Summary (2)

Dust slowly drifted down inside the hall, and in the dead silence, only the sound of heavy, suppressed breathing remained.

Matthew’s back was pressed against the cold stone wall, his body trembling slightly from exhaustion as cold sweat mixed with dust slid down his forehead.

He took several deep breaths, barely managing to suppress the burning sensation in his chest and the waves of dizziness following the excessive use of his Spirit.

He looked up, quickly scanning the messy battlefield and his companions. Although everyone was injured and their clothes were torn—Rex’s arm guard was completely shattered and Leah had a bloody scratch on her cheek—what shocked him was that not a single person had died. There weren't even any serious injuries.

‘How is this possible... that was a golem approaching the level of a Fourth-Grade Apprentice...’

The initial shock was like ice water over his head, clearing his mind instantly. Soon after, rational analysis flooded in.

‘Right... the greatest pressure and the most lethal attacks were almost all taken by Herbert and Sutton.’

His gaze fell on the massive pile of rock debris covered in frost and scorch marks in the center of the hall. He then looked toward Herbert, whose gray robes were stained with dust but whose aura remained steady, and Sutton, whose single eye couldn't hide his exhaustion but remained sharp.

The five Class holders, including the two Silver Ranks, had mostly focused on pinning the target down, harassing it, delivering key strikes at critical moments, or risking themselves to break its balance during the gaps between its attacks.

The ones who truly stood against those battering-ram-like fists and bore the impact of that immense mana were always the two Third-Grade Apprentices.

Matthew understood, and a complex emotion rose within him—relief, but also a clearer recognition of the power gap.

‘This is the core value of high-level combatants in a team. They are not just the tip of the spear, but also the sturdiest shield. The others are merely daggers seeking opportunities under the protection of that shield.’

While his thoughts were racing, two faint but pure energy fluctuations came from beside him.

Matthew looked over and saw Herbert and Sutton sitting cross-legged almost simultaneously. Their eyes were slightly closed, and their breathing quickly adjusted to a long, steady rhythm. The thin magical elemental particles in the surrounding environment began to slowly converge around the two of them.

They had entered a state of deep meditation the moment the battle ended, racing against time to recover their nearly depleted Spirit and mana.

‘So decisive... then again, in a place like this, maintaining one's condition is the greatest guarantee of survival.’

Matthew felt a jolt in his heart and didn't dare delay any longer. He immediately sat cross-legged against the cold stone wall, closed his eyes, and attempted to guide his Spirit to circulate according to the path of the 【Basic Meditation Method】.

However, he couldn't calm his mind immediately. The scenes of that short but thrilling battle flashed through his mind repeatedly like brands.

First was the suffocating sense of oppression. Even thinking about it now made his spine feel slightly chilled.

It wasn't just simple weight or killing intent; it stemmed from the essential difference in life levels and energy tiers. The vibration every time the golem stepped on the ground, the vicious wind every time it swung a fist, and especially the heavy feeling of being hated and rejected by the earth itself when those deep red crystal eyes locked onto him...

‘And that was only "approaching" Fourth Grade... if it were a real Fourth-Grade Apprentice or even an Official Wizard, how terrifying would that pressure be? I'm afraid those with weaker minds would collapse before the fight even began.’

He gained a more direct and heavy understanding of his future path.

Then there was the dazzling spell power and combat wisdom shown by the two Third-Grade Apprentices.

Herbert’s three instant-cast 【Icicle Spells】 were precise, swift, and possessed incredible penetrative power. Even more terrifying was the absolute control over the combat rhythm contained within them.

‘He wasn't attacking blindly; every strike hit a key node of the golem's energy circulation or the moment it transitioned between movements.

The frost effect didn't just cause damage; it was meant to delay and interfere, creating opportunities for companions... Is this the manifestation of integrating spells into combat instinct?’

And Sutton’s tricky 【Cold-Flame Fireball】 showed his grasp of timing and understanding of the golem's physical structure. Perhaps based on his previous observations of the small golems, it displayed the rich experience of a veteran apprentice.

‘Their spells are no longer just "released," but "utilized." They are part of the art of combat.’

Finally, there were his own two "interruptions" at critical moments, though they seemed insignificant.

Matthew turned his vision inward to his currently empty but subtly more refined spiritual sea. ‘Energy Missile, spiritual shock... I can do so little. But that "little," at the right time, can influence the outcome of a battle.’

He recalled the intense calculation when condensing the missile and the all-or-nothing sharpness when releasing the spiritual shock.

‘Battle consciousness... perhaps that is exactly what I lack. It's no longer a one-on-one duel, but how to judge the situation in a complex multi-person confrontation, how to position myself, and how to make the most effective contribution while ensuring my own safety. Today was quite a lesson.’

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