Unlimited Power - The Arcane Path

Leon opened his eyes widely after hearing that. He didn't expect to receive that kind of offer. Still, Leon knew that was too good to be true.

"Really?" Leon frowned. "Why would you help me?"

"For the same reason, I decided to help her grandfather." The shadowy figure answered. "I can see the same potential I saw in him in you. In fact, I can even see that you can surpass him in just a few years... It has been a long time since I saw someone so talented in using mana... No wonder that lizard recognized that you are a troublesome existence."

"So, you know that guy too." Leon rubbed his chin. "You guys are rivals or something?"

"You can say that... that being said, my methods are less crude than his." The shadowy figure answered. " Not only can I help you return to your planet, but I can also help you to protect it from invaders. As you can imagine, this world is currently at peace, thanks to me."

"Then, grandfather is..." Darya said, surprised.

���Yes, he is working for me." The shadowy figure answered. "Although he only became the leader of this world twenty years ago, he was the one who proposed create a city above pillars and even the means to keep those who didn't agree with him down here."

"That makes sense..." Leon nodded. "It is impossible that any civilization can discover how to cast two massive spells over the entire continent... no, three massive spells. The mist, the gravity, and the defense system are spells granted by you, right?"

"Ah, you are quite sharp... I can easily imagine the lizard itching to kill you since you are like this..." The shadowy figure said. "No wonder you managed to learn how to produce mithril..."

"That wasn't me... Darya did." Leon said.

"... I guess you are even more useful than Donan imagined..." The shadowy figure said. "If he weren't so authoritarian, he could have discovered that you could become much useful to him..."

Darya looked away, showing a sad expression. She also could imagine herself quite easily working even more for her grandfather if he had discovered her talent… in the end. He would treat him even more like a tool. Noticing that, Leon made his choice.

"So, what I'm supposed to do as… as your employee?" Leon asked.

"Not much. In fact, you won't have to do anything for a few years." The shadowy figure said. "However, once your planet reaches the second stage of assimilation, you will have to make sure that no one would approach my dungeon."

"Why?" Leon asked.

"You don't need to know why," The shadowy figure said. "You will return to your planet. I will give you new powers and knowledge far beyond you can even imagine… that should be enough for you to accept my offer."

"Indeed… but how can you be sure that I won't betray you?" Leon asked.

"It is simple, you just have to sign a magic contract," The shadowy figure explained. "Just put in your right hand inside my cloak and say that you want to work for me."

"I see… can I have a few days to think?" Leon rubbed his chin.

"… No, you have to decide now." The shadowy figure said.

"I already decided… I decided to that I kill you bastards who think that can use other planets as your gym." Leon declared.

"… A foolish human." The shadowy figure sighed.

"Yep, I'm stupid, but I'm not a coward rat like you guys who are too afraid to challenge yourself with the things that are in or above your league," Leon said.

"… An insect that just lived for a few years thinks that knows everything." The shadowy figure laughed. "That is so funny. You don't even know what you are talking about. You don't even know what you will find. The deeper you try to explore the worlds that have been assimilated for thousands of years… I'm a fool for trying to dialogue with an insect."

"No, you are a fool because you think you can lure anyone with sweet words," Leon said. "I know that you are sucking the mana of several worlds to strengthen yourself, and I know that the people of this planet are being used to maintain the defense system that keeps the continent safe."

"What?" Darya asked, shocked.

"… So, you noticed that too." The shadowy figure said.

"Obviously, why the hell a bastard like you would help the inhabitants of other worlds?" Leon asked. "It is clear like the sky that you are plotting something. The mist and the gravity can stay activated, absorbing the mana of the inhabitants of the lower world and the of the ambient, but to keep the fake harvesters at bay, Donan would need something else. A shield of mana. It took a while for me to notice that almost everything on this planet didn't make any sense. Three spells that cover the entire continent? Mana crystals in the people's forehead that can amplify their powers? Nothing of that could be for free… the mana crystal amplifies their powers because they can use more mana in a single moment, but at the same time, much more mana is used to keep the defense system working."

"You are an amusing fellow…" The shadowy figure laughed. "You even noticed that I couldn't keep my form here for long… that is why you stalled for time. I guess you are not stupid enough to challenge me in my world… I will see you again when the time comes…"

The shadowy figure instantly vanished, and Leon sighed in relief. Fortunately, he noticed that the mana around the monsters was dissipating. Otherwise, he would have done something stupid... perhaps even accepted the creature's offer. Regardless, it looked like Leon owed some explanations to Darya... she was looking angrily at him as if that was the case...