An Unexpected Visitor

Was this a "mutation" caused by the knowledge of Shield Spell he had learned from old Barton?

Lynn was pleasantly surprised. The three first-ring spells this time were all fairly common on the market, but he had never seen this special effect before.

He suspected it was something only veteran mages like Barton had researched.

Who would have thought he could "steal-learn" it for himself?

This greatly improved the versatility of [Shield Spell]!

Lynn no longer hesitated and chose [Shield Spell]. It was also the type of Abjuration spell he currently lacked.

Next, he infused the purple inspiration into the [Psionic] star.

[Your mana is boiling! You are drawing close to the wellspring of the world!]

[Talent unlocked: Mana Drain]

[Effect: You gain the ability to actively drain mana. When near unclaimed sources of mana, or willing creatures possessing mana, you can draw the mana from their bodies.]

Lynn quickly absorbed the knowledge that flooded into his mind with the new talent and gained a more complete understanding.

In other words, he could now draw mana at close range from dead magical beasts, unclaimed magical items, or spellcasters willing to let him drain their mana.

Lynn suppressed his excitement and let out a long breath.

Now, his endurance would reach an utterly outrageous level. If he learned a few more powerful spells, he could practically become an army by himself!

Of course, that was only when facing groups of low-star magical beasts. He still lacked the means to fight a prolonged battle against higher-star monsters.

Who would have thought that in just one day, he had raised both the [Wisdom] and [Psionic] stars by one level?

Unfortunately, the third [Bloodline] star had remained completely silent.

Lynn silently concluded that the Codex of Origin's method of advancement was vastly different from conventional magical practice.

Conventional magical practice required meditation and extensive study of tomes. It leaned more toward secluded cultivation.

The Codex of Origin, however, could gain experience through continual contact with spellcasters and magical matters. It was somewhat similar to the "social cultivation method" that had become popular in recent years.

That was fine by him. Compared with burying his head in bitter research, Lynn preferred this feeling of getting things done while "eating hotpot and chatting."

It also strengthened his resolve to help Elaine. Not only could he build a good relationship with Barton and even the White Tower Society behind him, but he could also come into contact with more formidable spellcasters.

For example, the mysterious Druid friend Elaine was looking for.

Maybe I could learn Druid magic? Controlling beasts, commanding plants, transforming into an owlbear... It actually sounds pretty fun.

When he glanced at the wall clock, it was already two thirty in the morning. Only then did Lynn feel the drowsiness hit him. He pulled up the covers and fell into a deep sleep.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

What the hell! Wasn't this the fourth time someone had knocked tonight!? Was I ever going to get any sleep!?

He opened his eyes, then suddenly realized the sound was not coming from the door.

Lynn carefully got up and slowly approached the window. The tapping on the glass continued through the curtains.

He cautiously opened a gap. By the light of the half moon, he made out the sight beyond the window.

A small bat with fangs, crimson eyes, and rather delicate features was half-folding its wings as it repeatedly knocked on the glass with its winged forepaws.

It even wore a red formal bow tie around its neck!

Suddenly, it noticed Lynn spying on it and flew over at once, waving its claws and saying something.

Lynn immediately drew the curtains shut.

"I must be too sleepy. Or maybe I'm dreaming?"

"Slap slap slap!" The knocking on the window became even more frantic, like raindrops, filled with intense indignation.

Lynn pulled the curtains open again, leaned close to the glass, and looked down at the strange bat.

It opened its little mouth and kicked at the window with its front and hind paws in turn, seemingly trying its utmost to express its fury.

Only when Lynn pressed his ear to the window could he barely make out what it was shouting.

"Asshole! Bloody mage! You saw me and still won't open the window! Didn't I have someone send you a message? I said I'd come to Iris Inn to find you sometime this month when I was free!"

Lynn blinked. This little thing had really come looking for him? Had the original owner arranged to meet it?

He remembered the original owner's inexplicable sudden death, and how, after transmigrating here, he had been so weak that he lay in bed at the inn for an entire week...

Better safe than sorry.

So he chanted a spell and used Mana Wave.

There was no hostility—only anger at being unable to get through the window. This little guy certainly had quite the temper!

Lynn had already set [Shield Spell] to trigger automatically. Together with the three casts of Upgraded Shield Spell old Barton had given him, it gave him considerable confidence.

He opened the window a crack and immediately asked, "I don't remember making a deal with a bat. Who are you? What do you want with me?"

The little bat looked ready to explode. It shouted, "Idiot, you damned bookworm! You can't even recognize my handsome, dashing face? Let me in already! Do you still want to buy my specially made potion or not?!"

Potion? Lynn immediately recalled that the original owner had bought something from a potion shop somewhere north of Colin Town before his death.

He also remembered the young apothecary's appearance, as well as what he had said to the original owner:

"This is a bottle of Water of Miracles blessed by angels and cursed by devils alike. Limited-time discount, only thirty silver coins. No refunds after purchase!"

Then, after returning to the inn, the original owner drank that potion, and what happened afterward...

Lynn tried hard to remember but got nowhere. He could only guess that the original owner had fallen into an abnormal state over the next two days, until he suddenly fainted during a mission. Then Lynn had transmigrated into his body.

That potion was probably the cause of the original owner's death!

Following the original owner's habits from memory, he went to the desk and opened the bottommost copy of Compendium of Witch Legends. Inside, he found a note.

"Deposit received. Busy lately. Delivery to Room 11 of Iris Inn within one month."

It was signed with a bright red bat seal.

So that was why the original owner had insisted on renting a room at Iris Inn for an entire month?

Had he gone mad after drinking that potion? He had blown all his money in one go...

Lynn turned to look at the fake-potion swindler still chattering outside the window.

This guy had already caused a death, yet he had the nerve to show up so openly to deliver another order?

Lynn swiftly formed the spell structure for [Frost Ring] in his mind, then opened the window and grabbed the bat in one hand.

"Y-you, what are you doing!?" The bat shrieked in panic. "I told you I'm here to deliver your order! Don't you understand!?"

With a blank expression, Lynn made up a lie. "I gave that previous potion to a friend. Two days later, he suddenly dropped dead!"

He guided the Frost Ring closer, looking every bit like he was about to rid the people of a menace.

The bat trembled all over and immediately shouted:

"How is that possible? The side effects of my potions can't kill anyone! At most, they make your head feel muddled, like you're dead drunk, or make you suddenly see strange things..."

It muttered, "That's not even necessarily a bad thing for a mage. It might even spark inspiration."

The Frost Ring continued to approach, its spinning sharp edge nearing the bat's bow-tied neck.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Why would I lie to you? We noble Bloodline have always disdained such fraudulent schemes! I explained it when you bought the potion—it was a 'Water of Miracles blessed by angels and cursed by devils alike'! There was a fifty-fifty chance. If it succeeded, you'd make a fortune. Even if you were unlucky and failed, you'd only be sick for a few days!"