Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 386

“…It must be a misunderstanding.” Ethan didn’t want to believe it.

Until just now, they had trusted and cared for each other – the Phoenix Tower priests who made him believe there was a glimmer of hope even in this hellish place. Could those priests really be fighting because of the religious order Ethan believed in?

“I am interested in a few religious orders right now.”

“!”

“Does that mean… you haven’t decided on a true faith yet?”

“How on earth did you hear it that way?”

Ethan said, “I’m interested in a few religious orders right now.” The priest frowned. “Does that mean… you haven’t chosen a true faith yet?” Ethan blinked. “What? No, that’s not what I meant!”

“I’m not wandering because I can’t find faith, but rather, as the nobles of the Empire usually do, I’m more about sponsoring the temples.” Ethan, who usually kept to himself, even smiled widely and spoke loudly to persuade the priests. He was claiming to be a typical noble of the Empire. Of course, it was no use now anyway.

“But Ethan of the Wodanaz family, there are many nobles who sponsor temples, but not many who actually go to the temple and participate in prayers. I think your sincerity is different from other nobles,” Priest Nigisor of the Aphah Order spoke with a puzzled expression.

Ethan gritted his teeth and said, “Thank you for the kind explanation.”

“You are welcome.”

When the other priests heard that Ethan had visited the Aphah Order or the Priesinga Order temples and participated in events, their eyes gleamed even more. To the priests now, Ethan just looked like a wandering lamb.

“Please visit our order once. You will surely find the true faith you are looking for.”

“I mean, without that, just with a pure heart of support… no, more than that, your order doesn’t allow multiple faiths, does it?” Among the orders of the Empire, there were orders that allowed having multiple faiths together, and there were orders that insisted only on their own faith. Ethan was trying to gain benefits by visiting the former, so he couldn’t get close to the latter.

“That doesn’t matter now. If you only find true faith, you will forget the other faiths.”

“Wait a moment!” Priest Nigisor of the Aphah Order leaned forward, his voice rising slightly. “Are you suggesting Ethan should forget the Aphah Order? Why, there are few in the Empire as devoted to Aphah as Ethan of the Wodanaz family!” He puffed out his chest a little.

*’Devoted because of my magic,’* Ethan thought dryly, rolling his eyes inwardly. *Fuel tank, more like.*

Priest Siana of the Fleming Order waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense, Nigisor. It’s clear Ethan’s interests lie with alchemy. Just look at his grades!”

Ethan started to protest, “But my grades in other classes—”

Siana cut him off, her eyes bright. “Ethan, you’ve been working tirelessly in the alchemy workshop, even during the holidays! The Fleming Order is the obvious choice for you.”

Priest Borin slammed his hand lightly on the table, making the others jump. “With respect, Siana, you’re both missing the point! Ethan’s true passion is swordsmanship. Our order, the Order of the Blade, which honors the sword…”

Suddenly, Priest Gainando, who had been quiet until now, piped up, “Actually, I heard from Gainando – the *student* Gainando – that Ethan is fascinated by magician cards! Clearly, he seeks luck and fortune!”

The priests sat at the table and began to argue heatedly. The attitude was polite, but the power within was stubborn and uncompromising. The priests raised their voices more and more as if they would never back down. Students passing by even cast glances, wondering what was going on.

“Wait, everyone calm down!” Priest Tijilling cried out.

The Phoenix Tower students paused. Relief washed over Ethan as he saw Priest Tijilling step forward.

‘As expected, Priest Tijilling was sane.’ Even though the other priests were blinded by their desire for faith, only Priest Tijilling hadn’t lost his mind.

Priest Tijilling spoke quickly, “Let’s all draw lots to decide the order. If we are considerate of each other, we can create a schedule that satisfies everyone.”

“Indeed!”

“As expected…”

“……”

Finally, Ethan managed to escape the arguing priests. Later, back at the Blue Dragon Tower, Ethan suddenly wanted to return.

“Hey. You Wodanaz returned…”

“I’ll kill you if you talk to me,” one of the Blue Dragon Tower students growled with a venomous voice.

The White Tiger Tower students, who had tried to talk without much thought, were naturally embarrassed.

“Wh, what…? Ah, no. I was just trying to ask! Did Wodanaz return!”

The Blue Dragon Tower students grabbed their wands with fierce expressions. One could feel a firm determination to start a brawl if they spoke any further.

The White Tiger Tower students were overwhelmed by the spirit that seemed like a knight order abandoned by their lord and returning from the jaws of death.

“What… what is it? Are those guys crazy?”

“Wait. Are we going to leave those bastards alone?” The students of the three towers, excluding the Phoenix Tower, did not have a good relationship with each other. Usually, they would just throw a few sharp words, but if they were openly picking a fight like that, they had no intention of backing down either. It was a matter of pride to have a fight, no matter who won. But…

“Let’s leave them alone today.”

“Why!?”

“It looks like that Wodanaz guy is badly hurt.”

“!” The White Tiger Tower students’ jaws dropped in surprise.

No wonder…!

“That’s right. That’s definitely why they’re reacting like that…”

“The Blue Dragon Tower guys are arrogant and rude, but it’s not honorable to mess with them when they’re so sad because of their friend. Let’s just let it go today.”

“That’s right. We’re knights.” The White Tiger Tower students smugly looked at each other, wiping their noses. They couldn’t be more proud that they were each other’s friends.

“But Wodanaz is hurt. Why is he hurt?”

“Didn’t he apply for a duel with the headmaster?”

“Yesterday, a Black Tortoise Tower guy said that the headmaster was flying around with Wodanaz in his arms, could that be it?”

“Wodanaz… I knew that guy was fearless, but I didn’t know it was to that extent.” The White Tiger Tower students suddenly became silent.

“…Is he going to be okay?”

“What. You. Are you worried about him?”

“Me… what. No? I’m not worried? Aren’t you the one who’s worried?”

“I, I’m not either?” While they were talking like that, the White Tiger Tower students arrived in front of Professor Garcia’s >Basic Practical Magic< classroom. Creak! “Everyone, an… Wodanaz!!” “??” Ethan was puzzled to see the White Tiger Tower students so surprised. “Didn’t you know I came on the weekend?” “Weren’t… weren’t you hurt?” “No? What nonsense… didn’t you hear some strange rumors?” Ethan looked at the White Tiger Tower students as if they were pathetic. To think that knights would be swayed by such nonsense. “…Then why the hell were those Blue Dragon Tower bastards acting up?” “I don’t know. They must be crazy.” The White Tiger Tower students sat down, grinding their teeth. Just you wait! Meanwhile, the Blue Dragon Tower students also began to enter in groups of twos and threes. They looked at the seat next to Ethan with gloomy faces. And then their eyes widened when they realized that the Phoenix Tower students weren’t there. “Wodanaz! The priest sa… the priests?” “They’re sitting over there.” Ethan pointed to the area where the Phoenix Tower students were gathered. The priests waved their hands happily. “Y, you’re sitting with… you’re sitting with us?” “Not sitting with the Phoenix Tower?” “…Did you guys eat something wrong?” Ethan was flustered, wondering if his Blue Dragon Tower friends had gone crazy. But the crazy짓 of the Blue Dragon Tower friends was just the beginning. “Waaah! Wodanaz!” “I knew you’d leave us!” “We’re still friends even if we’re in different towers!!” The Blue Dragon Tower students clung to Ethan’s arms and legs and began to burst into tears. Ethan seriously considered beating them with his wand. ‘These bastards are embarrassing me in front of all the other tower students.’ “We’ll do better! Don’t leave us now!” “We’ll clean the lounge on time from now on!” “Didn’t those bastards even clean the lounge separately?” One of the Black Tortoise Tower students next to them was shocked. What kind of trash are they? “Everyone, wel… oh. Ethan. Should I give you some more time?” “It’s okay, Professor.” Ethan pried off his clinging friends one by one as if he were removing leeches. Gainando, who was the last to remain, was pushed away after being hit on the head. “I’m glad Ethan is back. As you all know…” “He was late because he was recovering from the duel with the headmaster,” one of the White Tiger Tower students said as if he knew everything. Ethan thought to himself as he watched. ‘Do those guys believe every rumor they hear?’ Would it work if I spread a rumor that ‘if you bury all your assets in an empty lot, a spirit will appear and grant your wish’? “That’s not it?” “Oh. Isn’t it?” The White Tiger Tower students were agitated. One of the Black Tortoise Tower students next to them said as if they were pathetic. “I told you. Pathetic guys. It’s a dragon.” “Heh.” “…It’s not a dragon either. He just got trapped while exploring, so stop imagining strange things,” Professor Garcia said. The students were agitated by Professor Garcia’s words. Just got trapped while exploring. Does that make sense? “Are you hiding something?” “Shh. Let’s just acknowledge it. Professor Garcia might get angry if we keep asking.” Professor Garcia gave up talking any further and sighed. “Today’s lecture will be in the next classroom. Everyone, follow me.” The students shuffled after Professor Garcia, their footsteps echoing in the stone hallway. Ethan asked Yoner, “Was the last lecture also in a different place?” “Yeah. She made the classroom like a cave.” To think she would turn the classroom into a cave, even if it was for dark vision magic. Ethan was impressed by Professor Garcia’s scale. ‘I wish I had seen it myself.’ …Until a huge lake appeared in front of him. “…?!” Gainando, who almost fell into the lake after opening the wrong door, staggered and tried to grab Asan’s clothes. Asan avoided him as if asking where he was grabbing. Gainando cursed. While grabbing and pulling Gainando’s nape to prevent him from falling, Ethan asked. “Professor. Is the magic we’re learning today perhaps…” “You noticed, Ethan.” “…Yumidihus’s Water Orb or Evaporation?” “…Will you look at the lecture name again?” Of course, >Basic Practical Magic< didn’t teach Water Orb or Evaporation. The magic they were learning today was Underwater Breathing Magic. “Ah… I see.” Ethan was visibly relieved. He had been worried about what kind of monster might be in that lake. “Everyone, gather in pairs. First, cast the magic on yourselves, and once you’re somewhat familiar with it, cast the magic on your partner.” As soon as the professor finished speaking, the Blue Dragon Tower students began to push each other and fight. “Move. You bastard.” “You move. If Wodanaz is disappointed because of you and transfers to the Phoenix Tower, will you take responsibility?” “Should we do it fairly in order of grades? Huh? Who had good grades in enchantment magic?” “We should do it with water element magic!” “I’m the closest, so I…” “If you move one more step, I’ll throw you into the lake, Gainando!” While the Blue Dragon Tower students were fighting over ‘who will firmly hold Ethan’s wavering heart and bring him back to the Blue Dragon Tower,’ the shark-like priest of the Phoenix Tower cheerfully spoke. “Ethan of the Wodanaz family. Let’s do it together!” “Sure.” Ethan nodded readily, as there was no reason not to. “But why? There are other priests too.” “Ah. I drew the first number in the lottery.” “……”