"Downs can actually hold his own against a Master Level Sorcerer!?" Old Ryan could hardly believe his eyes.
"Only... hold his own for a little while?" Viscount Canaxi's voice carried undisguised regret.
"Alas! The Adventurer's Guild rates high-level professionals from Level 6 to 10, while Levels 11 to 20 are Masters. But even if a Level 10 high-level professional seems close in strength to a Level 11 Master, there's still a huge fundamental difference between them in battle." The Old Priest sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"The simplest difference is their total mana. Even though Downs has astonishing talent and can match Faola in his control over the elements, most Master Level spellcasters have at least twice as much mana as even the best high-level professionals."
The viscount's expression fell, but he still wasn't ready to give up. "Can't Downs make up for it with skill?"
Old Ryan looked at the battle again and sighed once more. "It'll be difficult. He's too young. Advanced spellcasting techniques often take a long time to hone. And Sorcerers are precisely the kind who excel at explosive attacks. Once they gain the upper hand, they use their short casting times to overwhelm their opponents in one push. Alas! Whatever happens, let's hope for a miracle."
Viscount Canaxi offered some comfort. "It's fine. It's just a little regrettable, that's all. Downs still has his master to bail him out."
If Downs could defeat a Master Level spellcaster while still a high-level professional, it would bring glory to the entire Province of Ramanque.
"What a shame." Watching Downs take hit after hit, Earl of Ramanque looked just as pained.
Only Lein, far away in Vulture Dragon Mountain, offered a completely different assessment. "Faola's screwed."
Having read the vast amount of literature Ganis had provided, Lein knew