The next day... Kahn was sitting in his office. Yesterday's events left a deep impression on him. Because yesterday, his entire outlook on power scaling was changed again.
Because after watching Kereberos & Ismatrazel fight.. The only thing he felt was like watching some Gods fight against each other.
Just the First Stage Saint Rank magician was someone who could destroy an army of 10 thousand by simply moving his hands and a few spells. Even for a Semi-Saint Rank fighter like him who was only a threshold below that realm, it was far beyond his capabilities.
Previously, Kahn thought that a saint rank fighter would be at least 3 to 4 times stronger than him. Even his Survival Instinct blessing, which covered the largest area compared to any other of his abilities currently had the range of only 1 kilometer effectiveness radius.
But just the normal spells from the vampire mage were enough to kill everything in 5 kilometer radius and the strength of the protection barriers alone was something those magic cannons that could obliterate everything in the same distance weren't even able to scratch them.
Even Kahn with all of his skills would be reduced to dust if hit by such attacks but the first stage saint like Kereberos wasn't even fazed in the slightest.
"I need to study and comprehend this World Energy.." said Kahn to himself.
Because the biggest game-changer was the use of World Energy.
All the spells and barriers weren't made from Mana but world energy instead. Only the elemental attacks had the mana infused in them while the world energy was the main force driving them.
Compared to a saint rank who could use world energy, Kahn was like a toddler who hadn't even learned how to walk. Because his current comprehension and mastery over the world energy were non-existent.
Although Ability Absorption Divine ability helped him absorb some world energy from the attacks of the vampire lord during the duel when they came to Rathna.. It wasn't even able to absorb 1% of world energy. At best, Kahn could only feel its existence.
"System, tell me the exact reasons why I need to be level 200 and eat a saint rank entity's core?" asked Kahn to the dormant system.
[The host must become physically strong and capable of withstanding the flow of World Energy in the body and a First Stage Saint Rank's core is used as a source of the world energy to initiate the breakthrough to this new rank. With each increasing stage, the requirements will carry through and the host may rise in ranks.] replied the System in its lifeless and robotic voice.
"And what about my proficiency in using World Energy? How does that affect me in the long term?" he asked.
[Every 10% of proficiency in using the world energy will allow the host with a 100% increase in strength and force behind attacks and spells made using the world energy.
But the world energy can't be just accumulated by absorbing from an external source. The host must study and comprehend it to increase the usage capacity and effectiveness.]
"Wait what?! Doesn't that mean I will be twice stronger compared to other saints even if my comprehension is at 10%?" asked Kahn in surprise.
[No. The host will only have twice the effectiveness based on the mastery. If the opponent has 20% mastery over the world energy, the host will be able to fight them equally. But the more difference in mastery, the more difference in overall strength. The host is advised to study and raise his comprehension of world energy.
The Ability Absorption divine ability can provide aid to the host in absorbing it at a much faster pace compared to other living beings. The host is advised to find more sources containing it.]
"I see. So I only have an advantage over someone on the same level as me and on the same efficiency in using world energy. But I'm still weaker compared to others.
Well... I need to at least cross the semi-saint rank first.
Forget world energy... I still haven't learned enough about mana, magic spells, formations, elemental attributes. And there's also the study of Space Magic & Dimensional Law.
I need to learn Blacksmithing & Alchemy to upgrade the Drakos Armor in the future and have enough knowledge in alchemy to save my own life in crucial conditions.
And I'm only good at using swords & daggers even now. There are still tons of weapons and combat techniques I need to learn and master.
Although I can always acquire skills by killing others entities, the real knowledge & experience only comes from studying and practicing.
At this rate, I will stay far weaker and left behind compared to the other 12. I don't want to die if any of them ever meet me or find out my identity." reprimanded Kahn to himself and pulled his hair in frustration.
"And then there's these bastards from the noble clans and factions. I always won't come out alive like this time if even a first stage Saint tries to kill me. And that bastard Ismatrazel is even a bigger threat. He's nearly 75 times stronger than me.
On top of that... He's not even the strongest person in this empire." spoke Kahn as his aura left his body because of the mental pressure taking the best of him.
Yesterday alone, he was forced to realize that at best, he could be a bigshot in only a small street. Even the weakest of the Saint rank fighters could easily crush his head under their feet.
Although he had managed to hide his awed and gobsmacked expression after watching both the godly saints fight yesterday.. He was still not over how their strength varied from worlds apart.
Even the vampire mage who could easily erase Kahn to nothingness hadn't even put a scratch on the Vampire Lord.
The strength of these Saints was far beyond his understanding. It was like a different realm of existence in itself.
"As soon as I'm done with settling this business. I will start learning magic & space law.
If I keep being ignorant & negligent..
I won't even survive a year in this world."