Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

Chapter 9

Arpina's Basic Four Elemental Magic was structured in a system from 1-star to 5-star levels.

Each level dealt with different elemental magic, and at the final 5-star level, all these elements were harmonized.

This system corresponded with the levels of an Apprentice Magician up to the 5th Rank.

It meant that one could train using this magic until they reached the Arcane Magician level, which was the next level after Apprentice 5th Rank.

Currently, Leon was training with the 1-star Arpina magic, focusing on water magic.

"Clear waves, respond to my call and appear before me. Aqua Sentinel."

Mana gathered in the air, and from it, a blue, slime-like summoned creature appeared.

A distinct feature of Arpina’s magic was that it summoned creatures shaped like elemental spirits.

These weren’t true living familiars.

They were closer to materialized constructs born from one’s will.

Once summoned, these creatures allowed the summoner to skip the conceptualization phase of the next spell, aiding in the chaining of magic.

If Leon memorized Aqua Sentinel, he could skip both the incantation phase of the Aqua Sentinel itself and the conceptualization phase of the next spell, enabling him to cast spells at a speed akin to that of an Arcane Magician.

This clearly illustrated the importance of advanced magic.

Given that an Apprentice Magician's spells could be this potent, it was obvious that the importance of advanced magic would only grow as one progressed in rank.

Over the past six months, Leon dedicated all his time, outside of his work in the magic library, to learning Arpina's magic.

Having secured a private room, he no longer had to worry about practicing magic in secret.

As he reached the later stages of 1st Rank, he began swapping out his quest rewards for artifacts instead of elixirs.

He consumed nearly all the elixirs, keeping only a few just in case.

Breakthrough Quest ▶ Rank Advancement

Elixirs were deemed insufficient to significantly aid in rank advancement. This required a breakthrough of understanding.

Leon had already accumulated enough mana for his level with the help of elixirs, so he decided to focus on artifacts for his rewards.

It was the first time he had received an artifact as a reward.

▶ Acquired One-Time Magic Missile Scroll (F-) ▶ Acquired One-Time Earth Wall Scroll (F-)

After receiving artifact rewards more than ten times, he finally obtained a non-consumable artifact.

▶ Acquired Mana Trace Eraser (E)

It was a disc-shaped artifact made of silver metal.

He hadn’t yet found a specific use for it.

Aside from that, he had begun clearing small patches of forest and tilled the ground to create a small herb garden next to his training area.

So far, he only had the three types of herbs he had gathered during the old man's errands, but they were growing at a satisfactory rate.

Even when Leon left the orb, time continued to pass inside it.

One minute in the real world equaled one hour within the orb.

It was an environment almost too ideal for growing herbs.

Factors like growth cycle, soil quality, humidity, and sunlight didn’t matter.

Simply plant it in the ground, and it would grow.

The dense mana concentration made it possible.

For example, Planettia Dewgrass, as detailed in the F-rank elixir recipe, normally took six to seven months to fully grow with proper care. Yet, after transplanting it into the orb’s space, it would reach full maturity and start reproducing in just one day in the real world.

"If only I could gather more herbs...."

At least F-rank elixirs could be replicated almost effortlessly.

Over the past six months, Leon had accumulated 80 merit points.

This total included the 20 he originally had, plus the 10 merit points given each month.

Leon had already decided where to spend all of his merit points.

[Leave of Absence (1 day) - 5 merit points]

The system allowed him to exchange 5 merit points for one day of leave. If he didn’t spend any merit points for a month, he could accumulate two days of leave.

Leon hadn’t spent a single merit point over the past six months.

He planned to use his leave to break through to the 2nd Rank.

He could now take up to 16 days off.

Leon immediately went to find the old man in the magic library.

"I’d like to take some leave."

"Oh, so you're finally using it? I’ve been wondering when you’d decide to take some time off. How long are you planning to take?"

"16 days."

"...."

Leon understood the old man’s surprise.

He hadn’t intended to take the full 16 days at once.

"It’s a negotiation tactic—starting big and then compromising...."

A relaxed sigh escaped Leon’s lips.

▶ Mana Quality: E

His mana quality had improved from E- to E.

With more refined mana, his spells would become even more powerful.

Leon indulged in the pleasant feeling for a moment before regaining his composure.

The other breakthrough rewards were standard.

The 200 hours of Space-Time Orb time made sense, given that training required more time as one advanced in rank.

He hadn’t yet noticed any significant benefits from the increased reward probability, but he was confident it would prove valuable eventually.

General Quest ▶ Acquired One-Time Triple Fireball Scroll (E-)

"Hmm, maybe I can feel the difference already."

Leon had completed a general quest after increasing the reward probability, and he had received a decent scroll.

Even though it was a one-time use item.

For the next two days, Leon stabilized his overflowing mana and prepared himself.

Then, concealing his mana with the Mana Concealment spell, he headed to the library for work.

"It’s been a while, and you look much better."

"Thanks to the rest, I feel refreshed."

"You haven’t forgotten our agreement, right?"

"No, when should we go?"

"How about today?"

The old man’s face was calm as ever.

Leon nodded with a neutral expression.

"...Alright."

Although it had been a while since he returned to work, it didn’t feel strange.

Given that there was little to do, it didn’t take long to readjust.

After finishing his tasks, Leon left the library with the old man.

They headed toward the herb mountain.

Unlike the last time, there were no guards at the entrance, but Leon didn’t let on that he noticed.

"What kind of herbs are we gathering today?"

"Ah, that’s right. Last time, you gathered lower-grade herbs, didn’t you? Today, we’re going deeper into the mountain."

They walked for a long time without the old man even checking for herbs.

As they climbed the mountain, the old man suddenly stopped.

"Is this where we’ll be searching?"

"Hmm...."

The old man didn’t respond, instead staring intently at Leon.

Leon pretended to survey the area as if he were clueless.

Then, the old man spoke in a low voice.

"How did you awaken your mana?"

His voice was ominous, different from his usual tone.

As expected.

Leon felt a sense of inevitability.

He hid his rising tension and responded calmly.

"You knew?"

"Given that you thought I didn’t know, it seems no one taught you. So it’s even more curious. Did you really awaken your mana by yourself?"

Leon began to activate his core, mentally preparing the spell formula.

The old man noticed and smirked.

It was a sinister smile that didn’t suit his typically kind appearance.

"So you’ve realized it now? But thinking you can take me on with 1st Rank power is a mistake in itself."

The old man began to gather his mana.

Leon quickly assessed the old man’s rank.

3rd Rank!

He had hoped otherwise, but it was indeed 3rd Rank.

Alarm bells rang in Leon’s mind, but his eyes remained calm.

"I hope you make a good test subject."

The old man raised his hand, brimming with confidence.