master Mordo today!"
"Master Mordo, don't be careless and lose like last time!"
On the training grounds, both had their own fans. Although Fini had only been there for over a month, he had won the favor of many sorcerers through his 'Sumire Karaage Rolls' and the advantage of his age.
Ignoring the distractions from the sidelines, Fini stood in the center and shot Mordo a provocative look before reaching out to summon the longsword, shouting:
"Incursio!"
The brilliant silver armor enveloped his body in the blink of an eye. Even without a weapon in hand, based on aesthetics alone, he immediately looked several tiers above the plain-looking Mordo.
By now, the other sorcerers were used to Fini's 'Incursio,' though most had been as startled as Mordo the first time they saw it.
Similarly, after learning the "source," there were many jealous whispers in the dark about "Master Ancient One being so biased" and "I want armor too." The Ancient One had to scold him out of helplessness more than once for it.
Seeing Fini finished with his equipment, Mordo didn't dare be careless. He quickly activated the Boots of Valtorr on his feet and first conjured the Tao Mandalas—the magical shields—on both hands, standing on high alert.
The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj were mostly melee-focused. While long-range magic existed, it was either too powerful for average sorcerers to control or too difficult for most to learn.
Fini wasn't sure if Mordo knew any long-range spells, but it was certain that in a normal spar, neither side would use lethal force. Besides, with the Ancient One present, even if there was a fatal accident, the Time Stone could provide emergency rescue.
Because he didn't have many misgivings, Fini fought with exceptional decisiveness. Combined with the defensive advantage of his armor, he charged forward first.
Mordo didn't panic. Timing Fini's charge perfectly, he activated the magical effect of the Boots of Valtorr, leaped into the air, accelerated, stepped on the void, and jumped behind Fini to prepare an attack.
However, the moment Mordo leaped, Fini reacted. While slowing down, he quickly spun around and used his arm to block Mordo's strike.
"Fini, you are a sorcerer. Don't always rely on your armor."
Mordo didn't press the attack. As he retreated, he spoke loudly. It wasn't out of jealousy or annoyance, but a desire to mentor Fini; he didn't want him to neglect his magical studies by over-relying on the armor.
To this, Fini humbly accepted the advice. Under the buff of 'Incursio,' his attributes were enhanced in all directions; even his spells that could normally only produce sparks could now somewhat successfully produce small flickers.
Though they were still sputtering.
Conjuring a dim Tao Mandala on his right hand as well, Fini charged at Mordo again.
The two battled back and forth, drawing occasional gasps of surprise from the surrounding sorcerers. After about half an hour, the match ended with Fini collapsing from exhaustion.
Deactivating 'Incursio,' Fini lay on the ground with zero dignity. Mordo, beside him, was also panting heavily, but he looked far better than Fini.
"Can't you just hold back a little and let me win a few times, Senior Mordo?"
Although he said that, Fini knew very well that Mordo was holding back; otherwise, the fight wouldn't have lasted this long. Throughout the spar, Mordo had been constantly correcting his combat flaws.
It was because of this that while everyone else in Kamar-Taj addressed each other formally as "Sorcerer So-and-So," Fini still used the more intimate "Senior Mordo."
"A real enemy won't hold back for you!"
Mordo gave a serious lecture first, then asked with concern: "Are you alright? Any injuries?"
"Get real, Senior Mordo. Even though I lost in the end, you'd still have a hard time breaking through my defense."
Hearing this, Mordo couldn't help but feel jealous again. He couldn't stop muttering in his heart: I was here first! Why are you the only one who gets Master's favor!
One shouldn't pluck wool from just one sheep. In the following days, Fini fought with other sorcerers in succession. However, by comparison, he still gained the most experience from Mordo. For this reason, Fini secretly gave Mordo a nickname.
Experience Farm Mordo!
Just like that, another month passed unknowingly, until a phone call disrupted Fini's rhythm of farming experience.
(End of Chapter)