Magic Apprentice II

After successfully assassinating the apprentice, Rhode received a large amount of Experience Points for killing a Hero-class unit. With these Experience Points, Rhode's current class level is 1st Tier Militiaman Level 10, having met the standards for advancement.

According to Rhode's original plan, he didn't intend to rush his advancement. He thought it would be more beneficial for his development to wait until after the battle, analyze the future path he wanted to take, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various professions before advancing.

However, under the current circumstances, he could no longer afford to hold onto his Experience Points. Only by converting them into personal strength immediately could he deal with the enemies before him.

The spot in the status panel that originally displayed Experience Points now showed an upward arrow, requiring Rhode to select it with his consciousness.

"2nd Tier Class: Guard. Required Predecessor Class: Militiaman. Required Skills: None. Experience Required to Class Up: 100"

"2nd Tier Class: Swordsman. Required Predecessor Class: Militiaman. Required Skills: Advanced Swordsmanship. Experience Required to Class Up: 200"

"2nd Tier Class: Scout. Required Predecessor Class: Militiaman. Required Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Novice Eagle Eye, Novice Scout Technique. Experience Required to Class Up: 200"

"..."

With no time to read further, Rhode directly chose to become a Swordsman.

"Consumed 200 Experience Points, 185 Experience Points remaining. Class Level increased to 2nd Tier Swordsman Level 1..."

"Gained 1 Free Attribute Point, 1 Skill Point..."

"[Swordsman] Class Trait: Based on Swordsmanship level, damage dealt receives an additional boost. Current Swordsmanship Level: Advanced. Additional Damage Bonus: 15%."

"You have learned the skill [Double Slash]."

"[Double Slash Lv1]: Consumes 5 Stamina, swiftly executes two slashes. Each slash deals 80% of base attack damage."

"Your skill [Heavy Slash Lv2] has been upgraded to [Heavy Slash Lv3]."

"You have obtained the Speed Achievement [On the Path]."

"[On the Path]: Class up to any 2nd Tier profession. Base Reward: +1 to all attributes, +5% all damage when equipped."

Rhode quickly allocated the obtained attribute points to Strength. Simultaneously, he consumed 3 Skill Points to upgrade Advanced Swordsmanship to Expert Swordsmanship.

(Expert Swordsmanship: Years of dedicated sword practice have granted you master-like proficiency in swordsmanship. Swords and blades become magical in your hands, and any technique can be performed with ease. Damage dealt with swords and blades increased by 40%.)

Realizing that the remaining Experience Points could still be used to level up once more, Rhode was about to continue increasing his level when the Magic Apprentice charged at him. Rhode could only focus on dealing with its attack first.

Having learned from the Skeleton Warrior incident, even while holding a shield, Rhode did not choose to directly tank the Magic Apprentice's attacks. Instead, he engaged in a hit-and-run battle, only using his shield to block when he couldn't dodge.

The surrounding Undead Creatures gradually closed in. Because Rhode was mostly dodging and not counter-attacking, the Magic Apprentice's target shifted away from him and began attacking the surrounding Undead Creatures.

Seizing this opportunity, Rhode chose to continue leveling up.

"Consumed 100 Experience Points, 85 Experience Points remaining. Class Level increased to 2nd Tier Swordsman Level 2..."

"Gained 1 Free Attribute Point, 1 Skill Point..."

At this moment, the Magic Apprentice was attacking the surrounding Undead Creatures, often killing them with just a few simple attacks, even instantly.

While it also achieved one-hit kills, unlike Rhode's refined swordsmanship, the Magic Apprentice relied more on brute force derived from Mana bursts. This reckless burst could cause immense destruction in a short period but severely damaged its own body due to its inability to withstand it.

No living creature would allow Mana to erupt within its body like this, even for a temporary surge of immense power. The terrifying sensation of blood vessels bursting inch by inch from within could only be endured by the undead, as they could no longer feel pain.

Even if Rhode ignored the Magic Apprentice, it would die from Mana exhaustion before long, or collapse even earlier from its body completely breaking down. But before that, it would be enough to clear out all the surrounding Undead Creatures, and Rhode would gain no Experience Points.

Allocating the attribute point to Strength, Rhode pondered the apprentice's attack method and an idea immediately formed in his mind.

Rhode swung his sword a few times, clearing some of the surrounding Undead Creatures. While the Magic Apprentice attracted the attention of most of the Undead Creatures, Rhode moved behind it.

At this moment, the Magic Apprentice was attacking a Ghoul in front of it. The Magic Apprentice threw a punch that passed through the Ghoul's outstretched arms and landed directly on its chest, caving it in. Simultaneously, blood spurted from the Magic Apprentice's own arm.

Seeing this, Rhode knew the Magic Apprentice was struggling to withstand the side effects of its Mana burst. After all, its original body belonged to a mere 2nd Tier apprentice, and its physique had not been trained, making it unable to endure the Mana burst for too long.

While the Magic Apprentice was attacking the Ghoul, Rhode raised his shield and charged at it.

In its Mana burst state, the Magic Apprentice's body hardness was comparable to steel. Its previous blocks against sword attacks indicated that sharp weapons could not inflict significant damage.

Therefore, Rhode chose not to attack the Magic Apprentice with his sword but with his shield. The best way to deal with the Magic Apprentice was to use a blunt weapon to accelerate its body's collapse.

Skills obtained through Eagle Eye would be permanently retained. To increase damage, Rhode chose to learn [Shield Bash].

"[Shield Bash Lv1]: Consumes 10 Stamina, uses the shield in hand to strike the enemy forcefully, dealing 120% of base damage, with a chance to stun the enemy. Experience Required to Level Up: 20."

To ensure this attack would be effective and not blocked by the Magic Apprentice, Rhode used every skill he could.

[Charge], [Burst], [Shield Bash]. Using these three skills simultaneously consumed a significant amount of Stamina. If it didn't produce the desired effect, Rhode's remaining Stamina would be insufficient to sustain further combat.

Even so, having found an opportunity to kill the Magic Apprentice, Rhode would not let it pass. Even if the chance was slim, he had to seize it.

The combination of three skills, coupled with his resolute will, created an unstoppable momentum as Rhode charged. Even though he was still wearing tattered leather armor and his shield was covered in cracks, the aura Rhode exuded during his charge even surpassed that of an ordinary heavily armored warrior!

With a loud crash, the Magic Apprentice's back was struck with great force. The violent Mana within its body was instantly stimulated, and the Magic Apprentice's entire body began to crack.

Rhode stabilized himself from the impact's recoil and, seizing the moment, stepped forward and delivered another shield bash to the Magic Apprentice's back.

Giving the Magic Apprentice no chance, Rhode continued his assault.

The powerful external blows, combined with the raging internal Mana, finally overwhelmed the Magic Apprentice's body. Even with remaining Mana within, the Magic Apprentice lost its combat capability and collapsed to the ground.