Chapter 124: Capturing the Thief Before Capturing the Thief’s Companions

Ever since discovering his magic depletion, Leon had been focusing his research on “how to restore magic.” In other words, in the process of solving this problem, he had always assumed that he was “unable to gather magic.”

However, that wasn’t the case.

There were no issues with his physical strength, mental strength, or magic circuits, which meant Leon could gather magic normally. And theoretically, this magic should have been enough for him to freely use various large-scale lightning magic spells.

But the reality was that every time he gathered magic, he could only use some seemingly trivial magic, like child’s play. Even using lightning to form a birthday wish in the night sky required the cooperation of a magic circle.

This phenomenon might not be due to an issue with Leon himself, but rather… something was quietly stealing his magic away.

Recalling since becoming Rosvitha’s captive, what new “thing” had appeared on his body?

That’s right.

The Dragon Tattoo.

Leon had never considered focusing his thoughts on the dragon tattoo before. Because in his understanding, this thing was just a kind of auxiliary magic used by dragon couples to maintain loyalty and add interest to their relationship.

After awakening, Rosvitha used the symbolism and function of the dragon tattoo to bind Leon, making him unable to escape her forever. Only when they were vying for “dominance” would the dragon tattoo come into play.

As for the rest of the time, it quietly hid in the chests of the couple, without affecting their daily lives at all.

But after Leon had tried all possible solutions and ideas, yielding no results, he could only focus his final, and only, research direction on the dragon tattoo.

Rosvitha probably wasn’t very familiar with this thing either. A Mother Dragon who hadn’t been in a relationship for over two hundred years wouldn’t understand such things as dragon tattoos, would she?

When Dragons sought revenge, they weren’t very rational. She probably used every means she could think of to torture Leon, without considering whether she understood the dragon tattoo or was proficient in its use.

Furthermore, if she knew that the dragon tattoo would steal Leon’s magic, she would have teased him about it a long time ago.

Like saying, “No wonder you’re so vigorous, turns out you’re pouring all your magic into the dragon tattoo.”

Just imagining the Mother Dragon saying such things made Leon shudder.

Shaking his head, he refocused his thoughts.

After reselecting his research direction, Leon quickly made a completely different hypothesis: his magic wasn’t depleted, nor was he unable to gather magic; instead, the magic he gathered was silently absorbed by the dragon tattoo.

Now, he could begin to try to verify this hypothesis.

Leon glanced at Muen.

His precious daughter was still diligently working on her exercises.

Leon withdrew his gaze and walked to the bathroom in the library, locking the door behind him.

He stood in front of the sink’s mirror, unbuttoning his shirt collar to reveal the dragon tattoo on his chest.

The dragon tattoo is usually silver-white in its normal state, light purple when “longing” for the other, and deep purple when the couple has close interactions, symbolizing their unity.

The dragon tattoo still burned brightly.

“If it really is the dragon tattoo silently stealing my magic… then—”

Leon attempted to gather magical energy, and blue arcs of light flickered and pulsated in his palm. He closed his eyes, quietly sensing the flow of magic in his magic circuits.

From his palm, to his arm, to his shoulder, and finally… to his chest.

Leon slowly opened his eyes and looked at the electric light pulsating at the dragon tattoo on his chest, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Indeed, a portion of the magic is flowing into the dragon tattoo completely beyond my control… but…”

Leon noticed something strange.

Indeed, a portion of the magic had flowed into the dragon tattoo. However, based on the total amount of magic he had just gathered, the magic that flowed into the dragon tattoo didn’t constitute a significant portion.

If Leon’s gathered magic were likened to 10, the portion he could use for magic would be 2, and the portion that flowed into the dragon tattoo would also be 2.

Then where did the remaining more than half of the magic go?!

Leon ran his fingers through his hair, his mind racing frantically.

This line of thinking was correct. Indeed, his magic was being stolen by some “thing” inside his body.

But this so-called “thing” wasn’t just the dragon tattoo. Or rather, the dragon tattoo was just one of the insignificant “accomplices.”

As for the mastermind stealing his magic, there was someone else entirely.

“What could it be…”

Leon clasped his hands over his chest, pacing back and forth in front of the sink. He carefully recalled every detail since waking up.

But apart from the dragon tattoo, there was nothing new on his body. And indeed, the magical energy he had just gathered had flowed uncontrollably into his chest.

What detail had Leon overlooked?

…

After a brief moment of agitation, Leon regained his composure. He leaned on the sink with both hands, looking at his reflection in the mirror, and began to calmly reconsider.

“The dragon tattoo does absorb some magic, but this amount is so insignificant that it can be disregarded.”

“And if the dragon tattoo really had a significant impact on magical energy, Rosvitha would have surely removed it long ago. It wouldn’t still be present.”

“So, what can almost certainly be determined now is that my magic isn’t depleted; it’s being stealthily consumed by something unknown inside my body.”

“But… since it’s inside me and has absorbed so much of my magic, why haven’t I experienced any other adverse reactions apart from being unable to use magic?”

“Moreover, what is the purpose of this thing absorbing magic? Is it beneficial to me, or… harmful?”

Questions piled up before Leon like a small mountain, leaving him weary from pondering.

He sighed wearily, ran his fingers through his hair, and turned to lean against the edge of the sink, furrowing his brow and deep in thought.

On one hand, he didn’t want his master to think he had become incompetent over the past two years. On the other hand, his daughter’s winter break was approaching, and he had already promised to teach her more magic.

Leon needed to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

He closed his eyes, gently touching his brow with his hand, pondering for a moment, and another idea for overcoming this ordeal emerged.

If he couldn’t address the problems listed just now directly, then… Why not go around them first?

Leon suddenly lifted his head, turned to look at the dragon tattoo reflected in the mirror.

“The ‘thief’ stealing my magic will take away most of the magic flowing through my body’s magic circuit, which leads to the illusion of magic depletion.”

After magical enlightenment, any magic user can store the magic they’ve condensed in their magic circuit through “circulation.” When they want to use magic, they don’t have to condense it on the spot, which can be more efficient.

However, in Leon’s current situation, any trace of magic in his magic circuit would be stolen by the ‘thief,’ and then divided between themselves and his ‘sidekick,’ the dragon tattoo—

Alright!

That’s the key!

“Since I can’t find that thief, can’t I find the dragon tattoo?” Leon poked his chest, “You’ve been on me for so long, apart from handing in assignments to Rosvitha, you should also play some other role.”

Dragon Tattoo: Meow meow meow?