Training-Addicted Mage In A Progression Fantasy-Chapter 58: Arcanum

“It’s premature to be disappointed.”“How can you tell us not to be disappointed when you’ve presented a sword with no apparent abilities? Is that even logical?”

Voices of discontent erupted among the mages.Even with Appraisal Magic, they couldn’t detect any abilities in the sword.

“Do you think the Jeto Trading Company would showcase an item as the auction’s finale without proper verification? Rather, this peculiar ability that even Appraisal Magic can’t detect! This isn’t mere incompetence. In fact, it suggests an ability to resist Magic Power! Do you see where I’m going with this?”

The auctioneer’s voice grew increasingly rapid and intense.

“This Magic Sword, with its unyielding strength that withstands any strike, and the power to disrupt Magic Power’s flow upon contact with magic! For the skeptics among you, we’ve prepared a live demonstration.”

At the auctioneer’s clap, a thin man appeared and stood beside him.He was a 3rd Grade Apprentice Mage.Wordlessly, the man raised his hand and cast a defensive spell, forming a strong barrier around himself.

The auctioneer lightly tapped the barrier with the Wooden Sword.

Instantly, the mage winced as his barrier crumbled.

“Is this some kind of joke?”“If you’re wondering whether this is staged, would you care to try it yourself?”

The auctioneer extended his hand towards the complainant, as if he’d been anticipating this reaction.His challenge drew the attention of the mages.

“Very well.”

The singled-out mage snorted and stood up.He was a Mystic Mage, and he took the thin man’s place, casting the same defensive spell.Without even an incantation, intense Mana surrounded the area, forming a powerful barrier.

The auctioneer tapped the barrier with the Wooden Sword in the same manner.At that moment, the Mystic Mage’s expression subtly twisted.He had clearly sensed something.

However, his defensive magic didn’t break easily.So the auctioneer repeatedly tapped the barrier.With each tap, the mage’s face grew more strained.

“Ugh.”

Though he seemed to try to endure, eventually the barrier collapsed.As it crumbled, the mage exhaled deeply and quietly admitted,

“...It certainly interferes with Spell Formula calculations.”

Leon’s eyes gleamed as he observed the sequence of events.

This... It has exactly the same ability as my Wooden Sword.

And it wasn’t just sturdy; it had the power to consume Magic Power in the Magic Orb and break one seal.

I have to get it.

He needed to obtain it even if it only had the same ability.Clearly, the Wooden Sword had hidden abilities that Leon hadn’t yet discovered.Who knew if this auctioned Wooden Sword might be the key?

“Do you understand now? This Wooden Sword isn’t just a simple weapon. Used skillfully, it’s a powerful Artifact capable of interfering with even Mystic Mages’ magic. Just one sword. And there’s more.”

The auctioneer instructed the Mystic Mage to unleash any attack magic on the Wooden Sword.He then took out a crystal from his pocket and infused it with Magic Power.A barrier formed around the table where the auctioneer and the Mystic Mage stood.

The Mystic Mage glanced at the barrier, then raised his palm.Responding to his Magic Power, tree branches sprouted from the ground, wrapping around the Wooden Sword and squeezing it tightly as if to crush it.

But the Wooden Sword withstood the pressure of the Mystic Magic without the slightest tremor.

“Did you see that? This item’s abilities can be evaluated as at least a B-Grade Artifact. Even if Appraisal Magic doesn’t work, its value is evident. Now, let’s begin the auction. The starting price is 80,000 Mana Stones.”

Having witnessed the Wooden Sword withstand the Mystic Mage’s magic and even break the barrier, they couldn’t doubt its abilities.However, contrary to the auctioneer’s expectations, the once subdued atmosphere didn’t easily ignite.

Although it was an Artifact with outstanding abilities, the mages’ perception of the sword itself wasn’t positive enough to warrant 80,000 Mana Stones.

“81,000.”

But there was someone who wanted to buy the item.Leon’s gaze turned towards them.

It was someone who, like Leon, wore their Robe’s hood pulled down low, making it impossible to see their face.However, it was easy to tell that they were a large figure, at least a head taller than others.

The mages in the Auction House briefly focused on him but soon lost interest.It was because he was an Early Arcane Mage.They assumed it was typical for a low-level mage to covet an Artifact.

Leon watched carefully and subtly raised the price.

“82,000.”

The attention momentarily focused on Leon as well, but it quickly dispersed.

“83,000.”

As a competition between just the two, an Early and an Intermediate Arcane Mage, broke out, the interest of the other mages rapidly waned.

“...Must be noble’s children.”

Cynical murmurs could be heard around, but Leon paid no attention and called out the price again.

“84,000.”

The tall man didn’t give up.

Does he know something?

Leon carefully observed the man while gradually raising the price.As the two continued their unyielding competition, the auction price rose much faster than expected.A satisfied smile spread across the auctioneer’s face.

Until the price reached 100,000, neither of them backed down a single step.

“100,000! Is there no one who will bid higher? Then the Wooden Sword goes to that mage!”

The one the auctioneer referred to as ‘that mage’ was Leon.The tall mage hesitated for a moment before standing up abruptly.

“I’ll add a Protection Magic Circle talisman on top of the 100,000.”“Um... In principle, we only deal with Mana Stones. Unless you’re going to bid more Mana Stones...”

Then the man shouted forcefully towards Leon.

“Then we should verify if that person really has 100,000 Mana Stones! I’m sure he also won a large capacity Spatial Pocket!”

Leon’s expression hardened.He had been watching carefully as the Mana Stones exceeded 100,000, and now he found himself in a situation where even his vulnerabilities were being exposed.

If he didn’t have the Mana Stones, it would be better to gracefully bow out, but why was this person so insistent?

However, once his weak point had been exposed, there was pressure to show the Mana Stones.Before more attention gathered, Leon took out a pouch containing 160,000 Mana Stones from his pocket and tossed it towards the auctioneer.

The auctioneer deftly caught the pouch and checked the Mana Stones.

“Hmm... It seems you are more than qualified.”“...”

The auctioneer threw the pouch back.Leon caught the pouch, returned it to his pocket, and spoke quietly.

“Don’t pick unnecessary fights. If you’re short on Mana Stones, just concede.”“...”“Mage who raised the objection, will you increase your bid?”“...I’m done.”

The tall mage’s gaze lingered on Leon, but remembering that he was an Early Arcane Mage, Leon didn’t pay much attention.Rather, he was more concerned that other mages might harbor ill intentions now that they knew an Arcane Mage possessed over 100,000 Mana Stones.

As soon as the auction ended, Leon swiftly exchanged the Mana Stones for the item he had won and hastily left the Auction House.

He hurriedly slipped through the alley and returned to the inn.

Just as he was about to lay out the two Wooden Swords side by side and conduct various experiments, Leon received a signal on his Silver Badge and left the inn.The Adventurers’ Guild had sent a message saying they had located Torin.

He headed to the Adventurers’ branch.The person he met there was Torin, the mage introduced by the Guild.

Torin was a middle-aged man with neatly parted wavy Brown Hair, and the thick beard along his jaw and jawline further emphasized his serious demeanor.

“I heard you wanted to purchase a map.”

He slowly handed a Scroll to Leon.

“It’s a map completed 5 years ago, so it’s likely the most up-to-date.”

Leon unrolled the Scroll, confirmed the map showing all the Magic Cities, and nodded.

“How much should I pay you?”“500 Mana Stones will suffice.”

Leon filled a separate Mana Stone pouch with 500 and handed it over.Torin took the Mana Stone pouch and carefully checked it.

Meanwhile, Leon examined the map and searched for the Asteria School.However, among the names of various Magic Cities, there was no mention of ‘Asteria’.

Leon stopped the mage who was about to leave.

“Have you ever heard of the Asteria School?”“The Asteria School? Hmm...”

Torin remained silent for a while, deep in thought, then suddenly hit his palm with his fist as if recalling something.

“Come to think of it, I have heard of it. Wasn’t it a school included in the Arcanum about 20 years ago?”“Arcanum?”

In response to Leon’s reaction, Torin looked him over once and explained.

“...You must be a mage from another country.”“That’s correct.”

Torin nodded and continued his explanation.

“Arcanum is the collective name for the 20 most powerful magic schools in the Empire.”“Ah...”

So that meant the Asteria School was once one of the most powerful schools in the Empire.But not anymore.

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

As he listened, it sounded quite similar to something.That was the Sigrinel School that Erika had mentioned.

“Do you know anything about the reason for its decline?”“As far as I know, it was naturally expelled from the Arcanum when the Tower Master of that school died. It’s natural to be expelled from the Arcanum if a Transcendence Mage disappears and the successor doesn’t reach Transcendence. Even schools that have maintained their power for hundreds of years are not exempt from this rule.”

It didn’t seem like it had declined due to conflict with someone else, like Sigrinel.

Leon let out a sigh of relief.In fact, Leon didn’t care much whether the school was powerful or not.

As long as I can train safely, it’s fine.

Leon thought this as he looked at the map again.

“Why isn’t the Asteria School marked among the cities on the map?”“In the Empire, only the Arcanum schools have the authority to name cities after their schools. Naturally, it would have a different name.”“Then do you happen to know where Asteria was located?”“If my memory serves me correctly...”

The mage pointed to a spot on the map.