Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 276

Iunrade couldn’t argue with the White Tiger Tower student’s words. It was indeed something a Blue Dragon Tower senior should be ashamed of.

“…Maybe they’re dividing the work and doing it together.”

As a senior, Iunrade tried to defend his juniors.

The White Tiger Tower student nodded as if he expected that answer.

“Right? They wouldn’t just stand by and not help. It’s probably an exaggeration. They’re probably dividing the work. Or maybe Wodanaz is getting special treatment. In our White Tiger Tower, we give special treatment to the friend who brings the ingredients.”

“……”

‘This is so embarrassing!’

Iunrade changed the subject.

“Since you’re from the White Tiger Tower, I assume you’re taking the swordsmanship class?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Are there any students who are showing particular talent? Or perhaps any who are eager to assassinate someone?”

Students at Einroguard often joked about defeating the strict Headmaster. But it would be wrong for them to want to hurt anyone else. A skilled swordsman was a powerful assassin, and if they also mastered magic, they could bring a storm of blood to an entire city.

“I don’t know about students wanting to assassinate someone. As for outstanding students… Moradina Derghew is skilled, but Wodanaz is still the best.”

“…???”

Iunrade blinked, sure he hadn’t heard correctly. ‘Are there *two* members of the Wodanaz family?’ he thought, his mind racing.

“Are you talking about the same Wodanaz student we mentioned earlier?”

“Yes.”

“He’s taking swordsmanship too?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

Iunrade couldn’t hold back and growled out the question.

“…Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

The White Tiger Tower student in front of him was saying ridiculous things with such an innocent expression.

“Oh, you’re right?”

Only then did the White Tiger Tower student seem to realize something was amiss.

“Why is that Wodanaz fellow taking swordsmanship too? It can’t be for the grades.”

“I apologize. This isn’t something I should be asking a student.”

“No, it does seem a bit strange now that I think about it.”

The White Tiger Tower student nodded.

“Perhaps Wodanaz has some secret plan?”

“What kind of plan?”

“Like mastering all magic and swordsmanship to defeat the Headmaster and take over the school…”

‘That doesn’t sound like a particularly sinister plan,’ Iunrade thought, but the White Tiger Tower student, seemingly convinced by his own words, continued enthusiastically.

“He’s getting support from the professors and even the other towers.”

“Well, if he’s bringing food like that, even the other towers would support him. When I was in school, the friend who brought food was always popular. And professors tend to like students who study hard.”

“Oh… you’re right again.”

“And no matter how hard he studies, defeating the Headmaster is impossible.”

“Couldn’t Wodanaz do it? Of course, I don’t mean right now, but maybe in a few years.”

“……”

Normally, even the most outstanding friend wouldn’t say something like, ‘Maybe he can beat the Skull Headmaster in a few years.’ Iunrade was newly curious about this boy from the Wodanaz family.

‘Just how has he been acting…?’

“Are you okay?”

Lee Han nodded at his friends’ question. Of course, his friends were worried. While everyone else rested, Lee Han had faced the phoenix almost alone.

The phoenix, having played to its heart’s content until it was exhausted, left a mark on Lee Han’s hand and returned to its dimension, satisfied. The mark left by the phoenix on top of the marks left by the other spirits felt powerful, but…

“Let’s ask a professor about how to remove it.”

“Yeah. What if that crazy bird gets summoned again?”

“If it gets summoned this time, it might burn down your room, Wodanaz!”

The Blue Dragon Tower students were very calm and resolute. The phoenix incident had frozen the students’ hearts. From now on, the students would be suspicious of any festival that seemed even slightly dangerous.

“No… it’s okay. I don’t need to remove it.”

“No! Wodanaz! The phoenix might come to your dreams and kill you!”

“Yeah. That bird won’t even remember your kindness!”

Unlike his friends’ vehement reactions, Lee Han didn’t feel any particular danger from the phoenix mark. Since the other professors didn’t say anything, and Sharkan didn’t say anything, and Lee Han himself didn’t feel anything ominous, it was probably just a spirit mark. He hadn’t confirmed what effect it had yet, but it wouldn’t be a loss at least.

“Wodanaz. It’s your turn. They’re calling you in.”

“I’ll go now.”

The Black Tortoise Tower student who had gone in first came out and called Lee Han. Lee Han, getting up from his seat, felt a sense of puzzlement.

‘What’s this?’

The Black Tortoise Tower student was staring intently at Lee Han.

“Do you have something to say?”

“…Wodanaz. Did you really eat all the meals in the Blue Dragon Tower…? No. Forget it. I said something unnecessary. There’s no way.”

“??

Iunrade unconsciously took a deep breath. He never imagined that he, who had graduated from Einroguard and gained experience as an Imperial official, would be so nervous facing a mere first-year student.

Einroguard was a place that gathered the geniuses of the Empire, but even among those geniuses, there were bound to be a select few. And such geniuses were monsters that were difficult for those below them to even comprehend.

Iunrade had seen such a genius before. ‘He was two grades above me, but he was a real monster.’ Having seen such a genius before, Iunrade’s tension increased even more.

‘What kind of student will he be?’

“Greetings.”

Lee Han bowed politely as he entered the room. Lee Han basically liked those who came from the Imperial bureaucracy. To be precise, he wanted to make a good impression in advance so that he could easily get into it later. A talented magician could be called anywhere, but it took extraordinary effort to sit in a comfortable, stable, and good position.

‘I must never let my guard down,’ Lee Han vowed not to make a single mistake. His body was tired because of the phoenix, but his mind was very clear with a strong sense of tension. ‘I must get a good evaluation!’

“Please, sit down.”

Iunrade said, hiding his surprise. Being from the Wodanaz family, and with the talent and achievements he had, he had expected a very arrogant magician. To be specific, a magician like the young Skull Headmaster!

There were few magicians in the Empire who could match the Skull Headmaster’s magical skills, but there were more magicians than one might think who could match the Skull Headmaster’s nasty temper. People often say that the best magicians have the worst personalities. This was a well-known idea among Imperial officials.

However, Lee Han was very polite. Iunrade looked at Lee Han, who was sitting down, and asked.

“What should I ask first… I heard you’re studying all the schools of magic that are available right now.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“May I ask why?”

Lee Han didn’t answer, ‘Because the professors are crazy.’ He gave a model answer with a gentle smile on his face.

“I’ve always enjoyed studying magic. I became curious about various magics, and the professors recommended that I learn them. Fortunately, there was an excellent educator like Professor Garcia, so I was able to make him my role model.”

‘Wasn’t Professor Garcia able to do that because he had troll blood?’ Iunrade thought to himself, but decided not to offend the genius for no reason. Well, the blood of the Wodanaz family wouldn’t be strange even compared to troll blood.

“Have you had any difficulties while taking the lectures?”

‘That’s a typical trick question.’ Lee Han wasn’t fooled. He didn’t know what kind of evil deal the Imperial official in front of him might be making with the Skull Headmaster behind the scenes, so it would only be a loss for Lee Han to speak naively. Besides, a disciple who badmouthed his professor might seem to have some personality issues.

“Not at all. All the professors are working hard to teach passionately. It’s a luxury that makes me wonder if I deserve it as a student.”

‘Good heavens!’ Iunrade felt goosebumps all over his body as if he had been splashed with cold water. He didn’t think he had been this surprised even when he first saw the Skull Headmaster, or when his friend accidentally flooded the magic school, or when his senior had a heart attack while doing club activities.

What kind of soul was he born with that he could react like that even while receiving the harsh teachings of this magic school? ‘This student… is not human!’

Iunrade admired him. Just as even the extremely hot lava felt like pond water to the phoenix, the teachings of the magic school seemed like a pleasure to that boy from the Wodanaz family.

“Amazing… I’m truly impressed.”

“Is that so? I’m just embarrassed.”

Lee Han sighed in relief inside. He seemed to have broken through the trick question and left a good impression on the other person.

“Then I’ll ask you a few things about what happened this semester.”

“Yes.”

Iunrade began to ask about the stories he had heard from other students one by one. Since it was seen from the perspective of other students, there might be some exaggeration. …No, there definitely had to be exaggeration.

“You met a mud golem in the mountains?”

“Yes.”

“And I heard you defeated it.”

“That’s right. I was lucky.”

“…I see…”

Iunrade wrote a note with his quill. ‘Einroguard Mud Golem Defeated (Confirmed three times. Certain.)’

“And I heard that when the Headmaster attacked, you managed to stop him without anyone being taken?”

“It was thanks to my friends’ cooperation.”

“But you were the one who led them?”

“Yes. As I said, it was because my friends cooperated.”

Iunrade’s quill was getting busier. The questions continued. Iunrade asked about the vine monster, the spirit bull, the Rock Drake, and the White Birch Knights. Lee Han answered as carefully as possible so that he wouldn’t seem reckless.

“I had no choice at the time.”

“For my friends…”

“The phoenix burned my homework.”

Iunrade nodded. He was already so surprised that it was hard to react anymore.

“Oh, right. I heard there was a fight with an intruder.”

“It was thanks to Professor Garcia’s help.”

“…What are you talking about? I was talking about the adventurers who broke into the school.”

Iunrade paused. ‘Ah, I misunderstood.’ Lee Han realized he had misunderstood. Now that it had come to this, if he didn’t explain properly, Lee Han would become a delusional person.

“Actually, the anti-magic activists…”

“……”

Iunrade’s quill moved like crazy. When the story of the anti-magic activists’ attack ended, Iunrade looked up at the ceiling for a moment. And he fell into thought.

‘People won’t doubt this report, will they?’ Of course, Iunrade knew very well that they wouldn’t. The trust Iunrade was receiving was solid, and the officials of the Empire were used to geniuses coming out of Einroguard. But this was really a bit… No matter what, it was really a bit… It was such a brilliant achievement that he wondered if His Majesty the Emperor would call him separately.

“Excuse me. Mr. Iunrade?”

“Ah. Speak.”

“I have always respected the officials of the Empire who work tirelessly day and night.”

“Is that so? Thank you! I’m honored.”

Worried about what kind of shock his report would give to the Imperial officials, Iunrade didn’t notice the disappointed expression on the boy’s face.