Battle Tactics Analysis
Lupa nodded vigorously, keeping her master's words firmly in mind.
Seeing Lupa's serious expression, Lowell continued, "What I just described was the general level of overall combat strength. Next, I'll tell you some more specific combat details and things to pay attention to. These details can often determine life or death at crucial moments."
"First, let's talk about the common weaknesses of mages." Lowell held up a finger. "The vast majority of regular mages share a fatal flaw—an extreme fear of being attacked at close range. Take Frieren, for example."
He gestured towards the elf beside him, who was still engrossed in a book. "Her overall strength is firmly in the second tier, isn't that strong? But if a warrior with the strength of the fifth tier, that is, a warrior with the First-Class Mage, could silently get within two meters of her, she would most likely not have time to react and would be taken down instantly."
Even if two Frieren stood together, the outcome would be similar. This is the biggest advantage of warriors against regular mages—high burst damage after close combat, and victory often hinges on a single moment.
Frieren glanced at him but didn't say anything.
He paused, lowering his voice slightly. "Even... if it were an assassin-type warrior exceptionally skilled in magical Concealment and specializing in assassinating mages, theoretically, it would be possible to successfully assassinate someone like Serie. Of course, this is only a theoretical possibility; the actual difficulty would be as high as ascending to heaven, but it's not entirely impossible."
"However, there are exceptions among magicians."
Lowell then changed the subject, "There are some so-called 'melee mages.' For example, some mages can simultaneously apply a variety of spells such as 'hardening,' 'wild growth,' 'tracking,' 'penetration,' and 'defense' to their hair, making their long hair seem like a living thing, combining offense and defense. In close combat, they can not be afraid of and may even suppress multiple warriors."
Alternatively, some mages' robes are protected by powerful defensive barriers that even a top warrior's full-force attack cannot break through instantly, giving them time to retreat and counterattack.
"However," Lowell emphasized, "This kind of 'melee mage' is actually at a certain disadvantage in combat compared to a regular mage who excels at ranged firepower suppression."
Because they often lack the swift and agile charging ability of warriors, once a conventional mage successfully creates distance, they will be put on the defensive and may be worn down to death by various ranged spells.
Furthermore, terrain has a significant impact. In narrow, winding environments like mazes, warriors and melee mages have a greater advantage; while in open areas, conventional mages reign supreme.
"One more thing," Lowell added, "'Melee mages' are still mages at heart. They may have powerful melee skills and defenses, but they usually lack the beast-like keen intuition for danger that warriors develop through life-and-death experiences."
Even if they are ambushed by a truly top-tier assassin, they can still perish. In this respect, experienced warriors have a greater chance of survival.
In addition, many regular mages also possess certain melee combat skills. Since in a mage duel, they don't need to maintain distance like they would against a warrior; both are mages, and a slight difference in melee skill, such as deflecting the opponent's spellcasting, might create an advantage.
Lupa nodded thoughtfully and noted down these key points.
"Secondly, there's 'resistance'." Lowell held up another finger. "This is a very important but easily overlooked aspect. It includes resistance to Mental Magic, resistance to binding magic, pain tolerance, resistance to various toxins, and so on."
These resistances require specialized, sometimes even painful, training to develop... That's why my training for you can be brutal at times. If you're even slightly stunned by pain during combat, or paralyzed for a second by poison, you'll die...
Why did the mages under Serie focus more on developing Defensive Magic to counter Qual's Killing Magic, rather than pursuing more powerful Ordinary Attack Magic —or Demon-Slaying Magic —against Demons? Because insufficient attack power might result in defeat, but insufficient defense could lead to death. Survival is always the top priority.
"However, this kind of Defensive Magic specifically designed to counter 'Killing Magic' consumes an extremely high amount of magic power, and its efficiency is far less than that of regular Defensive Magic when dealing with other types of magic, such as fireballs and ice arrows... Therefore, in Qual's eyes, Defensive Magic is probably a very unsuccessful kind of magic, because its function is ninety percent of the time dedicated to defending against 'Killing Magic'."
This is one of the reasons Ruby powerful; she has such a wide range of magical abilities that magic is like a giant toy box to her, and she can always pull out the perfect one. "Magic is the world of imagination"—this saying is perfect for someone as imaginative Ruby.
"Furthermore, when mages fight, they consume most of their magic power and a small amount of physical strength, while warriors do the opposite, consuming most of their physical strength and a small amount of magic power. Therefore, in old age, mages may be stronger, but warriors will most likely become weaker."
Like Eisen, if he continues to be a damage-absorbing warrior, and he defeats the Demon King and retires, his combat power will likely decline sharply decades later. But if he transforms into an assassin-type warrior, lightly armed and relying on one-hit kills, he can actually maintain his combat power. But it depends on his personal wishes. I feel like this guy is thinking of retiring."
"Also, regarding the Demons," Lowell looked at Lupa and Linié, "They are born with the ability to fly, just as we are born with the ability to walk. But they don't often use their flying ability in battle."
Because whether it's Demons or Human race, Flight Magic excels at 'levitation' and slow movement. To fly nimbly and freely like a bird in high-speed combat is extremely difficult and energy-consuming. So don't worry about them flying around like birds attacking you. Well, I'm an exception, but I'm not your enemy."
"There's another point: Demons are generally not good at coordinated combat." Lowell revealed a crucial piece of information. "For example, if two First-Class Mages to face two Demons who were slightly stronger than them, they would lose in a one-on-one fight. But if it were changed to a 2-on-2 team battle, the Human race side would likely be the winner."
Similarly, if you replaced Himmel, Ruby, Eisen, and Heiter with four Demons of almost identical strength and sent them to fight the Demon King, they would almost certainly be defeated. Demons are individually powerful, but they lack teamwork and coordination; one plus one is less than two.
Finally, Lowell brought the topic back to Qual, his tone grave. "Finally, let me emphasize again Qual's strength. He is a formidable being who 'single-handedly broke through the Human race front lines and reached the heart of the Human race territory' and 'disdains using disguise or illusion to deceive humans.' If he had the fatal weakness of an ordinary mage who fears close combat with warriors, he would have been defeated by humans long ago."
His 'Killing Magic' once caused the deaths of nearly 40% of adventurers and nearly 70% of mages in a certain region... It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that his record is the best below the Hero of the South and the Demon King. Frieren and Solitär powerful, right? If they were hit head-on by 'Killing Magic,' they would almost lose their fighting ability, and a second hit would be fatal. That's how domineering this thing is."
He looked into Lupa's eyes and said seriously, "Perhaps the Human race has now developed more Defensive Magic against 'Killing Magic,' but that has little to do with a warrior like you. As for those equipment that increases magic resistance... even if you wear the best right now, there will still be a huge gap in strength between you and Qual."
Lowell reached out and gently patted Lupa's shoulder, his tone full of encouragement and trust. "So, don't rush; you are the most talented warrior I have ever seen. Himmel at your age might not be stronger than you."
Besides, you have me as your mentor. Patiently hone your skills and accumulate experience. Qual will definitely be yours. I have no doubt about that. And revenge doesn't necessarily have to be a one-on-one fight; Linié would definitely be happy to help you beat him up, right?"
Lupa met her master's gaze, a determined flame Burning in her heterochromatic eyes, and nodded vigorously. "Yes! I understand, Master! I will continue to work hard!"
Linié finished her apple, glanced at Lupa, nodded, and said in her flat voice, "Yes, whoever bullies Lupa, Linié will smash their head in."
Solitär was frantically taking notes while muttering something about "valuable data."
Frieren finally looked up from the Spellbook, her emerald eyes sweeping over the eloquent Lowell and the attentive Lupa. She yawned softly, then lowered her head again, as if nothing in the outside world was as interesting as the book in her hands.
Hmm... as for those conceptual gods...
Ubel, extremely confident, refused to let Serie go.
Goddess teammate, Monk, a true hero who draws the Sacred Sword.
The Water Mirror Demon who has seen the Goddess, but not the Hero of the South of Scharlach.
Mimic, an elf, faced the Flamme in the face of Frieren.
Without Hero of the South's Scharlach, and without Macht's interest in humans.
Aura, who has lived for ten thousand years, Frieren, who never slacks off.
Fern, who became an apprentice of Serie, Ms. Solitär is not talkative.
The daring Stark, the Qual lived one more day.
The eternally youthful Himmel, and Grausam who doesn't ship any couples.
Old Deng, who was 100% sure he would kill his teacher, and Linié, who had spied on the Goddess.
The young Heiter, who has given up alcohol, has a sister Sein.
The Glasses Guy with infinite clones, Eisen, who is 1.8 meters tall.
There's probably no need to tell them these things.