Chapter 763: Chapter 291: Metal Barrier (Two-in-One Large Chapter)_4

This time, the fifty kilograms of Hardened Essence Gold in his hands had mostly turned into three Kite Shields.

“Hm?”

Although the spell casting was successful, Rein vaguely felt a sense of heaviness originating from his mind. The three Kite Shields, albeit merely floating slowly, caused his spiritual power to surge upward sharply.

“It seems that the total amount still exceeds the limit, I’ll need to trim it down a bit.”

Soon, after repeated attempts, Rein found the critical point.

In addition, Rein confirmed that the ‘certain amount’ mentioned in the description of the witchcraft referred to the total weight of the metal pieces, not their volume.

At that moment, a system prompt followed:

[You have learned Metal Barrier, comprehension enhanced!]

[You have grasped a new skill–Metal Barrier]

[Your skill Metal Barrier has improved, Experience +3]

At the same time, a brand-new icon appeared at the bottom of the Warhammer Wizard (Legendary) panel.

The icon depicted a hooded figure in a blurry grey robe holding a short staff, surrounded by multiple shield-like metal pieces.

They were much smaller than Rein’s Kite Shields, roughly the size of a palm.

Furthermore, there was a line of text beneath the icon:

Metal Barrier lv1 (1/100)

Metal Barrier lv1 effect: Consumes a certain amount of spiritual power to control a certain amount of metal pieces with a specific witchcraft model, floating within a two-meter radius around the caster, and blocking any attack intended to harm the caster.

(Note: Requires casting material–metal pieces of any material.)

(Note: Casting time 3 seconds, duration proportional to the caster’s spiritual power, can be canceled actively.)

…

“Three seconds casting time is too long!”

“To quickly form combat power, I’ll have to upgrade it through additional Skill Points to shorten the casting time,” Rein pondered thoughtfully.

After all, a Metal Barrier with a three-second casting time had no combat power to speak of.

No enemy would wait three seconds for you to complete your casting before attacking you.

“But if that’s the case….”

“The plan for my subsequent Skill Point improvements will have to change significantly.”

Originally, Rein planned to use the Golden Skill Points on breathing techniques to rapidly enhance his physical attributes.

And the regular Skill Points were to be used to elevate his Extraordinary Battle Techniques because one of the prerequisites for the epic profession, the King of Thousand Blades, required mastery of nine secret techniques.

But now it seems that all these can wait.

He could consider using both Skill Points and Golden Skill Points to enhance ‘Metal Barrier’ to quickly form combat power.

“Also, even though I have preliminarily mastered Metal Barrier, the actual defensive power of this witchcraft still needs to be tested.”

Before actual combat, it’s necessary to understand the upper limits of the ‘Metal Barrier’ defense to be fully prepared.

Unlike ‘Advanced Steel Body,’ where he could test the skin’s defense by using a Dagger on himself, the new witchcraft ‘Metal Barrier’ still required external force to test.

After some thought, Rein decided to make a trip to the training hall.

…

———–

Meanwhile

In the uptown district of Mingster, inside a mansion belonging to a rich merchant.

The girl Bruno, wearing a white cashmere dress, was absentmindedly staring out the window of her bedroom.

This morning, she had visited the painting exhibition of the master Franco Vancliff.

At that time, she seemed to have seen a somewhat strange painting–at least, she had never seen Master Franco paint anything of the sort, it was completely different in style.

The contents of the painting seemed mysteriously haunting, depicting a young boy leading a female doll, looking towards the distance.

But whenever Bruno thought of that painting, she couldn’t help but be reminded of the boy’s eyes.

They were pure black, without any whites.

Even though the boy’s gaze seemed to be averted, Bruno always felt he was looking at her, sending chills down her spine.

Then…

She seemed to have forgotten what happened after that.

“So strange!”

“Why is this happening?”

Bruno shook her head, deciding to walk in the garden to clear her mind.

But as soon as she opened the door, she froze!

Because at the end of the hallway of her room, she abruptly saw that boy holding the female doll, and those dark eyes staring straight at her.

Bruno’s heart skipped a beat, but she still thought it was an illusion.

She rubbed her eyes and took another look.

“Ah!!!”

“Bang!”

Bruno screamed in alarm, slamming the door shut!

Her chest heaved violently, her breathing rapid!

Because, just now, the boy from the painting, in the blink of an eye while she rubbed her eyes, had suddenly appeared a few meters in front of her, continuing to stare blankly at her.

…