Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 292

“What was that?” Allarong asked, his brow furrowed slightly.

“Oh, nothing, Sir,” Leehane said quickly, waving a hand. He didn’t want to trouble the kind old knight with his silly worries.

Allarong’s frown softened. “Well then, Mr. Leehane,” he said, his voice warm, “what are your plans for the vacation? Anything you need, just ask. Allarong is here to help.”

Leehane glanced at the stack of books Phone Ring was struggling to carry. “Study, mostly,” he admitted.

He knew ‘vacation’ at Einroguard really meant: ‘You can rest, but you must study harder on your own, or you’ll fall behind.’ It wasn’t a real break at all.

Especially in a tough school like Einroguard, professors might easily say, ‘I assume you’ve studied this already, so I’ll move on.’

Even with fewer lectures, slacking off was risky. For Leehane, who had many lectures, studying wasn’t optional, it was essential.

“Excellent.”

Allarong, not knowing how worried Leehane really was, smiled, impressed.

Not everyone from the great aristocratic families of the Empire was as diligent and hardworking as Leehane.

Many were lazy and spoiled, which was understandable given their supportive family environments.

Yet, Leehane devoted himself to magic without a moment’s rest.

‘Indeed, Mr. Leehane is a worthy heir to the Wodanaz family!’

“But Mr. Leehane, young people getting together isn’t just for studying, it’s also for getting to know each other. Studying is good, but wouldn’t it be a waste to only study during the vacation?”

“Of course, I have plans.”

Leehane said, trying to reassure him. Allarong’s face brightened again.

“I’m planning to collect gold. There should be plenty of short-term jobs in Granden City.”

“…?”

Allarong was surprised by Leehane’s words.

It was an unexpected answer.

‘What is this…?’

Allarong looked at his knights.

He thought the younger knights might understand Leehane better.

-What does he mean?

-Is it wizard talk?

-Does he *really* mean gold?

-Be quiet, he can hear you!

“I… see. Excellent.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Allarong didn’t want to seem like an old knight who didn’t understand young wizards, so he cheered him on.

But he was still confused.

“But don’t you have other plans…?”

“Other plans?”

Leehane tilted his head.

He hadn’t thought of anything besides studying and earning gold.

“Well, hanging out with your friends…”

“Ah.”

Leehane realized what Allarong meant and nodded.

“I need to see my friends too.”

Allarong sighed in relief.

“That’s good. If you want to have a party, tell me anytime. I’ll make sure it’s worthy of the Wodanaz family.”

‘I don’t think that’s necessary,’ Leehane thought.

Leehane planned to meet his friends to get back the money he’d lent them.

Leehane arrived at his home in Granden City. He’d slipped away from the Blue Dragon Tower students’ fancy carriage procession to avoid the crowd at the city gates, and went to rest.

After a good night’s sleep on the soft bed, the magic school felt like a bad dream.

But it wasn’t a dream.

Leehane got up and looked at the ledger, estimating the silver coins.

It looked like enough for twenty gold coins!

A huge amount. For a moment, he felt like he could become a great businessman.

“No, no,” he told himself. “Don’t get carried away.”

He even thought about becoming a merchant instead of an official, but quickly realized that earning twenty gold coins in one semester was only possible because of the school’s unique situation.

It wouldn’t be so easy in the second year.

‘I have to be humble, or I’ll ruin myself.’

Still, twenty gold coins made his heart flutter.

A farmer with a decent piece of land only earned one gold coin a year…

“I’ll prepare breakfast, Mr. Leehane,” the servant said from outside.

Leehane opened the door and said, “Just something simple. Is Raetford awake?”

“Yes. He said to tell him when you cough, Mr. Leehane.”

“I’m sorry. Can you call him? Ah, wait.”

Leehane stopped the servant and asked, “I came through the White Sheep Gate yesterday. Do you know a general store near the gate? It seemed busy…”

“Yes. Do you need something?”

“If I wanted to buy that store, how much would it cost?”

The servant thought for a moment. “At least two hundred gold coins, I think.”

Leehane was shocked.

He knew it wouldn’t be cheap in a big city, but that much for a general store…

‘I was being silly to think I could be a merchant just because of this money.’

He felt embarrassed.

“Mr. Leehane?”

“…I see. Thank you.”

Soon after the servant left, Raetford ran to Leehane, his face bright.

Raetford, maybe a little lost in the grand old house, ran to Leehane, his face bright.

“Mr. Wodanaz!”

“Did you rest well?”

“My body is comfortable, but my mind is a bit…”

“You’ll get used to it. Let’s eat breakfast.”

He’d asked for something simple, but the food was more lavish than he expected.

After tasting the slightly spicy seasoned eggs, Leehane sighed.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing much. I was thinking about buying a store, but it’s too expensive.”

Raetford, drinking milk, nodded as if he understood.

“I understand.”

“What?”

“You meant for me to get gold coins, right?”

“Raetford, stealing is a crime outside of school.”

It was a crime inside too, but Leehane thought that could be excused.

Even thieves could be considered righteous depending on their reasons, right?

Leehane thought stealing from the Skull Headmaster was righteous.

Raetford looked confused.

“So… you’re telling me not to do it? Or to do it well and not get caught?”

“I’m telling you not to do it, Raetford. If I want you to do something, I’ll ask clearly, so don’t act rashly.”

“Yes.”

Raetford looked sad.

Raetford was sad he couldn’t show Leehane a chance to steal something.

Leehane finished his rice.

Eastern food was hard to get at Einroguard, so this was especially delicious.

Raetford finished his toast and tilted his head.

“Doesn’t it taste good?”

“Ah, no.”

“It doesn’t seem like it. Please tell me if it’s okay.”

“The one Mr. Wodanaz made was more delicious…”

Leehane smiled.

He was happy his friend liked his cooking.

“Thank you. But that’s because of the situation at Einroguard. Anything tastes better when you’re hungry.”

Otherwise, his food wouldn’t be better than the chef’s.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Raetford nodded, but didn’t fully understand.

‘It really seemed more delicious…’

“I’m going out after breakfast. Do you have plans?”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to get back the silver coins.”

Raetford asked hopefully, “Maybe…”

“I’m going to receive it, not steal it.”

“Yes. Still, I’ll go with you.”

Raetford was disappointed.

Asan of the Dalcard family was tense and barely breathing.

“I heard a member of your family is at Einroguard. Congratulations,” someone said.

“Thank you.”

The Dalcard family’s mansion in Granden City had a long history, so many family members and guests were staying there.

And today was a gathering, so important people from Granden City were arriving.

So, the family’s student at Einroguard was a hot topic.

“Being from Einroguard will bring honor to the Dalcard family.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m curious about your major. May I ask after the performance today?”

“Please do.”

‘Save me.’

Asan felt like he was suffocating. If he made a mistake in front of these important people, he would shame his family.

“Focus,” said Asan’s older brother, Daihal.

Daihal, in a perfect suit, never even sweated in the summer.

“You still make mistakes. You were late greeting them. And when you answer…”

Asan’s twin sister, Haidan, also approached.

Like Daihal, she wouldn’t even blink if a dragon appeared.

“You didn’t notice the dust on your cufflink. That’s why you make mistakes. Remember the mistake you made seventeen months and four days ago.”

“You were a joke because you miscalculated.”

“It was just one digit…”

“Be quiet. You make mistakes because you’re too relaxed.”

Asan shut his mouth.

If his brother and sister ever made mistakes, Asan would argue back. But they were always perfect, so he just stayed quiet.

Daihal was already becoming important in the government, and Haidan was working at a bank run by dwarves in the East – and even the picky dwarves were impressed by her!

“That’s why you can’t be the best in the tower.”

“It’s not that I couldn’t, it’s just that the top two were too good…”

“Be quiet. Stop making excuses.”

“Mr. Asan, you have a visitor,” the servant said, saving Asan.

Asan was happy, even though he didn’t know who it was. He had an excuse to leave.

“Brother! Sister! A friend is here!”

“Why is he so happy?”

“Well… wouldn’t you be happy if a friend came?”

Daihal and Haidan stared at their unreliable brother.

“Since my brother has a visitor, I should greet them.”

“I’ll go too.”

“Yes?! I can do it…”

“Be quiet. It’s my job to greet guests, not yours.”

Asan followed them, worried.

‘Please don’t let it be Gainando.’

They would drive him crazy if they didn’t like his friend.

Asan hoped it was someone else.

“Hello.”

“!!!”

Asan sighed in relief at the familiar face.

His most reliable friend had come!