Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 1020

Erlindarbell was one of the most responsible and dedicated Archmages in the Empire.

Knowing this, Headmaster Skelly usually ignored his faults. If it had been another irresponsible Archmage, he would have contacted the Emperor directly. An Archmage who falls into trouble should solve it himself, not involve others.

“But…?”

Headmaster Skelly noticed a wizard who looked even paler and more worried than Erlindarbell. It was Alsicl of the Pengaerin family.

“…Why is he so upset?” Headmaster Skelly wondered. He and Erlindarbell had made mistakes, but what had Alsicl done?

‘I’m finally going to the Imperial Prison,’ Alsicl thought, squeezing his eyes shut. Like many wizards before him, he was about to enter the Imperial Prison. Maybe he would end up in Einroguard’s secret punishment chamber instead of a regular prison. He hoped Headmaster Skelly would at least take care of him. ‘No, I’d rather hope Wodanaz would look after me… but I don’t know if he can even come to where I am.’

“Why are you so worried?” Headmaster Skelly asked, looking confused. Alsicl, with a distressed expression, explained, “I vouched for Wodanaz’s skills and brought him on the expedition…”

Headmaster Skelly immediately understood. The expedition team wouldn’t bring an Einroguard student without a good reason. Alsicl had made a mistake by bringing him along.

Headmaster Skelly smiled gently. It turned out there was someone even more responsible than them. ‘Oh dear! The person with the greatest responsibility is right here!’

“…Isn’t the person who gave the wrong letter more at fault…?”

“What are you talking about? Letters can be misplaced anytime. The one who ignored that and took him along is the one at fault.”

Alsicl felt like he was sinking deeper, unable to escape.

The other expedition members were also worried, swept up by Headmaster Skelly’s actions.

“…We also gave permission…”

“We never imagined the letters would be mixed up…”

Headmaster Skelly became even more cheerful seeing the expedition members as gloomy as Alsicl, thinking they were all going to the Imperial Prison. Erlindarbell, sweating, tried to calm them, feeling sorry that the Empire’s talented wizards were going to prison because of him.

“Ah, no. I have the greatest responsibility…”

“Shhh. Be quiet.”

“But my mistake…”

“If you get dragged away, I’ll be annoyed… Not checking is a bigger crime than the letters being mixed up.”

“But the junior students…”

“Do you know more about the Imperial Law than I do! Then you take the responsibility!”

“You don’t all need to do this,” Lee Han said, returning from his talk with the Green Luster Magic Tower’s successor. “I didn’t participate in the expedition.”

“…Oh, does that work?”

“It has to work. Everyone needs to keep it a secret.”

“Wodanaz…!” Alsicl, about to be moved, flinched under Professor Voladi’s gaze. His eyes were as emotionless as usual, but felt sharper, as if he knew they had done something wrong. It was as if he was trying to see through their lies.

“G-Gona Daltes-nim. Professor Begrek is looking at me like he’s going to kill me.”

“You should say ‘Professor’. Professor Begrek is looking at me like he’s going to kill me.”

“Professor Voladi always looks like that, so don’t worry about it…” Headmaster Skelly checked, but Professor Voladi was still staring silently, his gaze more intense than usual. ‘Hmm. He suspects something. Everyone needs to be careful.’

Excellent battle wizards were also skilled at interrogation. When Professor Voladi called out to the adventurers on the expedition team, they turned pale. He was a tough person to fool.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“T-t-t-that is…”

“Wait! He’s stuttering. I’m worried about the effects from the monster. Go get checked,” Headmaster Skelly intervened. He had the Death Knights send the adventurers back to check for any lasting effects.

“Professor Voladi, don’t misunderstand. The monster from the Void this time wasn’t normal, so we need to check for any aftereffects.”

“Yes.”

“They were so dangerous that even though they burned space itself, the effects still remain.”

“Yes.”

‘…You suspect me, don’t you?’

“Yes.”

Headmaster Skelly acted wronged. “Why don’t you believe me? Have I not always been trustworthy?”

“Yes.”

‘You little…!’ Headmaster Skelly looked annoyed at his former student. Professor Garcia would have pretended to give in, and Wodanaz would have pretended to agree, but this heartless vampire wizard wasn’t falling for it.

“Then ask Wodanaz directly.”

“It seems more accurate to ask others,” Professor Voladi said, not fooled. He knew his student might be lying with Headmaster Skelly. He wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t getting the truth.

Instead, Professor Voladi stared at the penguin beastman wizard. He was the only one who could be questioned without mercy.

“Alsicl also needs rest because he fought the monster. Right, Wodanaz?”

“…Yes! Look! He’s collapsed and groaning right now,” Lee Han said, pointing to Alsicl on the floor. Professor Voladi answered, “It just looks like simple fatigue.”

“How powerful must the monsters have been for him to be like that.”

“There’s no need to lie to me, your teacher. Speak honestly.”

Lee Han was surprised when Professor Voladi brought up their teacher-student relationship. It was unexpected.

‘Should I just tell him?’

-Never tell him!

Headmaster Skelly sent a telepathic message. If Professor Voladi knew, Alsicl and some of the expedition members could end up in the Imperial Prison.

-Don’t be fooled! You have to endure this to become a true liar.

‘You really have no talent for comforting people!’

“…I don’t know.”

“I see. I understand,” Professor Voladi nodded and stepped back. After speaking with the wizard from the Green Luster Magic Tower, he left.

Lee Han felt guilty and uneasy. “…Will it be okay?”

“Alsicl and the others? They’ll be fine.”

“Not that, Professor Begrek…”

“Professor Voladi? He won’t be fine. His student openly deceived him.”

“And you won’t be fine either. You’ll have to take his class again next semester.”

“Can I pay back the gold coins I borrowed while touring the Magic Tower right away?”

“Calm down. Haha,” Headmaster Skelly apologized, flinching. If he teased this student, he could cause serious problems for Einroguard.

“Professor Voladi isn’t narrow-minded, so he’ll understand. Look at the people you saved,” Headmaster Skelly said, pointing to the expedition members, including Alsicl. “As a wizard, you should be proud of saving these innocent people.”

“Isn’t it all because you didn’t properly check the letter in the first place?”

‘He’s not falling for it.’ Headmaster Skelly clicked his tongue. This student was too clever for tricks.

“Is it even possible that I had to leave for the capital because of the Headmaster without even taking the final exam?” Gainando shouted, trembling with anger. The parties he had planned for the vacation were all canceled because Lee Han was gone.

“I think Lee Han would have rejected most of those parties even if he was here,” Yoner said.

“Hmph. I knew you’d say that, so I prepared a lot. It’s a win even if only one goes through.”

“…!” Yoner was shocked at his cousin’s improved intelligence. “How could you come up with such a clever method?”

“But it’s all ruined because of the Headmaster! If the school doesn’t have money, they should sell treasures or work to earn it!”

“Oh, why is the Prince only saying the right things today?”

“Didn’t he beg Wodanaz for money when he didn’t have any?” The other friends whispered.

Gainando quickly changed the subject. “Would it be easy to get gold coins?”

“Of course not. Can’t you ask for a donation?”

“That’s…” Gainando hesitated. “Unlike my allowance, she doesn’t let me get away with these donations even if I whine…”

Mrs. Kraha was generous with his allowance, but strict if the amount increased significantly. He had begged to take over the wizard card production rights, but she hadn’t allowed it.

‘Isn’t that just because it’s impossible?’ Siana wondered.

“Well, the Lady is an excellent businesswoman, so she wouldn’t spend money carelessly.”

“…I wouldn’t lend money to Einroguard either if I were her.” The second-year students suddenly realized the reality.

No one seemed willing to give gold coins to Einroguard willingly.

“Hey, let’s just write a petition and get him out. I think that’s the only way.”

“Should we?”

“If we scatter hundreds of petitions near the palace, they’ll release the Headmaster too.”

The students had become more mature and sought the best solution. The Einroguard spirit was growing bravely in their hearts.