Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 299

Meetings between members of the Imperial Family were different from meetings between siblings from other noble houses.

Even siblings within the same house shared some familiarity, but Imperial Family members rarely had a reason to meet.

Naturally, Imperial Family members saw each other as rivals.

This meant that encounters often became ruthless competitions, all to be recognized as the most outstanding member of the Imperial Family!

Leehan spoke reassuringly, “Still, it’s fortunate that this is the Gainando estate. As guests, they can’t make too much noise.”

As guests invited to another family’s estate, there was a limit to how rude they could be. Otherwise, they would be seen as fools who didn’t know their place.

“Besides, your mother is here.”

He hadn’t met her yet, but from what Yoner had said, she was no ordinary person. Considering the family’s power, no one would dare to speak carelessly in front of her.

“Mum went out for a bit?”

Leehan put down his magazine and called his friends together. “Guys, gather around for a moment.”

The topic of the meeting: How to make Gainando look presentable during the Imperial Family gathering.

Contrary to Leehan’s worries, the Imperial Family had no intention of starting a fight with Gainando.

For one, they weren’t foolish enough to insult a member of the host family when invited to their estate. Moreover, considering the family’s power, there was no point in making unnecessary enemies.

The real target of the Imperial Family’s hatred was each other.

Judrantas drawled, his voice like ice, “Bogajun, still cleaning up the mess from that Cldran village, are we? Or did you manage to make things even worse?”

Bogajun’s jaw tightened. “Judrantas, always so concerned with others’ affairs. Perhaps you should focus on keeping your own knights out of the Emperor’s prisons for bribery this time.”

The Imperial Family members, approaching the mansion, glared at each other from their horses, exchanging insults.

Their followers were no different, sharply eyeing each other, waiting for any sign of weakness.

The Imperial Family members, who had to prove their worth, always tried to make their names known throughout the Empire. The best way to do this was to get involved in the major and minor affairs of the Empire and resolve them.

Of course, such resolutions didn’t always go well. There were many failures, and sometimes accidents happened among their followers even before they could start.

Then, the other Imperial Family members would gleefully say, ‘Oh dear, what a shame,’ while pretending to be concerned.

‘You son of a bitch.’

‘Should have died last time.’

“It is truly wonderful to see you both so concerned for each other’s well-being,” one said.

“How can the future of the Empire not be bright?” another added.

“Hahaha.”

“Hahahahaha.”

The visitors to the mansion were not only Imperial Family members and their followers, but also a scattering of nobles, acting as silent spectators and judges. They were dressed in rich silks and velvets, their faces carefully neutral, but their eyes darted back and forth, eager to witness any sign of weakness or triumph.

If it weren’t for them, curses would have already been exchanged several times over.

One of Adenarte’s followers sneered, just loud enough to be heard. “Honestly, it’s embarrassing to watch.”

Another chuckled softly. “Adenarte is in a different league entirely. Like comparing a diamond to… well, mud.”

“Ha. Besides getting into Einrogard, what other achievements do you have?”

“I don’t think someone who couldn’t even get into Einrogard is in a position to talk.”

“He simply has no interest in magic. His Highness is in a position to command wizards, not to use magic himself.”

“That’s what you want to claim, anyway.”

Nobles who were not part of the Imperial Family factions stepped in to mediate. “Now, everyone, please be quiet for a moment. We have arrived at the mansion.”

Continuing to argue after passing through the main gate would be disrespectful to the owner of the mansion.

The bickering followers shut their mouths and passed through the mansion’s main gate.

A mansion so luxurious it was rare even in Granden City…

The arriving guests were startled by the dragon illusion that wrapped around the mansion and emitted beacons of light.

It was clear at a glance that a fairly skilled magician had cast it. It was the magic that Leehan had (forcibly) learned from Professor Verdus.

Leehan growled, “Gainando, greet them quickly.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for me to summon a skeleton?” Gainando asked.

“If you don’t want to be hit with bones, greet them quickly.”

“There’s no need to get so angry…”

As Leehan got angry, a frightened Gainando cleared his throat and shouted, “Welcome. Welcome to the mansion.”

The sight of Gainando and his friends standing on the stairs left a strong impression on the guests.

“Now that I think about it, I heard that Prince Gainando also entered Einrogard…”

“To think he can already use this level of magic.”

“Isn’t he casting it alone? He must be casting it with the help of his other friends.”

“Even so, it’s quite impressive. Look at that illusion magic.”

The guests slightly raised their assessment of Gainando, which they hadn’t even considered before.

Even if he didn’t cast it himself, the fact that he cast that level of magic with his friends was impressive enough.

Gainando tilted his head. “But Leehan cast this alone…”

Leehan hushed him, “Shh. Shut up.”

Gainando puffed out his cheeks at the sight of his friends silencing the owner of his own mansion.

Leehan spoke firmly. “Gainando, remember? You’re only allowed to say three things. ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ and ‘Hehe.’ Got it?”

“Yes…”

“There was no need to do it already, but that proactive attitude is good. That’s it.”

Leehan patted Gainando on the shoulder. All he had to do was sit still and keep his mouth shut until the end of the gathering. That way, he wouldn’t lose out at least.

“Nice to meet you. I am Bogajun.”

“I am Leehan of the Wodanaz family.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Judrantas.”

“I am Leehan of the Wodanaz family.”

The visiting Imperial Family members looked at Leehan with greedy eyes every time they heard his family introduction.

‘They’re looking at me more greedily than when I look at gold coins,’ Leehan thought.

Of course, Leehan knew very well why they were acting like that. Coming from the magical Wodanaz family and being a student at Einrogard, it was not strange to judge him as a promising wizard who would achieve great things in the future.

And the Imperial Family members basically liked to gather talented people under their command.

“I have heard much about the Wodanaz family. As it happens, a new magic book has arrived at the mansion. If you don’t mind, how about coming to take a look?”

“Thank you for the offer. I will consider it.”

“I acquired a special object this time…”

“Thank you. I will consider it.”

Getting involved would make life tiresome. Leehan politely avoided their questions without giving them any chance.

When Leehan didn’t show any openings, the Imperial Family members turned their attention to Nilia and Ratford.

The Maykin family was close to impossible to win over as they were related to Gainando, but the other two were still unknown.

“If there is anything you desire…”

“This time, I newly…”

While the Imperial Family members and their followers surrounded Leehan, Nilia, and Ratford, one of the guests asked Gainando curiously, “Lord Gainando, who cast that magic? I have some knowledge of magic. That magic doesn’t seem like one that another magician can assist with.”

“Hehe,” Gainando answered as Leehan had instructed.

Then the guest asked again, “Did Your Highness cast it?”

“No.”

“Then, perhaps, did Leehan of the Wodanaz family cast it?”

“Yes.”

Leehan, who was answering the Imperial Family members’ questions indirectly from a short distance away, lamented inwardly. ‘I should have just sewn his mouth shut.’

“Lord Wodanaz cast it? I would really like to hear about it! When would be a good time?”

“We can make time anytime. The magician from the Wodanaz family is coming…”

The followers, who had been making relatively gentle offers until just now, began to rush forward with gleaming eyes. Their desire to invite Leehan to their follower gatherings was burning fiercely.

Gainando grumbled to Yoner, “Why do you keep trying to invite people when we don’t even have time to play together at the mansion?”

“Please, just shut up…” Yoner responded.

Only after causing a commotion in front of the mansion were the arriving guests able to enter. They were each sitting in the hall, calmly sipping tea, but their eyes were as sharp as ever.

The guest who had asked Gainando the unnecessary question earlier, causing Leehan trouble, sat down in front of Leehan.

“I was truly surprised, Lord Wodanaz. Ah, yes. I am Jolbabden.”

At the sight of the elf extending his hand, Leehan cursed inwardly. ‘Why did you have to say something unnecessary…’

“I knew Einrogard was an outstanding magic school, but to think that a first-year student would show such magic… I am sincerely impressed.”

“I was just lucky,” Leehan replied.

“Lucky? How could that be? Look at the expressions of the other Imperial Family members.”

‘It’s because of you,’ Leehan thought.

If Jolbabden hadn’t said, ‘No! He cast this magic alone!’ the Imperial Family members wouldn’t be sending such fiery glances.

Leehan originally preferred to associate with wealthy people, but the Imperial Family was a slightly different story. Wouldn’t associating with them, even to get some gold coins, require paying even more in return?

There was no need to drink from a poisoned chalice.

‘I will earn money honestly and fairly,’ Leehan thought.

Leehan changed the subject. “So, what are the Imperial Family members gathering here to do today?”

“Ah. A riddle will be presented soon.”

There was only one reason why the Imperial Family members, who hated each other, would gather: to prove ‘I am better than him’ in front of the other nobles.

Naturally, opportunities were needed for such proof. Therefore, nobles would take turns bringing small riddles to the Imperial Family gatherings.

Inside a transparent glass case was an egg with unique patterns.

The noble who brought the glass case smiled meaningfully and said, “Now, wise people gathered here today, can you guess what kind of creature’s egg this is?”

Jolbabden beamed at Leehan. “A clever riddle, wouldn’t you agree, Lord Wodanaz?”

Leehan forced a smile. *Great. Just what I needed. Center of attention.* “It is a truly witty question.”

“Is that so? Well, how about Lord Wodanaz trying to solve it once?”

‘Are you crazy?’ Leehan thought.

Leehan’s fingers twitched. Of course, Jolbabden was purely trying to promote the talented young man from the Wodanaz family to the Imperial society.

No matter how great a family history one was born into, no matter how outstanding one’s talents were, if there was no one to spread the word, no one would know of their existence.

Jolbabden was a noble of the Imperial society who believed that it was his mission to spread the names of talented individuals far and wide.

Of course, from Leehan’s perspective, it was just a nuisance. Why would he join in when the Imperial Family members were trembling with the desire to solve it themselves?

“I don’t seem to have any guesses, so it will be difficult,” Leehan answered.

Leehan paused. Strangely, the egg looked familiar. Where had he seen it before?