Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 438

Lee Han, tired as he was, listened from the side and then asked, sounding worried.

“What good is it for me to become infamous?”

“-Isn’t it cool?”

“-Infamy is also fame, Wodanaz.”

A Death Knight, who was a high-ranking knight, spoke gently, explaining kindly. But his words weren’t kind at all.

“-Think about it! When enemies meet the Wodanaz Army, wouldn’t it be better if they trembled at the mere mention of the army’s name? Or would it be better if they were surprised because they’d never heard of it before?”

“I prefer the second one…”

Lee Han just wanted to ambush people without them knowing.

“-No wizard would want that. Of course, the Wodanaz Army might think they can easily become infamous without doing anything special, but…”

“-Isn’t it true that fame always has a little exaggeration mixed in?”

“-That’s right! Exactly!”

The Death Knights used to be famous knights when they were alive. So, they liked to make things sound a little bigger and more exciting.

Besides, if enemies knew their names, it was a matter of pride. Why would they be afraid? A true powerhouse would walk right into traps, even if the enemies prepared them.

“…I’m good enough as I am…”

“-Were you happy with defeating the King of Ghouls in Granden City during the vacation?”

“-You shouldn’t be.”

“-That’s right! Just like you strike the iron when it’s hot, you must spread your fame further when it has already spread!”

Lee Han rubbed his temples. The Death Knights were still buzzing around him, their voices loud and excited. His head throbbed from the fight. He just wanted quiet.

“You just… wait!”

Park Deok-geul’s voice, still full of anger, reached him from across the camp. The man hadn’t seemed to understand anything. He was still glaring at Lee Han, teeth clenched.

A wave of annoyance washed over Lee Han. He snapped, “Shut up. Please!” His voice was sharper than he intended.

The Death Knights around him nodded, as if he had said something wise and important. One even clapped him on the shoulder with a bony hand.

The skeletal Headmaster was laughing as he watched the students get carried away by the water. But then, he was surprised by the Death Knights’ report.

“What did you say!?”

“-The anti-magic activists have attacked the Knights! It seems Park Deok-geul of the Rain Chasing Assassination Squad is behind it!”

“Uh… is that really true?”

The skeletal Headmaster, panicking for once, asked the Death Knight again. There was no real reason for anti-magic activists to attack the Knights.

Also, Park Deok-geul, who led the Rain Chasing Assassination Squad, was a well-known criminal. The skeletal Headmaster had seen his name in documents. He was stubborn and sneaky, good at planning, and so strong that his swordsmanship was at the Aura level. Several imperial wizards had died by his sword.

Why would such a guy attack a small group like the Beech Knights? The Beech Knights were a knight order with nothing special except lots of gold coins…

‘Was he short on money?’

The Death Knights next to the skeletal Headmaster heard the report and were surprised.

“-You must go immediately!”

“What? There are Death Knights around.”

“-The Beech Knights…”

Could those guys be hurt?

The skeletal Headmaster looked at the Death Knights as if to say, ‘Why should I care about such guys?’

Then the Death Knights exclaimed, sounding frustrated.

“-…They took the students! Including Master’s disciple!”

Ah. Even better. With such a big attack, he must have handled it himself. -…or maybe not?’ he thought, a question mark appearing above his head.

The Death Knights were embarrassed by their master’s arrogant attitude.

The Death Knights on the scene would arrive soon anyway, so there was no need to rush. Let’s start slowly.

“-Master, I respect your confidence, but I think too much confidence leads to arrogance and carelessness…”

Tsk tsk. Those who cannot see even with eyes and cannot think even with a head. Well, that’s why you are Death Knights and I am the master.

The skeletal Headmaster flew away confidently. The Death Knights rushed after him, but they looked worried.

“-Didn’t he make a mistake last time after acting like that?”

“-I’m worried…”

But surprisingly, this time the skeletal Headmaster was right. The Death Knights were amazed to see that everything had been taken care of perfectly, without a single death.

“-No…?!”

“-Really?!”

See! What did I tell you, you dull minions. What more do I have to do for you to believe?

The Death Knights felt wronged. Hadn’t their master been wrong quite often?

“-What on earth happened?”

“-Well, that’s…”

While the Death Knights were talking, the skeletal Headmaster flew to the knights. After a battle like this, it was a good time to show off. Treating a few cuts and stab wounds was a good way to be called a great archmage.

Ah! Great Beech Knights, the people of the Empire will not forget your dedication.

“Gonadal Tess, Your Excellency!!”

The Beech Knights, who were sitting and bandaging themselves, shouted loudly. The skeletal Headmaster was a little embarrassed by the stronger reaction than he had expected.

‘What is this?’

“That insight to have the summons on standby in case of emergency, it’s just admirable!”

“Thank you for your grace!!”

Ah. The skeletal Headmaster realized what they were misunderstanding. They thought the Death Knights, who had been assigned to watch the students escape, had been prepared in case of an anti-magic activist riot.

The Empire’s Archmage, the Lord of Ainrogard, the Emperor’s Spirit Official, and the Guardian of the Magic Defense Wall…

A quick-witted Death Knight ran up and listed the skeletal Headmaster’s titles instead.

…It’s just something I should do. Besides, think about the gold that the Beech Knights donated to Ainrogard. Where do you think the reagents that raised these summons came from?

When the skeletal Headmaster winked, the knights burst into laughter.

Lee Han wondered if the knights’ sense of humor had been paralyzed because they had lost so much blood.

“Now I understand the deep meaning hidden in Your Excellency’s action of sending your disciple. It wasn’t just to have him attend the meeting, but to send him in preparation for hearing intelligence that anti-magic activists were rioting!”

…Haha. I’ve been found out. Can’t you think of any other reason besides that?

Lee Han stared blankly, but the skeletal Headmaster ignored him.

My disciple must have been quite active.

“Not quite!”

“Without faltering even after eating poison…”

“Reinforcing the tent with dirt…”

“Catching that leader guy alone…”

‘What did this guy do?’

The skeletal Headmaster tried to stay calm. He expected him to be somewhat active, but he had done much more than that. Why would he fight someone like Park Deok-geul? Is he crazy for fame, or just crazy…?

“Yes?”

It’s nothing. Anyway, I’m really glad everyone is safe.

“Of course.”

“To think that the donations we sent are being used to raise such an outstanding pillar of the Empire!”

The knights were very impressed and proud of Ainrogard’s first-year student. They didn’t regret the gold they sent.

The White Tiger Tower students had to feel guilty for deceiving the knights, even though they didn’t do anything.

Haha! That’s right, that’s right!

The skeletal Headmaster also smiled, showing his bones. It seemed that a generous donation would come from the Knights at the end of the year.

“Hey! This banquet ended so quickly because of the attack, but instead of holding another banquet, how about donating the remaining gold to Ainrogard?”

“That’s a really good idea!”

“I agree too!”

Very good…

The skeletal Headmaster tried to agree slyly, but stopped himself, afraid of ruining the atmosphere. The knights gathered the remaining gold as thanks for the help they received from magic. The skeletal Headmaster looked happier than ever.

Come here, my beloved disciple!

“?”

Lee Han was confused and looked around.

Uh?

‘Is it me?’

“-It’s Wodanaz.”

“-Who else would be a beloved disciple?”

“Are you talking about me?”

Tell the knights about Ainrogard.

“Yes??”

Lee Han was startled and looked at the skeletal Headmaster. ‘Is he serious?’

Of course, the skeletal Headmaster noticed the emotion in Lee Han’s ‘??’.

You will do it ‘well’.

“Aha.”

Lee Han looked at the skeletal Headmaster. The skeletal Headmaster looked back. The two made a deal with just their eyes.

“What surprised me when I entered Ainrogard was the Headmaster’s consideration. He showed us magic from the moment we entered the school and made us familiar with it…”

“What the heck is Wodanaz doing?”

“Leave him alone and take a rest.”

The knights, hearing the story, were impressed by Ainrogard’s teachings and shed tears. The skeletal Headmaster watched his disciple, who had increased donations by more than three times, with loving eyes.

I’m proud of you!

“I always respect the Headmaster. Did you figure out the information about the anti-magic activists in advance?”

…That’s right.

“…?”

“You’re not saying you put them on to watch our escape…”

What nonsense are you talking about! There are many ears listening, so it can be misunderstood!

The skeletal Headmaster gestured that there were still many knights resting around the camp. Lee Han noticed and nodded.

“There are many boxes left over from preparing the banquet. Can I take some?”

…Wouldn’t the knights want to take them back to their families too?

“Then I’ll ask and take them.”

The skeletal Headmaster cursed his disciple. How can a student from the Blue Dragon Tower be so greedy?

More than that, he managed to deal with an enemy of that level.

“I was lucky.”

There was a lot of time to prepare, the enemies didn’t know about Lee Han, and there was even a powerful knight on this side.

Of course, the skeletal Headmaster looked at Lee Han as if he were crazy. No one would call that luck.

“No…”

Quiet. More than that, do you know why these guys attacked the knights?

“Ah. That’s.”

Lee Han explained the unfortunate misunderstanding. The skeletal Headmaster muttered as he listened.

Oh dear. I should have locked them up more thoroughly. My choice wasn’t wrong, but I was too lenient!

“Is… is that so?”

Don’t worry. Since everyone from the leader to the remnants has been caught, the Beech Knights won’t have to be careful at night.

“What about me?”

You are um… a wizard, and you’ve already half-destroyed two anti-magic activist groups, so it’s a bit much.

Lee Han looked around. There were only people who liked to spread rumors, from the knights to the Death Knights.

‘You’d have to be the skeletal Headmaster to control them all…’

Don’t be afraid of your infamy rising among the enemies. The enemies should be afraid, not you. There’s something more interesting than such useless things. Look.

The skeletal Headmaster took out the artifacts he had taken from Park Deok-geul, ignoring Lee Han’s complicated feelings. Do you know who made this artifact?

“I don’t know?”

This is the >Antagondal’s Piercing Eye> artifact. It’s an artifact made by the evil magic criminal Antagondal.

“Ah. I see. …Wait, could it be that this person is also from Ainrogard?!”

At Lee Han’s sincere question, the skeletal Headmaster glared at his disciple.