Kael stepped forward and extended his hand. Mana surged forth, vibrating with precise, rhythmic oscillations—each fluctuation subtly different from the next. Simultaneously, he cast a low-tier spell. Though it was a basic incantation, its power was immense, the air itself seeming to tear under the force of his mana, as if space itself might fracture.
Of course, this was merely an illusion created by the sheer intensity of his Mana Oscillation.
"It really is fifth-level Mana Oscillation!" Ella abruptly straightened, her eyes widening in undisguised shock.
This woman, normally so composed, now stood utterly discomposed.
Because before her stood a young mage—barely at the mid-tier of the eighth rank—who had truly grasped the power of fifth-level Mana Oscillation! She had only casually mentioned the classification earlier, yet here he was, wielding oscillations so refined they could mimic the illusion of spatial rupture—a hallmark of peak fifth-level oscillation!
And this young Arcane Master could manipulate it with effortless ease?
It was beyond comprehension.
Ella stared at Kael, dumbfounded, a bitter smile creeping onto her stiffened face. A deep, inexpressible sense of loss welled up inside her.
What kind of joke was this? Just moments ago, she had been discussing magic with Kael as an equal. Yet now, in an instant, she realized his understanding of Mana Oscillation far surpassed her own.
Setting aside his youth, this Count had only recently advanced to the eighth rank—otherwise, why would he have been unfamiliar with the classification of Mana Oscillation?
And yet, the oscillations he wielded were unmistakably peak fifth-level mastery! Such strength… it was simply overwhelming.
Helplessly, Ella watched as Kael demonstrated his power—undeniable proof of his peak fifth-level Mana Oscillation. The evidence was irrefutable, leaving her no choice but to believe.
Not only Ella, but Amelia was also astonished. When Kael had first mastered Mana Oscillation, he hadn't reached this level of proficiency. Could it be due to his breakthrough to the eighth rank?
Ella stared intently at Kael, her eyes burning with fervor. She bowed deeply and said, "Lord Count, may I ask your name?" Ella had always been prideful—despite being a wandering mage, her strength rivaled, if not surpassed, that of many formally trained magicians.
Yet who could have imagined encountering a freak like Kael here? So young, so recently advanced to the eighth rank, yet wielding such terrifying Mana Oscillation!
"Kael."
Ella bowed again, even deeper this time. "Kael, I know this is presumptuous, but... I beg you to teach me Mana Oscillation. I'm willing to pay any price!"
Her voice was resolute, her eyes blazing with obsession.
At that moment, Kael finally understood how this seemingly delicate woman had advanced so far on the profound path of magic, reaching heights unattainable for most wandering mages. The fanaticism in her eyes when discussing magic said it all—only someone so deeply devoted could achieve such mastery.
Ella scrutinized Kael's expression, refusing to miss even the slightest reaction. Though young and technically inferior in cultivation, his foundation was incomparably solid. In terms of fundamentals alone, Kael was qualified to be her teacher!
"In learning, there is no hierarchy—only mastery matters..." Ella murmured the phrase repeatedly before locking eyes with Kael again, her gaze now unshakably determined.
"Please, teach me!" she implored.
Kael looked at her in surprise. He hadn't expected such unwavering persistence. Her sheer desperation to master Mana Oscillation earned a flicker of his respect.
"Miss Ella, Mana Oscillation is..." Kael shook his head. After all, it was an advanced arcane secret—one pivotal for breaking through to the ninth rank. How could he casually disclose it?
"Kael, I'm willing to become your disciple! Please instruct me!" Seeing his reluctance, Ella grew frantic, the words bursting forth before she could reconsider.
An eighth-rank peak mage, bowing to a mid-tier eighth-rank as her master?!
Yet the truth was undeniable—Ella was dead serious.
Though Ella was an eighth-rank peak mage, her path to the ninth rank was blocked by her stagnation in Mana Oscillation. Only by breaking through in this area could she hope to advance.
Yet, as a wandering mage, she knew all too well the difficulties ahead. While her talent and comprehension were considerable, achieving a breakthrough in Mana Oscillation was no simple feat—after all, not everyone was a prodigy like Kael.
Moreover, lacking the resources of an established magical lineage, Ella understood that the eighth-rank peak was likely her limit.
Kael, however, was a mage of extraordinary talent, his foundation incomparably solid. Aligning herself with such a figure promised boundless opportunities! Initially, Ella had intended to engage with him as an equal, exchanging insights. But upon witnessing his true prowess, she abandoned all such notions, utterly convinced of his superiority.
"There's no need for formal discipleship, but..." Kael mused.
"Lord Count, rest assured—I, Ella, will heed your commands and pledge myself to the territory of Lefay!" Quick to grasp his hesitation, she immediately offered her allegiance.
"That won't be necessary. Let us simply be friends. Though there is one matter I'd like your help with." Kael's eyes gleamed as an idea formed—the issue of the roaming bandits came to mind.
Ella blinked in surprise. This young mage continually defied expectations—who would turn away a willing eighth-rank peak expert? Yet as she studied his gaze, she found no deceit, only clarity. Compelled, she nodded in agreement.
"Very well. I'll teach you Mana Oscillation now..." Kael smiled faintly. He harbored no fear of her reneging—after all, his Contract Space still housed over a hundred Unicorn Rhinos. Should Ella dare betray him...
Ella's breath hitched, her face alight with anticipation. Mana Oscillation had plagued her for years. To finally glimpse hope—how could she not tremble with excitement?
"Give me your hand." Kael's tone was calm.
Without hesitation, Ella complied.
Her fingers were icy, as if carved from frost. Kael paid no mind, channeling a thread of mana into her palm. Ella shuddered violently.
"Don't lose focus. Concentrate on the mana!" Kael said calmly.
Ella immediately steadied her mind, sensing the wondrous oscillations of mana coursing through her body. The vibrations rippled through every Mana Channel, filling her with exhilaration.
Kael could actually control the oscillations within her own body! It felt as though she herself were manipulating the mana—this lifelike sensation made comprehending the essence of Mana Oscillation far easier.
This was the power of fifth-level oscillation—the overwhelming might of peak mastery!
Magic unleashed with such refined control would undoubtedly possess devastating force. Ella suspected that if Kael were to fight her now, the outcome would be far from certain.
What she didn't know, however, was that Kael was also a master of Lightning Magic. Had they truly clashed, her chances of victory would have been slim.
"Focus on the mana within you. Immerse yourself completely—and simultaneously release your own oscillations. Only then can you identify your shortcomings." Kael's guidance was incisive. After studying the Arcane Notes from Orlando's Tower, he had become more than qualified to teach.
Even now, were he to take up a position as a magic instructor at Yanhua Academy, he would be more than capable.
There was an undeniable authority in Kael's words. Ella obeyed without hesitation, circulating her own magical energy, allowing her Mana Oscillation to resonate—
Clink—
Her oscillations collided with Kael's, producing crisp, crystalline reverberations. Ella was utterly absorbed in this wondrous ocean of magic, her eyes alight with awe. She had never imagined Kael's foundation to be this unshakable—he was guiding her into an entirely new realm of understanding!
Meanwhile, Amelia watched intently from the side. As a practitioner of Battle Aura, she couldn't receive such meticulous guidance from Kael. Yet, being a genius in her own right, drawing parallels came naturally to her.