Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 610

In truth, not many people in the Imperial capital refused Einrogaard’s summons.

The people of the ancient capital learned fast. Rumors spread about what happened to those who said no. Not many were brave enough to refuse.

Yet, in every age, there are those touched by misfortune.

Those newly arrived in the capital hadn’t heard these rumors. Trusting only in their own strength, they made the mistake of acting arrogantly.

Surely, even a great wizard wouldn’t dare to do anything wrong in the capital where His Imperial Majesty lived!

…But if they were wrong about anything, it was that the Skull Archmage was more than capable of such deeds.

“Hopefully, fewer idiots this year,” the Skull Archmage said, a hint of impatience in his voice.

“I agree.”

The Skull Archmage stopped in front of a mansion in the central district of the capital. It was clearly the home of a powerful noble family.

“My master has no appointments today, but…”

“Einrogaard’s letter must have arrived. That letter is the appointment. Open the gates.”

The Skull Archmage spoke to the gatekeeper, his voice hard and cold.

His command forced the gatekeeper aside and flung open the mansion’s main gates.

“M-Master! The Archmage has arrived! The Archmage has arrived!” The gatekeeper cried out, gasping for breath. His face went white, and his eyes were wide with terror, like he’d seen a ghost.

The Skull Archmage could have stopped the gatekeeper, but he waited quietly.

“Should I stop him?”

“Let him be. Sometimes, it’s easier to talk when fear fills the house.”

‘Is he really here to invite a student?’

Soon, a middle-aged nobleman with a deathly pale face rushed out.

He was sweating a lot, his fear so strong you could almost touch it, and it made him look pathetic.

“Lord Gonadaltes! Please, hear me out! I would never ignore Einrogaard’s offer, nor would I refuse out of disrespect for your eminence!”

“Of course not. I never thought you would be so rude. I trust you completely,” the Skull Archmage said gently.

He seemed more scared than proud.

Such men needed a gentle touch.

“But my child has such a noble and aristocratic nature! Their blood is far too precious to mix with the insignificant rabble of the magic tower or schools!”

“Haha. Indeed. Indeed.”

Lee Han thought the nobleman was like pouring oil on himself and leaping into a fire.

Saying such things in front of the Skull Archmage was like saying, ‘Please, torment my child especially, hehe.’

“I understand your worries. You’re afraid the magic tower or schools will force your child to be with uncouth knights or vulgar commoners, right?”

“Sniff. Yes. And crazy priests, too,” the nobleman added, sniffling. Lee Han shook his head.

It was true that in the world of magic, status and family didn’t matter much.

Even without Einrogaard, it was common to work under a wizard of common birth, even in the magic towers.

Some members of traditional noble families couldn’t stand this. They often learned magic from tutors hired by their families.

“Originally, I had thought about Valdrogaard as well, but…”

Lee Han noticed the tips of the Skull Archmage’s fingers trembling slightly with rage. It was a very dangerous sign.

To change the subject, Lee Han quickly asked, “Why didn’t you choose Valdrogaard?”

“Sniff. I heard even lowborn nobles can enter if they pay enough.”

“Ah, I see.”

The Skull Archmage waited for the man to cry and complain as much as he wanted.

Once the man seemed to have said enough, the Skull Archmage began to persuade him with a soft and gentle smile.

“You don’t understand, my friend. Surely you don’t believe Einrogaard would mix nobles and commoners? Hmm?”

“I… is that not the case?”

“Absolutely not! Look at me. I am a man who has inherited the purest and most noble bloodline of ancient times. Would I ever mix nobles and commoners?”

‘Though you do make them fight each other…’

The Skull Archmage called out to Lee Han, who was lost in thought.

“Tell him, my disciple, about the true life at Einrogaard.”

“Your disciple?”

“Yes. I brought him along to show someone like you the truth about Einrogaard.”

Lee Han nodded to play along.

“That’s right. The students at Einrogaard are kept completely separate. Commoner students don’t even dare to look at the shadows of noble students. Einrogaard is the place where beautiful old traditions are most strictly followed.”

“Oh…”

“In this decaying world, if you learn outside of Einrogaard, you’re more likely to meet uncouth knights or vulgar commoners.”

“T-That’s right. And crazy priests, too.”

“In contrast, the students at Einrogaard all follow the rules closely. Those who don’t have manners are sent to the punishment chamber.”

“Indeed…!”

Lee Han glanced at the Skull Archmage. The Skull Archmage nodded with satisfaction.

It takes two to clap, after all.

It was more convincing for a young student to speak directly than for the Skull Archmage to persuade him.

Of course, most of it was a lie…

“Lord Gonadaltes, maybe I was scared too soon.”

“It’s understandable. In a time where laws are fading and the nobility is losing power, it must be hard for a noble person like you to handle. But I trust you understand I’m being sincere.”

“Yes! I will send my child to Einrogaard.”

“Good, good. You’ve made a wise decision.”

The Skull Archmage calmed the nobleman and sent him inside.

As he walked out of the main gate, the Skull Archmage muttered, “That family’s son will manage the manure in the Black Tortoise Tower’s stables.”

“An excellent idea.”

“This child has amazing talent in swordsmanship. If he works hard at it, he will make a name for himself in the Swordsmanship Guild…”

“Swordsmanship can also be improved at Einrogaard. Show him, my disciple. This is how good his swordsmanship is, even as just a hobby.”

“Gadzooks!”

Next, they visited a man with calloused hands and a worried frown, who kept touching the hilt of a practice sword leaning against the wall. He was torn between having his child learn magic or dedicating himself to swordsmanship.

“I worry that entering a magic school will mean less time for prayer and weaken my faith.”

“Being in Einrogard’s magic-rich environment helped me awaken several powerful magical abilities.”

One of the temple members stood nearby, looking thoughtful, worried that learning magic might conflict with his faith.

Headmaster Skull’s eyes showed a rare warmth as he watched his disciple demonstrate his consistent skill.

“Your skills are truly outstanding! I might even have to consider admitting Crown Prince Jo-Urin!”

“Please don’t make such frightening jokes.”

“I shouldn’t have said that. Haha. It looks like this will be over sooner than I thought, all thanks to you.” Headmaster Skull checked the time.

Because the capital was the most densely populated area in the empire, it also had the highest number of people who weren’t interested in joining Einrogard.

Once the admission process here was complete, the remaining areas of the empire were relatively easier.

“Next are the mercenaries. Judging by where their guild house is located, they look like an illegal bunch… Hmm… They are indeed an illegal bunch.” Headmaster Skull used divination magic to confirm their identities.

As the saying goes, mercenaries are either criminals or criminals who haven’t been caught yet. In this empire, mercenaries were always tempted to break the law.

There were many groups that put up a mercenary signboard and committed all sorts of crimes behind the scenes.

“If they’re illegal, do you subdue them with force?” Ihan asked.

“No. On the contrary, it’s easier to persuade illegal guys. They have a lot to feel guilty about, so they’re also very scared,” Headmaster Skull replied confidently.

The capital was not only home to good citizens; shady criminals also swarmed in the shadows.

These shady people were often scared and sometimes said no to Einrogard’s offers, but when Headmaster Skull himself visited, they quickly changed their minds and agreed.

“We’ve arrived. It’s here.”

Ihan and Headmaster Skull were very conspicuous as they passed through the slums on the outskirts of the capital and arrived in front of the mercenary building next to a run-down inn.

The people sitting in the gloomy alley, where one could die without anyone knowing, saw the two walking by and either looked interested or gripped their daggers tightly.

But that was it.

Guild members with the same symbol ran out from inside the alley, beat up the people sitting there, grabbed them by the hair, and dragged them inside.

“You crazy bastard! Do you know who that is?”

“Are you trying to kill us all! Can’t you take your eyes off him!?”

“Looks like some of them remember me,” Headmaster Skull said with a pleased expression, and Ihan stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Where are you from?”

“Are you a member of the Arrowhead Mercenary group? Tell your leader, Gonadal-tes, that I’m here.”

“I don’t know anyone by that name.”

The mercenary guarding the door spat between his teeth and glared at Gonadal-tes.

He wasn’t intimidated by the two men without escorts, no matter how luxuriously dressed the nobleman was.

“Yes, you wouldn’t know. That’s why I told you to tell him.”

“No. I’m not interested.”

The mercenary raised his chin arrogantly, demanding a bribe.

Headmaster Skull said with a look of pity, “Then I’ll have to improve your mood.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Headmaster Skull’s sword shot out of its sheath and quickly pierced the mercenary’s limbs.

“Kraaah!!” The mercenary screamed, unable to move as the blade froze his limbs.

“You said they were easily persuaded…” Ihan said.

“There are always some who are particularly stupid. Since he says he’s not in a good mood, I’ll have to improve the mood of the guys inside too. Go!” The flying sword shot into the mercenary building.

Then a terrible scream erupted from within.

The Arrowhead Mercenary group had been in the capital for less than a year but had made a name for themselves through aggressive business expansion.

In particular, the group’s leader, Ugda, was skilled in smuggling, kidnapping, and trafficking, as well as combat, which pleased his mercenaries.

“Send the young one I have to Einrogard? What is this nonsense?” Ugda said.

“Aren’t they telling us to send him to a place like the Magic Tower?”

“Who’s young? Is there anyone young here?”

“You know, boss, the young one you bought for a lot of money last time.”

“Send that one?! How much can I sell that one for? How dare they?!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

“Crazy wizard bastards! These are the real thieves!”

“But isn’t it better not to have a grudge against wizards?”

“I don’t care. Tear up the letter! Do you think the wizards will come looking for us because of one measly guy?” Ugda issued the order roughly.

It seemed that greedy wizards had heard the rumors and sent a letter, but he didn’t think anything would happen if he refused.

But Ugda had no idea which wizard he was dealing with.

A wizard was a wizard, after all.

Plop!

A sword flew in from the air. As the ownerless sword swiftly drew a line in the air, the mercenaries screamed and tumbled.

“An attack!! An attack!”

“The sword is flying…! A wizard… Ack!”

“Is everyone feeling a little better now?” Headmaster Skull kicked the mercenaries away and strode forward.

The mercenaries, not knowing what was going on, groaned, clutching their limbs.

“W-what grudge does the wizard…! have against us…!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sword pierced his arm once more. The mercenary’s eyes rolled back.

“A grudge? Watch your mouth. I’m improving your mood.”

“What on earth are you…”

Unable to watch any longer, Ihan threw a water orb and knocked the mercenary unconscious.

It was a form of mercy, but the mercenaries didn’t really appreciate it.

“M-monster…!”

“…Honestly, compared to Headmaster, aren’t I subduing them very gently?”

“In the eyes of those who don’t know, all wizards probably look the same,” Headmaster Skull replied without caring and made air holes in the limbs of the fleeing mercenary.

The cool air holes will surely improve the mercenaries’ mood a little!