Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

Training Addict Magician in a Growth-Focused Story

EP.16 Recruitment of Ordinary Disciples

Leon returned home without having a proper conversation with Ria, as the surrounding mages took her away. He immediately resumed his training. A week passed, during which he only traveled between his home and the herb mountain. Then, a rumor began circulating among the residents at the entrance. The rumor was that ordinary disciples were being recruited from among the entrance residents.

Leon suddenly recalled what the man who had conducted the attribute test on his first day at Widia had said.

‘Don’t be too disappointed. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to become a mage by accumulating merit points or waiting just one year.’

Leon, who had been extremely nervous at the time, remembered the man’s words verbatim.

‘Is that one year now?’

Having lived in Widia for a year, Leon had a good understanding of the situation. Even ordinary people with single attribute constitutions had a chance to become mages. Although it was a very rare opportunity, the door wasn’t completely closed.

Mages with single attribute constitutions who learned magic through such opportunities continued to train diligently. They either managed to squeeze through the narrow opportunity to enter the academy or resigned themselves to their talents, maintaining a mediocre level and taking on administrative roles like Forn, Investigator Mark, or Walter, who managed the herb mountain.

The reason Leon, who was content with managing the herb mountain, was deeply contemplating this opportunity was because of the common magic. He hadn’t thought much of it at first, but it seemed that some important spells were categorized as common magic.

If he became an ordinary disciple and awakened his mana, he would learn common magic…

‘I could also exchange quest rewards for spellbooks and keep trying until I get common magic…’

Leon didn’t feel a strong aversion to becoming an ordinary disciple. He no longer had to worry about revealing his true level, so there was no burden in stepping forward. Additionally, as an ordinary disciple, he wouldn’t have to handle as much work as the entrance residents, allowing him more time for training.

‘It’s a shame I haven’t been to zones 2 and 3 of the herb mountain yet…’

Even though Walter had a favorable impression of Leon, it was uncertain how long it would take for him to be assigned to zone 2 and 3.

Leon headed towards the dormitory where the entrance residents stayed, something he hadn’t done in a while. On the bulletin board in the plaza, a notice was posted.

[Recruitment Exam for Ordinary Disciples]

Leon skimmed through the contents. Below the title was a large emblem composed of various shapes and symbols. The exam required participants to interpret what this emblem represented and submit their answer. The problem itself was very simple. Leon quickly realized that the emblem had the same structure as a magic formula. If it were converted into a formula, it would become a very basic spell. The structure and essence were immediately apparent to him. He even thought he could transform it into a more efficient formula.

Leon pondered the intent behind this problem. Why would they present such a problem to ordinary people who were ignorant of magic? As a third-rank mage, the problem was so easy that it was difficult for him to grasp the purpose.

‘It’s a basic first-rank water spell…’

The symbols and shapes formed a continuous flow. The essence was gentleness. The emblem, created in a regular pattern, conveyed an overall meaning of calmness and softness.

‘Can an ordinary person figure this out?’

The reason for his contemplation was, of course, to hide his true level and pretend to be an ordinary person aiming to become an ordinary disciple.

‘Is it enough to just recognize the flow?’

Understanding that it was a water spell with the essence of gentleness was naturally difficult for an ordinary person. Leon quickly grabbed a piece of paper provided nearby and wrote his answer, avoiding magical terminology and simplifying it as much as possible. In less than a minute, he had written his answer and placed the answer sheet in the box.

‘Now, what’s left… is persuasion?’

Leon sought out Walter to express his intention to challenge the ordinary disciple recruitment.

Walter momentarily wore a surprised expression, but soon smiled warmly.

“Are you saying you might quit?”

“I’m not sure what kind of work I’ll be doing if I become an ordinary disciple, but I thought it was right to inform you in advance.”

“If you become an ordinary disciple, well…”

Walter stroked his chin, looking at Leon as he pondered. Leon looked every bit the ordinary person filled with dreams of becoming a mage.

Walter did not want to disappoint Leon. He had been in that position himself once.

“You’ll probably focus on training for a while, right? But you can’t just train forever. There will come a day when you’ll have to take on some duties, not as much as the entrance residents, but when that day comes, come find me again.”

“…Would that be alright?”

Seeing Leon’s cautious face, Walter inwardly smiled bitterly.

‘The young one doesn’t trust easily…’

Walter nodded enthusiastically.

“I told you I saw potential in you. I don’t just teach my harvesting skills to anyone, you know?”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“You’re already talking as if you’ve become an ordinary disciple? It’s good to see such confidence.”

“Ah.”

Leon realized he had unconsciously assumed that he would certainly pass.

‘I must be careful…’

After receiving Walter’s permission, Leon immediately went to find Arpina. He adjusted his level back to first-rank with the bracelet of Bima.

As soon as Leon faced Arpina, he bowed his head deeply. The mere fact that she agreed to meet him on such short notice was a sign that Arpina was giving him considerable consideration.

“Have you been well in the meantime?”

Arpina’s eyebrows twitched.

“You’re not the type to come just to ask how I’ve been. What’s your business?”

“Please help me one more time.”

Leon got straight to the point, just as she preferred. Any flattery would be unnecessary and redundant to Arpina.

“…How audacious. You come out of nowhere asking for help?”

“There’s no one else I can ask but you, Ms. Arpina.”

Arpina frowned, tapping her fingers on the desk as she pondered. She then enhanced her eyes with mana to gauge Leon’s level. It was the common magic ‘Search.’

Leon realized she was trying to assess his level and revealed his late first-rank level. He figured it was safe to show this much. To ask for a favor, he needed to demonstrate that he was at least somewhat capable. He also felt he had earned a certain level of trust from her.

“Late first-rank?”

Arpina’s eyes widened.

“Did you take some elixir?”

“I was fortunate.”

“Ha, that mage-like tone, did you learn that from your master?”

Arpina clicked her tongue and then spoke again.

“You’re at a similar level to Ria? That makes me even less inclined to help you.”

“Then I won’t ask for any more favors.”

Despite his words, Leon’s stance remained firm, indicating he wouldn’t leave until he got what he came for.

“…Annoying brat.”

Arpina crossed her arms and leaned back deeply into her chair.

“Tell me. What do you need?”

“I’ve applied for the ordinary disciple exam.”

“Ordinary disciple? With your skills, it would be strange if you weren’t selected, but why? You have a master, don’t you?”

Leon shook his head.

“I don’t.”

“What?”

Arpina straightened up from her reclined position.

“I never said I had one.”

“…Then how did you awaken your mana?”

“I studied on my own and awakened it.”

“Does that make sense? I personally confirmed that you have a tri-attribute constitution.”

“When I was young, I happened to find a spellbook. I read it and tried it on my own until I awakened my mana.”

It wasn’t entirely implausible. ‘By chance,’ he found a spellbook at a very young age. Already able to read, he ‘understood’ it on his own and attempted to awaken his mana. Over a long period, he succeeded. Even without innate talent for magic, if he had an exceptional mind, it wasn’t impossible. The subsequent rise in levels could be attributed to the limits of a tri-attribute constitution.

Of course, Arpina didn’t believe this scenario. It was no different from saying anyone could become a grand mage if they just worked hard enough.

“You must be hiding something.”

“Didn’t I say you gained a powerful ally?”

“Not so much that I’d be overly proud…”

Arpina, looking at Leon’s somehow irritating face, suddenly asked,

“Do you want to be my personal disciple?”

Leon shook his head at the unexpected offer.

“No, thank you.”

“…Why?

Leon had no intention of becoming anyone’s personal disciple. It was obvious he would face too much interference. The reason he aimed to become an ordinary disciple was primarily to have a guarantee that he could train openly without raising suspicions. The additional goals were to secure more training time and learn common magic.

Arpina’s face showed a hint of surprise, as if she hadn’t expected to be refused. It was an unfamiliar expression to Leon.

‘She looks like someone who’s never been turned down before…’

Leon wondered if he had been too abrupt in his refusal. However, if he truly had no intention of becoming a personal disciple, it was right to refuse. Nothing eroded trust more than indecisiveness.

“Why?”

Leon, sensing her impatience, cautiously replied, “You already have Ria as your disciple, don’t you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no rule that says I can only have one disciple.”

“But, Ms. Arpina, you told me not to even think about becoming your disciple last time…”

At his cheeky remark, she let out a dry laugh.

“…”

She knew he was audacious, but now she realized he was also incredibly stubborn. She had never been treated like this before. If she announced she was taking personal disciples, she could circle the academy grounds with just the students lining up.

Maybe she had been too lenient with him. It seemed Leon knew nothing about her. Yet, explaining herself in detail would be equally undignified.

She suppressed her irritation and spoke calmly.

“Training alone might not seem limiting now, but once you reach the third rank, you’ll find that advancing to the next level requires an enormous amount of time.”

Arpina didn’t know, but unfortunately, her advice didn’t apply to Leon at all. Realizing he couldn’t just brush off her earnest counsel, Leon decided to be somewhat honest.

“Even so, I want to try it on my own.”

“…”

Once again, she was at a loss for words. Arpina was dumbfounded. Did he not understand the difference proper guidance could make in one’s growth?

“Stubborn too, huh…?”

Seeing Arpina’s stern face, Leon bowed his head obediently. Unless he was willing to explain that he wouldn’t hit a wall training alone, it was best to let her think as she did.

“I’m sorry…”

“Fine.”

Arpina waved her hand dismissively. The more she listened, the more something seemed to chip away at her. She refused to acknowledge it as pride. Irritated, she asked,

“So, what’s your request?”

“If I become an ordinary disciple, can you ensure that my level isn’t revealed?”

“So… you want me to help you pretend to be an ordinary person and become an ordinary disciple?”

“Yes.”

Arpina didn’t ask for his reasons. Naturally, those applying to be ordinary disciples would be entrance residents. Leon, hiding his first-rank level, would find it troublesome. After a brief moment of contemplation, she chuckled. There was no need to get worked up over it.

“I wonder when you’ll repay this favor.”

“I won’t forget.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

‘Yes, let’s see how long it takes for you to hit a wall and come back begging to be my disciple.’

Arpina was confident that day wouldn’t be too far off.

—————–

Author’s Note

Huff, huff, I never thought I’d reach rank 1 in the serialization rankings…

Thank you so much!

I’ve added Rowen’s illustration to the notice, so please check it out if you’re curious!

Corrections:

Arpina Basic Magic 1st Rank -> Arpina Basic Magic 1 Star.

The name has been revised to be more understandable.

One-time Earth Wall Creation Scroll (F+) -> One-time Earth Wall Creation Scroll (F-)

All one-time scrolls have been fixed to a minus grade.

Sorry for the confusion ( )