Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 288

Chill watched Ethan. ‘He looks like someone trying to learn *all* the magic in the school,’ Chill said. He felt a little sorry for Ethan, but also impressed.

Chill told Ethan, ‘If you want to try, you can practice first.’ But Chill didn’t think Ethan *would* practice. Ethan had his first-year exams soon. Why would he practice for a *second-year* exam? Chill thought Ethan should focus on his own test. He could try this later, if he had time.

But Ethan wasn’t like most people. He *did* step forward to practice, even though his exams were close. Chill was surprised. ‘Well,’ Chill thought, ‘I guess I’ll just watch and hope for the best.’

‘Just be careful not to work too hard,’ Chill said kindly. ‘You have your own exams soon!’

‘Thank you, Senior,’ Ethan said. He was still happy for the chance to practice, not knowing it was a second-year exam.

‘My senior is being kind and giving me a chance! I have to try my best.’

The cow looked sadly at Ethan, its leg bent at a strange angle. ‘I’ll try,’ Ethan said.

‘Alright,’ Chill replied, standing close. *Please don’t make it worse,* Chill thought. He was ready to stop Ethan if needed. Chill knew first-year students *never* healed living things. It was hard magic, even for animals. That’s why it was a second-year exam! Chill just hoped Ethan wouldn’t hurt the cow more. Even if Ethan just didn’t make it worse, that would be amazing for a first-year. If Ethan actually healed it… well, Chill would probably faint from shock.

‘It’s puffy and hot,’ Ethan said, touching the leg carefully. ‘I think it’s broken.’

‘Perfect!’ Chill said, impressed. ‘You’re thinking like a healer.’ Chill liked that Ethan checked the injury first, instead of just using magic. Healers needed to be careful and smart. Ethan even used magic to find exactly where the bone was broken. Chill smiled. *This kid is really good,* he thought. ‘Yes, yes, very good,’ Chill said aloud.

‘Here goes,’ Ethan said. He closed his eyes and focused. He remembered what he read in books and what magic had taught him. *Stay calm. Picture the bone fixing itself.* *I healed those White Tiger Tower students before,* he thought. *Healing an animal can’t be *too* hard.* He thought it must be easy, because it was a first-year level task… or so he thought.

‘Heal!’ Ethan shouted, swinging his staff. Magic flowed out. The cow, which was just moaning in pain, suddenly opened its eyes wide and looked happy.

Chill stared. His jaw dropped. *Did that just happen?* he thought. He blinked, and blinked again. The cow was standing normally!

‘Senior?’ Ethan asked. ‘Senior?’

‘Huh? Uh… yes?’ Chill stammered.

‘Is it really okay?’ Ethan asked.

‘P-perfect,’ Chill said weakly.

‘Really?’ Ethan grinned. ‘Full marks, then?’

‘Full marks!’ Chill said quickly. ‘Even if you did nothing, it would be full marks!’

Ethan started to feel worried. Chill looked like he’d seen a ghost. *Something’s wrong,* Ethan thought.

‘Even if I did nothing?’ Ethan asked slowly.

‘Yes! Just not making it worse is good!’ Chill said.

‘Oh,’ Ethan said, surprised. He thought about it. *Makes sense,* he thought. *Healing magic is hard.* ‘I should have asked,’ Ethan muttered to himself.

Ethan wasn’t *too* upset yet. “But… no first-year has ever healed it, right?” Ethan asked.

“No, never,” Chill said.

“Huh?” Ethan said again.

“Well… this is a second-year exam,” Chill mumbled. Ethan went silent. *Second-year exam?* he thought. *Is this guy mad?* Why would Chill let him try a *second-year* exam? Ethan wanted to argue, but he took a deep breath and asked calmly, “Why did you let me do it?”

“Oh,” Chill said, “you looked interested!” Ethan stared. Of *course* he was interested! He thought it was for *first-years*! Shouldn’t a senior say, “Hey, wait, this is too hard for you!”? *Is Chill just silly, or is he messing with me?* Ethan thought, annoyed. He tried to stay calm.

“I… I didn’t know,” Ethan said.

“But you’re amazing!” Chill said.

“Senior,” Ethan said quickly, “Can we just keep this quiet?” *BANG!* The door burst open. Phil walked in, saw them by the cow, and frowned. “What’s going on here?” Phil asked.

“Phil! Look!” Chill said excitedly. “The cow… its leg is healed! Did *you* do that?” Phil asked Ethan.

“No,” Chill said, “*Ethan* did!” Phil stared at the cow, then at Ethan, then back at the cow. His eyes went wide. He was even more shocked than Chill! Ethan couldn’t even try to explain.

“Senior?” Ethan said. Phil jumped.

“Senior! Senior!” Ethan repeated, waving a hand. Finally, Phil blinked. “If you really did this,” Phil said slowly, “you’re a natural talent…” *THUMP!* The door crashed open again. Professor Lagrinde walked in. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. Her voice was rough and tired. “Why aren’t you studying?” she asked, each word heavy with tiredness.

“Professor Lagrinde!” Phil said quickly. “We were… uh… watching Ethan’s magic!” Chill nodded fast. Professor Lagrinde wasn’t mean, but she hated wasting time. She was famous for being quick and precise, whether she was healing someone or fighting an enemy. “Junior’s magic?” Professor Lagrinde’s tired face changed a little. She looked slightly interested. The seniors saw their chance.

“Yes!” Phil said. “He healed the cow!”

“It’s amazing for a first-year!” Chill added. Professor Lagrinde’s eyes opened wider. She didn’t like asking questions, but she had to know. “You didn’t help him?” she asked sharply.

“No!” Phil said.

“Not at all!” Chill agreed. Professor Lagrinde looked at the cow, then at Ethan, then back at the cow, then at Ethan again. She thought hard. Finally, she said, “He’ll join the second-year practical training next semester.”

“Professor?!” Phil and Chill said at once.

“But… he’s still a first-year!” Phil stammered. Professor Lagrinde looked at them with cold eyes. Phil and Chill went quiet.

“Actually,” Phil said weakly, “maybe it’s okay…”

“Yeah,” Chill said, “if he can heal a cow, he can heal people, right?” Ethan watched them, feeling strange. *Wow, they folded fast,* he thought. *So much for trusting them.*

Professor Lagrinde was still tired, but she explained her decision. This was unusual, so she needed to tell them why. “He healed the cow completely,” she said. “The next step is healing people. There’s no reason to make him do easy first-year training. It would just be boring.” Ethan almost said, *I’m good at boring work!* but he knew it wasn’t the right time. “I wouldn’t do this if he wasn’t ready,” Professor Lagrinde continued. “But he *is* ready. Holding him back in first-year classes would be a waste. Understand?”

“Yes, Professor,” Phil said quickly.

“We’re sorry we bothered you,” Chill added.

“Understood,” Professor Lagrinde said. “Now, study for your exams.” And she turned and left. Ethan, lost in thought, suddenly remembered Professor Garcia. *Oh no,* he thought. *Professor Garcia is going to be mad.* He remembered Professor Garcia saying, *Don’t tell anyone you healed a White Tiger student’s ankle, got it?* *Sorry, Professor Garcia,* Ethan thought sadly.

“Good luck in second year, Ethan!” Phil said.

“Sorry we tried to stop you,” Chill added. “Don’t get us wrong! We weren’t being mean because you’re a first-year! It’s just… it’s really hard! Haha! Anyway, if *you* can do it, we have hope!” Phil and Chill hurried out, leaving Ethan feeling a bit annoyed. Ethan wanted to argue with them, but he stopped himself. He still had his *real* first-year exam to worry about.

“What’s the first-year exam like?” Ethan asked.

“Just a written test,” Chill said from the doorway. “About injuries and the human body. Boring stuff!” And they were gone. Ethan sighed.

“Does Wodanaz look angry to you?” one Blue Dragon student whispered. “Yeah, definitely,” the other said. “Gainando, what did you do?” the first one asked. “I didn’t do *anything*!” Gainando said, surprised. “Did you fail the exam?” the first student asked. “No! I asked him, and he said he got *everything* right!” Gainando said. The two Blue Dragon students stared at each other. Their faces fell. They knew Gainando was good, but *perfect*? *If you get a perfect score, shouldn’t you be happy, even if you’re annoyed about something else?* one thought. *Yeah, probably,* the other thought.

“Exam time,” Ethan said, sighing. He stood up. He’d worry about second year later. “Aren’t you coming?” Ethan asked the Blue Dragon students. “Wodanaz,” one said, “we don’t take Illusion Magic.”

“Me neither,” Gainando added.

“Oh, right,” Ethan said. “Okay, I’ll go by myself.” The Blue Dragon students watched Ethan walk away. He looked a bit lonely. *Basic Illusion Magic.* Luckily, Professor Kirmin Ku’s exam wasn’t too hard. It was about seeing through illusions in the classroom and finding any mistakes in them. *Easy enough,* Ethan thought. He had been studying illusions, and he’d seen them before. This exam was simple. As Ethan focused on the illusions, he forgot about being angry about the healing magic mix-up.

“Done, Professor,” Ethan said, handing in his paper.

“Good job, Wodanaz,” Professor Kirmin Ku said. “Too bad your score is lower than last time, though.”

“Huh?” Ethan stopped. “My score went down?” he asked, surprised.

“Just kidding!” Professor Kirmin Ku laughed. “Just kidding! You got perfect last time, but this time you missed one point. Just joking!” Professor Kirmin Ku thought Ethan would laugh. Even with one point off, Ethan was still way ahead of everyone else. One point didn’t matter when he was so much better than everyone else, right?

“I missed *one* point?!” Ethan said, shocked.

“W-Wodanaz,” Professor Kirmin Ku stammered. “Did I… did I get the number wrong?”