Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 605

Ihan, completely dumbfounded and momentarily speechless, finally asked, “Surely not with school funds…?”

“Isn’t that precisely what school funds are for?” the Headmaster replied.

Ihan paused, thinking that using personal funds would be even more absurd.

He wanted to ask what the new students had done to deserve such treatment.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding, esteemed disciple,” the Headmaster said.

Sensing Ihan’s confusion, the dwarf printer quickly added, “We’re just doing this as a favor, to repay the kindness of Gonadaltestes.”

“Were you threatened to say that?” Ihan asked.

“Pardon? I’m not sure what you mean…” the dwarf printer replied, his good nature preventing him from understanding the dark humor common in Einrogaard.

The Headmaster explained, “Once, the printing press’s spirit went wild, creating an ink monster, and Gonadaltestes helped us then.”

The dwarf printer added, “If not for Gonadaltestes, we might all have died.”

“Headmaster…” Ihan said, feeling a rare twinge of admiration. He blinked, surprised. For a moment, he forgot his usual annoyance with the Headmaster. *Helping with an ink monster? That’s actually… brave,* he thought.

“Why didn’t you tell me about such a heartwarming deed?” Ihan asked.

The Headmaster chuckled. “Ha. My good deeds are so numerous that if I were to recount them all, even the sun would grow old and die.”

‘Truly, you are incredibly brazen,’ Ihan thought, immediately dismissing his fleeting admiration and nodding.

The Headmaster continued, “Moreover, if our small act of service can thwart the invaders of Einrogaard, how joyous would that be?”

The dwarf printer chimed in, “Indeed! It is no trouble at all!”

“Thwart the invaders?” Ihan was puzzled.

“Headmaster, that magical tome… wasn’t it created to confuse the new students with false information?” Ihan asked.

He vividly remembered the escape when the White Tiger Tower students, having studied Einrogaard in advance, were badly burned by the false information.

“Well, perhaps among the invaders, there might be some fools who fall for it,” the Headmaster replied.

“…” Ihan couldn’t bring himself to tell the kind printers the truth.

Later, in another part of the school, Ihan followed the Headmaster…

“Well done. Send them to the places I’ve written down,” the Headmaster instructed. His skeletal fingers tapped on the table. His eyes, like glowing embers in the shadows of his skull, fixed on Ihan. The Headmaster was exceedingly cunning and meticulous.

Among the first-year students whose admission was confirmed, he particularly targeted those from the Blue Dragon Tower and White Tiger Tower.

Since most of them came from established families, placing the books in nearby bookstores would plausibly lure them in.

Ihan shuddered at his relentless and persistent efforts. ‘Is it really necessary to go this far?’ he wondered.

“Oh, is this >Detective Toberitz, the Canine Beastkin>?” Ihan asked, looking at the magazine. The ‘Detective Toberitz’ magazine had a bright, colorful cover with a picture of a cartoon dog wearing a detective hat. Guinan adored this mystery magazine.

“Yes. We’ve prepared next month’s story in the magazine in advance. The newspaper says that next month’s story will be very important and exciting, so it seems like it will sell a lot,” the dwarf printer said.

“Does he like that magazine?” the Headmaster asked, surprised.

He seemed to think Ihan only read the economics, business, and magic sections of the Imperial Newspaper.

“Guinan likes it,” Ihan confirmed.

“Oh. Then, how about reading it in advance and sending him the contents?” the Headmaster suggested.

“Ah. I didn’t have anything to write in the letter, so that’s perfect. Thank you,” Ihan replied.

“…Right,” the Headmaster said, shuddering at his disciple’s subtle madness. It was a joke…

Click-

Checking the time on his pocket watch, the Headmaster nodded. After resting this much, the bureaucrats would likely be back in their seats.

“Let’s go. We’ll have to try persuading them again,” the Headmaster said.

“Please wait a moment,” Ihan requested.

He asked the printers a few questions, then returned with notes.

“What did you ask?” the Headmaster inquired.

“I investigated simple gifts that one could buy and take from around here,” Ihan explained.

“Do you have someone to give gifts to in the capital?” the Headmaster asked.

“Yes? I was thinking of taking them to the Ministry of Finance officials,” Ihan replied.

“…Why!?” The Headmaster was genuinely disgusted. Why should he give gifts to those parasitic fellows whose only job was to oppose magic?

“Isn’t it usually good to gain favor when visiting someone to ask for a favor?” Ihan asked.

“Why?” the Headmaster repeated.

“…” Ihan simply gave up trying to persuade him. It was always like this. Arguing with the Headmaster was like talking to a wall.

“I’m just going to buy them and take them,” Ihan stated.

“Hmm… You certainly handle trash well,” the Headmaster commented.

“Isn’t it a bit much to call my friends that?” Ihan asked.

“I was referring to Bibble,” the Headmaster clarified.

‘Ah, blast!’ Ihan thought.

The Headmaster paused, lost in thought.

Originally, he had expected Ihan, being from the Wodanaz family, to say when meeting patrons in the capital:

“-Einrogaard is the best magic school in the Empire. The students receive the best education. The students are not hungry. The students are happy.”

“-Seeing the boy from the Wodanaz family say that, we should provide more support to Einrogaard!”

But thinking about it, this fellow was originally patient and kind even to trash. That was a talent that even the Headmaster himself lacked.

Perhaps this social skill might work on the bureaucrats!

“…Alright! I’ll entrust it to you once,” the Headmaster declared.

“Pardon? What are you talking about?” Ihan asked, shocked.

“The persuasion, of course,” the Headmaster clarified.

“How can I take that on? I don’t even know what’s going on?” Ihan protested.

“Frankly, knowing wouldn’t change anything. The research is too trash-like,” the Headmaster said.

“No…” Ihan said, feeling the weight of the task on his shoulders.

To take the senior’s research proposals and get funding…

Moreover, he would be meeting the seniors starting next year…

“-That fellow is the one who rejected our research proposal?”

“-Such an arrogant fellow. A disgrace to the Blue Dragon Tower!”

…He didn’t want to start with such a strange perception from the beginning.

“I’d feel terrible if I failed, especially towards my seniors.”

“Terrible?” the Headmaster said. “It’s the lazy seniors who should feel terrible. They let a junior do their work while they relax in their big houses. I won’t tell anyone it was you. So, do what you want. If you don’t want to do it, just tear up the paper now.”

The Headmaster, who was very thin, just shrugged.

He thought Lee Han was doing more work than most older students. ‘They could learn something from him,’ he thought.

“You really won’t blame me if I fail?” Lee Han asked again, still unsure. The Headmaster waved a thin hand dismissively. “Yes, yes. Don’t worry so much. Just try your best and don’t take it too seriously.”

Lee Han sighed and accepted the research proposal.

“>A Study on the Races Preferred as Prey by Trolls>… how am I even supposed to make a case for this…”

“Hey. Just forget about that one,” the Headmaster said, his voice sharp and cold.

Silvas, an inspector who was proud of his work for the Empire, frowned as he listened to his colleagues. His brow was furrowed, and he kept tapping his fingers on the desk.

“Lady Gonadaltes came herself?” Silvas asked, surprised. “Yes, but she’s gone now. She must have given up,” one colleague replied.

“You’ve all had a hard time. Really,” Silvas said. “But we protected the Empire’s gold and silver!” another official said proudly.

Some of the other officials started to cry, they were so relieved.

But Silvas remained uneasy. ‘What if she returns when we least expect it?’

Knock, knock-

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

“Oh, come in.”

Silvas straightened his posture at the sight of the boy entering.

Silvas knew that visitors to the Imperial Palace were important. Their identities were always checked carefully. Even officials like him had to be polite here. Sometimes, visitors would even be rude to the officials, thinking they were more important.

-This land is under my jurisdiction! Why won’t you allow the territorial war! Do you intend to insult my family! -You want me to pay double the taxes? Are you a robber or an official? I shall confront His Majesty the Emperor directly. Tell him! I have brought an elixir to offer His Majesty. The Emperor, weary from his duties, will be pleased!

But then, a boy walked in and greeted him very politely. Silvas was surprised. It was nice to see someone so polite for a change.

“What brings you here?”

“Well, I’m a mage, and I came to request funding.”

“Ah! A mage, I see. Are you from the Guild? Or the Magic Tower? Please, have a seat.” Silvas pulled out a chair and pushed it towards the boy.

He was surprised. This mage was so different from the others he usually met. He actually seemed nice.

If only mages showed half the courtesy of this boy, his work as an official would be much happier!

‘Maybe he’s the youngest mage from the Guild or the Magic Tower,’ Silvas thought. They usually wouldn’t send someone so young for this kind of job. But Lee Han looked very well-dressed and polite. He probably came from a rich family.

If he was a noble who knew good manners, then maybe they would trust him with this job even if he was young. Lee Han seemed calm and knew what to do. He must have been sent here for a good reason.

“Oh, and this is a gift.”

“Yes?! No… a bribe is…”

“It’s not a bribe. I know you work hard for the Empire, so I brought it hoping you could rest a little.”

The fragrant scent of coffee and freshly baked apple pie filled the office. The thought of apples and sweet cream made Silvas swallow his saliva.

“This is the first time I’ve received such a gift.”

‘??’ Lee Han was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that no one would bring something like this. ‘Isn’t this basic?’

Lee Han thought bringing a small gift was just good manners.

Lee Han controlled his expression. The officials of the Empire would one day become his superiors, pushing and pulling him along. He always had to leave a good impression.

“I bought it from the >Rock Spirit’s Apple Jam Cafe> just ahead, but I’m not sure if it will suit your taste…”

“I really love that place! You know your stuff!”

Silvas was delighted by the mention of the familiar cafe. The cafe had fragrant coffee and delicious apple pie, and the rock spirit’s stone soup was quite satisfying. To receive it like this…

“Hey, you lot! Grab some snacks!”

“Where did the snacks come from? We didn’t have time to go out.”

“This guest was kind enough to worry about us and bought them.”

“!”

“!!”

The officials greeted him with looks of shock and gratitude. Some even had tears welling up in their eyes.

“Are you crying?”

“N-no, the coffee was just a bit strong.”

Silvas asked with a much softer and kinder tone than before.

“So, what kind of money do you need, Mage? It depends on what it’s for. If it’s for big problems like storms or monsters from other worlds, we can get money and soldiers quickly. But if it’s just your own magic research, you need to show us why it’s important.”

Lee Han hesitated. ‘Should I just give up on >A Study on the Races Preferred as Prey by Trolls>?’ No matter how he thought about it, it might be best to just give up and start over.

“Don’t be nervous, and speak comfortably. Oh, I was so distracted that I didn’t even ask about your family. Where are you from?”

“I am Lee Han of the Wodanaz family.”

“The Wodanaz family…! Are you perhaps here to request assistance in the name of your family?!”

Even as he said it, Silvas thought it unlikely. If the Wodanaz family needed help, they would have contacted the Emperor directly, not some mere official.

The boy shook his head.

“So, you’ve come in the name of a group connected to your family. I’m surprised. I never thought I’d actually meet a mage from the Wodanaz family. And such a young one at that.”

“I am quite young. Wait, are you perhaps acquainted with Mr. Daihal?” Lee Han noticed a photo on Silvas’s desk. Silvas, Daihal, and several other young officials were smiling in the photo.

“Ah, yes. Do you know Daihal?”

“Yes, we’re quite close.”

In truth, Lee Han wasn’t sure how close they were, but he was desperate.

He knew he needed to be desperate to get funding for ‘A Study on the Races Preferred as Prey by Trolls’.

“I was often invited to the Dalcard family’s estate.”

“Indeed. As a member of the Wodanaz family, I suppose that’s to be expected. I have always respected the head of the Dalcard family. He is my role model.”

“Actually… Asan, one of the boys from the Dalcard family, was almost attacked by a troll once.”

“Really!? Is he alright!?”

“Yes, thankfully he was unharmed, but ever since then, I’ve been wondering if the Empire isn’t being too insensitive to the threat of trolls…”

Silvas was touched by what Lee Han said. He thought, ‘This mage is different. He cares about people, not just money, unlike those other mages.’