Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 544

Lee Han paused, considering something for a moment, then spoke quickly. “Yes, you’re right. There are many strange people in the world.”

“Do you think Gonadaltes broke *this*?” Angaro asked, pointing at something lying on the floor.

“Maybe,” Lee Han replied.

“Gonadaltes has been very grumpy lately,” Angaro added.

Professor Verdus carefully placed a strange metal object on the table. It looked a bit like a rusty wrench, but with glowing symbols etched into it. He brushed dust off his hands.

“Just like when the Headmaster locked me in the storage room last week,” Professor Verdus grumbled. “He’s been in a terrible mood.”

“That *is* odd,” Lee Han said. “I don’t understand why.”

“Actually,” Professor Verdus said with a knowing look, “I think I know.”

“Oh?” Lee Han was surprised. *Could Professor Verdus really know why the Headmaster was so angry?* Lee Han thought. *It’s probably not because my friend accidentally touched the Headmaster’s stuff… and Professor Verdus does annoy him quite often.* Lee Han raised an eyebrow, waiting to hear the professor’s explanation.

“It’s because it’s almost the end of the year,” Professor Verdus explained.

“Yes?” Lee Han asked.

“At the end of the year, the Empire’s money people give him trouble. They ask questions like, ‘Why did you spend money on *this*? Why did you spend money on *that*?’” Professor Verdus mimicked a complaining voice.

“Ah, I see,” Lee Han said, understanding now.

Ainrogaard was different from other magic schools. It didn’t charge students any fees. Other schools in the Empire were very expensive, even for rich families!

But the school still needed money to run. The Skull Headmaster, as the leader of Ainrogaard, had to find that money. Lee Han had seen him do this before.

The Headmaster got money from rich and important people, the Emperor himself, and sometimes from strange bags of gold he kept hidden away (around the same time, the newspapers would report that bad criminals had vanished!).

A big part of the school’s money came from the Empire. Every year, the Empire’s officials tried to give less money, and the Skull Headmaster fought to get more!

So, at the end of the year, these officials tried hard to reduce the money for the next year. This made the Skull Headmaster very stressed and angry.

*I really need to be careful,* Lee Han thought. *If I accidentally do something to annoy the Headmaster right now, when he’s already stressed about money…* He imagined the punishment room. *It might be more than just one day this time. Maybe a whole week!*

Professor Verdus suddenly pushed a wooden crate towards Lee Han. “Here, take this.”

“What is it?” Lee Han asked.

“Today, we’re making clothes that will keep you warm in winter!” Professor Verdus announced.

Lee Han opened the crate. Inside were jars and bottles filled with colorful liquids and powders. Some shimmered like fire, others looked icy blue. *These must be the ingredients,* Lee Han thought.

As winter came closer, Ainrogaard was getting colder every day. Students were wearing extra layers of old cloth or carrying flasks of warm potions, but it wasn’t very effective.

It would be much better to have something simple, like an object with magic already inside it. These “artifacts” could keep working for a long time without needing to cast a spell again and again.

*…Could Professor Verdus have actually thought of something useful for once?* Lee Han wondered, a little surprised.

“Did you actually think of this, Professor?” Lee Han asked, trying to sound surprised.

“Of course!” Professor Verdus said, sounding annoyed. “Did you think I would choose something *boring*? No! Professor Garcia made me do it! He said he would smash my workbench if I didn’t! Can you believe how mean he is?”

“Oh, come on, Professor,” Lee Han said, trying not to laugh. “You must have heard wrong. Professor Garcia wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“No! I heard him perfectly!” Professor Verdus stamped his foot, but Lee Han just smiled and pretended not to hear.

“…So, today,” Professor Verdus said, still sounding grumpy, “we are going to make winter-proof clothes for all of you.”

The students looked surprised. They all turned to Lee Han at once.

“Wodanaz, did *you* threaten the professor?!” someone shouted.

Lee Han blinked, surprised. He didn’t know what to say.

Before he could answer, Professor Verdus spoke up quickly. “No, no! Professor Garcia threatened *me*!”

“Professor, come on,” one student said, laughing. “Don’t joke around. Professor Garcia would never threaten anyone!”

Angaro thought for a moment. *Actually,* he thought, *maybe Professor Garcia could be scary if he wanted to be.* Professor Garcia was usually very kind, but Angaro knew he was also a powerful wizard.

“I’m serious! Really!” Professor Verdus insisted, waving his arms.

Lee Han sighed and tried to calm him down. “Professor, calm down. Remember, your workbench might get smashed if we don’t finish this lesson today.”

“Oh, right!” Professor Verdus’s eyes widened. The thought of his precious workbench being destroyed made him forget about being upset. The students were used to studying magic for hours and hours, but Professor Verdus loved his workbench more than anything.

“Okay,” Professor Verdus said, pointing to the crate. “You can put magic on things you wear in winter. Like… hats, scarves, big warm coats, cloaks that flow in the wind, vests to keep your chest warm, sweaters, and even shirts.” He listed them off quickly.

“What about gloves?” someone asked.

“Gloves too, yes,” Professor Verdus confirmed.

“Oh, gloves as well…” the student mumbled, starting to write everything down.

Lee Han stopped him. “Professor,” he asked, “is this magic strong enough for *us* to do? We’re still learning.”

“Hmm, good question,” Professor Verdus said, tapping his chin. “What level of magic can you use? Can you do… level four spells?”

“Wodanaz can probably do level four,” Angaro mumbled.

“Shut up, you idiot,” Lee Han hissed at Angaro.

Professor Verdus, who could design complicated magical objects in his head in a blink, now looked like he was struggling to count on his fingers. Finally, he said, “No, level four is too high. You can’t do that yet.”

“So, gloves are too difficult because they are small?” a student asked.

“No, gloves are fine. *You* are just slow learners,” Professor Verdus snapped.

“…” The students from White Tiger Tower exchanged glances. One whispered, “Maybe we should ‘accidentally’ push the professor into a snowdrift later?”

Professor Verdus continued, explaining the spells they *could* use. “*Warmth Charm*, *Wind Block*, *Frost Shield*, *Fire Spark*… yes, those should be enough for now.”

“But some of those spells… we haven’t learned them yet,” a student pointed out.

“So? You can learn them *now*,” Professor Verdus said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“…” The White Tiger Tower students looked at each other again. Another whispered, “If we do *really* well on this project, maybe we can get away with pushing him into a snow pit?”

*Wait a minute,* Lee Han thought suddenly. He had been helping Professor Verdus set up, and something didn’t sound right. “Professor,” he asked, “if we’re not making artifacts that last forever, can normal clothes even hold the magic for very long?”

“Oh, no, not at all!” Professor Verdus said, waving his hand dismissively. “That’s why you need special cloth or leather.”

“Ah,” Lee Han said. “So, you brought some of that special material for us, right?” He asked, a little hopeful.

Lee Han really didn’t expect Professor Verdus to have thought ahead and brought anything special to the lecture hall.

“Brought some?” Professor Verdus looked confused. “No, I don’t have any.”

“Wait, what?” Lee Han asked, surprised.

“No, I don’t have any special cloth. *You* have to get it,” Professor Verdus said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“…” Lee Han stared at him.

“…” The students were silent too, looking at each other in disbelief.

Suddenly, a blast of icy wind slammed against the windows, rattling the glass in their frames. A low, mournful howl echoed through the room, like a ghost trapped in the walls, sending a shiver down Lee Han’s spine.

“Professor,” someone asked, “where are we supposed to get special cloth *now*?”

Professor Verdus scratched his head, looking around the room as if the cloth might magically appear. “Well,” he said slowly, “your older students always knew to get some in advance. Don’t you have any left over from last year?”

“Professor,” Lee Han said patiently, “we are *first-year* students. Freshmen.”

“Yes, yes, I know that,” Professor Verdus said, waving his hand again. “So, what’s left from last year?”

*He’s not just a bit crazy,* Lee Han thought, shaking his head slightly. *He’s completely lost in his own world.* Ignoring Professor Verdus’s rambling, Lee Han quickly flipped through his magic textbook. He scanned the pages, looking for information on materials. *Leather or cloth that can be used…*

“Professor,” Lee Han said, looking up from his book, “what about Two-Headed Ox leather?”

“Yes, yes, that’s good enough for those spells,” Professor Verdus said, nodding.

“Hmm,” Lee Han thought aloud. “I have… maybe two boxes of that. But that won’t be enough for everyone. Would Basala cloth work?”

“Basala cloth? Yes, that works too,” Professor Verdus said. “But only the bark from Basala trees that’s collected in winter.”

“Right, I remember reading that it’s from the winter mountains,” Lee Han said. “What about wool? Just normal wool?”

“Normal wool? No, no, that’s useless,” Professor Verdus said dismissively.

“Okay, what about wool made from Mountain-Destroying Sheep?” Lee Han asked, trying not to smile.

“Mountain-Destroying Sheep wool?!” Professor Verdus’s eyes widened. “*That* exists? Give it to me! Where did you get that?!” He looked at Lee Han with sudden intense interest.

Mountain-Destroying Sheep wool was incredibly rare and valuable. It was far too good to be wasted on student projects.

Lee Han ignored Professor Verdus’s sudden excitement and quickly compared the different materials in his mind.

Angaro, who had been listening to this strange conversation, was completely lost. He frowned, trying to understand. Finally, he leaned towards Lee Han and whispered, “Hey, Wodanaz? Wodanaz?”

“What?” Lee Han asked, turning to him.

“Are we going to… rob the Headmaster’s storage room now? Can I come with you?” Angaro asked eagerly.

“…No,” Lee Han said, a little embarrassed. “I… I already have it.”

As soon as Lee Han said this, not just the White Tiger Tower students, but even students from other towers burst out laughing.

“Yeah, right, Wodanaz,” one student chuckled. “You ‘collected’ it. Sure. Let’s just pretend that’s what happened.”

“So,” another student said, still laughing, “when are we ‘going’ to ‘collect’ it?”

“…” Lee Han suddenly worried that everyone thought he was a thief.

“I *did* collect it!” Lee Han said, raising his voice slightly. “You crazy people!”

“No way…” a student said, still grinning. “How could you ‘collect’ *that* much?”

“Wait,” another student said, his eyes widening in mock realization. “Wodanaz, I get it! You failed a year, didn’t you? You’re secretly a third-year student!”

*Thwack!*

“I collected it by *working*!” Lee Han said, hitting the student lightly on the head with his wand. He couldn’t believe they thought he was lying.

“Working?” the student repeated, rubbing his head. “You mean… Professor’s work? You can’t get *that* much material from Professor’s work!”

The other students started buzzing with excited chatter.

It wasn’t just that they thought Lee Han was a thief. It seemed impossible to them that he could have honestly gotten so much rare material. They had all started school together, only a year ago. How could he have collected so much unless he had been here for years already?

“Actually,” Lee Han admitted, “I also got some from older students.”

” ? ” The laughter stopped.

” ? ? ? ? ” The students looked completely confused.

Older students?

…Was it even possible to meet older students?

And often enough to get *materials* from them?

*Hey,* one student whispered. *Is Wodanaz really a third-year student in disguise?*

*But why would he skip second year?* another whispered back.

*He definitely seems more like a third-year than a second-year,* a third student mumbled.

Professor Verdus, oblivious to the students’ whispers, suddenly remembered his workbench. “Lee Han!” he called out impatiently. “If you have the materials, start quickly! Professor Garcia will destroy my workbench if we don’t finish today!”

“Yes, Professor, I understand,” Lee Han said, sighing.

“Good! And don’t forget about the Mountain-Destroying Sheep wool!” Professor Verdus added, his eyes gleaming.

“Okay, everyone from White Tiger Tower, come with me,” Lee Han said, ignoring Professor Verdus’s last comment. He turned and left the lecture hall, the White Tiger Tower students following him, still whispering and looking at him with new curiosity.

Angaro, struggling to carry the heavy crate, suddenly stopped. “Hey, Wodanaz,” he puffed, “we’re from Phoenix Tower. Why are *we* carrying all this stuff?”

“Don’t Phoenix Tower students need winter clothes too?” Lee Han asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, yes, but…” Angaro trailed off, confused. “…Priests use them too, I guess.”

“So, you *do* use the materials,” Lee Han said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

“…Just… just carry it,” Angaro grumbled, and continued to haul the crate.

Giselle walked silently beside them, also carrying a crate. She didn’t say anything, but she was watching everything carefully. *It’s always best to stay quiet and observe when you’re not sure what’s going on,* she thought. *Then you can find the best moment to act.*

“Hmm,” Lee Han said, looking at the crates. “There might not be enough wool here. I need to get more. Rowena,” he said to another student, “if you dig down about two meters right here, you should find a few more boxes. Can you bring them out?”

“Ah, okay,” Rowena said, nodding and starting to dig in the ground with her hands.

Nilia watched Rowena digging. For a moment, she imagined Rowena was like a little squirrel, burying nuts for the winter. She giggled to herself, but didn’t say anything out loud.

“Why did you bury them like that?” Angaro asked, looking surprised.

“Because there’s not enough room to store everything inside the school,” Lee Han explained. “Personal rooms and the student lounge are too small. I need to find a proper storage room somewhere.”

Lee Han was starting to understand why older students sometimes risked getting into trouble by creating secret storage places outside the school buildings.

When he first arrived at Ainrogaard, he thought his room would be enough space. But he quickly realized he needed much more room. Just keeping food and basic supplies took up a lot of space. And someone like Lee Han, who studied magic constantly, needed even more space for all his materials and equipment.

*The hidden place I found last time is too far away,* he thought. *Maybe I should store things in the Basilisk-raising cabin for now. It’s closer.*

Nilia, who had been looking at the amount of wool in the crates, tilted her head. “Wait,” she said to Lee Han. “Isn’t there enough wool already? Why do you need more… Oh! I get it!”

Nilia looked at Lee Han with a knowing smile and nudged him playfully with her elbow. “It’s for your friends, right?”

“That’s right,” Angaro said, grinning. “You’re going to share it with us!”

“…Well,” Lee Han said, hesitating slightly, “mostly because I need to sell some of it.”

There was a moment of silence. Angaro’s grin faded a little.

Lee Han nodded and added quickly, “But, you know, you could say I’m *kind of* sharing it.”

“Oh,” Nilia said, her smile returning. “Okay. That makes sense.”

“No, wait,” Angaro said, still a little confused. “Are you selling it or sharing it?”