Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 328

Leihan looked at the project in front of him. Dates were scribbled everywhere, and dust covered many parts. The wood looked old and faded.

“Wait a minute,” Leihan asked, puzzled. “How old is this project?”

Professor Verdus looked up, thinking. “Oh… 20…”

Leihan’s eyes widened. Twenty years? He knew Professor Verdus was a bit strange, but working on one project for twenty years was unbelievable.

“…30… maybe 40…?” Professor Verdus mumbled, scratching his head. “I don’t think it was 40… but I really can’t remember exactly.”

Leihan stared at him, speechless. The number kept getting bigger! He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Professor,” Leihan asked carefully, “don’t you think you’ve been working on this for a very long time?”

“Hmm, perhaps,” Professor Verdus said with a shrug.

“But is there progress? Even if it takes many years, is it moving forward?” Leihan asked. “If it’s just very complicated, I can understand spending a lot of time, as long as it can be finished.”

“No,” Professor Verdus said plainly. “There are many parts that just don’t work. It’s impossible to finish it as it is now.”

“I see,” Leihan said slowly.

Leihan was not sure what to say. He was amazed, in a strange way. To keep working on something for so long, even when it wasn’t working… It was crazy, yes, but also… admirable? A madman, definitely, but maybe a respectable kind of madman, an *academic* madman.

“Even if you haven’t finished it,” Leihan said, “the materials must have cost a lot. You must have spent a lot of your own money.”

“Huh?” Professor Verdus blinked. “Oh… did I? I don’t really know. I suppose I spent some money on it.”

Leihan was even more confused. Professor Verdus really didn’t know? It was clear Professor Verdus wasn’t interested in money, but it was strange that he wasn’t keeping track of the budget for such a huge project. Where was he getting the money from?

“If you don’t know where the money came from, Professor,” Leihan asked, “then where *did* it come from?”

“Oh, investment,” Professor Verdus said vaguely. “From someone called… Goldentales, I think? And… that duke… about fifteen years ago… what was his name again? And… uh… someone else too. I can’t remember.”

Leihan started to seriously worry about Professor Verdus. *An assassin might come looking for him soon.* Getting money from investors and then not finishing the project for over ten years? If Leihan were the investor, he would be very angry, maybe even angry enough for a duel.

“Enough with these questions about money!” Professor Verdus said, waving his hand dismissively. “I called you here to help with the *interesting* part of this project!”

“Wow,” Leihan said, his voice flat.

“Exciting, isn’t it?” Professor Verdus beamed.

“Ah. Yes,” Leihan replied, not sounding excited at all. Professor Verdus didn’t seem to notice the lack of enthusiasm in Leihan’s voice.

“But Professor,” Leihan said, pointing to different parts of the ship, “I can understand… um… this part, and this part, and this part.” He pointed to the tall pole in the middle, the front of the ship, and a small tower at the top. These parts seemed to be designed to catch and use the wind. The magic woven into them was incredibly complicated, far beyond what Leihan had learned so far, but he could still see the basic idea. For a first-year student to understand even this much was actually quite impressive. Headmaster Skull himself would have been pleased.

But Professor Verdus just looked at him dismissively. “That’s because you’re stupid,” he said coldly.

“Ah. Yes,” Leihan agreed quietly.

“You can learn about the wind parts later,” Professor Verdus said. “What’s really important is the hull. The bottom part, here, is the key. See?” He pointed to the underside of the ship.

Leihan leaned closer. Engraved on the large wooden beam running along the bottom were countless magic circles. They were so intricate and packed together that Leihan felt a little dizzy just looking at them. It was clear that no single circle worked alone. They were all connected, twisting and turning like tiny gears in a massive machine, working together in a way that sent a shiver down Leihan’s spine. *Obsessive.* This was the result of a genius, or perhaps a madman, pouring years of his life into one project. Leihan felt a similar sense of awe he had experienced when he first saw Headmaster Skull’s incredible magical creations. *Is it even possible for a human to create magic circles this complex?*

“I see it,” Leihan breathed.

“These circles are meant to make the ship lighter, to help it float better, to gather wind, to lift it up, and to make the hull stronger,” Professor Verdus explained, ticking off the functions on his fingers.

Leihan listened, his eyes wide. He didn’t know much about this kind of magic yet, but even he could tell that Professor Verdus was trying to do too much. *Maybe he should just focus on one or two things,* Leihan thought. *Trying to do everything at once seems impossible.*

“Wouldn’t it be easier,” Leihan suggested, “to just hire a wizard to be on the ship? Someone who could use magic when needed?”

“Then what would be the point of all *this*?” Professor Verdus grumbled, gesturing to the ship. “Are you even listening to me? Are you stupid?”

“Ah. Yes. So?” Leihan said, unfazed by the insult.

“The magic circles around the edge,” Professor Verdus continued, “are supposed to collect, keep, and strengthen the magic power needed for all these other circles. But it doesn’t seem to be enough power.”

“I suppose not,” Leihan agreed. To power all those functions, it seemed like you would need wizards living on the ship permanently, not just magic circles. There was a limit to what magic could do on its own.

“So,” Professor Verdus said, “I was thinking about those magic stones in the outer circles, right?”

“Yes,” Leihan said.

“It would be great if the circles could just pull magic from nature,” Professor Verdus explained, “but it’s hard to get enough power that way. So, we use magic stones – jewels that are filled with magic – like extra batteries.” He pointed to the circles around the edge, which were packed with many small, glittering stones. “Someone spent a lot of time putting all those stones there,” Professor Verdus muttered. “It must have been very hard work.”

“We’re going to make new magic stones,” Professor Verdus announced, “stones that are filled with as much magic power as possible, and put them in these circles.”

“Will that give enough power?” Leihan asked.

“I don’t know!” Professor Verdus said, throwing his hands up. “We have to try it and see how much stronger they are when they are completely full of magic. It’s too complicated to figure out with just numbers.”

“Indeed,” Leihan said slowly.

Leihan, who had been listening carefully, suddenly realized something. “But Professor,” he asked, “who is going to fill these magic stones with magic?”

“You are, of course!” Professor Verdus said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“…Just me?” Leihan asked, hoping he had misunderstood.

“Huh? Is there anyone else?” Professor Verdus asked, looking genuinely confused. Where else would he find a wizard like Leihan, who had almost endless magic power and who always made his magic extra strong when he used it?

“Ah-ha,” Leihan said slowly, nodding. He looked around the workshop. *Maybe I should just kill him now,* he thought to himself.

Luckily, Professor Verdus didn’t expect Leihan to make *all* the magic stones for the ship right away. *Though, knowing him, he probably will ask for that eventually,* Leihan thought grimly. For now, Professor Verdus just wanted to test his idea. He wanted to see how much magic power they could get from these special stones.

“Here,” Professor Verdus said, unrolling a small carpet. “I’ve put a simple magic circle on this. You just need to prepare the magic stones to go in it.”

“Professor?” Leihan asked, his voice tired.

“Hmm?” Professor Verdus hummed, still working on the carpet.

“Could you please be quiet?” Leihan asked. “You’re being very noisy.”

“Oh. Okay,” Professor Verdus said, quieting down a little.

Leihan’s voice was sharp, almost like poison. He was working late into the night, and he hadn’t even had dinner. If he tried to cast poison magic right now, he was sure it would be extra strong. The magic Professor Verdus had just taught him was called “Bible’s Magic Power Emission Enchantment.” It was a 3-circle spell, and when used on a magic stone, it would make the stone slowly release its magic power.

*Maybe I should have just pretended I couldn’t learn it,* Leihan thought, sighing. He regretted how easily he had learned the spell earlier. He had just waved his wand a few times and said, “Is this how it’s done?” “Like this?” “Ah, like this.” He was too good at magic for his own good sometimes.

Leihan started placing the magic stones, one by one, into the small circles on the carpet. He carefully drew lines with magic ink to connect them. Even though his magic power was still strong, he felt his mind getting tired. Professor Verdus hummed happily beside him, fiddling with the magic circle on the carpet.

“Do you know why there are so many stories about wizards riding carpets in old fairy tales?” Professor Verdus asked suddenly.

“No,” Leihan said, without looking up.

“Well,” Professor Verdus continued, “usually, wizards who fly around on things like that make deals with magical creatures and ride *them*, instead of using magic themselves. Using magic to fly all the time is just too tiring.”

“Yes,” Leihan mumbled, placing another stone.

“But a long time ago,” Professor Verdus went on, “not many people knew about magic. So, seeing someone flying on a carpet like this must have seemed really amazing.”

“Yes,” Leihan said again, his voice flat.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” Professor Verdus asked, sounding pleased with himself.

“Heh heh,” Leihan replied weakly. He just wanted to finish this and go to sleep. Just as he placed the last stone, there was a knock on the door.

The door opened slightly, and Dirett peeked in, looking concerned. “Shouldn’t the junior be sleeping?” he whispered.

“It’s okay! It’s okay!” Professor Verdus said loudly.

*What’s okay?* Dirett thought, confused. Professor Verdus was talking to *him*, but why? Then Dirett remembered who he was talking to. *Ah, right. What am I doing? Talking to a crazy person.* Dirett shook his head. He had been at Einroguard for years, and yet he was still trying to have a normal conversation with Professor Verdus.

“Junior!” Dirett said, turning to Leihan.

“???” Leihan looked up, puzzled.

“Are you alright?!” Dirett asked, his voice full of worry. “Has your injury gotten worse?!” He widened his eyes and made gestures, trying to get Leihan to understand without Professor Verdus noticing.

Leihan understood immediately. *Dirett was pretending to worry about his old injury to get him out of here!* He was impressed. *That’s what a senior student is like!*

“Cough, cough,” Leihan coughed dramatically. “Suddenly, my magic power feels… strange… twisting…”

“See! That’s why I told you not to work too hard!” Dirett said, playing along. “You were badly hurt by that undead chimera!”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Leihan said weakly. “Enchantment magic is just… too interesting…”

“Even so!” Dirett insisted. “And you were poisoned by those thorns the chimera used!”

“Cough. Cough,” Leihan coughed again for effect.

“Can’t you just work a little longer?” Professor Verdus asked, sounding genuinely disappointed.

But Dirett and Leihan ignored him. “You need to rest, Junior,” Dirett said firmly. “Go and lie down right now.”

“Th-thank you, Senior,” Leihan said, getting up slowly. “Professor, I’m sorry.”

“What time should I wake you up tomorrow?” Professor Verdus asked, already turning back to the carpet.

The two students quickly left the room, pretending they hadn’t heard him.

Early the next morning, Leihan woke up and quickly looked around his room. *Thank goodness,* Professor Verdus wasn’t here, waiting for him.

“Young Master,” a quiet voice said.

“Shhh,” Leihan whispered. “Is Professor Verdus nearby?”

“Professor Verdus? No, he’s not here,” the servant replied, confused.

“I see. Thank you,” Leihan said, relieved.

“But you have a guest waiting for you,” the servant added.

……” Leihan froze. He had been about to sneak out of the mansion through the window. “Is it… the professor?” he asked nervously.

“No, Young Master. It’s a friend. A priest from the Freisinger Order,” the servant explained.

“Ah-ha,” Leihan sighed in relief. *Not another crazy professor.* He remembered the Freisinger Order event that Priest Tizling had mentioned. *Is that why he’s here?* Leihan had planned to go to the event anyway, since he had promised. It would also be a perfect excuse to get away from Professor Verdus for a while.

*Wait a minute,* Leihan thought suddenly. He stopped in his tracks. Professor Verdus, for all his craziness, was actually a world-renowned expert on magical artifacts. What if he brought Professor Verdus to the Freisinger Order event? *Not only would I get a break from his crazy projects, but we might even find a powerful artifact there! And Professor Verdus could help purify it!*

“Professor! Professor!” Leihan shouted, running back towards the workshop.

“Huh!? What!?” Professor Verdus yelled, startled awake and jumping up from his nap on a pile of books.

“Can’t you just cancel this promise?” Professor Verdus grumbled later.

“No,” Leihan said firmly. “It’s a promise I made on my personal honor, my family’s honor, and my pride as a wizard.”

“Aww…” Professor Verdus whined, but he knew he couldn’t argue with that. Leihan had put everything on the line – his personal honor, his family’s reputation, and his wizarding pride. How could Professor Verdus possibly ask him to break such a serious promise?

“If you come with me and help,” Leihan continued, “the work on the carpet might get finished faster. And if we finish the carpet faster…”

“We can start working on the magic stones for the ship!” Professor Verdus finished excitedly.

“…Yes,” Leihan said, biting back a sigh.

Professor Verdus nodded eagerly. “Okay! I’ll help!”

……????” Priest Tizling, who had been listening to this strange conversation, was completely bewildered. Was it really such a serious promise? *He doesn’t remember it being that serious at all.*

“Was it… really such a promise?” Priest Tizling asked hesitantly. “I don’t think it was quite like that…?”

“Priest Tizling,” Leihan said smoothly, “memories can change a little over time. I believe I made the promise with exactly this kind of resolve.”

……” Priest Tizling stared at Leihan, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had been starting to think that Leihan might not be as cold and calculating as he first seemed. *He’s more… adaptable than I realized,* Priest Tizling mused.