Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 727

Hmm. He’s being very difficult today.

Let’s be patient. Remember, it’s a unicorn he’s trying to handle.

The students who were members of the Quidditch Club quickly moved away from Professor Bendozol’s outburst.

Spells flew everywhere! Some spells turned rocks into stone monsters called gargoyles. Other spells turned trees into small, magical creatures called wood sprites.

Professor Bendozol was very strong. He knew magic from many different places. He was a scary enemy to face.

-Grrrr…

Of course, the Einrogard students weren’t frightened enough to run from a few gargoyles or wood sprites.

Professor, the unicorn won’t love you just because you do this. Leave it to us!

You summoned these monsters; why don’t you play with them instead?

Shut your mouths!

Professor Bendozol shouted, his face flushed red with anger.

Those arrogant and greedy students always infuriated Professor Bendozol.

Using such beautiful creatures like this was just showing off and being selfish from the beginning.

Carriages could be pulled by people, and fields could be plowed by people, couldn’t they?

Quidditch was even more absurd. Instead of having people transform and play, they wanted to use a unicorn.

Even if the unicorn hates me, I won’t let you lot get near it!

Professor, you’re committing an outrage. The unicorn might want us.

At the student’s words, the unicorn shook its head firmly.

The Quidditch Club members were a little embarrassed, but they were tough Einrogard wizards. They didn’t give up.

It’s just because they haven’t known each other long.

That’s right! Maybe their minds will change once they get closer?

Anyone who doesn’t clear out will be turned into a grub and tossed into the Einrogard Desert!

As the tense standoff between the professor and the members continued, new students appeared from behind.

These were second-year students who had decided to join the club this year.

…Th-this is a little different from what I imagined?

The second-year students whispered to each other, their faces shocked by the scene unfolding before them.

The Quidditch Club they had envisioned was somewhat different.

Rare Imperial creatures secured in the club’s stables.

Club members united by sportsmanship and possessing excellent horsemanship.

Similarly, the exhilarating sweat shed after a fierce match with cultured rivals.

And the prize money.

???

What prize money?

…Don’t we get prize money?

Lee Han was slightly taken aback by his friends’ reactions.

He had clearly heard that the Einrogard Quidditch Club received prize money from matches against Quidditch Clubs in other regions, hadn’t he?

Ah, that? Wodanaz. What does that matter? It’s the honor that counts.

Right, right.

Are you all crazy or something?

However, Lee Han’s words didn’t sway his friends.

Students could get money for their studies from club activities. But his friends were only thinking about Quidditch. They loved it so much they didn’t think about the money part.

If it’s a Quidditch Club, shouldn’t they be securing animals like that anyway? Where else would they get mounts?

Quidditch might seem to be all about the rider’s horsemanship and combat skills, but in reality, the most important thing was preparing the mounts.

If you rode a small, weak pony and your enemy rode a very big, strong animal, you couldn’t win. It wouldn’t matter how good you were at riding.

A-at an auction house, or… raised on a farm…

If we had that much gold in Einrogard, we’d probably use it for research.

As they were talking, a familiar upperclassman came running over. It was Perse, a fourth-year from the Blue Dragon Tower.

Sorry to bother you all when you’ve come to tour the club! It’d be best to head back today. The professor is more stubborn than I thought.

What’s going on?

Professor Bendozol wants to keep the unicorn all for himself.

Perse sighed and shook his head.

Then, suddenly realizing something, he exclaimed.

Ah, you guys wouldn’t know Professor Bendozol. He wasn’t here last year, was he?

No. What kind of person is Professor Bendozol?

Professor Bendozol is… um… very fond of animals.

Unlike his friends, Lee Han, who had already met Professor Bendozol during the winter break, wore a troubled expression.

Of course, it was true that he was very fond of animals, but he wondered if that expression was really telling the truth.

If that were the case, the Skull Headmaster would also be ‘someone who cares a lot about the Empire.’

Isn’t he attacking the students over there?

Keep it down! That’s just a bit of a misunderstanding.

Perse didn’t know what to say when his younger students were exactly right. He got a little angry.

Although Professor Bendozol was one of the biggest obstacles to the Quidditch Club, he couldn’t openly criticize Professor Bendozol in front of his juniors just yet.

Don’t be like that, Perse. The underclassmen should know what they need to know.

Hormashi, a third-year student from the White Tiger Tower, stopped Perse.

Hormashi, a dark elf, was tall and had an agile air about him.

Even though he wore a coat, cloak, and long skirt, you could see he was quick and full of energy. He moved like he was ready to jump into action.

Hormashi, who had a riding crop hanging beside his long skirt, tapped his palm with it and looked at the underclassmen.

Welcome, underclassmen. Welcome to the Quidditch Club. I’m Hormashi.

Hello, senior!

When one of the White Tiger Tower students shouted, Hormashi nodded with a satisfied expression.

There are many students from the same tower. In fact, the two towers that join the Quidditch Club the most are the White Tiger Tower and the Blue Dragon Tower. What are your goals for joining the Quidditch Club?

Honorable victory…

…Friendship and competition…

Trophies…

As the underclassmen listed their reasons, Hormashi nodded again, making ‘uh-huh’ sounds.

Prize money…

Yes, you’ll each have similar yet different goals. Wait. Who just said prize money?

Hormashi, who had paused at the unusual answer, continued speaking. It wasn’t really important.

Do you know what you need to do to achieve your goals?

We need to go out and win the games!

Ah, good. Good. But there’s something you need to do before that. To go out to the games, you need to be recognized within the club, right? How do you get that recognition?

Do we need to go out and win practice matches?

“That’s good, but showing your ability is even better. Now, see Professor Bendozol and the unicorn over there? If any junior can bring me that unicorn without being noticed by the professor, I’ll give up my spot in the match and let them compete.”

“!!!”

“Hormashi!”

Perse glared at the White Tiger Tower junior, her face showing her anger.

“How long have these juniors been in the club to be given such a task!”

“Then let me ask you the opposite. Senior Perse, how much should we coddle the new juniors? They aren’t first-years; they’re second-years,” Hormashi replied, sounding uninterested.

Hormashi was a great attacker. He did not care about helping junior students. He wanted juniors who could become strong like him, defeat enemies, and bring back rare creatures for the club. He didn’t want anyone clueless.

The Dark Elf senior pointed her whip at Professor Bendozol.

“Did you hear that? I’m not forcing you. You can take the glory yourselves, or just stand there. It’s up to you.”

“It’s dangerous to go near Professor Bendozol in that state and try to take the unicorn!”

“Breathing itself is dangerous in Einroguard, Senior. If you worry about every little thing, you won’t be able to do anything. Juniors, think carefully. If you miss this opportunity today, you might not get to see a unicorn until you graduate.”

“…!”

The second-year students became determined after hearing those words. Life at Einroguard was all about taking big risks for big rewards.

“Let’s go!”

“I’ll be the chosen one!”

“Yes, yes! That’s how you should rush in! Go!” Hormashi laughed loudly and clapped.

But then, their eager rush faltered. They stopped suddenly, their feet skidding on the grass. A wave of fear replaced their excitement.

“What’s wrong?”

Hormashi was confused. Then the students shouted,

“The unicorn is coming this way!”

“…?!!”

Professor Bendozol shouted, pulling out one of the Quidditch club students who was using a spell to move quickly across the ground, like swimming through water, and sending him flying.

The professor turned around and shouted, “Don’t worry. I won’t let those vulgar and greedy beast-like things even get close to you!”

The unicorn, who had been watching the wizards fight as if bored, suddenly raised its head. Professor Bendozol was very happy at the unicorn’s reaction.

“Are you worried about me? There’s no need. Blocking those few is not difficult at a…”

Before he could finish, the unicorn moved. It kicked off the ground with its hooves, teleporting a few times with short jumps, and escaped the battlefield. Then, it ran toward the second-year students.

“The unicorn is coming this way! The unicorn is coming this way!”

“The unicorn chose me! The unicorn chose me!”

“Why would the unicorn choose you?”

“I suffered in Einroguard. The unicorn recognized my sacrifice and dedication!”

‘…Then shouldn’t the entire student body be chosen?’ The student quickly realized his friend’s words didn’t make sense. Even though everyone suffered, it didn’t seem like the unicorn would choose based on that.

Hormashi, who was behind them, looked serious and shouted coldly, “Everyone, step back!” A unicorn that started moving like that was very dangerous. It wouldn’t have chosen students who hadn’t done anything and run toward them unless it was hostile.

Perse felt it too and told the juniors to step back for now. “Something’s wrong. Everyone, get out of the way!”

“Are you trying to take our unicorn from us now?!”

Hormashi and Perse looked at the juniors as if they were pathetic. Juniors often don’t understand advice from seniors. It’s normal for them.

“Ah, fine. Do as you please! Try to catch it!”

“Hormashi, if you can’t stop them, at least…!”

“Would they listen if I tried to stop them?” Hormashi scoffed and took out his wand. Giving the juniors advice once was already a great favor. It was something he would never normally do. Now, Hormashi himself would stop the unicorn and gain recognition.

Pop!

The unicorn teleported again, leaving the wizards behind, and arrived in front of one of the second-year students. Then, it knocked the student over and pointed its horn at him.

“Unicorn, step bac…!”

“Calm down. Calm down.”

” ? ”

Perse, who was about to attack the unicorn, was surprised by the junior’s calm voice. It was a nonchalant voice that didn’t show any panic or fear.

Lee Han gently moved the unicorn away, as it was tugging at his sleeve, and said, “I know you’re happy to see me, but don’t knock me over. It hurts.”

The unicorn licked his hand as if it was sorry. The Quidditch club seniors who arrived late were shocked at the sight.

“C-Could it be… is that the unicorn you were raising?” He knew it was a ridiculous and stupid question, but he couldn’t help but ask after seeing what was happening.

“That’s not it. Last time…”

“Attack him!!” Professor Bendozol, who arrived last, pointed at Lee Han with bloodshot eyes.

The Quidditch club students were confused and asked, “Why should we attack him?”

“Shouldn’t we be praising him for taming a unicorn that even the professor couldn’t tame?”

“That guy stole the unicorn from me!”

“Ah…!” The seniors nodded as if they understood. Then, they ignored Professor Bendozol and spoke to Lee Han.

“Junior, how did you…”

“Hey! Don’t ignore me!”