Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 986

Lee Han clapped his friend on the back, cheering him on. But when he overheard someone nearby criticizing them, Lee Han frowned. *Those White Tiger Tower students must be making things difficult,* he thought.

He could understand why Moradi was annoyed.

Everyone knew the White Tiger Tower caused the most problems out of all four student houses. It was practically a fact.

The Blue Dragon Tower students, mostly from wealthy, noble families, were surprisingly concerned with appearances. Even when they were causing mischief – and they certainly did their share – they tried to be subtle. (Though, oddly, they were also known for being the first to snatch up any dropped food in the Great Hall, image be damned.) The Black Tortoise Tower, on the other hand, preferred a different approach. They were masters of discretion, resolving any issues quietly and quickly, before anyone even noticed. They were rarely caught breaking rules.

However, the White Tiger Tower students were recklessly bold, even in the most forbidden corners of the school.

You could see it just by looking at Angara.

He brazenly skipped out to watch a Quidditch match and was now brazenly sitting in the detention room, wasn’t he?

Something the Blue Dragon Tower students would never do.

‘Thinking about it that way, the Blue Dragon Tower is definitely better.’

Lee Han nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. Giselle looked at him suspiciously.

‘I feel strangely bad… what is it?’

“Moradi, don’t get too angry just because Angara went to the detention room. Salco went too, you know.”

“…I was wondering what you were thinking, and it was that. It’s not because of that, okay?”

“It’s not? Then… Ah. I see. It’s because of the exam. The Blue Dragon Tower students don’t want to do it either, so don’t worry.”

It wasn’t exactly comforting.

And the White Tiger Tower students, even when playing around, did it much more boldly than the Blue Dragon Tower students. You absolutely couldn’t fall for those words.

‘You’re annoyed that I, who awakened Aura first, am cheering you on, you little…’

But saying this would only ruin his own image.

Giselle simply gave up and changed the subject.

“…Is your exam preparation going well?”

“Once this week is over, I should start in earnest.”

While saying this, Lee Han stole a glance at the crazy doppelganger in front of him. The archmage was still radiating an unsettling energy, like a storm cloud ready to burst. Lee Han felt a shiver despite himself.

The crazy doppelganger preferred Lee Han to tackle high-level magic that he could die from mastering, and didn’t particularly like him obsessing over the Einrogard exam.

To put it specifically, he thought it was a waste of time on something trash-like.

“…Are you alright?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That, the exam preparation. There’s a possibility that it won’t meet the Master’s expectations…”

“It doesn’t matter. I will teach you.”

“??”

Lee Han doubted his ears.

Not only was he allowing him to dedicate himself to preparing for the Einrogard exam, but he was also going to teach him?

From the start, Lee Han hadn’t even considered asking the crazy doppelganger. It was too absurd of a request.

He would not only grant permission, but he would also step forward to help with a request that hadn’t even been made.

“You’re going to help me prepare for the exam??”

“Perhaps you are not heeding the words of royalty?”

“Ah, no. It’s not that, it’s just too overwhelming…”

As Lee Han hesitated, Giselle asked, puzzled.

“Isn’t that a good thing for you?”

Although that doppelganger was a crazy archmage, no one could deny his magical skill.

If such an archmage directly helped with the exam, it would be much more efficient than any other help.

Of course, it could be dangerous.

How worried were the other students because that crazy doppelganger kidnapped Wodanaz at the beginning of the semester?

But…

‘With Wodanaz’s personality, he wouldn’t care much about the danger.’

The Wodanaz that Giselle knew was always a crazy magic addict who pursued high risk, high return.

There was no way such a person would hesitate just because a crazy doppelganger was dangerous. Besides, the two seemed to be on quite amicable terms now.

‘I feel strangely bad. Is he perhaps badmouthing me?’

Lee Han suspected inwardly.

He felt strangely uneasy as Giselle stared intently.

“It’s… good, but it’s a bit embarrassing since you’re not usually like this. Imagine the headmaster suddenly becoming kind.”

“…That’s creepy.”

“Right? There’s not much difference.”

But there wasn’t much Lee Han or Giselle could do now just because they found it creepy.

From the start, the crazy doppelganger wasn’t the type to listen even if Lee Han refused.

“Ah. Then it’ll be difficult to help other friends.”

Lee Han belatedly realized.

If the crazy doppelganger was helping with exam preparation by his side, it wouldn’t be easy to teach his friends…

“It doesn’t matter. Bring them along. Royalty will bestow teachings.”

“?!?!”

This time, even Giselle was shocked by the even more unexpected words.

“What, what is it? Why is he being like that?”

“I… I don’t know either. Even telling you guys to follow me earlier was unexpected.”

Even if his friend asked, Lee Han didn’t have anything to say in particular.

Lee Han had no idea either!

‘This won’t do. I have to ask.’

Giselle had stopped him from provoking him earlier, but he couldn’t possibly ignore his curiosity.

Lee Han checked the defense magic and asked.

“Master, but why did you tell me to bring the other friends?”

“The necessity of companions for a magician who is not yet complete cannot be denied. If they are your companions, disciple, I can refine them further and make them serve as the framework.”

“…!”

“!!!”

Lee Han, as well as Giselle next to him, were surprised by the more sensible and considerate reason than they had expected.

To acknowledge Lee Han’s friends as companions and show mercy by nurturing them.

Caitlin gave him a look of respect.

‘As expected of the headmaster’s doppelganger, his heart for cherishing and loving the students cannot be hidden!’

However, the two cold-headed students were not fooled.

‘This is strange. Could it be that a different kind of madness has been expressed? Did the hamster do something? Should I go and interrogate it?’

‘I knew that Wodanaz had been summoning crazy archmages like carnivorous plants since before, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent. He’s really crazy.’

…To be precise, only one cold-headed student was not fooled.

Lee Han tilted his head, but accepted it for now.

If the crazy doppelganger could show this kind of consideration, it could be a good kind of madness, even if it was madness.

He wondered if there was such a thing as positive madness, but anyway…

“Then, was the reason you told those White Tiger Tower friends behind us to follow us for that reason too? Because they’re my companions?”

The crazy doppelganger stopped walking.

Then, he turned around and scanned the White Tiger Tower students.

“They were companions?”

“Yes? Yes… they’re my friends in the same year, but.”

“I thought they were servants, but they weren’t.”

“……”

“……”

The smiles disappeared from the faces of Lee Han’s friends from White Tiger Tower. Their eyes narrowed, and their mouths turned down in a frown. They did not look happy at all.

“What are you talking about! Servants? No way!”

“……”

This time, the faces of the White Tiger Tower students turned red.

They looked messy from all the mining work.

“W-we usually look a bit more dignified…!”

“It was just that one time, Wodanaz! Tell them!”

‘Tell them what, you lot?’

Lee Han was confused inside, but they were still his friends.

“They just enjoy physical work, but they’re all excellent mages. Besides, Master also said they were mages just now.”

“A mage can still be a servant. A servant must be able to handle various tasks and even provide protection. What are you even talking about, disciple?”

‘Servants in these ancient times are annoying.’

It seemed that servants in ancient times had to do everything. They had to be good at magic and bodyguards if needed.

“Anyway, they’re not.”

“I see. I made a big mistake thinking your friends were escorts. You are free to return.”

“?”

The White Tiger Tower students stopped.

Then, they turned to look back.

They had walked far from the safe zone marked on the map.

If they had to return to the portal alone from here…

“Well. It’s better to head back than to get scolded by Master for nothing.”

Lee Han was trying to send his friends back. He thought having them along would only lead to the crazy doppelganger irritating them.

Despite everything, the White Tiger Tower had its pride; there was no reason to go along as escorts who could be mistaken for servants…

“We will protect Wodanaz!”

“Just leave it to us!”

“……”

Lee Han stared at his friends, speechless at their quick reaction.

Giselle, perhaps embarrassed, looked away and ignored him.

“Do you know about the Frost Giants, juniors?”

Upon arriving at the Frost Giant territory marked on the map, Catton led Lee Han and Giselle forward to contact and negotiate with the Frost Giants.

The crazy doppelganger did not follow. Great mages don’t usually come to first talks. Disciples always handle these first steps.

“I’ve heard they have a good civilization and are wise, unlike the giants.”

“That’s right. The giants died out a long time ago, but these other races from different worlds did not.”

The Frost Giants avoided the fate of the giants of the continent in ancient times by using the distance of another dimension.

Because of that, powerful beings like the Frost Giant King were sometimes summoned to Einroguard, leading to duels with Lee Han.

‘Ugh. Why couldn’t the Frost Giants settle on the continent…’

Lee Han felt sad, recalling that ridiculous time in the past. Facing the Frost Giant King was not easy, even for an Einroguard student.

And it didn’t end there. Even after that, whenever he met Frost Giants, he had to hear things like, ‘Oh. You’re the challenger who faced the King? Then I’ll defeat you and steal your glory!’

Lee Han thought it was a truly ridiculous and unwanted connection.

‘But there’s a way.’

Lee Han rechecked the blue stone of the Frost Giant King in his staff, hidden by magic.

If he hid this, the Frost Giants would not recognize him. He would just look like a common human mage.

“They are a strong and arrogant race. We will probably have to earn their respect before we can negotiate.”

“How can we earn it?”

“We’ll probably have to pass a test, junior. They respect the strong.”

Lee Han and Giselle nodded with serious faces.

Catton waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

“I’ll take the test, so you juniors don’t need to worry. If they try to make you juniors take the test, I’ll persuade them.”

“…?”

Giselle tilted her head.

Did Catton have a magical tongue to persuade the Frost Giants, unlike Wodanaz?

“Do you have a way to do that?”

“I’m sorry, juniors. I misspoke. If they try to make you juniors take the test, I’ll just cut them down.”

Catton corrected himself, looking embarrassed. He had accidentally lied while trying to show off. Catton had no confidence in persuading the Frost Giants.

“……”

“……”

Of course, the idea of cutting them down made a much stronger impression. Lee Han and Giselle stood up straighter.

“Senior, if there’s anything you don’t like about my magic explanations, please tell me.”

“And if the Tower juniors act rudely, please let us know.”

“?”

Catton was puzzled by his juniors’ sudden words. Why all of a sudden?

“This should be enough… Honorable giants of the bitter frost, hear me! Catton of the Jahan family has come to speak with you!”

The Frost Giants quickly responded to the loud voice that shook the cliff.

Thud!

A Frost Giant patrolman jumped out from under the glacier. The Frost Giant looked at the three and asked.

“-One warrior and two mages. You said who you are first, so you don’t seem to be intruders.”

“Three mages. And we have come to negotiate with you.”

“-Negotiate? We don’t easily negotiate with outsiders. Especially not with beings from another dimension.”

“The way you say that suggests there’s a way.”

The Frost Giant grinned at Catton’s words.

The strength coming from his posture and that warrior seemed to know something.

“-Indeed. There is something we seek.”

“Your relic?”

“-Ha! As if we would trust something like that to weak mages from another dimension.”

The Frost Giant laughed as if it were ridiculous.

They had to find their relic themselves; they couldn’t rely on the help of weak races from other dimensions.

“Then what do you seek?”

“-We are looking for a challenger recognized by the King! He is said to be a mage from your dimension. If you can find out where he is, we will accept you as guests.”

“……”

Lee Han’s face turned slightly pale.