Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

EP.7 Arpina’s Errand (1)

“How did you do it? You couldn’t have done it alone…”

Leon couldn’t discern the intent behind her red eyes, which made it even more chilling. Since she was Ria’s master, she was undoubtedly a mage. She was someone who could kill Leon with a flick of her finger.

Leon’s mind raced. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as he hesitated to answer. In the midst of this, Ria spoke up.

“Master.”

Ria looked at the woman with a stern expression. The woman, meeting Ria’s gaze, sighed lightly.

“Alright. Since you’re from the orphanage, you’re not from another magic tower… you.”

Shaking her head, she pointed a finger at Leon.

“What did the attribute test show?”

Her tone had turned blunt. Leon thought this was better than a tone filled with curiosity.

“…I don’t know. They just left as if they weren’t interested.”

Although a single attribute had appeared, Leon now had Tri-Attribute, making it difficult to answer. The woman glanced at Ria and then nodded.

“With a celestial attribute, it makes sense.”

Just when Leon thought she might let it go easily, she returned to her seat and took out a crystal ball from a drawer. It looked exactly like the one used on the first day to check attributes. She silently handed the crystal ball to Leon.

Leon had no choice but to place his hand on the crystal ball. It briefly flashed, and then letters appeared on its surface.

[Tri-Attribute (Water, Wind, Earth)]

“Tri-Attribute?”

She looked at Leon with a hint of surprise. Leon knew that having Tri-Attribute meant he shouldn’t be just a resident at the entrance. Even if he didn’t get a reaction as strong as Ria’s, he still had enough potential to be taken in and further tested for his mage qualities.

Would she think he lied?

Leon faced her nervously for a moment. Then, she chuckled.

“Not long ago, I would have been interested, but after seeing Ria, I’m not as impressed.”

She seemed to ponder how to handle the situation, staring at Leon for a while before glancing at the serious-looking Ria and then looking away from Leon. It was unusual for a master to be so mindful of their disciple’s feelings.

“Be careful.”

“Careful… of what?”

“At your current level, a 1st-grade mage, others might not notice unless they specifically check. But from the 2nd grade onwards, other mages will know.”

She told Leon to come back tomorrow and sent him out. Leon left the room with a bewildered expression. Ria, who followed him out, spoke gloomily.

“I’m sorry because of me…”

“No, it’s my fault for being careless. I’m sorry for not telling you I became a mage.”

“Um… it’s okay.”

Ria said it was okay, but her expression showed otherwise. However, Leon was too lost in his thoughts to pay much attention to her expression.

‘I got caught so easily. I was really careless…’

As long as he didn’t openly use magic in front of mages, Leon thought he wouldn’t get caught. It would be strange for mages to find out that an ordinary person had awakened mana on their own. Moreover, if it was revealed that he had transformed from a single attribute to Tri-Attribute, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was taken somewhere for experiments. Attributes were considered an immutable talent determined at birth. It was a miracle that Ria’s master wasn’t interested.

Leon’s mind was filled with worries about how to hide his level. Another concern crossed his mind.

‘Could the old man at the magical archive know?’

Leon knew that the old man at the magical archive could use magic. Although his level didn’t seem very high.

‘I need to be even more cautious.’

Having awakened his mana, Leon had stepped onto the path of a mage. He didn’t know much about the world of this novel he had been possessed into, but having followed the author’s works to the end three times, he knew some characteristics of the author’s stories. It was a world where new powerful beings appeared crazily. Leon had enough reasons to be cautious.

The next day, Leon arrived alone at the place he had come with Ria. When he knocked on the door, Ria’s master appeared. She spoke bluntly as soon as she saw Leon.

“Follow me.”

Following her, Leon went deeper into the city center. Soon, a tall spire came into view. The building, made of shining white marble, boasted its grandeur even from a distance. As they entered, the clean and serene interior atmosphere was palpable.

Each floor was lined with numerous rooms, and everyone passing by was a mage.

“Professor Arpina! Hello.”

A man holding a thick book greeted Arpina, who responded indifferently.

“I really want to take your Four Elements Magic class next semester.”

“Sure, take it.”

After passing the student and climbing numerous spiral staircases, they arrived at Arpina’s private research room.

“Your task is to wait here and fetch the books I list for you.”

“Are you researching new magic?”

Arpina’s lips twitched into a slight smile.

“You ask questions like one of my students.”

“It’s my first time having a conversation with a mage.”

Leon knew that even such trivial questions could annoy some mages. He just didn’t think Arpina was one of them. In the short time he had known her, Leon had figured out that she had an indifferent personality.

“Hmm, well, fine. You’ll figure it out from the books I list anyway.”

She sat at her desk and wrote something on a piece of paper, then handed it to Leon.

“Yes, I’m researching new magic. It’s inspired by Ria.”

The paper she handed over was filled with the names of magic books. She also gave Leon her personal token.

“These are available at the Central Magical Archive. Some might be in the old archive. When you bring them, leave them at the door. I’ll take them myself.”

Leon nodded and immediately turned to leave. He exited the magic tower and headed straight for the Central Magical Archive. After showing the token and gaining entry, he diligently searched for the books listed on the paper. Although he had always wanted to visit the central archive, he refrained from looking for any magic books he personally desired. That would have been enough to irritate Arpina.

Leon moved all the books without using basic strength magic, finding it difficult but manageable. Being deep within the central archive, he was wary of using magic.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to this.’

He had a brief moment of doubt, but ultimately, it wasn’t a bad outcome. He learned that mages could easily detect his level, and he could gather the merit points needed for a private room, which was even more necessary now. In the end, he hadn’t lost anything.

After stacking the books in front of Arpina’s research room, Leon sat nearby and began to skim through them. He intended to look at them until Arpina came out to collect them.

‘Illumina Codex: Advanced Light Magic Techniques.’

He skipped books that seemed too advanced for his current level at a glance.

‘The Study of Radiance: Theory and Practice of Light Attribute Magic.’

“Is this worth reading?”

After skimming through it a few times, Leon quickly put the book down.

‘It doesn’t resonate.’

Even though the books from the Central Magical Archive were prestigious, reading magic books unrelated to his attributes didn’t sink in. Eventually, Leon started reading the lower-level magic book he had with him. Recently, he had been engrossed in reading unique magic books from the old magical archive. While he practiced magic suited to his attributes in reality, he read various types of magic books after it became difficult to progress with quests.

‘Lower Speed Magic.’

Since Arpina already knew he was a mage, there was no need to hide it. At some point, the door opened, and Arpina came out. She glanced at the book Leon was reading and chuckled.

“Why are you reading such trash magic books?”

“I thought they might be useful.”

“It seems you don’t even know basic common magic.”

She sighed, shook her head, and disappeared back inside with the books.

‘Then teach me.’

Leon looked at the door she had gone through with dissatisfaction before turning his gaze away. The end of his workday was entirely up to Arpina. If she told him he was done for the day, he could leave. His working hours were shorter than when he worked at the old magical archive, finishing shortly after lunch.

As he exited the magic tower, he saw Ria lingering in front of it. She quickly approached him when she saw him.

“Are you done? Did Master give you a hard time?”

“Yeah, I just did my work and came out.”

Leon, who planned to return to the dormitory and focus on his training, answered casually and started walking towards the dormitory. He thought they had just run into each other and exchanged greetings, but Ria continued to follow him.

“Uh… I’m heading back to the dormitory.”

“I know. I wanted to give you this first.”

Leon noticed that Ria was holding something in her hand—a small pouch that could fit in one hand. She handed it to Leon.

“It’s a spatial pouch. I wanted to give you a magic robe or staff, but it seemed like you didn’t want to reveal yourself yet.”

Leon took the pouch with a slightly guilty expression. To be precise, he felt burdened. Just hearing the word ‘spatial’ made it seem expensive.

“Thanks, but… is it okay to give me something like this?”

“All mages carry one! It’s not that expensive. The really expensive ones are those that can only be opened by the registered user’s unique mana. This one isn’t like that, so don’t worry.”

Even so, it was unlikely to be a common item that everyone carried around. It was probably a gift from someone who recognized Ria’s talent.

“Shouldn’t you be using it?”

“I can just ask Master for another one.”

“..…”

Arpina’s first impression had been sharp enough to be intimidating, but perhaps she was a master who always gave in to Ria.

“Thank you. I… even hid that I became a mage.”

“Then don’t hide it next time. Got it?”

Just as Leon was thinking that Ria’s words carried genuine sincerity, someone approached Ria.

“What’s this, a boyfriend?”

When Leon turned his head, he saw a girl with long red hair. She had a cute appearance and seemed to be around Ria’s age.

“Ha, you have time to hang out with a guy?”

But her words were completely opposite to Leon’s first impression of her. Her green eyes turned towards Leon, and she frowned as soon as she saw him.

“An entrance resident?”