Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 713

Lee Han thought about the strange club name.

‘Location Shift’ Club, eh? Sounds like it’s related to spatial magic research.

“The club name is quite good.”

“Really?”

Ratford’s face lit up.

“I knew you would like it, Lord Wodanaz! You always have good taste.”

“I need to practice spatial magic this year, you see.”

He had learned other magic last year, but spatial magic was new. Lee Han was worried about it.

If there were seniors researching spatial magic, it would be a great help.

“Spatial magic, you say?”

Ratford wondered why Lee Han was suddenly talking about new magic, but he simply accepted it.

After all, his friend in front of him was the type to pick up new magic and study it whenever he was bored.

Ratford wouldn’t be surprised if Lee Han started learning another new magic next week.

“This way.”

Ratford went down a side path beside the crowded buildings in the 7th floor village. They went deeper into a narrow alley.

Lee Han asked, puzzled.

“It’s quite far, isn’t it?”

“It’s hard to find a building, you see.”

Given the nature of the club, secrecy and security were important, so it couldn’t be located on a main street like other clubs.

Lee Han understood Ratford’s words in a different way.

‘Indeed, they said it’s hard to find a decent building in this exile village.’

From the outside, it looked like a busy town. But really, many buildings were dangerous and you couldn’t go inside.

It wasn’t strange that Ratford’s ‘Location Shift’ Club was located deep in an alley.

“We need to go underground from here.”

“Underground? Ratford, if it were anyone else, I’d think they were kidnapping me.”

“Haha. Who would be crazy enough to kidnap Lord Wodanaz?”

“The seniors.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not joking, I’m serious.”

Lee Han said it wasn’t a joke, but Ratford didn’t believe him.

Even if they were seniors, they were still people; there was no way they would try to kidnap Lee Han.

Even if some seniors mistakenly got the wrong idea, they’d come to their senses after getting hit a few times.

“We’re here. This is it.”

Ratford led the way down basement stairs and through a dark sewer passage. He tapped lightly on a wall.

Then, the sound of bricks rolling away came from inside, and a path leading into the club appeared as the door opened.

‘It feels like it’s in an even more secretive place than the library club.’

He wondered why it was in such a dark and secretive place, but Lee Han dismissed it as the difference between an official and unofficial club.

Clubs with lots of members and money could have big buildings in sunny places. But smaller, unofficial clubs had to use buildings in hidden, out-of-the-way areas.

‘A sad reality that reflects the difference in financial power between clubs.’

“Hello, is anyone there?”

-Ratford’s here!

-What? Who’s here? Surely not a tracker sent by the Skull Headmaster…

-No, no. Ratford’s here.

-Ah. That’s a relief.

‘?’

The conversation coming from inside sounded more nervous than necessary.

‘Did they raid the Skull Headmaster recently or something?’

“I brought a friend who’s interested in the club.”

-A friend? What’s their skill level?

“Their skill is certain. I guarantee it with my honor.”

-If Ratford says so, it must be true. Welcome.

Clunk-

Lee Han thought the club’s security was quite thorough at the sound of the bolt being raised from the inside.

Clunk! Clatter! Clang!

Lee Han looked a little tired as he heard many locks and chains being opened one after another.

“Did you perhaps lock up a demon inside?”

“Haha. What madman would lock up a demon in a social gathering place?”

“The Wodanaz family… No, never mind.”

Finally, the door opened.

The ‘Location Shift’ Club building was warm and cozy, like a dorm common room.

Near a fireplace, logs crackled and burned. A senior student was roasting birds on sticks. They had already removed the feathers and insides.

Other senior students were nearby, preparing potions. They were trying to change the design on a wooden box, but they frowned. It wasn’t working.

“It’s done. Eat while you do it.”

“What is it? What kind of meat is it?”

“It’s meat from the Soup Club. I borrowed a trap. Is it not going well?”

“The Stonemason Club’s pattern isn’t erasing well.”

Lee Han felt uneasy.

It was warm and cozy, but something about it felt familiar in a strange way.

It reminded him of when he went out at night with friends to get supplies…?

“Aaaargh! It’s a student from the Blue Dragon Tower?!?”

The senior students finally realized who Lee Han was and screamed in shock.

Because Ratford invited him, they thought he was from the Black Tortoise Tower. But now they saw he was from the Blue Dragon Tower.

Lee Han asked, slightly flustered.

“Oh, is this club not open to Blue Dragon Tower students?”

“W-Well, there’s no such rule.”

“Usually, students from the Blue Dragon Tower don’t join. Or students from other towers either.”

“??”

Lee Han couldn’t understand why Blue Dragon Tower students didn’t join.

Black Tortoise Tower students were interested in spatial magic, so why weren’t Blue Dragon Tower students?

“Why don’t they join? Is there a reason why Blue Dragon Tower students aren’t interested in spatial magic?”

“Spatial magic?”

This time, it was the seniors’ turn to be flustered.

“What spatial magic?”

“Isn’t this the ‘Location Shift’ Club? I thought it was something like a spatial magic research group.”

“……”

“…Uh, Lord Wodanaz. It’s not that kind of place.”

Ratford whispered in embarrassment.

“…Then what kind of place is it?”

“It’s a club that… permanently shifts the location of objects.”

Suddenly, Ihan understood why he felt so worried before. A cold feeling went through his body, and he quickly shivered.

The Location Transfer Club.

This was a very old and special club. Only the best students at moving things secretly from the Black Tortoise Tower could join.

It was so hard to get in that students from the Azure Dragon Tower or White Tiger Tower almost never could.

No offense to your tower or the White Tiger Tower, one of the older club members said, but you guys just aren’t good at this. What you do is more like just taking things by force, like robbers.

Everyone at Einroguard knew about ‘borrowing’ things, but there were different ways to do it.

The Location Transfer Club thought the other towers were too rough and noisy.

They believed stealing quietly and secretly was the only way to keep doing it for a long time. The other towers always made a lot of noise and started fights.

Are you that new student? one senior asked. The one we heard the official clubs are trying to grab?

No! Who would be crazy enough to try and grab Wodanaz?

Ratford looked shocked.

Don’t they know how dangerous Wodanaz is? he thought.

Ratford, another senior said, students are almost grabbed to get into Einroguard anyway. There’s no rule saying clubs can’t do the same.

But Wodanaz, he continued, turning to Ihan, we’re not like those official clubs. We don’t just let anyone join.

The official clubs don’t either, Ihan thought to himself.

The seniors looked very serious, like they were going to say no to him. Ihan felt a little uncomfortable.

He hadn’t even asked to join!

Senior, Wodanaz-nim is fully qualified.

Ratford, being good at magic is completely different. There are guys who can only use 1st Circle magic but are good at location transfer, and there are guys who can use 5th Circle magic but can’t do location transfer at all.

I know, but even considering that, he’s fully qualified.

When Ratford didn’t back down, the seniors began to speak seriously.

You understand, a senior said, you can’t join just because you’re friends with Ratford. You need to show us you’re good at this.

Show you’re good? Ihan asked, wondering what they wanted.

Yes. Tell us about the best secret move you ever did. We only care about skill. If you’re skilled, you’re in. If not, it doesn’t matter who you know. A bad thief can get everyone caught.

Why don’t they just say ‘stealing’? Ihan almost laughed.

Wodanaz, one senior said, the best secret move I ever did was taking over the 6th floor kitchen. It was a terrible place, and eleven people got punished because of it.

I secretly went into the workshop on the 4th floor, another said. I got so many supplies there, I didn’t need to find more for six months!

Okay, your turn. What have you done?

Uh… um…

The seniors stared at him, waiting. Ihan felt a little scared. He quickly said the first thing that came to his mind.

I stole from the Headmaster’s house?

Everyone went quiet.

… …

The air suddenly felt cold. Ihan realized he said the wrong thing.

Oops. I should have just said I was good at smuggling things.

That would have been enough!

W-what did you just say? You stole from the Headmaster’s house?

The seniors asked, like they couldn’t believe it.

But they also sounded like they hoped it was true.

What Wodanaz-nim said is true. He robbed the Headmaster’s villa last year.

No way! one said, eyes wide.

You crazy guy! How are you not in trouble? another asked.

The Location Transfer Club seniors were shaking with excitement.

Ratford was very happy and kept talking.

And that’s not all! He also stole from the teachers’ room, other dorms, and he’s even good at smuggling…

Ratford! That’s enough!

Ihan quickly stopped his friend from talking.

If he says too much, they might think I’m too crazy and not let me join! Ihan worried.

Wodanaz, I was wrong, one senior said quickly. You are good enough to join. Definitely.

Join our club! another said. We’re not an official club, but we’re doing just as well as any of them!

We get food from the Soup Club, and ingredients for potions from the Stone Worker Club. If you’re good, you can get anything you want!

Because they got things they needed from other clubs and storage places in Einroguard, the Location Transfer Club members lived pretty well.

Of course, there was always a chance of getting detention, but everyone at Einroguard risked that, right?

If you’re skilled, you can get rich… Oh, Senior is here! Senior, we have a new amazing person here! He’s Ratford’s friend, and he’s done incredible things! Honestly, I want to take him with me on this secret move!

So many talented people? a voice said from the doorway, sounding unsure.

Then, the person walked into the room.

It was the hamster beastman they had seen before!

… …

Ihan and Sebius looked at each other, very surprised.

What is this guy doing here? Ihan thought.

What is this guy doing here? Sebius thought too.

Ihan thought clearly first and asked, Senior, weren’t you in the Library Club?

You can be in more than one club, Sebius said. And I joined this club first anyway. What are you doing here?

I was asked to come, Ihan said.

Another senior couldn’t help but shout, Senior, this guy stole from the Headmaster’s house! Can you believe it?

…!

Sebius, who had seemed bored before, looked at Ihan with surprised eyes, like he was really shocked.

Wow. That’s good.

I was lucky, Ihan said.

Are you planning to join every club that’s not official? Sebius asked.

No way!

Ihan argued back angrily. But Sebius stayed calm.

Looks like it, Sebius said. Do what you want. If you’re good enough, do it. I have to go steal something today.

What are you stealing? Ihan asked.

Books.

Oh, are you going to the library?

What are you talking about? Sebius looked at Ihan like he was stupid. Taking books from the library isn’t stealing.

Then…?

I’m going to steal them from the person who sells the books.

… …

Seeing how these two clubs could work together, Ihan felt how strong the older students at Einroguard could be.

These guys are crazy, but they’re amazing! Ihan thought.