Training-Addicted Mage In A Progression Fantasy-Chapter 44: Hydra

Leon found himself in a bit of a predicament.

I don’t have any Magic to handle multiple opponents at once...

Having never faced 50 mages simultaneously, he hadn’t realized his lack of area-of-effect Magic.

I need to learn Arcane Magic as soon as possible.

As this thought crossed his mind, the Guardian Robe activated.

Turning his head, Leon spotted Sengor, who had retrieved his deflected sword and looked flustered.

As Sengor’s comrades rushed in, Leon floated upward.

The Guardian Robe had the ability to block a single attack.That crude slash had consumed one of its Magic Circles.

Leon glanced at Dave, his eyes seeking an explanation.Dave spoke, equally bewildered.

“They’ve always been low-quality individuals. I never imagined they’d stoop so low as to attack a Mage...”

Leon had somewhat grasped the psychology of Sengor’s party.They had never encountered an Arcane Mage before.They assumed he used Magic through Memorization and that it required lengthy incantations.

Even after witnessing nine consecutive Thunderbolts, they couldn’t fathom anything beyond their limited understanding.They believed he needed time to recover after using such great power.

As Leon rose to a height beyond Sengor’s reach, Sengor hastily discarded his weapon and attempted to kneel.

Without hesitation, Leon launched the Electric Orb hovering at his fingertip towards Sengor.

Crackle-

“Arghhh.”

Electrocuted, Sengor convulsed violently.His hair stood on end from the electricity, and smoke rose from his body as he collapsed powerlessly.

Leon gazed down at Sengor with a cold expression.He was certain that showing mercy would lead nowhere good.

“W-Wait a moment!”

As Leon conjured four more orbs, a member of Sengor’s party cried out desperately.

She was the sole female adventurer in Sengor’s group, and she stepped forward, clasping her hands together.

“I-I never wanted to betray you, Mage!”“...”“I only went along because I feared the consequences of refusing. Please, show mercy just this once...”“What nonsense are you spouting, you ugly old hag.”

It was Karin who interjected.

“You were happily cheating others alongside Sengor, and now you claim you were forced?”

Karin brushed her hair back, her expression incredulous.

“We’re well aware of your misdeeds, so spare us your excuses.”“...”

The female adventurer fell silent.Her silence in the face of death spoke volumes.

As soon as the exchange between Karin and the female adventurer ended, another adventurer turned and attempted to flee.

Without hesitation, Leon hurled the four orbs at the adventurers.They all crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Though they were vile individuals, four lives had been extinguished in an instant.And it had been done with Magic that the Mage had created effortlessly.

Perhaps it was fear.Dave looked at Leon with a tense expression.

“...”

Leon took a moment to catch his breath, surveying the lifeless adventurers.

Killing them was the right choice.

They would never have repented if spared.

Yet, witnessing the adventurers fall so easily, unlike a Mage, left him uneasy.The power to end lives as effortlessly as crushing ants brought discomfort rather than a sense of omnipotence.

Leon became acutely aware of the unbridgeable gap between himself and them.

“I’m sorry. I failed to notice the ambush properly...”“Get up.”

Leon descended, his expression softening.

“It was my mistake to get carried away and venture this deep.”

Leon sighed as he looked at the trembling Dave.

“Let’s part ways here.”“What? You mean...”“Don’t get any strange ideas.”

Leon retrieved a Green Flute from his pocket and offered it to Dave.It was a D+ Grade Golem summoning flute.

“This, this is...”“Blow the flute, and a Golem will appear to protect you. Even if you encounter a large group of monsters, it will buy you time to escape.”

It was no longer of much use to Leon, who planned to create his own Golem, but it would suffice to protect this party.Most valuable Artifacts required Magic Power to use, making this perfect for the three of them to escape the 2nd area.

Leon intended to head straight into the depths of the Beast Forest.Having demonstrated his power, there was no reason to hesitate further.

“Is it really alright to give us such a valuable item? We’ve only shown you our shortcomings.”“It’s fine. I’m sorry I can’t accompany you back.”

Leon placed the flute in Dave’s hand.

“N-No. We’ll treasure this flute as a family heirloom!”“Why would you keep it as a family heirloom? It’s for the party’s use.”“It’s not that precious, so use it in emergencies and flee. And... I trust you’ll speak well of me to the guild.”“Yes, don’t worry.”

Dave nodded quickly, understanding.

“I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

As Leon floated back into the air and turned to leave, Karin’s voice called out from behind.

“Will we see you again?”

Turning his head, he saw Dave holding her back.It was a familiar sight.Leon deliberately offered a faint smile.

“If the opportunity arises.”

With that, Leon flew deeper into the forest.

***

Leon headed straight into the depths of the Beast Forest without pause.

Endless waves of green flowed beneath his gaze.The varying heights of the trees added depth to the forest’s landscape.

From above, the movements of the monsters were clearly visible.They bustled about, as if preparing for battle.Their actions seemed purposeful.

Some gathered at specific points or formed formations.Others built nests, while some stood guard.

Taking in these sights, Leon flew until dusk.

He entered a denser part of the forest.

Is this the 3rd area?

Since flying monsters appeared from the 4th area onward, there shouldn’t be any major issues flying even at night.

Leon recharged his Magic Power in the Magic Orb and flew until he reached the end of the 3rd area, then halted.

Just to be safe, let’s move when it’s light.

After confirming there were no orc groups nearby, Leon descended and sat cross-legged.He chewed on dried meat to pass the time, using the Invisibility Cloak when he sensed monsters approaching, waiting for them to pass.

After spending a quiet night, Leon took off again at dawn.

One night of rest in the Beast Forest had been enough.

“Thunderlight.”

Leon shot Electric Orbs at a Griffon following him, easily fending off any threats.Realizing that flying monsters weren’t a significant problem yet, Leon flew without worry even as night fell.

After about five days of flying.In terms of areas, it was around the 15th area.No adventurer had explored this far, so it probably lacked an official name.

By then, the Magic Power in the forest had thickened considerably.Though far from the density of the Magic Orb, it differed noticeably from the general concentration.

Leon was currently fleeing from pursuing monsters.

Ten large creatures with small wings flapped behind him.They were about 5 meters long, with bronze-colored bodies covered in hard scales.

Their heads, at the end of long necks, resembled crocodiles.Their red eyes blazed with wildness.

“Kito.”“Hmm?”

When Leon called out to Kito, who was lounging on his head, she answered in a lazy voice.

“What are those?”“They’re called Drakes.”

As a Drake opened its mouth, a jet of flame shot towards Leon.

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Leon quickly used the acceleration of the Golden Wings to escape the range of the flames.

He had already attempted to attack with Magic.It seemed to have an effect, but it didn’t kill them in one hit.

He could handle one, but ten were impossible.

That’s why Leon was fleeing in panic.

However, the Drakes’ wing flaps weren’t particularly fast.It meant he could shake them off.

I’m almost at the place Kito mentioned.

Leon focused on using the Magic Orb to evade the Drakes.

As he reached the area Kito had described, the atmosphere changed.It felt as if the entire forest was holding its breath.

The color of the forest also shifted noticeably.The green leaves darkened until they appeared almost black.The trees towered much higher than before.

Realizing he had entered a truly deep part of the forest, Leon proceeded cautiously, feeling tense.

Kito had said she hid the Core in her Cave.Following the direction Kito indicated by tugging his hair, Leon suddenly halted.Flying just above the densely packed trees at a low altitude, he sensed a powerful presence.

“A presumptuous one has entered my territory.”

Then, something enormous rose before Leon’s eyes.The scales rubbed together, creating a sharp metallic noise.The body, hidden beneath the trees, seemed to grow endlessly.

In an instant, three heads rose to where Leon was flying.The heads were snake-like, each large enough to easily swallow Leon whole.The bodies connected to the heads were also long and serpentine.

As the three heads opened their mouths and roared, the very air vibrated.It was a chilling cry, a mix of a sharp scream and a deep roar.Green liquid dripped from their razor-sharp teeth.

Instinctively, Leon’s body stiffened with fear.

All the eyes on each head focused on one spot.Three pairs of golden eyes were fixed solely on Leon.

Leon’s heart began to race.It was the familiar alarm he always felt in moments of crisis.

As the monster scrutinized Leon, its primitive rage and hunger swirled, but there was also a calculating intelligence.

Should he flee or fight?As Leon took a deep breath to steady himself.

“Elder Sister?”“...”

The sharp, penetrating gaze softened in an instant.

Kito, still lounging on Leon’s head, spoke nonchalantly.

“Oh, so it was you who took over my territory.”“Yes, that’s how it happened. Hehe...”

What was that?Those suddenly gentle eyes.