You're Already Title Rank

The Steam Train departed from the border and had to pass through three cities before reaching the Royal Capital.

Whenever it arrived at a new city, it needed a full day for maintenance.

As a result, Li Qi had to find somewhere to rest in every city.

Fortunately, Li Qi was a Warrant Officer—and one who had returned from the front lines—so finding a place to stay was not difficult.

The only unbearable issue was the food.

The food in this world was not particularly tasty to begin with. The military's food, especially the army's, was even more indescribable.

Every time he ate, Li Qi regretted not learning a few cooking skills in his past life.

If he knew how to cook well, he would not have had to gnaw on bread alongside the other soldiers now.

Still, aside from the food, the other treatment was fairly good.

The Duchy of Uno was a country that placed considerable importance on its military. Perhaps because the world situation had been worsening lately and war could break out at any time, it valued low-ranking officers like Li Qi even more.

Thus, Li Qi was not treated poorly when it came to lodging.

A private room, along with a private Toilet and Bathroom, ensured his comfort during his stay.

During this brief stop in the city, Li Qi, whose injuries had almost healed, continued studying his magic power.

After his previous battle with Mad Axe, Li Qi felt that his magic power had likely entered Title Rank.

But he did not know whether he had truly reached the standards of Title Rank.

The knowledge taught by the military was all basic, and those basics did not mention how one reached Tactical Rank or Title Rank.

Li Qi knew the standards for the first three ranks.

First Rank corresponded to the old Magic Apprentice.

They mastered a few simple techniques for using magic power and could cast minor tricks, such as the Cleaning Spell, Levitation Spell, and Communication Spell.

Second Rank corresponded to the old Formal Mage.

They initially mastered offensive magic, such as the Fireball Spell, Lightning Strike Spell, Wind Blade, and Ice Blade.

Third Rank corresponded to the Archmage.

They could use more powerful spells, such as Multiple Fireballs, Chain Lightning, and Tornado.

Those were the comparative standards Li Qi knew.

By that reasoning, Tactical Rank should have corresponded to the old Magus.

They could use even more powerful magic.

Title Rank... should have been the old Legendary Mage, capable of using Legendary Spells.

For example, the signature spell Meteor Shower—a huge fireball that could wipe out a whole swath of the battlefield with one strike.

And then the mage who used that spell would get shot dead with a single bullet.

The times had changed, Mage lords...

At least in this Low-Magic World, magic could no longer hold the same overwhelming dominance it once had.

Before firearms appeared, if either side had a Legendary Mage—or even merely a Magus—the other side would have to be wary.

But now, even ten Legendary Mages could not withstand the torrent of metal fired from guns.

After all, these Legendary Mages were still flesh and blood. Once their Magic Shields broke, a single bullet could finish them off.

In comparison, the knights' magic power system was better suited to the battlefield.

Knights used magic power differently from mages.

They mainly focused on strengthening themselves, tempering their bodies step by step from Apprentice Rank onward.

By the time they became Legendary Knights... that is, what was now called Title Rank, their physical toughness and combat skills were nearly enough to withstand old firearms head-on.

Of course, that meant the old Flintlock Muskets, not the improved Bolt-Action Rifles of today.

However, the knightly magic power techniques learned by battlefield "aces" like Li Qi, including Mad Axe on the opposing side, had likely all been simplified.

As he had said, the times had changed.

Even the Legendary Knights of the past could not withstand revolver bullets at close range.

Therefore, one only needed to improve their magic power slightly and pair it with suitable firearms to become an elite soldier on the battlefield.

Someone talented like Li Qi could even become an "ace" capable of influencing the course of a battle.

The effort invested was disproportionate to what one gained, so magic power training methods had naturally been simplified.

Then, by the standards of the old legendary level, Li Qi was clearly unqualified. After all, he did not think his body could withstand bullets from the old firearms.

"Right, why not just ask Captain Wood?"

After studying in his room for a while, Li Qi remembered that Wood was resting nearby as well.

Wood was an experienced Title Rank fighter. He certainly had plenty of experience.

Previously, due to his position and the many rules of the battlefield, Li Qi had found it inconvenient to seek his guidance. But now, he did not need to worry about so much.

The two of them were no longer soldiers on the front lines, and neither had received their new appointment papers yet. They could barely be considered free men.

Li Qi asking Wood for guidance would not count as breaking the rules.

He acted as soon as he thought of it, quickly leaving his room to find Wood.

Fortunately, Wood was in his room. Upon learning why Li Qi had come to visit, he was greatly surprised.

"You've already touched the threshold of Title Rank?"

"This subordinate was merely lucky."

Li Qi answered modestly.

But Wood shook his head. "No. When you joined the unit, I was the one who taught you how to use magic power. I know what level you were at. When you enlisted a year ago, you should have still been an Ordinary Person, right?

"To be honest, it already surprised me that you reached Tactical Rank in a year and could even display Title Rank strength. I never expected that you would be on the verge of Title Rank already..."

Wood was clearly astonished.

Although magic had now fallen behind, many techniques for refining magic power—once regarded as treasures by mages and knights—could be found everywhere.

But that did not mean refining magic power had become easy.

Those with talent still progressed quickly, while those without talent might cultivate for an entire lifetime and only become a Second or Third Rank mage.

Li Qi had gone from First Rank to Tactical Rank in just one year and was about to advance to Title Rank. That was enough to prove that his talent for magic power was extraordinarily high!

It was even greater than that of some geniuses in the Royal Capital!

Li Qi was a born mage!

Wood sighed inwardly, then said regretfully, "What a pity. You were born in this era. If you had been born a hundred years earlier, you would definitely have become a legend among mages."

After lamenting for a while, Wood finally began formally answering Li Qi's question.

He turned around and rummaged through his luggage, pulling out something that looked like a Kerosene Lamp and handing it to Li Qi.

"...What is this?"

"A Magic Power Detection Device."

As Wood spoke, he placed his hand on the Kerosene Lamp. Li Qi then saw it light up with a red glow.

Wood explained, "A red light means your magic power is at First Rank."

As soon as he finished speaking, the red light above changed to orange.

"This represents Second Rank."

The orange gradually shifted toward yellow, then turned white.

"This is Third Rank and Tactical Rank, and then..."

As Wood spoke, he output magic power at full force. The Kerosene Lamp's glow became a beautiful cyan.

"This is Title Rank."

He handed the Kerosene Lamp to Li Qi.

The light on the Kerosene Lamp dimmed after losing Wood's magic power. Li Qi held it and tried pouring in his own magic power.

The Kerosene Lamp lit up again.

It was red at first, and Li Qi felt a slight resistance as he fed in magic power.

Then it turned orange, and the resistance grew stronger.

By the time it reached yellow and white, sweat had begun to bead faintly on Li Qi's forehead. He felt as though something had completely blocked his magic power from entering further, preventing him from advancing any more.

Seeing this, Wood said,

"When you can turn that white light into cyan, you will..."

"I did it!"

"!?"

Before he could finish, he heard Li Qi cry out. Under Wood's gaze, the Kerosene Lamp's light changed from white to pale cyan.

Wood: "..."

He looked at Li Qi with an extremely complicated expression. After a long while, he finally said faintly,

"...You're already Title Rank, Li Qi."

There seemed to be a trace of bitterness in his words.