Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 895

Zaurin felt something was wrong and instinctively curled her wings.

But she couldn’t understand it.

She had defeated the wicked monster with a great breath and a powerful attack, so why was Zaurin being scolded?

‘This is ridiculous!’

“The professors would have taken care of it, so why did you have to breathe fire there! Because of you, the enemy targeted His Highness first!”

But she won…

“What did you say!”

Ah, no. She said nothing. Zaurin said absolutely nothing.

Leehan’s voice was unusually stern.

Zaurin, who had been about to defend herself by saying she had won, quickly shut her mouth, sensing the mood with the natural feeling of a dragon. She was much better at avoiding trouble than Gainan, who always got in trouble for talking too much.

“Let’s say you breathed fire. Then you should have finished it from afar, but why on earth did you try close combat?”

Well… it just looked cool…

“……”

…I was wrong…

Seeing that no excuse would work, Zaurin sniffled and repented.

However, Leehan, who was very angry, did not let it go. He tapped the floor repeatedly with his staff, scolding her.

“Now. Repeat after me. If a strong enemy appears!”

If a strong enemy appears…

“Leave it to the Death Knight!”

Leave it to the Death Knight…

“Next!”

If a strong enemy appears, call the professors!

Zaurin repeated the words, deeply reflecting on her actions.

If she excitedly breathes fire, she gets scolded like this!

Reality was indeed different from fairy tales.

In fairy tales, Azirmore would break down the castle walls and throw the enemy into them, but in reality, Azirmore would be busy apologizing to the townspeople for breaking the castle walls after the battle.

“Truly astonishing. I never thought I would witness such a sight in my life.”

The knight approached, calming his voice, which trembled with awe.

‘Oh dear.’

Leehan, who had been scolding Zaurin, finally realized what was happening.

Come to think of it, this wasn’t the time to scold Zaurin for doing something dangerous.

‘Should I have just covered her face and left immediately?’

Of course, it didn’t seem like that would fix things…

“A student chosen by a dragon! I am truly moved, Professor Inguldel. I honestly thought the professor was worrying too much about one student.”

“……”

“……”

Both Leehan and Professor Inguldel were surprised by the knight’s words.

Of course, the reasons were slightly different.

“But seeing this, I realize I underestimated you. I knew the wizards of Einroguard were great, but I never imagined one would be chosen by a dragon. This is something out of legends!”

“I agree, Professor. Did you perhaps call us here to show us this?”

“No. I didn’t know either.”

“Are you perhaps saying no out of modesty?”

“Didn’t you hear me say no?”

Professor Inguldel, usually polite, said the words quickly and sharply with a serious expression.

He was so surprised that his manners disappeared. The knights coughed at their friend’s reaction.

“Ah, I see. Inguldel didn’t know either.”

“Then you must be even more surprised…”

“Excuse me.”

Leehan, who had been thinking very quickly about many things, finally made a decision and opened his mouth.

There were so many things he wanted to ask or say, but he decided to handle the most urgent ones first.

“Tell me anything. Young wizard chosen by a dragon.”

“What exactly does it mean to be chosen by a dragon?”

“?

“?

The knights looked at each other.

Why was the wizard chosen by a dragon asking that?

He should know better than anyone…

But the knights were kind. Explaining this to the dragon and its contractor, who had just defeated a powerful demon monster in one blow, wasn’t difficult at all.

“The great race does not allow just anyone to ride on their backs.”

“Wait. I have a question.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Does being carried on someone’s back during a play count as what you just said?”

“Uh…”

The knights were thrown into confusion by a question more difficult than facing a demon lord with a sword.

The knights were worshippers of swords, honor, and tradition, not scholars of lore.

“D-does it count?”

“Hmm. I don’t think so… it’s like a game. It’s not just about getting on the dragon’s back. Throwing a ball on the dragon’s back doesn’t make the ball a contractor…”

“You’re very clever!”

After organizing their thoughts, the knights replied again.

“That probably doesn’t count.”

“I see… Thank you. Please continue with your explanation.”

Leehan listened very carefully, trying to find any way out.

The dragon race originally did not allow just anyone to ride on their backs.

Allowing someone to ride on their back meant acknowledging and supporting that person.

Even if a royal family supported one of the lesser princes, it would cause a big reaction, so how significant would it be if a rare race like dragons supported someone?

People couldn’t help but expect that the person receiving the dragon’s support would be someone extraordinary.

‘…It’s a lot to handle, but not as bad as I thought.’

Leehan was slightly relieved.

Of course, the title ‘Look! It’s the contractor chosen by a dragon!’ was still a lot to handle.

It would be different if he had been formally recognized for his abilities and worth and chosen, but this was just Zaurin forcing him to ride, wasn’t it?

Even Zaurin herself didn’t know the meaning and value of it…

However, Leehan had become somewhat used to things while attending Einroguard.

Rumors were slowly spreading that he had faced the King of Ghouls, Basilisk, Sea Serpent, anti-magic activists, magic criminals, the King of Frost Giants, and the Skeleton Headmaster, so he was not as shocked as he used to be.

Adding the title of contractor chosen by a dragon to nothing would be very burdensome, but adding it to the situation where he had already acquired the above titles made him feel like, ‘Well, if it’s just this much…’

‘Wait. Am I looking at the situation too positively? Maybe I’m not thinking clearly because I’m shocked.’

Come to think of it, the Skeleton Headmaster was already on the list above. It was a mistake that Leehan himself hadn’t noticed.

“Dragons respect their own kind as much as their numbers are small. The person supported by one dragon is recognized by other dragons as well.”

“The dragon’s support is a powerful declaration. If a wizard commits a serious crime, the supporting dragon will also be punished.”

The dragon race, as small as their numbers were, maintained deep and thorough relationships, even if they didn’t usually interact closely.

If Leehan became an evil magic criminal and stained the continent with blood, the other dragons would hold Zaurin responsible as well.

Zaurin believes in Leehan with honor! Leehan is definitely not that kind of wizard!

Zaurin declared resolutely.

Zaurin was not one to be swayed by such words. As much as she trusted Leehan, Zaurin showed her strong wish to be better than everyone.

If Leehan commits a crime, Zaurin will take responsibility!

The knights were once again moved by the sight. This was a true bond that could only be seen in legends.

Of course, Leehan, like a cold Einroguard wizard, was not swayed by such an atmosphere.

“Wait. I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“You said that if I commit a serious crime, Her Highness Zaurin will also be punished. Then, if Her Highness Zaurin commits a crime, will I also be punished by the dragons?”

“Probably?”

“……”

Leehan stared intently at Zaurin. Zaurin shouted in a fluster.

Z-Zaurin doesn’t commit crimes!

“You’ve already used your breath twice this week without permission…”

T-those were exceptional circumstances…!

‘I’m uneasy.’

Zaurin tried to make him feel sorry for her with teary eyes, but Leehan was cold.

‘Her Highness is at the height of her growth. This is a big problem.’

It wasn’t for nothing that there was a rebellious adolescence. Anyone is bound to cause accidents impulsively when they are growing up.

Seeing her already causing accidents like this after only a few months at Einroguard, it wouldn’t be surprising if she burned down a castle in about a year.

Leehan imagined himself standing in the dragon’s court, being asked in a serious and strict way, ‘Does the defendant Leehan of the Wodanaz family acknowledge responsibility for the castle walls burned down by Zaurin?’

Come to think of it, this bond was only bad for Leehan.

Leehan wouldn’t cause any accidents, so Zaurin had no burden in reality!

‘Could this be why the Headmaster tried to stop Her Highness from visiting?’

If he had predicted even this, the Skeleton Headmaster was truly a wise person. Leehan trembled with respect for his absent teacher.

Heeheeing…

Zaurin was almost crying as Leehan thought alone instead of saying, ‘Haha, I trust you too, Your Highness.’

She had trusted him!

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was worried that if I attacked the professors later, Your Highness would also be punished.”

Not worried that Zaurin would commit a crime?

“What are you talking about? How could someone like Your Highness commit a crime? It’s so ridiculous that I don’t understand.”

…Leehan! You can attack the professors as much as you want! Zaurin is prepared!

Zaurin nodded, grinning. Then, feeling something was strange, she asked.

Wait. But Leehan just scolded Zaurin for breathing fire twice?

“That was just confirming the facts, Your Highness. I don’t lie.”

Hee hee.

“……”

“……”

The knights who were watching were slightly embarrassed.

Huh?

It seems like he’s not being chosen by the dragon, but deceiving the dragon…

‘Ah, no. Dragons are not a race that can be deceived. He must be joking.’

“You guys.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Am I the only one who finds it a bit strange that the boy said he would attack the professors later?”

“……”

The knights reflected.

They were so surprised that they missed something they should have pointed out!

Leehan, who had finished calming down Zaurin, explained to the knights.

“That was a joke. An Einroguard-style joke. It’s an expression of determination to beat one’s teacher, so to speak.”

“Indeed!”

The knights, impressed by the wonderful joke of the young wizard of the Wodanaz family, were very excited to try making a joke themselves.

“Can I try making a joke too?”

“We’re all ears.”

“What’s the difference between riding a dragon to defeat a monster from hell and facing the combined attack of the knights here?”

“Hmm… I don’t know. They both seem difficult.”

“One is the exam you’re going to take, and the other is what you did today!”

The knights were impressed by their friend’s wonderful joke and burst into laughter.

However, Leehan’s face turned pale.

“…Is my midterm exam the combined attack of the people here??”

“Huh? No. Ah. You didn’t understand the joke. The reason this joke is funny is that the moment I said it was the exam you’re going to take, you thought the exam was ‘riding a dragon to defeat a monster from hell’! But in fact, the exam was the much simpler task of facing our combined attack. Isn’t it funny?”

“Not at all.”

“Huh? Let me explain again. The reason this joke is funny is…”

Professor Inguldel, unable to watch any longer, stopped his friends.

“Wodanaz. You don’t have to worry about it. Defeating the monster is enough for the exam.”

“Professor!”

Leehan was moved.

“The combined attack of our friends here was just an idea that came up when we were discussing the exam, so there’s no need to be surprised.”

“…Professor!”

Leehan was terrified.

That was a real idea that came up!