Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 250

“-Why are you doing this, Professor?”

“-What did we do so wrong…”

The dark-robed figures grumbled, but when the Spire Keeper waved them away, they backed down, muttering angrily.

“Thank you.”

Ethan felt relieved and could finally enter the Spire Stable.

Be careful. These beasts are usually very wild.

As the Spire Keeper warned, the creatures sleeping inside were amazing.

Seriously. Why do the professors ride around on things like this?

Hippogriffs, with the heads of eagles and bodies of horses; strange two-horned Bicrons; winged Harpies; and huge, furry Baks – creatures Ethan had only read about in fairy tales – were all dozing.

Wizards were known for doing impossible things, understanding mysteries, and taming strange creatures. But did they really need to tame beasts this dangerous?

I see why students are prohibited from entering.

Still, one good thing was that bringing a griffin here wouldn’t seem out of place at all.

A griffin would probably be considered a cute and charming mount here.

This must be where the beasts sleep.

The Spire Stable was incredibly long. He couldn’t see the other end from the entrance. It felt like magic had made the space bigger than it should be. Beasts were sleeping on both sides of a long path. If you walked all the way down, there was an exit that opened to the outside wall of the main building – a place to fly directly into the sky.

They said they check once at the entrance, right?

Ethan recalled the information he’d heard.

There didn’t seem to be any special checks or inspections, but people entering or leaving from outside were said to be checked once at that flying area.

If so, the person in charge of this facility must be waiting…

Ethan was picturing the structure in his head when the Spire Keeper walked forward.

Then, a horse walked out from inside.

Ethan watched, surprised, as the Spire Keeper talked to a horse. He was writing on paper and showing it to the horse, then reading the horse’s replies. Ethan could see the Spire Keeper write, ‘Isn’t it dangerous? You promise it’s safe? Okay, I understand.’

Hmm. I was being too narrow-minded.

There were centaurs who could talk and minotaurs who could talk, so it wasn’t surprising that there was a horse who could talk.

Well, actually, it was a little surprising…

Permission granted.

“Yes?”

Ethan paused.

Permission for what?

You said you wanted to practice riding. This Bicorn is perfect for learning. It will teach you a lot.

Ethan felt a pang of guilt. ‘I shouldn’t have tricked him,’ he thought, vowing to himself, ‘I will never lie to such a kind person again.’

The Spire Keeper hadn’t noticed Ethan’s wicked thoughts and recommended the Bicorn to give him a stern lesson.

Of course, that’s how it turned out, but the reason was truly pure goodwill.

Since the Bicorn had a similar build to a horse, being able to ride a Bicorn skillfully meant you could ride any wild horse.

It’s not wrong, but isn’t it too dangerous?

If you learned how to tame a dragon, you could tame a wolf, but no one ever told you to tame a dragon to tame a wolf.

“It’s okay,” the Spire Keeper said. “This Bicorn is the kindest creature here.” Ethan looked unsure. ‘If that’s true,’ he thought, ‘then I must be the nicest person in the headmaster’s office when the scary headmaster and his even scarier friend, Voladi, are there!’

Just don’t fall off.

He couldn’t disappoint the Spire Keeper, especially since he needed to use the stables on the weekend.

Ethan decided to ride the Bicorn to the best of his ability.

There was no need for complicated movements or acrobatics. He just planned to walk a little in the most basic and safe way and come back.

I am Ethan Wodanaz,

Ethan said, taking a slow step forward. He spoke the words he had learned from Professor Lightning Gait, “I respect you and your pride.”

The more powerful the monster, the higher its intelligence and the stronger its pride.

Especially for monsters with fierce and rough temperaments like the Bicorn.

The unicorn, a mythical beast with one horn, had a kind and gentle nature, but the Bicorn with two horns was the complete opposite.

If he approached it wrong, he could end up being stabbed by its horns and falling over.

Flap!

The Bicorn looked at Ethan and suddenly approached him. Then, it rubbed its cheek against his face.

Ethan was very embarrassed by the beast’s affectionate behavior, which even Phoneg had never shown him.

What is this?

Is it a trap?

Snort-

Whether Ethan was embarrassed or not, the Bicorn quietly knelt down and lay flat on the ground.

It meant he should get on.

I respect you. I really respect you. Okay?

Ethan said once again, just in case the Bicorn revealed its true colors the moment he got on.

The Bicorn snorted slightly and turned its head. It seemed to be saying he was talking nonsense.

Thud-

The Bicorn didn’t reveal its true colors even after Ethan got on. It quietly tapped the ground with its hooves, then ran to the flying area and jumped into the air.

Suddenly, the huge school grounds of Einrogard spread out below them. It was breathtaking. The Bicorn seemed to sense Ethan’s awe and floated gently through the air.

“Thank you.”

When Ethan whispered, stroking its mane, the Bicorn shook its head as if it were nothing.

It was a surprisingly smooth and pleasant ride.

The Bicorn was much kinder and gentler than he had expected.

Ah. Is that why he recommended it?

Indeed, the Spire Keeper hadn’t recommended it without thinking. Ethan felt bad for doubting the Spire Keeper.

Did you get some practice?

“Thank you. It was really helpful.”

The Spire Keeper was waiting when he returned. Ethan answered with a satisfied heart.

“I almost want to take it with me.”

-Amazing. It’s famous for being difficult.

The horse in charge of the Spire Stable passed by, marveling.

The look in its eyes was, ‘You managed to come back alive without dying.’

Uh… Didn’t you say it was the kindest of the animals here?

Ethan asked the Spire Keeper.

Surely he did?

It’s only a little like that normally, but it’s very kind when it meets its owner.

“No…”

Ethan was dumbfounded by the biased expression, as if someone had a crush on it.

Even a grumpy guy was bound to have good days. There was no such thing as a crazy guy who was in a bad mood all day long.

The average is what matters…

I shouldn’t ride it again.

He thought the Bicorn was kind, but it was just luck.

Ethan vowed inwardly.

“By the way, who is the owner of this Bicorn?”

It’s the headmaster.

Ethan couldn’t help but stare at the Bicorn. The Bicorn clung to Ethan’s sleeve as if telling him not to go.

…Could it be that it was being friendly because it resembled the Skull Headmaster!?

It’s a relief, but somehow I feel bad!

Ethan said his thanks to the Spire Keeper and bid him farewell.

-Please don’t tell anyone else about what you practiced today. I’m very shy…

Of course, he didn’t forget to keep it a secret.

It wouldn’t be good to get into the Skull Headmaster’s ears for no reason.

Phoneg. It’s good to be normal. I feel more comfortable with you and other horses looking normal.

Ethan started brushing Phoneg’s mane as he brought over Phoneg’s lunch. Phoneg was happily chewing his food, but then he tilted his head, listening to Ethan. It was as if he understood the words and thought, ‘Was that an insult?’ Phoneg wasn’t like other horses. He was… different.

Good boy. You eat well. Eat more. I even brought you candy.

Phoneg shook his head excitedly when he was given a snack that Gainando would be jealous of.

Thud-

“What’s wrong?”

Phoneg frowned and looked at Ethan.

He could smell a strange beast on his master.

Neigh! Neigh! Pfft! Hee hee hee! Pffft!

Ethan was taken aback when Phoneg burst into tears, the most sorrowful he had ever shown.

“What’s wrong? Is it not tasty?”

Phoneg stamped his hooves on the ground and imitated another animal.

He put a cone that had fallen on the floor on his head and distorted his expression…

Ah. The Bicorn? I didn’t ride it because I wanted to. Phoneg. Believe me.

Pfft!

Phoneg turned his head as if he didn’t want to listen. Ethan didn’t give up and clung to Phoneg, trying to soothe his sulking mood.

How long had it been?

Professor Lightning Gait, who had come to the stable, looked at Ethan with a puzzled expression.

“Are you comforting Griff… I mean, Phoneg? You’re doing a good job.”

“Could you help me a little?”

“You’re comforting him well. It looks like he’s already half-way over it. But what did you do to make him so sulky?”

A griffin wouldn’t sulk over a trivial mistake.

A powerful mythical beast had its own pride.

But the answer from his disciple was more absurd than he had expected.

“I rode a Bicorn…”

“Where on earth did you do to ride a Bicorn!?”

Thud-

The… The shield! The shield!!

The students of the Blue Dragon Tower screamed when the shield fell to the floor of the lecture hall.

The other tower students, who were less aware of the situation, asked at the sight.

“Is there a problem if that shield falls?”

Was it perhaps an item related to prophecy magic?

Or did danger strike the moment the shield fell…

“I bet on that shield.”

“I thought it would last 3 days… Sob…”

Pathetic…

It lasts a little over 2 days.

Ethan coldly recorded the time, regardless of whether the Blue Dragon Tower students who had lost their groceries were crying or not.

At this point, he could just submit it.

Of course, some diligent students might say, ‘The purpose of assignments is to provide students with an opportunity to learn, so is there any point in using tricks?’ but…

Who cares? I’m going to save myself first.

It wasn’t particularly wrong to see 4th-year students using tricks.

Let’s live first!

Is everyone managing with their assignments?

“Yes, Professor Garcia!”

The students called out. They put extra feeling into their voices, hoping Professor Garcia would understand, ‘Please, don’t give us any more homework!’

“You have a lot of assignments, right?”

“Yes!!!”

“So, my pre-final assignment is simple…”

The students’ eyes twinkled.

Omission?

Pass?

Deletion?

“I think I’ll give it out next week.”

It’s, it’s not very difficult. Everyone. It will be simple.

That’s not comforting.

Ethan knew very well that what professors called simple was never simple.

I know you’re all stressed about the final exams coming up,

Professor Garcia said. “But I’m afraid I have to introduce you to another type of magic today.” He opened the door wider and stepped inside. Ethan jumped. Professor Garcia looked unbelievably tired. His face was pale, and his eyes were shadowed. He looked like the most exhausted person Ethan had ever seen.

Goodness. Is that possible?

Ethan was quite knowledgeable about fatigue and exhaustion, but that professor was transcending it.

How much time would you have to work without rest to accumulate that much fatigue?

Thud!

A small flowerpot appeared in front of each student. It was a flowerpot with a cut seedling planted in it.

“Hold the flowerpot.”

“Yes?”

A stick appeared above Gainando’s head, who had asked back, and smacked him.

“Ack!”

“Don’t make me say it twice. Hold the flowerpot.”

The students held the flowerpots.

Close your eyes and imagine the cut plant growing back together,

Professor Garcia said. Silence fell as the students closed their eyes and focused.

Raise your hand if you can feel the plant joining.

Several hands went up, including Ethan’s. “You are going to learn healing magic.”

???

???!??!