Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 1041

Lee Han felt cheated and spoke up.

“I really did grow it with Dragon’s Breath. The records are right here.”

Lee Han showed the notes he had carefully written down.

It was all because of Professor Willow, who had guessed he would join the Plant Club and told him to keep detailed notes.

The artist, looking serious, took the notes from Lee Han, who was younger, and read them quietly.

“Hmm, yes, I see… these notes… wait. Did *you* grow this in Einroguard yourself?!”

The artist was so surprised he almost dropped the notes.

“Yes. How else would I, just a student, get into the Plant Club if I didn’t grow it?”

“I just assumed you were invited because you are the Headmaster’s student.”

Lee Han stared at him, not believing what he was hearing, but the artist ignored him.

In truth, the artist was the one who should be surprised.

‘The Plant Club is hard to join. They wouldn’t let in just anyone, even if they are the Headmaster’s student.’

“Where did you get Dragon’s Breath? Did you steal it from the Headmaster’s safe?”

“No. I made a magic contract with a dragon.”

The artist was even more shocked.

“Who!? Wait. Let me guess… Could it be Prince Uman?”

Even though he was shocked, the artist was still clever and guessed quickly.

Dragons are rare now. Long ago, there were more, but not anymore in the Empire.

That means the dragons most likely to make a magic deal are the Emperor’s dragons.

Of the Emperor’s dragons, Prince Uman is the one who goes out and about and seems like he would get along with the youngest student.

‘It’s probably Prince Uman, the fourth prince.’

Prince Uman is a brave dragon who hates unfair things and the Headmaster, and he likes to do what’s right.

So, Prince Uman probably made a contract with the youngest student…

“No. It’s Prince Zaurin.”

“Why?????”

“Even if you ask why, it’s not like I chose him.”

That was true!

The artist quickly agreed.

No matter how much a mage wanted a contract, the dragon had to say yes. It was the dragon’s choice.

“I thought that dragon stayed hidden away, like the others…”

‘Stayed hidden away?’

Lee Han tilted his head.

It seemed even the artist, who knew a lot about magic, was wrong about dragons. Not many people know much about dragons.

“Shocking, but maybe I can understand it. A dragon must have seen your magic talent and your future, right?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that he likes me to play with hi…”

“I’ve heard a lot about Prince Uman, but I never expected such a connection to happen. Amazing.”

‘Could that dragon be the reason?’

Lee Han wondered if that dragon was the reason for the misunderstanding. He thought about Zaurin, the black dragon who wasn’t there.

No matter how he thought about it, it seemed the artist was misunderstanding something about Zaurin.

“Anyway, let’s talk about the dragon contract later. The others are waiting.”

The club members were waiting, holding their breath, very curious.

The way the artist and Lee Han were whispering, it seemed as though the Mandragora might actually be real.

“Is it really real?”

“I told you it’s impossible.”

“But if it’s impossible, there’s no need for such a long conversation…”

After talking, the artist said loudly and clearly.

“Everyone, listen up. I have checked the notes.”

“What do you think, madam?”

“Before that, there’s something I want to say.”

” ? ”

Lee Han looked at his older student.

What was he about to say?

“I can buy this Mandragora first, right?”

“……”

“……”

The plant club members stared at the artist, shocked and speechless.

It really is real!

Click!

“Unlocked it.”

“Amazing, Ratford! You’re getting better every time!”

Salco nodded, praising his friend’s skill.

He was already skillful with locks, but Ratford’s skills had improved a lot since coming to this school.

He could easily open all sorts of magical locks and seals, not just ordinary ones.

Because of this, he could easily find work at the auction house. There were many vaults and chests that adventurers had found but couldn’t open yet.

“Those White Tiger Tower guys could never do this.”

Salco said proudly, carefully smoothing a broken statue.

The White Tiger Tower is proud of their knights and families. But the Black Tortoise Tower is proud of being able to do anything, like Ratford opening locks.

No one could find work faster than them opening locks…

“……”

“……”

Ratford dropped the magical lockpick he was holding. Salco also dropped the magical hammer he was holding.

Gynan Daugh walked up, wearing lots of flashy, cheap jewelry.

“…Have you finally gone mad?”

“What? No! I bought these with the money I earned!”

Gynan Daugh got angry when they suddenly said that.

But Ratford gave him honest advice.

“You should change the rest of your money into coins and tell them now. That might be the best option.”

“…Why are you saying that too! I really earned it! All the mage cards I put out sold! And for a high price!”

“What?”

Salco found it hard to believe.

That such childish toys could sell for a high price.

“I really don’t understand people. That such things could sell for so much.”

“Hmph. It’s no use being jealous.”

“It is really strange. The cards that Gynan Daugh put out weren’t usually that expensive.”

Ratford, who was in the guild, knew mage cards could be worth something.

When Ratford said that smart thing, Gynan Daugh slyly hid the remaining stack of cards deep in his pocket and said.

“I must have been lucky. And I’ve been living a good life, you know?”

“……”

As the veins on Salco’s fist, gripping the magic hammer, bulged, Ratford hurriedly stopped him.

“Calm down, calm down.”

“I am calm. I’m just going to hit that guy once, calmly.”

While the two were whispering, Gynan Daugh spread his arms wide in a friendly way and shouted.

“Look! Since I’ve earned so much, I’ll be generous to you guys too!”

“Is that really true?”

“Of course! We’re all from Einroguard, after all.”

“……”

Salco’s expression softened slightly. The hand holding the hammer relaxed.

“Don’t waste it too much. No matter how much you earn, it’ll be gone fast if you waste it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve calculated everything.”

Gynan Daugh explained his plan, showed how smart he was, like a student from the Blue Dragon Tower.

“First, I’ll put one-third of the money back into mage cards. It seems to be quite profitable.”

“…Well, okay. I understand.”

“And I’ll use one-third for myself.”

Gynan Daugh said, pointing to his dangling accessories. Salco had to resist the urge to glare at him.

“I’ll buy Lee Han a present with the remaining 1/3.”

“…?”

“???”

Salco and Ratford looked at each other.

Something’s wrong with his math?

“Now all that’s left is to buy presents for my friends.”

“…There’s nothing left?”

“Huh?”

Gynan Daugh paused.

As he counted the gold coins, there really was nothing left.

“Ah. I made a mistake. I started with 1/4 at first, then changed it to 1/3. That’s why I messed up.”

“Indeed, you did.”

“I can’t help it. I’ll have to not give you anything.”

“……”

“Did you hear the prince scream just now?”

“I didn’t…?”

‘Did I hear wrong?’

Siana tilted her head.

Gynan Daugh shouldn’t be screaming here, far from Einroguard.

“This is a cursed item.”

“Indeed! Would you mind taking a look at this as well, priest?”

“This is just a mage who cast a spell wrong and is screaming.”

“Damn it! I knew it was suspicious!”

Tiziling was wearing the robes of the Freisinger Order. This Order is famous for knowing about curses in the Empire. Many people wanted Tiziling to look at things for them.

Tiziling separated the items that were truly cursed from the items that looked cursed because the letters were engraved incorrectly, and asked.

“But is it okay for Siana to keep staying here?”

“Ah. If I’m bothering you…”

“It’s not that. I was just wondering if you might want to do work for the Flamen Order.”

The Flamen Order is also popular here.

They are all good at alchemy, making potions. If someone needs extra help making potions, they call the Flamen Order right away.

However, Siana shook her head.

“I was originally going to, but…”

” ? ”

“…Some crazy rich newcomer bought all the potions before the auction even started!”

Siana said, still sounding angry.

Bad luck happens, but this was a complete surprise and very bad luck.

Because some rich newcomer swept away all the potions, they also lost their chance to work.

And because of this, Siana couldn’t buy potions at the auction like she planned.

“Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to wander around with the other priests?”

“No. I enjoy it more here.”

Tiziling, who was usually quiet and expressed little emotion, wore a slightly happy expression.

Siana thought to herself.

‘I don’t want to go to the other priests!’

Sharukal, the shark beastman, and Nigisor, the fire elemental hybrid, both had very strong personalities.

One kept looking for items related to the sea, and the other kept looking for ways to increase the power of the fire element, which was a bit strange.

And the worrying thing was that they were becoming even more active after becoming friends with Wodanaz.

If they were like this in their second year, they might connect the tower lounge to the deep sea or summon eternal fire to the fireplace in their third year.

Siana had thought she was quite noticeable when she was in the Order, but compared to priests like those two, she was quite ordinary.

Siana was thankful to Tiziling once again. The Phoenix Tower needed such a priest who is always reliable.

Just as she thought that, Nigisor appeared.

This priestly student, radiating blazing heat, held out a new lantern he just got and asked.

“Ah, Siana. I found a pretty decent lantern… could you suggest a potion to fill it with?”

“What’s the purpose?”

“I’m going to trap the flames of a demon inside.”

“You… got the flames of a demon?”

“No. But I think I can get it if I ask Wodanaz. I heard there are quite a few in his family.”

“……”

“To keep those flames from going out, I think I need to keep the power going inside this lantern, so I’d like a suggestion…”

“Ah! Now that I think about it, I had a promise with the Order’s priests!”

Siana jumped up.

The moment she suggested something there, she would have to go to Lee Han with Nigisor and say, ‘Please lend us a demon.’

And she really didn’t want to do that.

“Don’t say no so quickly, and just promise me, won’t you?”

The artist said this without shame, like he was used to asking for anything.

After arguing and offering more and more money and jewels, the artist finally bought the Mandragora.

Of course, the members wanted to know when a new Mandragora would come out, but…

…Lee Han couldn’t promise that.

He needed Zaurin to grow it!

“You can’t use him like that.”

“We have a contract, so it doesn’t matter, right? He’s going to do what he wants anyway.”

“……”

Lee Han was almost convinced for a moment.

Certainly, that’s how dragon contracts are sometimes.

‘…No. I mustn’t give in!’