Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

Chapter 88

“Erica...?”

“Leon.”

A chilling silence filled the narrow corridor as Erica, standing before Leon, froze for a moment. She eventually spoke with hesitation.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I came seeking your help.”

Leon looked at her, slightly taken aback, before calmly asking,

“How did you know I was here?”

Erica glanced up at Leon’s head.

“When we bumped into each other yesterday, I noticed... on your head...”

“Oh.”

Leon immediately understood her gaze. Kito, his familiar, was always perched on his head, even sleeping there. Erica must have recognized him because of that little detail.

“At first, I wasn’t sure, but when I thought it over again, I was certain it was you...” Erica’s voice grew softer and trailed off.

“So you followed me.”

“I’m sorry... It’s just that...”

Leon could tell she had something to ask of him.

He recalled Erica’s situation—she’d been persistently pursued by Imperial magicians during their mission to escort the trade caravan.

Was it Imperial mages who had been chasing her yesterday as well?

She seemed to anticipate his thoughts and brought it up.

“You might remember, I’ve been hunted by the Imperial Court.”

“I know. But first, let me ask...”

Leon examined her carefully before continuing.

“Did you come here without dealing with whoever was pursuing you? From what I remember, you were being chased yesterday.”

At Leon’s rather cold question, Erica quickly waved her hands in denial.

“No, that’s not it! I handled the ones who followed me yesterday. I’ve been hiding and came here afterward.”

“You took care of them?”

Leon knew Erica was only a fifth-grade apprentice mage, which made him wonder how she could have managed that. And if she had taken care of them, why seek him out?

Taking a deep breath, Erica explained.

“I think I should give you some context. The ones after me now aren’t Imperial mages. They likely don’t even know I’m here.”

“...Is that so?”

“After we parted ways, I traveled through various regions, trying to evade capture. Although the academy I was with has declined, they provided me with certain artifacts, which allowed me to elude my pursuers. Those I subdued yesterday—I managed it because of those artifacts.”

Leon understood. He recalled Arpina mentioning something about the ancient artifacts of Astelia, capable of revealing information from a person’s subconscious. It made sense that Erica, even with her limited skills, could evade her enemies with such an artifact.

“In truth, I didn’t return to the academy after that. Going back would only put them in danger once my whereabouts were known. During that time, I happened upon some elves.”

“Elves...?” Leon asked, a term he hadn’t heard since his past life. In this world, he hadn’t encountered any elves yet.

“Yes, exactly. While fleeing, I encountered elves who were hiding their identities among humans. They were being chased by slave traders...”

“Wait... what exactly are elves?”

“Ah, you might not be familiar with them since you’ve been in Vasprion all this time. That was thoughtless of me.”

Trying to steady her uneven breaths, Erica continued,

“Elves are non-human beings who live near the northern border of the Empire. They have pointed ears, can live for thousands of years without aging, and are naturally adept in magic. They’ve had a longstanding hostility with witches.”

“Leon, you’re more than capable of freeing the elves. The head of the slave traders is only a sorcerer at best. They usually target weak beastfolk or humans for enslavement.”

“How are they able to keep operating with such low strength?”

“...I think the city tacitly allows it.”

Having heard enough, Leon made up his mind.

He couldn’t help her.

If it had been someone from his own academy asking for help in a dire situation, he wouldn’t turn them away, but Erica... and freeing her comrades? That didn’t resonate with him.

Especially since they might have a hidden agenda.

There wasn’t enough reason for Leon to take on such risks for Erica and her companions.

Leon sighed. He felt uneasy, rejecting her request just like he did last time.

“I can help you stay hidden while I’m in the city, but as for freeing the elves, I can’t do that.”

Using the Concealment Lamp to create a temporary hiding space for her wasn’t a problem.

“....”

But she remained silent. She seemed determined to free the elves, which he understood. It was likely her way to save her academy.

“Have you considered asking for help from the Segrinel Academy?”

Erica lowered her head and whispered,

“...I don’t have a way to contact them right now. Even if I did, they couldn’t get here immediately.”

Leon noted the look of despair on her face.

‘Slaves... elves...’

If he were alone, he might consider it more carefully, but with Ria by his side and the auction approaching, it wasn’t a good time.

Erica seemed to steel herself and spoke again.

“If you help rescue my comrades and safely escort us to the Elven Forest, I will give you the artifact I possess from Segrinel and the reward promised by the elves.”

She hesitated before adding,

“The elf I saved is a high elder’s child. I was promised a branch of the World Tree as a reward. I could give that to you.”

The moment she mentioned the World Tree branch, his mind was filled with noise.

Before he could even consider the reward, the demonic sword spoke up.

[Is she still begging? The World Tree branch? Ha! As if it’s that easy to hand over. It’s a lie—tell her you refuse.]

The sword’s reaction only made Leon more certain that there was something significant about the World Tree branch.