Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 254

“Friends, I feel much better now!” Cltran said, trying to stand. The other White Tiger Tower students just stared, their mouths open in surprise. They looked at him like he had suddenly grown a second head.

“Are you feeling bad about making us call Professor Garcia again?” one student asked. “We feel bad too, Cltran, but it’s not our fault you fell.” *These guys are unbelievable,* Lee Han thought to himself, shaking his head slightly. *If they feel sorry for always causing trouble, why don’t they just stop playing so roughly?*

“No,” Cltran replied. “Wodanaz helped me. He used first aid, and I feel much better.” “First aid?” another student repeated, his eyes widening. “Wait… you mean healing magic?” Suddenly, the White Tiger Tower students looked at Lee Han with new interest.

“But Cltran, that’s not enough!” one student insisted. “Exactly! What are you saying?” another added. Even though they were learning about healing magic themselves, the White Tiger Tower students were not easily convinced. They knew that healing magic, especially when done by someone new to it, could be risky. Just because Cltran felt better didn’t mean his bone was healed correctly. It might be set wrong inside.

“Even if it was Wodanaz who did it…” one student started, then stopped, looking at Lee Han. “Oh, Wodanaz, no offense! We don’t mean to say you’re bad at it, you know?” Another student puffed out his chest. “We’re just saying… there are eight of us here, Wodanaz. Eight!” *Why are they saying that?* Lee Han wondered, confused. *What does the number eight have to do with anything?* “Yeah, eight of us…” the students mumbled, their voices fading as they seemed to realize they weren’t making much sense.

“I agree we should still call the professor,” Lee Han said. “If I knew you were going to call him anyway, I wouldn’t have bothered with first aid. It was just a quick fix.” “See?” one student said to Cltran. “Even Wodanaz says so! You need real healing magic, Cltran.” “But I really do feel fine…” Cltran mumbled again, sounding less sure this time.

Professor Garcia’s eyes landed on the wooden sticks the White Tiger Tower students were holding. “Playing polo again, were we?” he asked, his voice calm but sharp. “…Uh, no,” one student mumbled. “I just… tripped while running,” Cltran added quickly. The White Tiger Tower students tried to shove the sticks behind their backs, looking very guilty. Lee Han sighed quietly. *Honestly, these guys,* he thought. *If you’re going to lie, at least be good at it. How will they ever get by in Einroguard if they are this obvious?*

“I’m not angry,” Professor Garcia said, his voice still even. “I’m just asking.” But somehow, no one really believed him. Professor Garcia had a way of making you feel like you were in trouble, even when he wasn’t raising his voice.

“Alright, who is hurt?” Professor Garcia asked. “It’s Cltran, Professor,” one of them said quickly. “…He looks fine,” Professor Garcia said, tilting his head slightly. The White Tiger Tower students started talking all at once, their voices rushed and worried. “He looks okay now, but we don’t know what’s happening inside!” “His ankle was really twisted, and Wodanaz only did a quick healing spell, so…” “Ah, I understand,” Professor Garcia said, holding up a hand to stop them. He then raised his staff and gently waved it towards Cltran’s ankle. It was to check exactly how bad the injury was.

Suddenly, Professor Garcia’s face became very serious. The White Tiger Tower students gasped. “Is something wrong, Professor?” one asked nervously. “Could Wodanaz have made it worse?” another worried. “We heard healing magic can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing,” a third student added. *If they try to blame me,* Lee Han thought quickly, *I’ll just explain I was trying to help!* Professor Garcia finished his examination, his serious face still set. He beckoned Lee Han over. “Lee Han, come here for a moment.”

“Is it bad?” Lee Han asked, worried. “No, not at all,” Professor Garcia said, lowering his voice so the others couldn’t hear. “Actually, he’s healed perfectly.” “…Oh,” Lee Han said, blinking in confusion. “Then… that’s good, right?” If the bone was healed, why did Professor Garcia look so serious?

“It’s good for Cltran,” Professor Garcia continued quietly, “but it’s… complicated for you, Lee Han.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “Knowing healing magic in theory is one thing. Actually healing someone, and doing it this well, is very different. It wasn’t a huge injury, but you healed him completely, with no problems at all. Many older students, even second and third years, can’t do that perfectly on a real person.” Professor Garcia looked at Lee Han, his expression still serious. Lee Han was even more confused now. He knew healing magic was hard in practice, but if he did it well, wasn’t that a good thing?

“Listen,” Professor Garcia said, “students who are good at healing magic often get asked to help out in the real world, right?” “Yes, I think so,” Lee Han replied. “Well,” Professor Garcia said, “you might get asked to go with them.” “No!” Lee Han said, surprised. “But… I’m just a first-year student!” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Just because he fixed an ankle once, would they make him go and do real healing work?

“Even if you are new,” Professor Garcia continued, “doing it this well, this early, changes things. If you can do it once, you can do it again. And if you keep doing it, you’ll become very good, very quickly…” *He sounds just like Professor Voladi,* Lee Han thought, a little worried. *Is Professor Garcia going to push me into doing lots of extra work now?*

“…Actually,” Professor Garcia said, “after seeing you heal Cltran’s ankle so well, I’m thinking of giving you extra practical training.” “No, thank you!” Lee Han said quickly, shaking his head. Healing a twisted ankle for a clumsy White Tiger Tower student was one thing. Helping people with serious injuries, people who really needed help, was completely different. Lee Han definitely wasn’t ready for that. *I’m still just a beginner!* he thought in panic.

“So, listen to me,” Professor Garcia said firmly. “Don’t tell anyone, ever, that you healed a White Tiger Tower student’s ankle. Understand?” “Yes, Professor, I understand,” Lee Han said, nodding quickly. “Thank you.” He felt truly grateful to Professor Garcia. *Wow,* he thought, *where else would you find a professor who actually tries to stop you from getting extra work?*

“Wodanaz! What is it? What did he say? What happened?!” The White Tiger Tower students rushed towards Lee Han, their faces full of worry. Lee Han turned back to them, smiling brightly. “It’s nothing to worry about,” he said cheerfully. “Apparently, the bones were growing the wrong way and were all broken inside, but Professor Garcia fixed it perfectly!”

The White Tiger Tower students stared at Lee Han, their eyes wide with fear. They looked at him like he was a monster. Hearing him say “bones broken inside” with such a happy smile was definitely not normal.

The air in the academy felt different. Final exams were just around the corner. It was morning, and the usually noisy student lounge was strangely quiet. Instead of laughing and talking, students were hunched over books and papers, writing furiously with quills. *Everyone is really studying hard,* Lee Han thought, looking around. He was studying too, of course. He held a thick book in one hand and a rice ball in the other, munching away as he read. He looked calm and focused, unlike many of the other students who seemed stressed and worried.

“Let’s go,” Lee Han said, standing up. “Cough, cough!” Gainando choked on his rice. Gainando believed that you should always focus completely on your food while eating, as a sign of respect to whoever made it. Talking while eating was almost rude in his mind. “I’m still eating!” Gainando mumbled between coughs. “Okay, okay,” Lee Han said, rolling his eyes slightly. “Five minutes. Eat fast.”

Gainando sent a desperate look, but it didn’t work on Lee Han.

“Sniff…” Gainando sighed dramatically, but started eating faster. “Hurry up,” Lee Han said again. “We need to go to the Undead Realm and make those contracts.” With final exams coming, they had to finish all their assignments whenever they had a spare moment. If they relaxed even for a little while, they would be buried under a mountain of work. This morning’s task was the summoning magic assignment. Gainando and some other students still needed to make a contract with an undead creature. Lee Han had already made his contract, but he wanted to go again. *I really hope I can find a skeleton wizard this time,* he thought. *I want one so badly!* He had been looking for one since last time, and he was determined to find one now.

“Why are you coming with us?” Raphael asked, his voice rough as he saw Lee Han. “You already finished your contract. What’s the real reason?” Imirgue and Gainando quickly tried to quiet Raphael, looking embarrassed. “I… I just want to help,” Lee Han said, a little surprised by Raphael’s harsh tone. “Is it really necessary to be so rude?” “Are you stupid?!” Gainando burst out, turning to Raphael angrily. “What if Lee Han decides not to help us now because of you? Then you’ll have to go into the Undead Realm alone, you idiot!” Raphael blinked, taken aback by Gainando’s sudden anger. “I… I don’t want to go alone,” he mumbled, stepping back slightly.

“Okay, everyone, calm down!” Lee Han said, raising his voice slightly. “Stop arguing.” Actually, Lee Han didn’t really mind if Raphael went alone or not. But he definitely wanted Raphael to come with them. *It’s really useful to have a strong fighter in front,* he thought. He had learned that last time. Raphael was like a shield, drawing the undead towards him and blocking them so the others could attack safely. If Raphael wasn’t there, Lee Han would have to be the one at the front, and he really didn’t want to do that.

“Lee Han, look at what that jerk is saying!” Gainando complained, pointing at Raphael. “Raphael didn’t mean anything bad,” Lee Han said calmly. “He’s just… a bit grumpy sometimes. But he’s not a bad person.” *Actually, he is pretty grumpy,* Lee Han thought, *but I need him to come with us.* “I know why Raphael is confused,” Lee Han continued, turning to Raphael. “You’re probably wondering why I’m bothering to come when I’ve already finished my assignment. But Raphael, I would never leave my friends to do something alone just because I’m done with my work.” *And also,* Lee Han thought quickly, *I really need to find a skeleton wizard or a skeleton archer. This is a good chance to look again before exams get too crazy.* “We helped each other last time, so it’s only fair that I help you now. Right?”

“…Hmph,” Raphael grunted, looking away. He didn’t say anything else, but he definitely seemed less angry. He couldn’t really argue with Lee Han’s reason for helping. Lee Han was even trying to stop Gainando from arguing with him, even though Gainando was his friend. Raphael wouldn’t have done that. *Maybe… maybe Lee Han is actually okay,* Raphael thought grudgingly.

Thirty minutes later, they were in the Undead Realm. Raphael’s face was dark and stormy as he stomped forward. “You sneaky monsters!” he yelled. “You cheating, horrible creatures!” As soon as they had entered the Undead Realm, Lee Han and Gainando had somehow ended up behind him, leaving Raphael to face any undead that appeared. It had happened last time too. “I… I’m sorry, Raphael,” Imirgue said quietly. Gainando patted Imirgue on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it,” Gainando said cheerfully. “We just have different jobs to do.” “You prince!” Raphael roared, turning around to glare at Gainando. “I told you, that guy is better with a sword than I am!” “Hey, hey, calm down,” Gainando said, waving his hands dismissively. “Don’t say silly things. That’s just not true.” Raphael’s face turned even redder with anger. *That clueless idiot!* he thought, fuming.

*Rattle… rattle…* A skeleton warrior, its bones clacking together, stepped out from behind a twisted, dead tree. Imirgue gasped, his eyes wide with wonder. “Wow,” he whispered. “I didn’t think one would appear so fast!”

…Then, more *rattling* sounds came from all around them. Raphael froze, his eyes widening in horror as he saw not just one, but many skeleton warriors slowly emerging from the shadows of the dead trees. *Safety measures!* he thought wildly. *Professor Milrei said there were safety measures! Why are there so many?!* “Wodanaz!” Raphael stammered, his voice shaking. “What’s happening?! How is this possible?!” Lee Han shrugged, looking around at the growing number of skeletons with a slightly worried expression. “Well,” he said calmly, “sometimes things just… happen.”