Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 1065

Was this person a bird? Saratan wasn’t sure.

Saratan had to admit, the young prince had a good heart.

Saratan had seen a small part of this good heart just a moment ago, when he was pulled into the prince’s soul.

The prince’s soul was like a deep hole filled with pain and sadness. Saratan couldn’t believe it. He had lived only for himself, doing whatever he wanted.

And the prince’s soul felt sorry for all of it! He understood the pain and sadness.

Saratan was known as a tough and mean spirit. But even he could see that the young prince was truly good.

“But still, that guy is a bit of a…”

Saratan looked quickly at Ethan, trying not to show he was unsure.

What was so good about someone who would hurt you badly with magic if you didn’t do what they said?

Even the prince didn’t seem to believe it himself.

“I don’t think I have a heart good enough to reform that spirit…”

“-That’s silly, Ethan. Believe in yourself.”

“No, no. Master, just believing doesn’t make you suddenly have a good heart.”

Ethan was surprised, but Saratan was even more surprised.

A good heart wasn’t something that became stronger just because you decided to have one, like magic.

“-You already have a good heart, Ethan. Don’t you think so, Yucbertilere?”

” ? ”

Yucbertilere had been listening quietly. Now, he thought about the question.

Was Ethan really good?

‘Hmm. He abandoned his post without helping with research during the break, so no.’

Yucbertilere quickly decided and spoke.

“Not goo—”

“-Remember, Yucbertilere, I’m helping you with your research. If you don’t give a good answer, I might break your blueprints and not answer your questions.”

“……”

“……”

The young prince wasn’t just kind and good.

If he was only kind, he could never have traveled across the land long ago, fighting bad people.

Overwhelmed, Yucbertilere stammered before finally saying,

“Goo… good, I suppose…”

“-Exactly! Good. Now, how is he good?”

“……”

Yucbertilere’s eyes flickered again as before.

“-Quickly!”

“W-well… that is…”

Ethan was shocked as his senior looked at him, begging with his eyes.

‘This guy. He just asked me to make him sweets…’

Yucbertilere didn’t even remember getting sweets, which was enough to say something nice.

Even Gainando seemed less shameless than this man.

“I made you sweets, didn’t I?”

“Y-yes, he made me sweets.”

“And I’m helping with research.”

“Wait, but didn’t you volunteer because you were impressed by the research?”

Yucbertilere looked confused.

He thought Ethan had said something like, “This research is amazing! Hehe. Please let me help!”

“…I didn’t say that. And I didn’t giggle in a way to please you. Just go along with it. The master is looking at you like he doesn’t believe you.”

“He is helping with research…”

“-Did you hear that? How good is that?”

I… I suppose so.

Saratan wasn’t really convinced, but he pretended to agree.

The prince seemed set on saying whatever he wanted, no matter what Saratan thought.

It was better to be quiet than to do something stupid and get hurt again.

“-So, how do we make a good heart grow?”

Um… should I watch, follow, and learn from this person’s actions?

“-Perfect, Saratan!”

The prince praised Saratan. It wouldn’t be easy, but this spirit was starting to learn.

But what exactly should I watch, follow, and learn?

Saratan asked cautiously.

He had said what the prince wanted to hear, but he still didn’t know what to do.

‘Am I supposed to learn how to torment spirits? But I already know how to do that?’

“-You need to think about that yourself, Spirit.”

The young prince told him firmly.

You can’t get a good heart just by doing what you’re told. You have to think about it and find it yourself.

A-alright.

Saratan was startled.

It was easy to think he was just kind and gentle, but Saratan knew this prince was not someone to mess with.

If he waited too long, he might get hurt again.

Wh-what are you going to do?

Saratan asked cautiously, and Ethan pointed to the stacked reagents and blueprints beside him, replying,

“I was preparing for magical research…”

I will assist you!

“Hmm. It’s a bit strange that you’re offering.”

‘This bastard…’

Saratan cursed inwardly.

Did anyone think he was helping because he wanted to!

“Anyway, since you’re offering to help, I accept. Master, can I try preparing it as you showed me earlier?”

“-Yes, go ahead.”

Ethan took the magic circle blueprints that the young prince had shown him before.

Actually, the prince had already drawn the blueprint for the magic circle that would join together [Bakwantallana’s Dimensional Rod] and [Aheman’s Refraction].

But seeing him bring out Saratan and subdue—no, persuade—him like that…

“So, you’re going to use that spirit?”

Yucbertilere nodded.

No matter what kind of tree spirit it was, Yucbertilere could feel its strong power.

“Tree spirits are naturally strong and heal quickly, so it would be good to have them handle the dangerous parts of the magic circle.”

Right now, the [Yucbertilere’s Stone Mirror], a magical object, was in the magic circle to protect it from the twisting and pushing forces when they cast the spell.

But…

“That’s right. The mirror alone wouldn’t be enough. It would be safer if the spirit helped too.”

“……”

Yucbertilere’s eyebrows moved slightly. He remembered hearing about making his magical object better earlier.

“The Stone Mirror can handle it by itself. We’re just putting the spirit there to be extra safe.”

“…I-I see. Of course.”

Ethan soothed his senior, who was putting on a serious face.

‘What a pain,’ Ethan thought. He changed the subject. He didn’t want to argue about the Stone Mirror and waste time, research or not.’

“Then I will place that spirit.”

“Okay.”

“Saratan!”

While Yucbertilere quickly prepared the magic circle in the basement, Ethan called the spirit.

Then, he briefly explained what needed to be done.

“Senior is going to make a magic circle here and turn it on. We need someone to take the pressure.”

That’s easy enough!

Saratan laughed loudly.

To powerful spirits, the magic of wizards felt like child’s play.

Wizards must be so weak if they can’t even handle this pressure themselves and need a spirit to help!

“Good to see you’re confident. Okay then. I’m relying on you.”

While they were talking, Yucbertilere had completed more than half of the magic circle.

It was unbelievably fast, even with the blueprint. The young prince praised Yucbertilere.

“-You are very skilled, Yucbertilere. Teach Ethan everything you know.”

“Understood.”

Yucbertilere looked a little happier. Maybe it was because the prince had praised him and he felt better about himself.

“-Wait! The magic letters you’re writing now seem unnecessary. The pentagon below already does that job. You don’t need to add more letters. Wizards who like to show off might do that, but you’re not like that, right?”

“…Yes…”

Yucbertilere’s expression darkened slightly again.

They put the ingredients for making [Bakwantallana’s Dimensional Rod], Bakwantallana’s crystals, at each point where the lines crossed.

The crystals were strong and magical. They worked together, making the wall between worlds weaker and creating new power.

“…!”

Ethan felt the power thrumming.

‘Amazing!’

He understood why you had to be so careful when using dimensional magic.

Changing space and reaching into another world was hard. It needed huge power.

Who knew such power was inside those crystals? They looked so normal when Yucbertilere took them out of his bag of ingredients.

‘To get, make bigger, and use all this power… It’s amazing.’

Ethan now understood how strong Saratan was.

To be able to handle the twisting and pushing forces of a magic circle with so much power. Saratan was really a strong and tough spirit.

“Alright. Saratan, to your position…”

W-wait a moment.

Saratan’s expression was different from before. It was clearly filled with fear.

“What’s wrong?”

This… this seems like a stronger magic than I thought…?

“Really? Isn’t this what dimensional magic is usually like?”

‘Th-this crazy wizard bastard!’

Saratan swallowed hard.

The magic felt much stronger and wilder than he expected.

He saw the power coming from the crystals in the magic circle. It was swirling around wildly and violently. Saratan was scared. He thought something terrible would happen if all that power hit him.

‘And I’m supposed to just block that without even being fully recovered…?’

“Are you saying it’s too much?”

T-too much! No way! No way! How dare you think I’m weak! I’m much stronger than any human body!’

“Alright, alright. I understand. Don’t shout.”

Ethan waved his hand, acknowledging Saratan’s anger as he puffed up his tree form.

Spirits like him were always very proud.

‘Judging by how he’s talking, he must be able to withstand it.’

“I’m going to cast the Dimensional Rod first, then hold it steady, and then add Aheman’s Refraction on top.” “Understood.”

“The pressure will come in three big waves.” Yucbertilere explained, holding up three fingers.

There would be three times when the magic would be strongest and most dangerous. First, when casting the Dimensional Rod. Second, when holding it in place. And third, when adding Aheman’s Refraction.

Three times?!

“Hey. Quiet.”

“Please be quiet.”

……

Saratan shut his mouth at their words.

‘Crazy wizard bastards!’

“And the power will increase as we go on.”

It gets stronger as we go on!?

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

N-no. Please, continue.

“Anyway, Yucbertilere, should we have Saratan hold the Stone Mirror?”

“Yes.”

W-wait a minute. I heard that magical object isn’t completely fixed yet?

“……”

Yucbertilere’s fingertips trembled. Ethan scolded Saratan, fearing that the work would be delayed.

“Are you going to keep talking nonsense!”

Kuh…

‘What is so good about this bloke!?’

Saratan couldn’t understand.

* * *

“I’ll begin. Bakwantallana’s sprout grows on the rod planted on the rock, buds, and blooms…”

Yucbertilere began to chant the long spell. Magic spells this powerful were never short.

‘Now.’

Yucbertilere gestured. Ethan immediately poured in magic power. The withered magic circle burst with vitality as if it had regained its life.

“…The rod swallows the rock and swallows the earth…”

The space inside the circle started to twist. The magic used up the ingredients and power, breaking through the real world and mixing different worlds together.

“Saratan. It’s coming!”

And the first impact struck.

Saratan nearly dropped the Stone Mirror for a moment. The overlapping dimensional impacts felt as if they were tearing the spirit’s entire body to shreds.

Keuheok…!

“…Are you alright?”

I’m a doormat!

“What?”

I-I meant I’m alright.

“You’re not alright!”

Ethan realized immediately.

This foolish spirit!