Crossed Star Swords
"This skill----"
Leo's eyes lit up slightly as he looked at the effects of the new skill recorded on the parchment.
"It's clearly an enhancement skill, similar to your [Star Soul Eternal], but the difference is that [Star Soul Eternal] enhances your magical abilities, while [Crossed Star Swords] clearly enhances your melee abilities."
Loki saw Leo staring intently at the new skills recorded on the parchment, still with that same cheerful expression.
"Furthermore, with this upgrade you've also learned the 'Swordsman' development ability, so you can truly be considered proficient in both melee combat and magic, right?"
Loki knew that Leo had always been very firm in his self-positioning: he wanted to walk the path of a magic swordsman.
This kid didn't want to be just a Mage protected in the back, so even though he displayed his magical talent to the fullest, he insisted on practicing with Ais every day to learn swordsmanship. After advancing to Lv.4 Finn teach him his skills.
It can be said that throughout the entire Lv.4 stage, Leo focused almost entirely on developing and honing his melee combat abilities.
Now, this effort and dedication have allowed his potential in close combat to fully blossom.
The skill effect of [Crossed Star Swords] is extremely obvious. As long as you equip a sword, you can improve various basic abilities. Although the improvement varies, as long as the quality of the equipped sword is high enough, this skill will never be inferior to [Star Soul Eternal].
It's worse, and might even be better.
Just as Loki said, this is a very powerful skill with a very promising future.
The "Swordsman" development ability is similar to "Mage"; the former is an ability that can only be triggered by high-level swordsmen, while the latter is proof of being a high-level Mage.
Its effect is simple and clear: it can improve a swordsman's various abilities, much like a "Mage" who can provide various forms of assistance to magic.
Ais possessed this development ability, and she only learned it when she reached Lv.4, which shows that learning this development ability is not an easy task.
Even the city's strongest female swordsman could only learn it at Lv.4, so it goes without saying that others couldn't either, right?
Having acquired this developmental ability, Leo is now qualified to be called a high-level swordsman. In addition, he is also a high-level Mage who has mastered "Mage," so with these two factors combined, wouldn't he be able to excel in both melee and magical combat?
Only then could Leo be considered a powerful magic swordsman.
His melee abilities are now almost as good as his magical abilities, a gain that far outweighs any simple level up.
At least among the characters appearing in the original work, the only person known to be able to simultaneously develop both "swordsmanship" and "Mage" abilities is Hegni Ragnar of the Freya Familia, known as the "Black Elf Magic Sword."
And this one is level 6.
Loki then slightly opened his divine eyes and smiled as he looked at Leo.
"If you use this skill properly, you should be able to challenge opponents of higher levels without any problem, right?"
At the very least, it shouldn't be a problem to give a Level 5 Leo the stats equivalent to a Level 6.
[Star Soul Eternal] allows Leo to experience a dramatic increase in magical ability at Lv.3, comparable to Lv.5. Then [Crossed Star Swords]...
It certainly won't be too bad.
With the right weapon, Leo's stats will definitely get a massive boost.
In other words----
"Although you've only just reached Lv.5, in terms of overall ability, you're probably comparable to Lv.6."
"This applies to both melee combat and magical abilities."
"Plus, your two spells are both incredibly powerful. Once you've fully adapted to your current level of strength, you shouldn't be at a disadvantage even if you face Ais at full power."
At this point, Loki couldn't help but burst into unrestrained laughter again.
"Finn and the others should be very happy, right? Our clan finally has a new pillar of support!"
No longer just hoping, Leo now has the qualifications to become a pillar of the Familia.
Regardless of his actual abilities, just by reaching Lv.5 and becoming a first-class adventurer, Leo is qualified to be among the top of the Familia.
At Lv.4, he was merely a core member of the Second Army; by Lv.5, however, he was a genuine member of the First Army, fully capable of Finn the elite squads of Finn, Riveria Ljos Alf, Gareth, Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Bete Loga.
Although he had been chosen as a teammate of these people before, at that time he only served as a rear guard and supporter, relying on his firepower comparable to that of a first-level adventurer. In other words, he was a support member of the team.
Unlike now, he is the undisputed main force of the team, a fully mature senior center-back, who could even be placed in the midfield without any problem.
It can be said that only now has Leo realized his initial vision and truly reached the pinnacle of the path of the magic swordsman.
He is now a high-ranking swordsman, a high-ranking Mage, and a top-ranking magical swordsman.
Aside from being unable to fulfill his role as a therapist, Leo is now perfectly capable of performing any role he may be in.
With someone as talented as him, Finn would surely feel more at ease, more confident, and more comfortable using him, right?
Of course, the prerequisite is that you need to have a good weapon.
"High-quality swords—?"
Leo seemed to be deep in thought.
He really should replace his weapons.
The Dragon Fang Sword is only a third-tier special weapon, slightly less powerful than second-tier weapons. Only its durability is comparable to second-tier weapons. It was barely usable when Leo was Lv.4, but it's no longer suitable for use now.
With the [Crossed Star Swords] skill, wouldn't it be a waste not to equip yourself with a good weapon?
There's also the Emerald Staff, which is only a third-tier special weapon. For Leo, who has become a first-tier adventurer, it's no longer sufficient to meet his needs and the intensity of his battles.
These two weapons should have been phased out when he reached Lv.4, since they were only the lowest-level special weapons. However, due to the high quality of the forging materials and craftsmanship used, both weapons were considered the best of the best among the third-level weapons, and in some aspects they could even be compared with second-level weapons. That's why Leo continued to use them.
But using Lv.4 is truly the limit.
After upgrading to Lv.5, using these two level 3 weapons will not only not bring any benefits to Leo, but will actually hinder him.
"The sword and wand you've been using before were just generic custom-made items. It's time to find a high-level master to tailor-make a weapon specifically for you."
Loki knew that this matter was directly related to how powerful Leo would become in the future, so he didn't intend to stand by and watch, and immediately sought his advice.
"Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Upon hearing this, Leo thought about it and actually had some ideas.
"I am ultimately a magic swordsman, needing both a sword and a wand, but the fighting style of wielding a sword in one hand and a wand in the other is not very suitable for high-speed melee combat."
Holding a sword in one hand and a staff in the other, Leo either charged in to focus on close combat or kept his distance to chant magic. He could only be described as each person fulfilling their own role, failing to perfectly integrate the two.
This is not what he wanted.
What he wanted was to be able to cast spells using Parallel Chanting in high-speed melee combat, without having to deliberately use a wand to increase their power.
"Therefore, I want a sword-staff integrated weapon like the [Hedin Selland]."
Leo stated his needs.
"The same weapon as Hedin Selland?"
Loki's eyebrows immediately rose.
Hedin Serland, a first-class adventurer of the Freya Familia, is a Level 6 mage with the title [Hedin Selland]. He and [Black Elf Magic Sword] Hegni Ragnar are known as the [Black and White Knights], and are among the strongest Mage in Orario.
It is said that Hedin Serland possesses greater total mental strength, Demonic Power control, and magical range than Riveria Ljos Alf, leading many to believe he is Orario's strongest Mage. Despite being Mage, he also possesses advanced combat skills, including rare short-chantment magic and proficient Parallel Chanting techniques, making him an all-rounder even among magic swordsmen.
In addition, he also serves as the commander of the Freya Familia, possessing command and strategic abilities that are no less than Finn's. He is essentially a combination of Finn and Riveria Ljos Alf. Therefore, in the eyes of the Loki Familia, apart from the [Brave] who is the captain, he is the person in the Freya Familia who needs the most vigilance and attention.
Because he is both the strongest Mage in the city and possesses cutting-edge combat skills, Hedin Serland has a special weapon tailored specifically for him – "Twilight".
It was a double-edged longsword, a first-class weapon crafted from the branches of the sacred tree. One end was a wand, and the other end was a longsword for close combat. It could be used for both swordsmanship and magic without any problems. The sword and wand were integrated, making it not only rare but also powerful.
Thanks to this, when Leo thought about his future primary weapon needs, it was the first thing that came to mind.
This weapon is different from the Dragon Fang Sword and Emerald Staff; it's designed for someone who has already become a Level 1 adventurer, and will undoubtedly be a Level 1 item.
This is a first-tier special weapon, the highest quality weapon available. It will accompany me for a very long time, and I may never need to replace it again.
Therefore, Leo must make as many demands as possible to ensure that the weapon can unleash its full potential.
"You really know how to make things difficult for us!"
Upon learning of Leo's idea, Loki began to scratch his head.
This is a unique weapon that combines a sword and a staff, making it one of the most special types of special weapons.
But such a weapon is indeed most suitable for a high-level magic swordsman like Leo, whether he wants to fight in melee or cast spells, it has no problem.
"Okay, we'll help you with the preparations."
Loki said it very seriously.
"Just wait for our good news."