Training-Addicted Mage In A Progression Fantasy-Chapter 50: Merchant Convoy Escort (1)

Leon pulled his robe down further as the gazes around him intensified.Though his identity wasn’t at risk, Dave’s presence made him uncomfortable with the unnecessary attention.

Kito, still perched atop his head, shifted uneasily.

“Nice to see you again.”

Leon’s low-voiced greeting prompted Dave and Karin to step closer.

“Theo, is it really you? It’s been ages!”“When did you get back?”

Their faces lit up with undisguised joy, as if reuniting with an old friend.

“I returned after finishing my business. I’m about to leave for a new mission.”“A mission?”

Dave’s gaze immediately darted to Maxius, curious about Leon’s upcoming task.

“Becoming a Silver Adventurer must mean you’re taking on a high-grade mission.”

Dave clicked his tongue in disappointment at Maxius’s words.He was close to Silver rank but still a Bronze Adventurer.

Leon shifted his attention back to Maxius.

“I’ve heard the process for Mages to become Silver Adventurers is somewhat vague......”“Ah, Mages can easily attain Silver rank if their Magic Power is sufficiently verified.”“How is that power verified?”

Maxius offered a wry smile.

“It seems you’re in a hurry again this time.”

Leon understood Maxius’s implication.Whether entering the Beast Forest or crossing to the Empire, it was always urgent.

“Follow me.”

Maxius led Leon to the backyard.It was where Leon had first proven his skills for his Bronze Adventurer badge.

Leon effortlessly summoned his Magic Power before the large wall, blue light swirling around him.

“Soften.”

At Leon’s gentle command, the blue light coalesced, taking shape.In an instant, a blue dragon materialized, moving as if embracing Leon.

Maxius’s eyes widened.

“This is......”

He trailed off, staring at the unfamiliar blue dragon in astonishment.

Leon commanded the blue dragon in a clear voice.

“Spit.”

The blue dragon’s jaws gaped wide, unleashing a powerful torrent of water.The water cannon hurtled towards the empty wall, colliding with tremendous force.

Bang-

A thunderous crash echoed as the wall crumbled, water seeping fiercely through the fragments.The splashing water scattered in all directions, drenching the entire wall instantly.

“Freeze.”

At Leon’s word, all the water streams ejected by the blue dragon froze solid.As the water trickling down the wall transformed into ice shards, the entire structure gleamed like crystal.

Maxius’s expression blended surprise and admiration.

“...As I suspected, you were hiding your true abilities. Magic skills couldn’t possibly improve this much in just a year.”“I apologize for the deception. I had my reasons.”

Maxius nodded understandingly.

“I see. This power is... more than sufficient.”

Dave greeted Leon as he re-entered the building.

“Did you pass?”“Yes.”“I knew you would. By any chance, what kind of mission are you planning to take.......”

Leon silently approached the mission board, scanned it briefly, then selected the Derkanthia merchant convoy escort mission.

Dave’s eyes widened.

“Are you heading to the Empire?”

Puzzled by Dave’s excessive reaction, Leon inquired.

“Is traveling to the Empire so surprising?”“Ah... It’s not that. We were also considering crossing over to the Empire soon.”“I see.”

When Leon responded calmly, Dave added with a tinge of regret.

“We haven’t met the Silver Adventurer requirements yet, so we can’t go together.”“...That’s how it is.”

It’s not as if Leon could wait for them either.

Maxius handed over the Silver Adventurer badge and took the mission paper from Leon.

“Will you accept this mission?”

As Leon nodded, Maxius began explaining the mission in detail.

“The departure is set for a week from now. It takes time as they’re recruiting quite a few escorts, and adventurers aren’t particularly fond of these expedition missions......”“You mean it could take longer.”“Yes...”

Maxius hesitated before asking.

“Do you plan to return after visiting the Empire?”

When Leon shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossed Maxius’s face.

“I see. Then you’ll need to register anew at another adventurer’s guild in the Empire.”“It can’t be helped.”

In truth, Leon wasn’t certain if he’d continue adventurer work after reaching the Empire.

While Leon filled out the mission paper, Dave quietly approached and waited.As Leon set down his pen, Dave gestured to his party members waiting behind.

“If you have some time... would you like to join us for a meal...”“Sure.”

Dave’s face brightened at Leon’s ready acceptance.

Upon joining the party, a new face caught his eye.It was a woman with sky-blue hair, reminiscent of a clear summer sky.Her gentle curved eyes, straight nose, and refreshing mouth corners accentuated her striking features.

Dave, this person... does he only recruit women into his party?

He couldn’t help but think that way, as all three party members were exceptionally beautiful.Even Leon, usually insensitive to such things, found himself pondering this.

Is he the type of character who’d be the protagonist in a typical fantasy novel?

The sky-blue haired woman bowed her head slightly towards Leon.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mage. I’m Erika, a Bronze Adventurer.”

Her politeness matched that of Dave or Maxius, but there was an undeniable air of nobility about her.

A noble...?

The question flashed through Leon’s mind.Dave seemed to notice the subtle change in his expression and smiled awkwardly.

“Haha, let’s head to the Fairy’s Restaurant first.”

Dave hurriedly changed the subject.It felt as if he was steering the conversation away from more detailed questions.

Leon, deciding not to pry further, simply nodded and followed Dave.

The restaurant was the same place where Leon had first dined with Dave’s group.It seemed Dave had intentionally guided them here.

A roast whole pig dominated the center of the table.Only Leon and Erika were helping themselves to the stew.

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“After you ventured deeper into the forest that time... the Artifact you gave us was incredibly helpful.”

Dave carefully lifted the green flute hanging around his neck.

“The Green Golem easily handled the monsters in Zone 2. It was a lifesaver when we were in danger or needed assistance.”

As he began to untie the string, Leon stopped him.

“There’s no need to return it.”“......I wasn’t just pretending to give it back out of politeness. Haha.”“I’m glad you found it useful. I felt guilty about leaving alone as part of the same party.”“No, at that time... we couldn’t protect you properly, we were lacking in many ways.”

Dave spoke wistfully, as if recalling his inexperienced past self.For Leon, a year had passed like an arrow, but for Dave, each day had been a fierce struggle.

As their conversation continued in a friendly atmosphere, Leon asked.

“If I may ask, what’s your reason for crossing over to the Empire?”“Oh, us? Well...”

Dave glanced at Erika.

“Our new party member has a reason to return to the Empire.”“Return...”

As Leon echoed with interest, Dave chuckled awkwardly.

“Haha, yes. Erika is actually a noble from Derkanthia.”

At those words, Erika’s body tensed slightly.Dave quickly spoke up, as if to reassure her.

“The Mage seems to have already figured it out. And he’s our great benefactor, so there’s no need to hide it.”“...I see.”

There seemed to be more to Erika’s background, but Leon wasn’t particularly curious.He was more interested in the fact that they were heading to the same destination.

“May we ask you something in return?”“About my reasons for going to the Empire?”“Yes. And I’m wondering if you’ll continue your adventurer activities.”

Leon smiled faintly and shook his head.

“As for adventurer work... I don’t plan to continue unless something special comes up.”“I suppose that’s to be expected. Haha.”“My reason for going to the Empire is Magic-related.”

Dave nodded, as if he had anticipated this answer.

“I’ve heard there are great Mages in the Empire.”“Oh? You know about that?”

Intrigued by Dave’s knowledge of something even he wasn’t sure about, Leon probed further.

“Ah, I just picked up a bit from Erika.”

At those words, Erika’s shoulders flinched again.Noticing her reaction, Leon discreetly used Scanning Magic.

Dave, Karin, and Linne were unaffected by the Scanning Magic.It meant they had no Mana.

However, Erika’s state was different.While her Realm wasn’t clear, it wasn’t a complete absence of Mana, but rather an odd state.A subtle fissure that Leon could detect due to his sensitivity to Magic Power.

Her Realm isn’t higher than mine.

If it were, he wouldn’t have been able to sense even this subtle feeling.

Leon recognized a similar sensation.Bima’s Bracelet.This was the feeling you get when wearing an Artifact that conceals Magic Power.Even with Leon’s sensitivity to Magic Power, the fact that he could detect it to this extent meant that the grade of Erika’s Artifact was lower than Bima’s Bracelet.

Leon examined Erika’s appearance.She was dressed in leather armor with a longsword at her waist.

Is she hiding her Mage status from Dave too?

Erika must have sensed something as well, as she looked directly at Leon.

Did she notice the Scanning Magic?

Leon realized that Erika was a Mage, and Erika seemed to notice that Leon had figured it out.But Leon said nothing and turned his gaze back to Dave.

“If you don’t have any special plans for the week, would you like to go sightseeing in the city with us?”

Karin asked cheerfully.She still hadn’t lost her bright and positive personality.

Leon accepted Karin’s proposal, which he had always declined before.

***

Over the course of a week, Leon explored the city and, with Dave’s assistance, gathered all the necessary provisions for their extended journey.

At last, the day came when all the adventurers assigned to the escort mission convened in one location.With a hundred Silver Adventurers gathered, the need for a leader to guide them seemed only natural.

Disinterested in the proceedings, Leon had retreated to a quiet corner where he unexpectedly encountered Dave.Dave rubbed the back of his neck, a hint of embarrassment in his gesture.

“They were short-handed, so we ended up joining the mission too.”“I see.”

The task at hand involved escorting carriages for a month and a half.Amidst the unfamiliar crowd of bustling adventurers, Leon found himself oddly comforted by Dave’s familiar presence.

“Um... should I greet her?”

Dave’s eyes suddenly darted upward as he posed the question hesitantly.

“Ah.”

Atop Leon’s head, Kito lounged comfortably.She spoke with languid ease, her chin propped on her hand.

“Don’t mind me. Carry on as usual.”“Gasp.”

Dave startled at Kito’s nonchalant words.

Leon wondered if adventurers near the western Beast Forest were familiar with Polymorphed Beasts.

Just as Leon was about to open his mouth to ask, someone shouted loudly.

“If there are no objections, I’d like to volunteer as the leader.”

The speaker was a middle-aged adventurer whose very presence exuded experience.