Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 1004

The Skull Principal felt proud as he watched his student, Lee Han. The student, his disciple, was looking at a stack of papers and talking quietly to himself.

He’d always known Lee Han was clever with magic, but it was his way with words, his ability to write, that was truly special.

The Skull Principal thought, “This writing will really impress those officials!”

Silvas, an examiner in the Imperial Treasury, was startled.

He’d just spent days in the East, checking if the new Centaur Magic Station project was actually possible. As he walked through the grand halls of the Imperial Palace, he felt a strange tension in the air. Something was wrong.

“What on earth happened?”

“You won’t believe it. Just don’t ask. Lord Gonadaltes raided the Treasury. The Finance Minister was hung upside down.”

“Oh, no! Because of that ridiculous research and experiment?! Isn’t that too much?!”

People knew that wizards from Einroguard often asked officials for money, even for silly research projects.

And it was the Skull Principal who visited with those applications.

From Silvas’s point of view, he couldn’t help but think that way.

“It’s a bit different this time. He says he’ll permanently confine the thought entity that invaded Einroguard. But who knows the truth? What if the wizards of Einroguard are taking gold again with some strange excuse?”

“But would the Principal really lie about something like this?”

“Yes. You be careful too. Everyone’s nerves are on edge right now.”

No official was happy to lend out a huge amount of gold as if it were being half-robbed.

Right now, the officials’ nerves were as sharp as those of the Einroguard students whose food storage had been blown away.

Silvas sat down at his heavy rosewood desk and thought about what he’d heard. It was so shocking that he couldn’t ignore it.

Lord Gonadaltes, the lord of Einroguard, was receiving immense trust as the Emperor’s Mariongwan.

In fact, barging into the Imperial Palace like this, hanging the Finance Minister upside down, and forcibly borrowing gold was not something anyone could do. It was impossible without His Majesty’s tacit approval.

So, had something really dangerous happened in the Einroguard territory?

Still, hanging the Finance Minister upside down, no matter what.

The other officials were grinding their teeth.

If the Skull Principal didn’t repay the gold he borrowed on time, they were planning to mercilessly take the gold from Einroguard’s other subsidies to make up for it.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

“Oh! Aren’t you Lee Han from the Wodanaz family?”

Silvas was surprised by the unexpected guest.

He thought, ‘Is the Einroguard semester already over?’ It seemed like there were still a few days left.

“Here’s a gift. I thought you liked it last time.”

Lee Han took out coffee and apple pies, one each, that he had bought from the [Rock Spirit’s Apple Jam Cafe] in front of the Imperial Palace.

Silvas’s heart warmed at the warm consideration that could not be seen from the arrogant bastards who came to the Imperial Palace.

‘Sob. The others should learn from that.’

Silvas, who shared snacks with his other colleagues (the officials looked at Lee Han with expressions of shock and emotion), thanked him once again and said.

“Oh, by the way. Wizard. The [Research on Species Preferred as Food by Trolls] is already showing its effect.”

“Yes?”

Lee Han paused at the unexpected sound and realized it belatedly.

This wasn’t his first time visiting the Imperial Palace in the Imperial Capital. Last year, he came with the Skull Principal and spouted nonsense to pass the ridiculous research topics of his seniors.

One of them was the [Research on Species Preferred as Food by Trolls].

‘What did I say? Did I say that research on species preferred as food is needed to reduce damage from trolls?’

Looking back, it sounded like nonsense. Lee Han was amazed at how this passed.

“Wait. It’s showing its effect? Already?”

“Yes. The trend of damage from trolls is clearly decreasing. The [Wasteland Star Catchers] in the West are even sending a plaque of appreciation.”

Lee Han realized that he should have trusted his senior.

To think it was such good research…!

“The research of Einroguard wizards is always for the Empire. Some external wizards slander, but it’s fortunate that even Silvas knows the truth.”

‘Is that so?’

Silvas tilted his head inwardly.

Of course, the research that the Wodanaz family boy brought last year was excellent research, unlike its appearance.

But apart from that, the fact that Einroguard wizards were being slandered was a bit ambiguous.

It doesn’t seem like they’re being slandered that much…

“Actually, the reason I visited today is because of the thought entity incident that happened in Einroguard.”

“So that really happened!”

“Yes?”

Silvas quickly changed the subject.

He couldn’t tell the story of doubting the truth of what the Skull Principal said in front of an Einroguard student.

“I heard that the Principal made a big effort for the safety of the students this time. And that it caused trouble for the officials…”

“Ah, no. I understand Lord Gonadaltes’s heart.”

“Thank you for understanding. The Principal is usually a cold-hearted person, but he loses his mind when it comes to the students’ affairs.”

‘Is that so?’

Silvas tilted his head inwardly once again.

Considering that, the rumors coming out of Einroguard seemed quite ominous…

“The gold borrowed from the Empire’s vault should be returned immediately, but could you possibly postpone it a little longer? Even for the sake of the research of Einroguard wizards.”

“Hmm…”

Silvas wore a troubled expression.

Silvas wanted to say he would, but he doubted whether he could persuade the other officials.

“I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee it. Of course, I think it’s important to support Einroguard wizards, including this [Research on Species Preferred as Food by Trolls], for the sake of the Empire, but the other officials are quite angry, so…”

“There’s no need for that!”

A person he had never seen before opened the door of the luxurious Imperial Palace guest room and entered.

The man was so huge that he bumped his forehead against the door frame as he came in. He frowned for a moment because of the pain, then lowered his head and came inside.

Lee Han had never seen such a large human race. He was bigger than Senior Falcrius.

“Are you Lee Han of the Wodanaz family?”

He was clearly speaking lightly, but it felt like the spacious guest room was ringing.

In addition, his eyes flickered as if they were burning, and an intense aura spread in all directions from his trained body. He looked like a warrior from ancient mythology.

Lee Han suspected that the Finance Minister had hired a guard from the North for revenge.

“That’s right, but who are you…”

“I’m Uman, the fourth son of His Majesty. I’ve heard a lot about you from my sister. Let me express my gratitude first!”

Lee Han’s brain stopped for a moment, wondering who his sister was referring to.

And he realized belatedly.

‘…He’s Jo-Urin’s younger brother!?’

Come to think of it, Jo-Urin was the third. If the man in front of him was the fourth, then she must be his sister.

…It was hard to imagine from his appearance.

“Uh… that’s…”

“What’s wrong? You can ask if you have any questions! You’re the Dragon Contractor, after all!”

“Jo-Urin… seems… still… young….?”

“Ah! It’s about how quickly we grow up. Some people grow fast, some grow slow. My sister is growing slowly because she is meant to be very powerful when she’s older.”

‘…Is there any basis for that?’

Lee Han wanted to bring up logic and theory as a wizard, but he didn’t dare to disagree in front of someone who was bigger than Senior Falcrius or Professor Garcia.

Uman opened his mouth again.

“Actually, I heard your story separately from what I heard from my sister.”

“Gasp. What story?”

Lee Han tensed up instinctively.

He had caused so many incidents.

Last year, he defeated strong enemies such as ghouls, frost giant kings, magic criminals, anti-magicists, basilisks, and sea serpents, and this year, he defeated ancient archmage thought entities, evil hamsters, demigods trying to conquer the continent, and in his spare time, he did a little robbery in Granden City…

‘Which one are you talking about?’

“Very righteous!”

“…Specifically, which one?”

Silvas was embarrassed by Lee Han’s question.

Are there so many stories that he’s asking which one specifically?

But Uman shook his head.

“I want to talk for a long time, but I can’t, you have your own work, and Uman has his own work! Anyway, Silvas. You don’t have to suffer!”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

Silvas, who belatedly came to his senses, was puzzled.

No matter how much Uman was the Emperor’s fourth child, he couldn’t suppress the angry officials…

“Don’t worry about the gold. I’ll take care of it! Don’t touch the support money going into Einroguard.”

“Are you really sure?”

“Of course!”

Silvas jumped up.

Then, he hugged Uman tightly in emotion.

There was a noble faction in the Empire that ignored more than a hundred members of the Imperial family, but if they saw this today, they wouldn’t dare to say such a thing.

How could they make such a decision if they weren’t of noble blood?

Silvas, who was hugging Uman tightly, realized that there was one more person next to him.

Before he knew it, the wizard of the Wodanaz family was also hugging Uman tightly.

“Both of you, get off!”

“Yes! Your Highness!”

The Emperor’s fourth child personally escorted Lee Han, who was leaving the Imperial Palace.

“Thank you so much. Your Highness.”

“No! There’s no need to thank me. You deserve this help, and Einroguard is a school that deserves it.”

Lee Han, who was listening to Uman’s words, felt a sense of incongruity.

Judging by the way he spoke, this dragon race wouldn’t seem out of place as a loyal supporter and investor of Einroguard.

He’s a dragon race, and he recognizes the value of Einroguard…

But why haven’t I ever heard this person’s name from the Skull Principal?

‘Was he poor until recently?’

“Your Highness. But the amount of gold is not small, are you sure you’re okay?”

“There’s no need to worry about Uman. He piles up the money from selling wizard cards in the vault every year.”

“…You sell wizard cards?!”

“Yes! It’s an honorable role inherited from my ancestors.”

Lee Han felt like he was in a myth.

To face the wizard card maker of this era like this, the mysterious maker whose identity no one knows.

“It’s an honor. My friend really likes it too.”

“Is your friend young?”

“Oh, don’t older people often enjoy wizard cards too?”

At those words, Uman frowned. He looked very displeased.

“That’s wrong! Adults taking away and enjoying things made for children?”

Lee Han vowed to hide the person he met today from Gainando.

“Anyway, thank you so much for your help. Now that I’ve persuaded the most difficult officials, it will be much easier to persuade the remaining nobles and wizards.”

“You’re persuading them?”

“Yes? Yes.”

Uman muttered.

“Another tricky plan from Lord Gonadaltes.”

“It’s nothing. Oh! I have a favor to ask. Could you possibly keep this meeting with Uman a secret from Lord Gonadaltes? Of course, I know it’s a difficult request. You’re Lord Gonadaltes’s disciple, after all. But this is really for the sake of great cause and justice…”

“It’s not difficult. I’ll do it.”