Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 40

He looked like a normal traveler, but he was not normal at all.

Normal travelers didn’t block the road on a deserted highway on such a dark evening. The wind howled across the deserted imperial highway. The only light came from the faint stars above, making the darkness feel even deeper.

Even though his cloak and coat hid most of his face, you could see a fierce look in his eyes.

The workers’ voices grew louder and rougher.

“This is your last warning! Tell us who you are now!”

When no one answered, the workers shot their crossbows. The bolts made a sharp sound as they flew.

Thud!

Instead of flesh, the bolts hit something hard. The workers quickly reloaded, not surprised.

The workers who carried luggage to the magic school were not just anyone.

They had to be able to prove who they were, and they had to be ready to fight to protect the luggage if something happened.

These workers were tough people – former adventurers, mercenaries, and soldiers from the Empire!

So, they didn’t panic when this happened. They jumped out of the carriage, grabbed their crossbows, and aimed at the enemy.

“Fire!”

“Fools! Don’t you know who you’re helping?”

The voice was thick and rough, like rocks grinding together. In the deep darkness of the highway, it sounded even more threatening.

“You’re protecting wizards! They are poisoning the Empire with their magic. Turn away from them before it’s too late!”

“By the beard of my ancestors!” a dwarf worker yelled, his voice cracking with fear. “It’s the anti-magic zealots! We’re in trouble!”

The Empire’s anti-magic zealots.

Among all the bad people in the Empire, these were the worst.

They hated all magic.

They believe magic is bad. They say it destroys order, nature, and people!

They didn’t just hate magic.

They would attack wizards and magic schools.

There was only one reason they were here.

“In the name of the Twilight Dawn Order!”

“In the name of the Twilight Dawn Order!”

The enemy charged. The workers gulped, seeing the weapon shine in the moonlight.

“Veil of Order!”

With a surge of magic, a huge magical barrier appeared around the carriages.

The charging enemies were thrown back, coughing blood.

Professor Garcia had cast the magic.

“Ooooh…!”

“The Professor is amazing!”

The armed workers were impressed by the powerful magic.

But Garcia didn’t look happy.

People thought Professor Garcia was a great fighter because of how he looked, but he wasn’t good at fighting.

Many people wrongly believe that powerful wizards are good at fighting.

Magic and fighting are different.

It’s hard for a wizard who spends all day studying to use magic in a battle without making mistakes.

If you lose focus or make a mistake, the magic will do something different.

Magic is risky. It can easily go wrong and cause problems!

That’s why wizards who train to fight are called ‘combat wizards’.

‘I need to buy some time.’

Professor Garcia waved his wand. Birds made of light flew into the air.

These birds would tell the other professors at the magic school what was happening.

“Withering Bones, Shriveling Muscles!”

The attackers near the barrier screamed in pain.

The magic wrapped around their bodies and weakened them.

“Activate it!”

But the enemy was strong.

Professor Garcia’s face turned grim.

The Empire’s wizards were powerful.

The anti-magic zealots knew how to fight them.

Oooong-

A low sound shook the air, and the magic around them started to shake.

Then, it was pulled in as if gathering in one spot.

“!!!”

The Veil of Order disappeared instantly, like snow melting in summer.

Professor Garcia was shocked by the power.

‘An ancient artifact!’

There are ways to fight against magic.

Some metals in the Empire can absorb or push away magic, and there is magic that can remove magic.

But nothing can absorb so much magic at once.

Only an ancient artifact could do that.

These were treasures from old ruins and dungeons, filled with forgotten secrets!

‘How did *they* get an ancient artifact?’

“Professor! Fall back!”

The workers tried to get Professor Garcia to retreat as the barrier disappeared and the enemies came closer.

Garcia waved his wand to cast magic again, but the magic was stopped and the magic power was sucked into the artifact.

“You evil wizard. Heaven will punish you!”

An attacker swung his sword at Garcia.

Wham!!!!

The attacker’s head snapped to the side.

“…?!”

“???”

Professor Garcia and the workers were scared.

What just happened?

‘The Headmaster’s trap is not here.’

Lee Han heard the name Twilight Dawn Order and knew it was real.

If the Headmaster could set up a trap this far away, Lee Han had no hope. He might as well stay a graduate student forever.

Twilight Dawn Order.

The largest and most dangerous group of anti-magic zealots in the Empire.

Lee Han had heard of them before.

He just didn’t expect to meet them here…

“Wh-what are you going to do?”

“Ratford, stay hidden.”

“Are you…?”

Lee Han cast a spell.

“I hide in the night.”

Lee Han became invisible. Ratford spoke urgently.

“It’s dangerous! They are not normal people!”

“I know. That’s why I’m being careful.”

Instead of hiding, Lee Han decided to prepare in advance.

Lee Han always prepared for the worst.

-Veil of Order!

‘Maybe the Professor can stop them?’

Lee Han was happy when a barrier appeared and Garcia’s curse hit the attackers.

But the attackers took out an artifact and destroyed all the magic.

It even destroyed Professor Garcia’s magic!

“!!!”

Lee Han was shocked, but there was one good thing.

Lee Han’s belt was working.

The invisibility magic didn’t disappear even when the magic around them was collapsing.

Was this Fressinga’s power?

‘…No. It’s my magic power.’

Lee Han could feel the magic power around him.

As the magic power was being sucked into the artifact, Lee Han’s magic power was also being pulled.

But Lee Han’s magic power kept filling the belt.

So, the magic wouldn’t disappear.

It was like having a huge battery next to him.

‘Here they come!’

Lee Han had no time to think.

The enemies were attacking Professor Garcia.

Wham!!!!

Lee Han had a talent for swordsmanship.

Even with invisibility, he could easily surprise the enemy.

“Professor. It’s me! Lee Han!”

Lee Han shouted to Professor Garcia.

He didn’t want to be attacked by mistake.

“Lee Han?! Why are you here?!”

“It’s a long story! Professor, what do I need to do?!”

Lee Han shouted, grabbing the fallen enemy’s sword.

Lee Han’s shout made Professor Garcia focus again.

“I’ve sent a message to the school, so help will be here soon. Hold out until then without getting hurt!”

Thud, thud-

The workers fired their crossbows.

It seemed like they were winning, but Lee Han could see that the enemy was fierce.

‘They’re all good with swords!’

Crossbows are strong, but they take time to reload.

The attackers were getting closer.

“The workers can’t hold them back! Can you use magic, Professor?”

“Right now, the magic power is all… wait.”

Professor Garcia was confused to see Lee Han was invisible.

How was he using invisibility magic?

“How is that possible…? Ah! Your belt!”

Professor Garcia realized how Lee Han was doing it.

He had a lot of magic power!

“Lee Han, give me your magic power!”

Lee Han grabbed Professor Garcia’s hand. He felt the magic power move quickly.

He wasn’t surprised since Professor Voladi had done it before.

“Petra’s Diamond Spear!”

Professor Garcia cast the spell towards the artifact.

He was trying to defend because he was worried about side effects, but the enemy had a powerful artifact.

He would destroy the artifact even if it hurt him!

“!”

Lee Han was shocked to see the huge diamond spear in the air. The diamond spear shimmered, catching the moonlight as it formed in the air.

To create such a spear from nothing!

“Get out of the way!!”

“Dodge!”

The attackers knew its power and moved quickly. When it struck the artifact, the sound was like shattering glass mixed with thunder.

Even though the artifact was absorbing magic power, the diamond spear didn’t disappear.

Crack!

The diamond spear exploded over the artifact with a loud roar. At the same time, the magic returned to normal.

“Lightning Wolves that tear flesh!”

With a crackling sound, lightning formed into the shape of a wolf and scattered in all directions.

It tore apart all the enemies nearby.

“…!”

Lee Han was excited to see the lightning wolf burning the enemies.

The scene was scary but showed the Professor’s incredible magic. Lee Han felt a surge of awe.

Oooong-

“!?!”

Lee Han looked up at the sound.

The broken artifact was working again.

“Kill that wizard! Now!”

Some of the attackers charged at Professor Garcia.

Lee Han swung the sword and fought back.

Thwack!

“There’s a guy using invisibility magic! You damn wizard!”

The zealot spat blood at Lee Han.

Lee Han felt scared.

‘These guys are good at fighting!’

They reacted so fast, even to someone they couldn’t see, without fear.

It felt like fighting Alar Long.

The leader was also coming closer. He looked like a master.

Could he protect Professor Garcia while fighting all of them?

“I appear in the morning.”

“!”

Lee Han became visible.

The enemies stared at Lee Han. They were surprised that he was a young priest.

“I don’t care who you are. I’ll send you to join your friends along with that wizard.”

“Whatever.”

“?”

“I’m going to break the artifact!”

Lee Han ran towards the artifact.

The attackers were scared to see the artifact unguarded.

“No! Stop him!!”