Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 295

If they had hesitated or seemed tired while solving the problems, people might have suggested stopping. But the freshmen were doing so well that everyone was excitedly encouraging them.

Because of that, Doin felt like he was going to collapse.

His magic was almost gone.

“We’re ready,” Lee Han said. His words sounded almost frightening now.

Doin wiped the sweat from his face and gave Lee Han a desperate look.

‘What is this?’

Lee Han noticed the look and wondered, ‘Why is Master Doin looking at me like that?’

“Master Doin, are you unwell? You’re sweating a lot…” Lee Han asked.

“Ah, no. I’m fine. I’m fine,” Doin replied.

Doin gripped his staff and tried not to sigh.

He couldn’t even think of what test to give next.

‘What magic…’

Plop!

Doin staggered and finally collapsed, dizzy from using up all his magic.

“Are you alright?!” Lee Han rushed to help him.

He had been wondering if something was wrong, so he reacted quickly. Lee Han supported Doin and said, “You don’t seem well; you should have said something sooner.”

“Ugh…” Doin almost said, ‘Isn’t it because you’re doing too well without noticing?’

But he couldn’t say that. Lee Han was from the Wodanaz family, and the Dalcard family was also involved.

“Oh dear. Master Doin must have overdone it, even though he wasn’t feeling well,” someone said.

“It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Today was truly enjoyable,” said another. The guests said goodbye with warm words and concern.

Some guests came to Lee Han’s group and praised them.

“Excellent. Soon, we’ll hear that a great wizard has come from the Dalcard family.”

“Ah, no. Thank you,” Lee Han replied.

“The Wodanaz family’s reputation is well-deserved. I was very impressed.”

“Thank you,” said Lee Han.

“If you have any plans after graduating, I would like to sponsor you…” Someone offered to sponsor Raetford.

Lee Han felt a little unfairly treated.

‘Why only Raetford?’ he wondered.

Of course, he understood why.

Wealthy people often sponsored talented but poor individuals. They offered favors or debts to talents who might become great wizards, and in return, the wizards received money right away. It was a win-win situation.

However, offering this to someone from a great noble family would be like saying, ‘Your family doesn’t have money, does it?’ It was impolite.

It was truly unfortunate.

“It’s, it’s alright,” Raetford said.

“You don’t have to decide now. If you change your mind later, come and find me,” the person said.

Raetford nodded, looking confused.

Meanwhile, an old man approached Lee Han. Lee Han could tell right away that this was no ordinary person.

‘Two rings, a necklace, and a bracelet. All artifacts,’ he thought.

People who could sense magic like Lee Han could tell just by looking at someone. People with that many artifacts were rare, even among the Empire’s wealthy.

“You recognized the artifacts?” the old man asked, interested.

“Yes. I apologize if it seemed rude,” Lee Han said.

“It’s alright. If you have the ability, it’s natural to recognize them, isn’t it? I am Aradne of the Greenbelt family,” the old man said.

“I am Lee Han of the Wodanaz family,” Lee Han replied.

Aradne, who looked like a spider-kin, seemed like a kind grandmother. But her every movement was precise, and she stood straight and tall.

“Master Doin isn’t a bad wizard, but today’s events were surprising,” Aradne said.

“It was just luck,” Lee Han said.

“I’m not a wizard, but luck has nothing to do with magic. Only skill matters. It was surprising that you dispelled Master Doin’s magic so easily, and that you used up all his magic too,” Aradne replied.

“!”

Lee Han was surprised.

‘Ah, that’s right,’ he thought.

Now that he thought about it, Doin’s condition was strange. If he wasn’t feeling well, there would have been signs from the start.

Thinking in his own way, Lee Han hadn’t considered that the other wizard might run out of magic.

‘I’ve done something I shouldn’t have,’ he thought.

However, Aradne seemed to misunderstand Lee Han’s surprise.

“There’s no need to be surprised. I didn’t bring it up to scold you. A great wizard must have pride, especially against someone who dared to test their skills. Master Doin should be grateful that you ended it so gracefully,” Aradne said.

“…No, that’s…” Lee Han started to explain that it was a misunderstanding, but Aradne had already made up her mind.

Even if it was just for fun, she couldn’t forgive a wizard who challenged her without the skill.

He had crushed him with the pride of the Wodanaz family!

“That’s really not it,” Lee Han said.

“If you say so, then let’s leave it at that. Anyway, I was surprised. It’s not new that wizards from Einroguard are excellent, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a first-year student this outstanding, even for the Wodanaz family,” Aradne said.

“Thank you,” Lee Han replied.

“Since you’re students, you’ll probably be staying in Granden City during the vacation. If you need any help, feel free to visit the Greenbelt family anytime. The mansion doors are always open to capable people,” Aradne said.

“!”

Lee Han was surprised again.

Aradne seemed to misunderstand that surprise too.

“Shall we guess? You’re probably thinking about what kind of help you might need right now, aren’t you?” Aradne asked.

“No… I’m not,” Lee Han said.

“Sometimes, there are things that are hard to solve even with the power of a great noble family, or things that a great noble family doesn’t want to solve in their name. There are times like that. In that case…” Aradne bowed and walked away.

(Nobles often thought about showing their family’s strength, even in small things.)

Asan, who had returned after being praised by his older brother and sister, said excitedly, “Wodanaz! Did you hear? I got praised! I got praised!”

“Asan… I don’t think you need to take a single compliment so seriously,” Lee Han said, feeling sorry for his friend.

It seemed easier to ignore it, but he couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“Okay. What kind of praise did you get?” Lee Han asked politely because his friend was so happy.

Asan said, his face red, “They said I did well, that I made good friends, and that I should work hard to keep up with that friend in the future.”

“?”

“?”

Lee Han and Raetford tilted their heads.

Raetford whispered quietly so Asan wouldn’t hear, “Master Wodanaz, I don’t know much about nobles, but is that praise among nobles?”

Lee Han said, “No, Raetford. It’s the opposite. They are saying Asan is lucky to have talented friends because he is not as good.”

Asan was happy anyway. Lee Han said with pity, “Asan, if you’re bored during the vacation, come to the Wodanaz family’s mansion. No, come and visit often even if you’re not bored.”

“Thank… you?” Asan tilted his head, feeling confused, and said he understood.

“More than that, Wodanaz, I can’t just let you go after helping me like this. Is there anything you need? If there is, tell me. I’ll repay you in the name of the Dalcard family,” Asan said.

Lee Han, who was about to say it was okay, stopped.

He realized there was one thing he needed.

“There was something I needed,” Lee Han said.

“Oh. What is it?” Asan asked.

“Pay back the silver coins I lent you,” Lee Han replied.

“…Ah, no. That’s a given. What else?” Asan asked.

“I don’t have anything in mind,” Lee Han said.

Asan was flustered.

Wasn’t paying back borrowed money a given?

“You didn’t come all the way here just for that, did you?” Asan asked.

“Of course. I just came to see a friend,” Lee Han said.

“Right? I guess so…?” Asan nodded, trying to convince himself, but he felt uneasy.

The Meikin family’s mansion in Granden City looked more like a busy alchemist’s workshop than a noble residence.

It had a practical design without fancy decorations. Workers and alchemists were always coming and going, and the scent of herbs and potions filled the air.

“The smell of herbs is amazing,” Raetford said.

“Yeah. The smell of money is amazing,” Lee Han replied.

“Pardon? The smell of herbs?” Raetford asked.

“Ah. Sorry. I was thinking about something else,” Lee Han apologized.

Seeing the many workers bringing in materials and the alchemists going in and out, he understood why the Meikin family was rich.

Besides the herbs, there were other smells, and the sounds of people working filled the air.

Also, this wasn’t even their main home, just a villa.

“I should stay close to Yoner in the future,” Lee Han thought.

“Aren’t you already close?” Raetford asked.

Lee Han approached the main gate of the mansion.

The gatekeepers were too busy to even look at Lee Han. They shouted, “Wait in line! Five carriages have already entered! No matter how much you push, you have to wait!”

“Well, actually, we…” Lee Han started to say.

“I said it’s not allowed! No matter which merchant or workshop you are from, you have to wait in line! It’s the rule! What would the people waiting here think if you don’t follow the rules?!” the gatekeeper shouted.

“That’s certainly true,” Lee Han agreed.

Lee Han was persuaded by the gatekeeper.

Carriages and workers were waiting in a long line in front of the gate.

People from guilds, merchants, and workshops had come to visit.

Lee Han wasn’t there for business but to see a friend, but that wasn’t a reason to cut in line.

“Let’s go wait,” Lee Han said.

“Um… I think we could just go in separately…” Raetford said.

“Raetford, what would the people waiting behind us think? We might cause trouble for the Yoner family for no reason, so let’s wait,” Lee Han replied.

Raetford tilted his head and followed Lee Han.

‘Is this what it’s usually like to visit a noble’s mansion?’ Raetford wondered.

‘I don’t think so…’

“What brings you two here?” an alchemist asked. He was standing first in line.

He wore a long robe and had potions and reagents hanging all around him. He clearly looked like an alchemist.

“We came to see someone from the Meikin family,” Lee Han said.

“I figured. That’s why I’m waiting too,” the alchemist said kindly, happy to see someone with the same goal.

The alchemist explained that people who came to the Meikin family’s mansion were in two groups.

One group had a contract with the Meikin family and were delivering goods.

The other group wanted to impress the Meikin family and get sponsored or get a contract.

The Meikin family was a reliable sponsor. Merchants, guilds, and workshops could get money and work if they impressed them.

That’s why so many people were waiting with herbs, reagents, or potions they had made.

“Indeed,” Lee Han said.

“But you two… don’t need to wait here, do you?” the alchemist asked, confused by Lee Han and Raetford’s clothes.

If you lived in the city for a long time, you could guess someone’s status by their clothes.

They both looked like they were from noble families.

“If we need something, we have to wait,” Lee Han said.

“I guess that’s true. I said something unnecessary,” the alchemist nodded.

Even if you’re from a noble family, you have to wait if you need something.

He thought, ‘If you’re from a noble family, shouldn’t you send a servant to make an appointment?’ But he figured there must be a reason and didn’t say anything.

After a suspicious egg in a cage went in, and then a merchant’s employee with a reagent from the snowy mountains went in, it was finally their turn.

“This way! Come this way! What is your reason for coming?!” someone shouted.

“We’re alchemists. We’ve come to have our potions evaluated,” Lee Han said.

“I understand! Go to the west wing! Three new alchemists to the west wing! Three alchemists!”