NoveLight ™
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.
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…."
"Alright."
"…Pardon?"
Leon, who had been about to suggest splitting the leave into smaller portions, was taken aback.
"It’s fine, take the entire 16 days. But promise me you’ll do me a favor later. I think I asked you something similar before."
"You mean gathering herbs?"
"This time, I’ll go with you."
"With you…."
Leon hesitated for a moment before nodding, hiding his doubts.
"Understood."
"When do you plan to start?"
"Can I begin tomorrow?"
"That’s fine."
Leon hadn’t expected it to be difficult to secure leave, given that his presence as a librarian wasn’t particularly essential.
However, he was surprised by how readily the old man had approved 16 consecutive days of leave.
Was Leon being paranoid, or was the old man merely waiting for a reason to have him gather herbs together?
Regardless, Leon resolved to remain cautious.
He decided to prepare himself thoroughly for the breakthrough to the 2nd Rank.
For the next two weeks, Leon dedicated every moment, except for sleep, to training.
He ate simple meals like bread, quickly consumed in the orb’s space, and didn’t leave his room.
After receiving his quest rewards in the real world, he would take a short nap and then immediately reenter the orb to continue training.
And as planned, Leon reached the 2nd Rank.
Leon sat cross-legged, observing his current state.
—--------------------------------------------------- [Growth Assistant]
Information ▶ Name: Leon ▶ Rank: Apprentice 2nd Rank ▶ Mana Quality: E- ▶ Elemental Affinity: Tri-Elemental (Water, Wind, Earth)
General Quest ▶ Basic Magic Training (Completed)
Breakthrough Quest ▶ Rank Advancement (Completed) —---------------------------------------------------
His mana core had solidified further, and his mana reserves had increased.
With the help of elixirs, Leon possessed far more mana than an Apprentice 1st Rank magician would typically have.
Now, he could cast at least ten spells in the real world, about 1.5 times the capacity of a standard Apprentice 2nd Rank magician.
He could also memorize one additional spell, and with Arpina’s basic magic reaching the 2-star level, he could now summon two creatures: one from water and one from wind.
Leon’s surroundings now exuded an aura of mystique, fitting for a true magician.
This meant he needed to be even more careful.
Stronger magicians would find it easier to detect that he was a magician.
While he was using the Mana Concealment spell effectively, he needed something even more secure.
Despite the risks, Leon couldn’t help but smile, pleased with his progress.
Even Leah, with her top-tier talent, had yet to reach the 2nd Rank, but Leon had gone from being an ordinary person to an Apprentice 2nd Rank magician in just seven months.
▶ Rank advancement has increased reward probability. ▶ 200 hours of Space-Time Orb time have been provided. ▶ Please select an additional rank advancement reward. ▶ Artifact (E+ Rank Magic Detection Pendant) / Elixir (E+ Rank Purified Essence)
"Additional reward?"
Did this mean additional rewards were given starting from the 2nd Rank?
After a moment’s consideration, Leon chose the elixir.
Although he had switched his general quest rewards to artifacts, an E+ rank elixir was a different matter.
Especially since it was an essence.
▶ Acquired Purified Essence (E+)
A blue potion in a transparent bottle appeared in Leon’s hand.
Through his studies, Leon had learned that elixirs labeled as "Essence" increased mana reserves, while those labeled as "Purified Essence" enhanced mana quality.
Naturally, Purified Essence was far more valuable.
Consuming Essence would improve mana quality, but it required a significant amount.
Leon immediately uncorked the potion and drank it down.
A warm sensation spread through his body, as if he were slowly sinking into a hot bath.
A tingling sensation like a mild electric current coursed beneath his skin, converging at the core in his solar plexus.
The tingling sensation exploded from his core.
His senses sharpened, and his mind cleared.
"Haa…"
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.
"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.