Training-Addicted Mage In A Progression Fantasy-Chapter 11: Secret Research Building

The space revealed by the splitting bookshelf was blocked by an invisible barrier.

Leon did not hastily step inside but examined the area around the barrier.

It was not surprising that a space hidden by a Black Mage was protected by such a barrier.

Leon could not find a way to deactivate the barrier.

In the end, Leon entered the space within the Magic Orb and faced the old man’s corpse once again.

The sight of the old man lying cold on the floor made Leon’s heart skip a beat, even though he had steeled himself.

Leon shook his head and searched the old man’s body.

The first thing he grabbed was a smooth-textured pouch.

A Spatial Pocket!

Leon immediately injected Magic Power and emptied the contents of the pouch.

Fortunately, it was not a high-grade Spatial Pocket, so it reacted to Leon’s Mana.

Five items fell out.A bronze Identification Token, a green potion bottle, a Scroll, a book, and a black brooch.

First, the bronze Identification Token that Leon had seen before.It was the token held by the head librarian, which he had received when running errands for Herbs.

Next, a transparent potion bottle containing a green liquid.

Is it poison...?

The color alone gave off an unsettling feeling.

Better not touch it carelessly.

Leon moved the potion bottle to his own Spatial Pocket and picked up the Scroll next to it.

As he unfolded the Scroll and skimmed through its contents, Leon’s eyes widened.It was a recipe for making an E-Grade Elixir.

So the old man was gathering Herbs to make an E-Grade Elixir!

He had suspected as much.The Herbs the old man had sent Leon to fetch were not included in the recipe for an F-Grade Elixir, except for one.

Although he had not yet gathered all the Herbs needed for the F-Grade Elixir, having the recipe would not hurt.

Feeling like he had finally received a reward for using all the Magic Scrolls he had, Leon happily examined the remaining items.

As expected, the book was a Magic Book on Black Magic.

The title was ‘Call of the Abyss.’

The ominous title was fitting for the secretive nature of Black Magic.

Lastly, the black brooch.Since it was an item stored in a Spatial Pocket, it must have had some purpose, but no matter how much he examined it, Leon could not figure out what it was.

Leon held the brooch in his hand and put the rest of the items into his Spatial Pocket before exiting the Magic Orb.

Back in the old man’s study, Leon slowly brought the black brooch to the barrier covering the secret space.

He carefully extended the brooch without touching the barrier, and the brooch slipped inside.

Gaining confidence, Leon boldly pushed his entire hand through.

It works.

The black brooch was indeed a key to entering the secret place.

Leon pushed his entire body through the barrier.

Once inside, he saw a staircase leading downward.

As he descended the dark staircase, a large cavern appeared.

He could tell it was a cavern because a faint light illuminated the space.

Tap-

Leon stepped off the last stair.

“Wow...”

He was breathless at the sight of the enormous silhouette in the vast cavern.

It was about five times the size of a human.A long beak and an equally long neck.Huge wings covered in dull gray feathers.

A bird......?

It was the silhouette of a giant bird.

The giant bird was lying on the ground.

It did not seem to be resting.

Shackles bound its thin ankles. Bandages wrapped around its entire body.And thick blood oozed from between the bandages.

Confirming that the bird’s eyes were closed, Leon cautiously moved.

A desk was placed far from the bird.

Was he researching the bird?

On the desk, Leon found a Scroll that looked like an observation journal.

Observation Week 62• No longer able to extract poison through bloodletting.• Noticeable decline in energy.• Consistently administering E-Grade Elixir, but no changes observed.• Researching other methods to restore the bird.• A way to awaken Mana alone? Elixir? If there is, it would help......The last sentence trailed off as if it were a direct thought.

Leon took the Scroll and looked around.

On the metal plate connected to the desk, there were remnants of used Herbs, and beneath the plate was a large box.Inside the box were numerous green potion bottles.They were identical to the potion bottle found in the old man’s Spatial Pocket.

And on top of the box was another Scroll.It was the observation journal for week 61.There was not much difference from the week 62 journal.

Was he gathering them to send somewhere else?

Leon put everything into his Spatial Pocket.

He left one green potion bottle on the desk.So that the Mages who would come to investigate after discovering the old man’s disappearance could find it.

Leon intended to make it seem like the old man had left Widia alone and returned to his hideout to continue his research on Black Magic.

Now, what to do with the bird......

It was strange that the old man would leave the bird behind while continuing his research.

As he pondered, the bird’s large eyes suddenly opened.

Its slit pupils focused on Leon.

“Who are you......”

The bird’s voice echoed in the cavern.A hoarse yet languid voice.

Leon was startled and quickly hid his expression.

“I am the successor to the old man’s work.”“Hmm...... But I don’t sense any Black Magic from you......”

The bird’s mocking tone paused briefly before continuing.

“It seems something has happened to Paulin.”

Leon had tried to hide his identity, but it was immediately revealed.Paulin was the old man’s name.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

The bird’s voice was probing, as if testing him.Leon pressed his lips together and fell into thought.

Should I kill it now? If a Mage finds it later, my actions might be discovered. It’s unsettling that it can speak like a human......

Sensing that Leon’s thoughts were turning negative, the bird spoke up.

“How about a deal?”“Why should I trust you?”

When Leon openly expressed his wariness, the bird extended its long neck to face him.

“Isn’t it foolish to reveal your intentions without even hearing the deal?”“Is that so?”

Leon scoffed inwardly but nodded outwardly, signaling the bird to continue.No matter what the bird said, the fact that he held the upper hand would not change.

“If you find my Core and bring it to me, I will grant you one wish.”“A wish? Any wish? Can you make me a Grand Mage?”“Let’s not be ridiculous. That won’t lead to a productive discussion.”“Is it that absurd?”

Leon shrugged.The bird’s eyes, which seemed to be half-closed, stared at Leon for a moment.

“Have you never wanted to kill someone? I can kill one person for you, no matter who it is.”

The bird’s words had a chilling undertone, but Leon’s expression remained indifferent.

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“I don’t want to kill anyone.”“That’s hard to believe. Even if you don’t have one now, an enemy can appear at any time.”

Leon silently shook his head.Even if he did have someone he wanted to kill, he would have denied it.

“......If that’s not what you want, it’s also possible to take an item you desire from my lair. It would certainly be of great help to your magic skills.”“I’m not interested.”“......Finding my Core shouldn’t be too difficult. Even if you find it, it won’t fully restore my current condition. So I can’t offer more than that.”

The bird drew a clear line.

But it was only then that Leon felt like having a proper conversation.

The fact that the bird did not make outrageous demands even after being rejected made Leon feel its sincerity.

After a moment of contemplation, Leon suddenly asked.

“How can your condition be fully restored?”“If I rest in a place with dense Mana for a long time, it is possible. But finding a place that can sustain the Mana needed for my recovery is nearly impossible. The concentration of Mana required is that high.”

Hearing that, Leon made up his mind.

“What if there is a way to fully restore your condition?”

The bird immediately scoffed.

“Do you think you can take me to such a place with your skills? With your current abilities, you can’t even break the shackles binding me. And even if you find such a place, it will take decades for me to fully recover. Can you wait that long?”“You don’t seem to be in a position to be picky. What if I really can free you and restore your condition?”

Leon thought of a way to bring the bird into the space within the Magic Orb.He had never brought a sentient creature into the space, but he did not foresee any major issues.Of course, he did not plan to let this unsettling monster in without precautions.

At that moment, the bird, as if exhausted, lowered its head back to the ground.

“I know my situation. But it’s impossible. If it were possible, I would swear an oath. I could even serve as your Servant Beast until your lifespan ends.”“An oath?”“A contract made through blood and Magic. Once the contract is made, it cannot be broken unless you wish to die.”

Such a binding method existed.Leon eagerly nodded.

“Alright, let’s do it now.”“......Did you not understand that breaking the contract means death?”“I understood.”

The bird seemed unable to comprehend Leon’s confident attitude but eventually had no choice but to comply with his proposal.

“I cannot use Magic in my current state, so I will teach you the Spell Formula.”

Leon followed the bird’s instructions, calculated the Spell Formula, and cast the spell.

“By blood and soul, I swear, let this oath transcend time. Soul Binding Oath!”

As he chanted, Leon’s Magic Power was rapidly consumed.

A hexagram Magic Circle appeared before him.

Leon placed his blood and the bird’s blood on the Magic Circle and recited the contract terms.

In summary, Leon would provide a place for the bird to fully recover, and in return, the bird would serve as his Servant Beast until Leon’s lifespan ended. If such a place existed, the bird could not threaten Leon until it fully recovered.Once fully recovered, the bird would become his Servant Beast, so it would naturally pose no threat afterward.

During the process, Leon also learned the bird’s name.

“Kito.”“...It’s been a long time since I’ve been called that.”“The oath is properly made, right?”

Leon could feel the binding force of the oath but asked anyway.

“Yes...... If you didn’t have a way, the oath wouldn’t have been made in the first place, but it seems you have some means.”“Then I’ll free you now.”

With the oath made, there was no reason to hesitate.Leon placed his hand on Kito’s head and grasped the Space-Time Orb with his other hand.

When he opened his eyes, both Kito and Leon were in the middle of a forest.

“Where is this......”“Wait a moment.”

Leon exited the Magic Orb alone and re-entered a few seconds later.

Kito stretched its long neck, looking around.

“...How did you do that? You disappeared.”“How long was I gone?”“Only a few minutes......”

It seemed that living beings experienced the same passage of time whether Leon was inside or outside the Magic Orb.

I should avoid bringing people in......

If Leon spent just one day in reality, the person inside the Magic Orb would have experienced two months.

“Is this enough Mana for your recovery?”

Kito raised its long neck and took a deep breath.

“......It’s sufficient.”“Then focus on your recovery.”

Once recovered, Leon planned to work Kito to the bone.

*****

Leon did not stop as he left the old man’s study.

He headed straight to the second floor of the Magic Archive.It was a place the old man had forbidden him from entering since the first day, as it contained forbidden Magic Books.

A Mage who isn’t curious about forbidden Magic isn’t a true Mage.