Training-Addicted Mage In A Progression Fantasy-Chapter 43: Absurd

“We can offer you much better terms. However, you seem quite young... May I inquire about your affiliation?”“I have no affiliation. I’m a wandering Mage.”“I see.”

Was he skillfully concealing his expression, or was he genuinely unbothered?Sengor, as he was called, maintained a neutral face.

“In that case...”“It’s not necessary.”“...”

Leon cut off Sengor’s proposal before he could finish.

Dave, who had been watching anxiously, visibly relaxed.His large face resembled a puppy’s, but that wasn’t why Leon declined.

Leon intended to explore the 2nd area tomorrow before venturing deeper, so he saw no reason to switch parties now.It made little difference who he went with in the 1st or 2nd area.

More importantly, making such an offer while already part of a party and sharing a meal showed a lack of respect, which didn’t sit well with him.

As Leon declined, Karin slammed the table and stood up.

“You heard him. Now scram.”“Is that any way to treat us?”“What kind of relationship do you think we have?”“We’ve even shared drinks.”“That’s because you called me out when you were a total rookie, claiming you had concerns. Why don’t you mention getting slapped for trying to make a move on me?”

Karin scowled, clearly recalling an unpleasant memory.

The blond man shrugged off her anger.He pretended to look away but scanned Karin’s figure, only to lock eyes with Leon.

Blond hair and bronze skin... hmm...

Though appearances can be deceiving, something felt off.

Well, it’s not like we’ll cross paths again anyway.

As Leon feigned ignorance and looked away, Sengor spoke calmly.

“Since you’ve declined, it would be impolite to press further. We’ll take our leave.”

Sengor patted Dave’s shoulder as he sat.

“We might run into each other tomorrow.”

Despite Sengor’s unpleasant gesture, Dave wore a satisfied smile.

“Yeah, off you go~”“...”

Sengor left with a sour expression, and Dave clasped his hands together, seemingly moved.His leather armor looked ready to burst at the seams.

“Thank you so much. You stayed loyal... Honestly, you could have considered better options...”“...We’ve already synced up.”“And I’m not just saying this because I dislike him, but he’s truly bad news.”

Leon, finding Dave’s beaming face increasingly difficult to watch, wrapped up the conversation.He didn’t inquire further about Sengor.He wasn’t particularly interested to begin with.

“Let’s meet tomorrow morning.”“Yes! We’ll be ready.”

After finishing their meal, they stood up.

“If you get bored, feel free to drop by our inn!”

Karin laughed playfully as she left.Dave was excessively polite, and Karin overly friendly.Linne, who remained quiet, was more comfortable to be around.

After parting ways with the group, Leon found another inn for the night.He paid using the money he had saved as an Entrance Resident.It wasn’t much.

Rising early, Leon visited the market to stock up on provisions.Mostly dried meat for convenience.

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“Do you accept Mana Stones?”“...Of course.”

In any place frequented by Mages, Mana Stones were also value as currency.

Magic Stones are a lower-grade version of Mana Stones, so it makes sense.

He packed the food in Preservation Pottery and headed to the guild headquarters as agreed.

The group was already there, having completed their preparations early in the morning.Dave sat on a bench, Karin was animatedly talking about something.Linne wore a small smile as she watched Karin.

It was a peaceful party scene.

“Ah! You’re here.”“You’re early.”

Leon joined the group, logged the mission, and they set off for the Beast Forest.

They quickened their pace to reach the 2nd area swiftly, but traversing the 1st area proved challenging.

The journey itself was time-consuming, and they encountered Goblin groups more frequently than expected.

Dave tilted his head.

“Something feels off.”“We are running into monsters quite often.”

Dave seemed to sense something amiss.They had roamed the 1st area all day yesterday and encountered only about 7-8 monster groups.But now, despite their increased pace, they had already met five groups.

“It seems the high-grade monsters occupying the deeper areas are stirring.”

Monsters occupying areas.Leon had heard about this from Kito.The Beast Forest harbored stronger monsters closer to its center.And these powerful creatures ruled their territories like kings.

“The movements of monsters in the deeper areas can affect even those at the entrance.”

When high-grade monsters invaded each other’s territories or prepared for such conflicts, the resulting chaos impacted the monsters at the entrance.

“It’s not uncommon, but...”

Dave turned to Leon, concern evident in his voice.

“What do you want to do?”“What exactly does ‘being affected’ mean?”“Monsters roam more frequently, so you encounter them more often, or you might run into larger groups... that sort of thing.”“If that’s all, it’s not a problem.”

For Leon, who planned to venture deeper today, such issues weren’t a hindrance.

“Do you have a way to deal with monsters if they lose aggro while you’re preparing Magic...?”“Yes.”

There was a way to eliminate them before losing aggro.

“Then it should be fine. We won’t go deeper than the entrance of the 2nd area anyway.”

Since it was a one-day mission, Dave seemed to think it was manageable.

As they ventured further than yesterday, the forest’s incline began to increase.Other than that, the woods appeared denser, but there wasn’t much difference.

“If you climb for a while, there’s a flat area, and that’s where the 2nd area begins.”“I see.”

Due to the battles, by the time they reached the 2nd area, the sun was already setting.

It wasn’t a major issue for Dave’s group, who only intended to explore the entrance of the 2nd area.

If I fly, I could reach the 3rd area in less than a day.

Dave had heard there were no flying monsters up to the 2nd area.There were rumors of adventurers spotting a Griffon around the 4th area.

The location where Kito had hidden the Core was at the boundary between the west and the central part of the Beast Forest.The central area was said to house unimaginable monsters, so caution was necessary.The area where Kito originally resided might now be occupied by another high-grade monster.

As soon as they entered the 2nd area, they sensed a presence nearby.

The monsters that appeared were two Lizardmen.Their skin was covered in rough scales and had a green hue.

Dave immediately took the vanguard position.The formation was the same as when facing Goblins.

While Dave drew attention, Leon completed his incantation.

“Fire Arrow.”

As the fire arrows shot towards the two Lizardmen, they perished without much resistance.Leon controlled the flames to prevent the forest from catching fire.

The Lizardmen seemed to have strong defenses, but not enough to repel Magic.However, each individual was large and powerful, making them formidable opponents in direct combat.

“Let’s move quickly.”“Yes, yes.”

****

Dave struggled to contain his excitement.

After killing one Lizardman, another appeared, followed by two more.They kept coming.

Eventually, the Lizardmen’s skin turned brown.The brown Lizardmen’s scales were even harder.

Dave knew they were venturing deeper into the forest, but he couldn’t help grinning.

It didn’t require much effort.One or two could be handled by drawing attention while the Mage took care of them.They were pierced by fire arrows, sliced by Wind Blades, and swept away by waves of Water.The colorful display of Magic was mesmerizing.

This is why people rave about Mages all the time...

No matter how difficult their personalities, the demand for Mages never waned.

The Lizardmen’s corpses kept accumulating.It took longer to dismantle and collect the bodies than to fight.

“Hmm, we should wrap up before nightfall.”

Dave spoke, hiding his reluctance.Since it was a one-day mission, they had to leave the forest before dark.They had already gone deeper than planned.As the party leader, his judgment had been clouded.

Clang-

At that moment, they heard the sound of clashing weapons nearby.Dave turned towards the noise.

Blocked by trees, he couldn’t see them, but the urgent presence suggested a fierce battle.

Another adventurer party, perhaps.

They could help, but Dave knew his place.

The strength of this party came solely from the young Mage.If they were to assist, they needed his permission.

Let’s follow the rules.

There was no guarantee that helping adventurers would lead to reciprocation.In fact, helping could lead to disputes over the spoils.Therefore, it was a principle that parties handled their own affairs.

Moreover, Dave, who had already erred by getting too excited and venturing deeper than planned, had no right to speak up.

“If we leave now, we can make it back in time.”

As Dave turned to leave, he froze.

“Shhh.”

Lizardmen emerged from the trees.

This time, it wasn’t just one or two.

Dozens of Lizardmen blocked their path.There were over 30 of them.

“Did they lure us...?”

Dave instinctively stepped back.The presence of 30 monsters was overwhelming.

At that moment, someone pushed his back with a palm.

It was the young Mage.

The face peeking out from the Robe was so calm that it made Dave feel at ease too.

“Don’t retreat from the vanguard.”“S-Sorry.”

As Dave regained his composure and gripped his Greatsword tightly.

A group emerged from the side.It was the party engaged in battle earlier.

Dave recognized the five faces.

“Sengor...?”“Please help us!”

Sengor, eyes shining, hurriedly joined Dave’s group.

As a result, the Lizardmen pursuing Sengor’s group also turned their attention to Dave’s party.

Now, over 50 Lizardmen surrounded them.

“Ha...”

Leon sighed.

Then he raised his palm.

“Fall.”

Boom-

A blinding flash and thunderous sound echoed.A brilliant beam of light suddenly struck from the sky.

The Lizardmen’s bodies were instantly enveloped in blue electricity.

“Kiik-“

The Lizardmen screamed in agony.Sparks flew between their scales, their muscles convulsed, and their eyes rolled back as they collapsed.

Smoke rose from the Lizardmen’s mouths.

Nine Lizardmen died instantly.

It wasn’t over.

“Fall again.”

The young Mage muttered once more.

Boom-

Another nine Lizardmen perished instantly.

The Thunderbolts kept raining down.

Every time the Mage spoke, Lizardmen fell.With a single word, monsters died in droves.

This is the true power of a Mage...

They only had to fend off the Lizardmen that started charging halfway through, but soon all 50 Lizardmen lay dead.

There were enough bodies to last a month without hunting.

“Phew...”

The Mage sighed lightly, seemingly drained from using Magic continuously.

At that moment, Sengor’s eyes gleamed.He signaled his party members.

Dave noticed it too late.

Oh no!

When is a Mage most vulnerable?Right after using powerful Magic.Moreover, this young Mage had overexerted himself to fend off the Lizardmen.

But would they really attack a Mage... No, because he’s a wandering Mage?

By the time he realized, Sengor and his five party members were already charging at the Mage from behind.

“Theo!”

Dave’s urgent shout echoed through the forest.

And that desperate cry seemed almost embarrassing as Sengor’s sword was effortlessly deflected.By the barrier that had formed around the Mage.

“?”

The Mage looked at Sengor curiously.His expression was more of bewilderment than surprise.