Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 470

Lee Han looked at Yoner, a hopeful glint in his eyes. “So, you’re saying we can’t change it?”

“Of course not.”, Yoner replied. He usually agreed with Lee Han’s ideas, but this time was different.

Dancing and socialising were some of the only classes in Einroguard that weren’t about hard studying.

Even Lee Han can’t change this.

Lee Han sighed as he chopped onions. “Will this banquet be special enough? Will everyone like the food?” He worried about making it good, even while he was busy cooking.

The flood had taken some ingredients, but it also brought new surprises. Lee Han carefully arranged the fresh fish and shellfish his friends had caught on the hot charcoal grill. The smoky smell already filled the air. He also found some green onions and asparagus near a small cabin – he wasn’t sure who owned it, but they looked perfect for grilling.

“Yoner, is that mixture ready?” Lee Han asked, wiping his hands on his apron.

“Here you go,” Yoner said, handing him a bowl. “I think it’s just right.”

Lee Han took the bowl and dipped a spoon in, checking how thick the mixture of egg yolks, milk, and flour was. “Perfect,” he nodded, placing it beside a tray of golden cookies. Custard cream would make any dessert even better, he thought.

More grilled fish, Lee Han thought, his mind racing. How much flour and rice do we have left? He remembered the soup from yesterday. I can add more vegetables to that to make it last longer. Pudding and cake… yes, lots of it. Apple and sponge cake would be good. He made a mental note to tell Headmaster Skull that anyone who took sleeping pills could eat the food. Skewers for the fish and chicken – easier to serve. He glanced at the pastry. Not enough. I’ll need to make more. Should I make some spicy ones with chili and garlic? The White Tiger Tower students like things hot… Maybe. Or should I make a separate batch just for them? Ah, better to just make it spicy for everyone.

Renzid, who came from a famous chef family in the Empire, watched Lee Han moving quickly between different cooking stations. He felt a little worried for no reason. “Wodanaz,” he began cautiously, “everyone is really hungry. They’ll eat anything you make, and honestly, they probably won’t even notice if you don’t work this hard. Maybe you could just do a little less…?”

“What did you say?!” one of the Blue Dragon Tower students yelled.

“Renzid, you jerk! Who are you to tell Wodanaz how to cook?” shouted another.

Renzid was taken aback. The Blue Dragon Tower students were usually calm and dignified, not like the more boisterous White Tiger Tower. He stammered, “Ah, no, I just… I’m also from a chef family…”

“Being from a chef family doesn’t mean you can say anything!” someone retorted.

“Wodanaz has been cooking for everyone in Einroguard for a whole year! Can your family experience beat that?” another student argued. The Blue Dragon Tower students were very protective. They were worried Renzid might ruin their chance to enjoy Lee Han’s special banquet. Even some Black Tortoise Tower students nodded in agreement.

“Renzid,” one Black Tortoise student said calmly, “I respect your family and your skills, but don’t tell someone else how to cook.”

“Yeah,” added another, “Wodanaz likes to challenge himself. It’s just how he is.”

Renzid looked at his friends, a bit suspicious. Are they just saying all this to get more food? he wondered. He actually agreed with Wodanaz’s dedication, feeling a chef’s connection to hard work.

It was Saturday morning.

Professor Krinval, who had a spider-like lower body and taught dance and socialising, greeted the students with his usual cheerfulness. “Alright, everyone! You’ve all worked so hard! Come in, stepping to the music! Exams are finished! Oh? Where’s Gainando today?”

“He’s still eating and sleeping,” someone mumbled.

Even though Headmaster Skull had warned them not to eat too much of the snacks at yesterday’s banquet, many students were still fast asleep.

Professor Krinval looked at the empty space with pity. “They must be so tired from exams to miss dancing and sleep instead!”

“It’s not really the exams…” someone whispered.

“But now exams are over, today is perfect for dancing! Don’t you agree?” Professor Krinval asked brightly.

“Yes!”

“Let’s forget all about exams!”

“Yes!!”

Is this really okay? one student thought, a little unsure.

But the other students cheered enthusiastically as Professor Krinval called out, “Everyone, how should we dance? Joyfully!”

Lee Han inadvertently turned his head to look at the window outside the classroom.

The water that had risen to the bottom was sloshing around, scattering gloomy mist.

Hmm. I shouldn’t look outside.

“Then, let’s continue dancing from last time! Students, change partners clockwise each time I ring the bell. You can become a better dancer by meeting many partners!”

Ding-

“Wodanaz.”

“Anglago. …Why are you staring at my feet?”

“Oh, uh… just admiring your… excellent footwork!” Anglago said quickly, trying to sound innocent.

“Don’t even think about stepping on them on purpose. You know what will happen.”, Lee Han warned, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Ah, no! Never! I would never!” Anglago protested, looking genuinely scared.

Ding-

“Nilia.”

“Wodanaz,” Nilia said, her voice tight. “Wasn’t the picnic… just awful?”

As soon as Lee Han took her hand, Nilia’s complaints poured out. She’s been holding this in for a while, Lee Han thought. Her eyes flashed with frustration.

“Headmaster Skull is completely mad, first of all!” she exclaimed. “But then, at the talent show… I summoned a spirit, and everyone just went on and on about the princess’s spirit! No one even noticed mine!”

“…Right, that’s what you meant,” Lee Han said gently. “Well, you…” He stopped himself from saying, Your spirit shot fish at people, and the princess’s spirit created a beautiful light show.

Nilia clearly felt she couldn’t complain to her other Black Tortoise Tower friends. Lee Han and Yoner had been busy, and she needed someone to listen.

“You understand?” she asked, looking at him hopefully.

“Of course,” Lee Han said. “Being from the Shadow Patrol, people who don’t know much won’t see how amazing you are. Only those who really understand can appreciate it.”

“Oh,” Nilia said, blushing slightly. “It’s not that amazing…” But she looked much happier. Her ears perked up a little.

Lee Han glanced at Yoner, who was dancing nearby. Yoner gave a small nod, as if to say, I’ll take it from here.

One more compliment, and she’ll be completely fine, Lee Han thought.

“You’re right,” Lee Han continued, “most students here just don’t have the eye for…”

Ding-

“Deorgyu.”

“Lee Han,” Deorgyu said, a concerned look on his face. “Is your arm alright?”

“My arm? Why?” Lee Han asked, confused.

“When you caught that cauldron the prince knocked over earlier – it looked really heavy!”

“Oh, that. I used magic, so it’s fine,” Lee Han shrugged. “Wait, prince? Which prince was it?”

Deorgyu blinked, unsure whether to be impressed by Lee Han’s quick magic or shocked that he didn’t know who the prince was. He decided to move on.

“Did you do well on the exam?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I did, thanks to your help teaching me. Thanks again, Lee Han,” Deorgyu said with a genuine smile.

Lee Han nodded, pleased. “What about the other White Tiger Tower students who studied with us?” he asked. “How did they do?”

Deorgyu’s smile vanished. He became very quiet.

“Deorgyu?” Lee Han prompted. “Why aren’t you answering?”

Silence.

Ding-

“Deorgyu? Deorgyu? Are you really going to ignore me?”

“Oh, did you two have a fight?” Giselle asked, a spark of amusement in her eyes.

“No,” Lee Han said. “I just asked about the White Tiger Tower students’ exam results, and he suddenly went completely silent.”

Giselle was quiet for a moment, then suddenly tried to stomp on Lee Han’s foot. Lee Han quickly moved his foot away, as if he’d seen it coming.

“Anglago already tried that,” he said dryly. “Moradi, you’re late.”

“That Gainando is completely useless,” Moradi grumbled.

“I’m sure he has some useful qualities,” Lee Han said, trying to be fair.

“Oh yeah? Like what? Why don’t you tell the prince of your tower that?” Giselle challenged.

“Gainando… Gainando has a useful quality…” Lee Han trailed off, struggling to think of one. Giselle smirked, as if she knew he wouldn’t be able to.

“Well? What is it?” she pressed.

“Gainando is… um…”

“What?”

Lee Han decided to use Deorgyu’s tactic.

Silence.

“…Hey!” Giselle protested.

“…”

“Hey, you’re just being quiet because you can’t think of anything good to say!”

Ding-

“Ah, Asan. Thanks again for your help the other day.”

“It was nothing,” Asan said. “But Wodanaz, why is Moradi muttering angrily next to you?”

“He’s probably yelling at Anglago, not me. Don’t worry about it,” Lee Han reassured him.

“Hmm, maybe… Anyway, I got a letter from my brother,” Asan continued, changing the subject. “He was talking about you.”

“Oh? What did he say?” Lee Han asked, curious. He remembered meeting Asan’s brother, Daihal of the Dalcard family, during the vacation. Daihal was an imperial administrator in Granden City.

“He told me I should be more like you,” Asan said, a hint of pride in his voice.

“Oh… I’m sorry,” Lee Han said automatically.

“Sorry? Why? It was a good letter!” Asan looked genuinely pleased. Usually, his family’s letters were full of criticism, so this praise was a welcome change. “If he’d told me to be like Gainando, I would have been furious. But you… well, it’s different.”

“W-well, if you’re happy, that’s good,” Lee Han stammered. “But Asan, we really need to talk about your family sometime.”

“Speaking of family,” Asan went on, oblivious to Lee Han’s concern, “my sister also wrote about you. She wants me to invite you to visit during the next vacation so she can… record your life.”

“Record my life? Why?” Lee Han asked, bewildered.

“I think,” Asan said thoughtfully, “she wants to use it as training material for people working at the Bronze Dwarf Bank.”

“Asan,” Lee Han said firmly, “we are definitely talking about your family tonight.” He was starting to worry about how to gently tell Asan, Your family is a little bit… unusual.

Ding-

“Your Highness,” Lee Han said, bowing slightly.

Princess Adenarte returned the bow with perfect grace, her movements more refined than even the Blue Dragon Tower nobles. Gainando, of course, was a different story…

“Wodanaz,” the princess began, clearing her throat. She had prepared a speech: she would praise Lee Han’s hard work for the students this year, apologize for misunderstanding him at first, and then perhaps steer the conversation towards the political situation of the noble families, a topic everyone seemed to enjoy lately.

“Did you enjoy breakfast?” Lee Han interrupted.

“Gack… yes,” the princess managed to say, surprised.

Did she just say ‘gack’? Lee Han thought, slightly amused.

The princess nodded quickly, suppressing a cough. Years of royal training helped her recover smoothly.

“Which fish did you like best?” Lee Han continued.

“…The anglerfish?” she replied hesitantly.

“Ah, yes, it was nice and plump. I think grilling it over charcoal was the right choice. And how was the apple pudding?”

The princess’s face lit up at the memory of the pudding. Lee Han nodded, as if he knew she would like it.

“The apples we found near the c… near that cabin were very fragrant,” he explained. “The sponge cake was a bit uneven at first, but after a few tries…” He went on to describe his baking process in detail.

The princess listened, strangely fascinated, then suddenly stopped. Wait, she thought. Why is he telling me all this? Wodanaz never did anything without a reason. There had to be a purpose.

“By the way,” Lee Han said, “I’m a little worried about everyone being hungry next semester. After the flood, they’ll all go back to their own towers. I hope they’ll still eat properly.”

“They’ll… manage?” the princess said, tilting her head, still trying to understand. She knew that when Lee Han moved to the Phoenix Tower, the Blue Dragon Tower students had complained loudly about the food quality. But she hadn’t thought it was that serious. She herself was hungry and had lost her appetite, but she was dealing with it bravely. Wasn’t everyone else?

“Ah, is this a request for me to help the other students while you’re gone?” she asked, thinking she finally understood. It was a noble request, and she was ready to agree.

“No, not exactly,” Lee Han said. “More than that, are you alright, Your Highness? Will you be able to take care of yourself when you go back?”

“…!”

The princess finally felt a chill of horror.

Don’t tell me…

Does Wodanaz think I’m obsessed with food?!