Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 813

Dirette leaned closer, his black wings twitching nervously. “Hey, junior. Are you sure about this?” he asked cautiously. The memory of Lee Han being snatched away by that ancient being, almost killed, still made him uneasy.

If Dirette had been stronger, he would have loved to shove a cursed dagger right into the back of that mad doppelganger. But what could you do when you were weak? Sometimes, you just had to bow your head.

Provoking someone who seemed as powerful and dangerous as a storm just wasn’t smart.

“No. That guy keeps talking nonsense,” Lee Han replied, sounding rather cross.

He had already reluctantly agreed to put on a forbidden ancient magic show in front of the Kalarogard students under pressure, but there was no end to it.

Even the cursed swords from old tales that brought ruin to their owners wouldn’t try to mess with someone so blatantly.

“If we leave him alone, he’ll tell me to attack the headmaster later, you know?”

“Well, that’s true, but if you turn it off randomly…”

“Hmph. I just won’t go outside.”

With the mad doppelganger out of sight, Lee Han became quite brave.

His anger at the constant attempts to ruin his relationships was stronger than his fear!

Filthy thing.

No sooner had he spoken than the projection reappeared.

Instead of expressing anger or blame for randomly turning off the Echo Stone, the mad doppelganger stared at Lee Han with emotionless eyes.

Lee Han quickly looked away and began searching for the Echo Stone again.

‘There must be a part that allows you to turn it back on remotely. I have to turn that off too.’

I won’t let this royal admit he was wrong.

Lee Han and Dirette were startled. Lee Han especially.

‘No. Does he have the ability to realize his mistakes?’

If so, he might truly be a superior version of the Skeleton Headmaster.

Could this doppelganger be the main body…?

“Are you talking about the orders to attack my senior or professors?”

What?

The mad doppelganger didn’t understand what Lee Han was talking about.

“…Then what mistake are you talking about?”

He’s handling the Echo Stone better than expected. He must be blocking access right now.

‘Gasp.’

Lee Han realized he had been discovered and quickly stopped the magic power that was stretching out like searching fingers.

To think he could sense Lee Han’s magic power searching for the Echo Stone from such a distance.

He realized what Lee Han was doing just from the very subtle changes to his projection.

Originally, it was a rude thing to do that deserved to have his neck cut off several times like a magical criminal, but the mad doppelganger kindly told him off, perhaps appreciating his disciple’s tricks.

Now. Leave the stone alone.

“No.”

“Hey, junior…!” Dirette tried to stop Lee Han, looking pale. Lee Han pushed his senior aside and said shortly.

“You keep coming out on your own and trying to kill me.”

The royal tried to kill you? Filthy thing. Where did you get such lies…

“What are you going to do if you keep saying things like ‘defeat my senior or professors’ for everyone to hear! Do you know how strong and evil my senior is as a black magician? My professors are even stronger and more evil!”

Dirette felt slightly hurt, even though he knew it was a lie.

So, come up with a way to defeat them using wisdom…

“Why do you have to say all that for everyone to hear!”

That black magician is weak and not cruel enough anyway…

“No. That’s just based on Master’s standards; that person is also very evil and cruel!”

The two’s argument, which had suddenly started, continued fiercely.

Dirette looked confused. Evil things were being added to a list of things he hadn’t even done! Surprisingly, Lee Han was starting to win the argument.

From the moment he cut off contact and held out, it was the other party who was at a disadvantage.

“What we clearly agreed on at the beginning was that you would teach me remotely, not interfere randomly like this.”

It was you, filthy thing, who sought wisdom first even when it wasn’t time…

“If you’re going to be like this, I’ll just contact you after the semester ends!”

The mad doppelganger glared at Lee Han with all the emotions that a teacher always feels at least once when teaching a disciple, such as shock, anger, annoyance, and dislike in his eyes.

How dare he!

Intarendal stepped in from the side to offer advice.

-Master. Disciples are all not thankful and without shame. Even if a teacher teaches them wholeheartedly, they forget the grace and act disrespectfully.

Lee Han and Dirette cursed Intarendal in their minds at the same time.

What is that old man saying?

It’s unbearably offensive..! No matter how ungrateful they are, how can he say such things…

-Don’t think of the other person as the same kind of being as Master! You must think of them as an immature, young beast. That’s what disciples are like.

The mad doppelganger spat out a few more serious, ancient curses at Intarendal’s words.

Intarendal quickly realized his master’s disappointment and brought the magic criminal. The magic criminal’s screams were heard along with curses.

“Wh, what was that just now?”

“Well? I didn’t hear anything.”

The mad doppelganger barely suppressed his anger and said.

Very well. I shall forgive you. You may use the Echo Stone as you please.

“Thank you!”

The wrongdoing of randomly rejecting the master’s manifestation, you will surely regret it.

Lee Han, who had obtained what he wanted through playing a risky game, transformed back into a respectful disciple.

“What do you mean? I always engrave Master’s teachings deep in my heart. It’s just that I’m struggling with even one 5th circle spell right now, so I’m trying to choose and focus.”

“What?” Dirette asked with a shocked voice.

What kind of assignment did this junior receive while I wasn’t looking?

…Do as you please. Filthy thing. You must pass on the kindness you received today to your descendants.

“Yes. Yes, I will.”

The mad doppelganger finally allowed his disciple to handle the Echo Stone and declared that he would not appear and issue additional orders.

It was a kindness so great that even the doppelganger himself was surprised. Intarendal shed tears of emotion.

-Such kindness has never been seen before and will never be seen again. Which disciple would enjoy such grace!

Stop flattering me, Intarendal.

-It’s not flattery!

‘Can’t they just disappear together?’ Lee Han thought inwardly at the sight of the two getting along so well.

-Then I shall send the disciple away now, Master.

Understood.

“Oh!”

“Master! Please wait a moment!”

“?”

The conversation, which felt like walking on a knife’s edge, had barely ended, but Dirette was flustered at the sight of Lee Han suddenly calling the mad doppelganger again.

Why?

What is it?

“Could you explain the Black Emperor’s Crown one more time? This disciple is foolish…”

You foolish fool.

The mad doppelganger looked at Lee Han with a sad look but began explaining again.

Dirette made a decision in his mind as he listened to the explanation.

‘…I should never ask him about magic in front of him again.’

To not forget the magic Dirette had asked about in this situation and ask again was truly an act of mad consideration.

Yucbertire looked around, searching for Dirette.

He wasn’t in the usual lecture room, nor in the 7th floor Bone Wraith Workshop, so the only place left was the Black Magic Hall.

Sure enough, as he entered the magic tower of the Black Magic School, he saw familiar black wings. Next to him was a talented student, Wodanaz.

“So… it’s like this… Even when I draw the magic circle perfectly, it’s hard to make the magic work…”

“I can… add… magic power in this way…”

“Don’t talk nonsense… There are many crazy wizards… If they hear you… it’ll be a big problem…”

“Who is the crazy wizard?”

“Aargh!” Dirette closed the book he was using to record information about the Black Emperor’s Crown magic and screamed.

He had been so focused on the forbidden ancient magic that he hadn’t even noticed Yucbertire had arrived.

“Wh, when did you get here?”

“I said I was going to visit earlier.”

“…You didn’t.”

“Dirette. It seems your hearing isn’t good or your memory has gotten worse. Perhaps it’s the influence of the curse….”

“Hey. What you said was, ‘Help me with my research, I’ll come find you soon.’ I clearly said, ‘Don’t come.’”

“?” Yucbertire tilted his head as if he didn’t understand, and Dirette was about to swear but stopped himself.

There was no point in swearing, and more than anything…

“Senior. You have to tell him you were framed, right?”

“Hmm.” Dirette thought for a moment at Lee Han’s whispering words from the side.

Someone had to take the blame for using evil ancient magic on an outsider.

Should he reveal that it was his junior who did it for the sake of justice and truth?

Or should he shamelessly and despicably sell out Dirette’s old friend?

Dirette made a decision.

“Let’s just say he did it…”

“?!” Lee Han was shocked.

He had naturally expected him to clear his name.

“But I thought you hated being falsely accused?”

“So what? A wizard can’t just do what he likes. He has to do some things he hates too.” Dirette said shortly, and Lee Han couldn’t argue and was overwhelmed by his force.

“…Instead, I’ll help with the research a bit. That’s enough.”

“…I will help too.”

“Hey. That’s a bit much.”

“No. I have a conscience too.”

“Junior. You’re too…” Dirette looked at Lee Han with pity, unaware that he had spread false rumors in the Watchers Club.

Where else in Einrogard would there be someone so easily persuaded?

And Dirette himself didn’t know it, but Lee Han was thinking similarly about Dirette.

‘He becomes much more easily persuaded than usual when he’s dealing with Senior Yucbertire.’

“The two of us will help with the research!”

“!” Yucbertire raised his eyebrows in surprise. Dirette chuckled and said.

“Surprised, aren’t you?”

“Yes. It seems you’ve both finally decided to act sensibly.”

The two from the Black Magic School suppressed their hatred and maintained their smiles.

“So, what do we need to help with?”

“As you know, there are several people in the school right now who are scattering gold coins without a second thought. I plan to persuade them to sponsor us.”

“Who are the people scattering them?”

“First, Lagertha, Torgehrd’s daughter. She’s the admiral of the privateer fleet. She invested in Professor Verdus, so she’ll invest in me too.”

Lee Han looked complex.

Lagertha was an eccentric pirate, but it hurt his heart a little to see her treat every Einrogard student she met like someone easily bossed around.

“Next is Duke Icardoren.”

“Duke Icardoren? Why him?”

“I checked and he was in the school. We have to take him before others do.”

‘Anyone would think he’s an item.’ It was truly an unpleasant conversation from the Duke’s perspective.

Aren’t they talking as if they’re picking up an item rolling around on the street!

“First, we persuade Lagertha. I’ve already prepared all the magic to show her. I just need to refine it a bit. Dirette, you check the making it better. Wodanaz, the other student, you add the magic power.”

“Yes! I understand!” Normally, the two Black Magic School students would have grumbled together.

But Lee Han and Dirette, who had something pricking their consciences, readily agreed. They decided to just help this time.

Yucbertire, unaware of their secret reasons, revealed satisfaction on his cold face.

“It seems you’ve really realized it. You both thought well. There’s no reason for either of you not to participate in this magic. It’s much more valuable than researching on your own.”

Lee Han glanced at Dirette clenching his fist tightly and whispered urgently.

“Senior. You have to hold back.”

“Kroooooh… That guy is really…”

“Senior, he’s probably just saying that because he’s in a good mood.”

“I think he just seems to be in a bad mood…”