Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

The highly regarded enchantment magic came with several conditions.

For instance, neatness.

Neatness was precisely about activating the intended effect cleanly and accurately, without any delay in casting speed or occurrence of unintended effects when tearing a scroll.

An enchanter had to incorporate the structure of the spell without unnecessary embellishments to achieve such neatness.

Another example was beauty.

It might seem odd to consider beauty in magic, but it was surprisingly important.

A small, light ring was preferable to a large, black lump of iron, even if both were artifacts.

Naturally, embedding magic into a small, light ring required a process several times more delicate and complex than doing so in a large, black lump of iron.

Those enchanters who didn't shy away from these intricate processes were the ones pursuing beauty in enchantment magic.

Among these conditions was also the aspect of output.

Output was a crucial element in enchantment magic.

If one scroll with the same magic yielded an effect of 80 and another 100, there was no reason to use the former.

Enchanters, therefore, strove to achieve the maximum output possible in any given situation.

However, like the other conditions, this too was not something that could be achieved merely through effort.

Some enchanters instinctively knew how to encapsulate strong output, while others, despite their efforts, could never go beyond a certain level.

And now, in front of Professor Beavle, stood a boy who, while his other talents were unknown, was exceptional in terms of output.

"Amazing!"

"Is that so?"

Yi-Han thought he had failed. The light had flashed more intensely than he had anticipated.

"No, it's really amazing!"

"Did I make it that well?"

"Not exactly well-made. Frankly, the craftsmanship is rather poor."

Professor Beavle was firm in his assessment.

A proficient enchanter would have completed a light magic firework without trial and error, and would have decorated the bursting light in more vibrant colors or different shapes.

Of course, Yi-Han was only a first-year student and Professor Beavle hadn't properly taught him, not to mention his innate mana made him particularly disadvantaged in certain aspects of enchantment magic...

But such facts had long vanished from the professor's mind.

"Is that so?"

"However, considering those shortcomings, you have a definite strength! Your output is very good."

Professor Beavle excitedly rambled on about his own theories.

When creating artifacts, aspects like aesthetics, neatness, delicacy, complexity, and such were important, among which output was also a crucial element...

'Let's think happy thoughts.'

Yi-Han focused his sleepy mind on happy thoughts.

With that, even as Professor Beavle went on and on with his monologue, Yi-Han managed to smile and endure.

Professor Beavle was someone who could talk for hours about the topics he loved.

And Yi-Han was someone who could listen for hours to the professor's personal narratives.

As the two met, their conversation flowed ceaselessly.

"...And that's why enchantment magic is interesting. Isn't it fun?"

"Yes, it was really interesting."

"Very good! I didn't expect Gonadaltes to give such a gift!"

Professor Beavle was delighted by the impressive response of the new student.

Enchantment magic was indeed a fascinating world, but unfortunately, most students were unaware of its charm.

However, the student before him, though lacking in talent, seemed to understand its fun.

Yi-Han listened intently, surprising even himself with his focus.

That alone was enough.

"If it's fun, that's all that matters. Who cares if you're a bit lacking in talent? The fun is what remains."

‘Hmm, should I skip enchantment magic?’

While pondering Professor Beavle's words, Yi-Han contemplated whether to pursue enchantment magic. Though it intrigued him, if it wasn't a good fit, forcing it might be risky.

As Professor Garcia had warned, trying to learn too many spells at once could complicate life.

Listening to the professor, Yi-Han realized that enchantment magic might not be his forte. The only plus side seemed to be the professor's charm, calling for a pragmatic decision.

"Then, Professor, I'd like to make fun fireworks."

Yi-Han spoke politely, having made his decision. It seemed he could now quickly complete the task at hand and escape the grip of the skull principal.

'The skull principal probably doesn't care about the artistic value of magic fireworks, so I should just quickly apply the minimum magic necessary.'

"Right. Eager to start, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Let's begin!"

"I'll start with light magic fireworks."

Yi-Han first created a magic firework, a spell he had already learned and practiced.

This new light magic firework was created with fewer trial and errors than before.

However, Professor Beavle shook his head.

"No, no."

"Was there a mistake in the casting, Professor?"

Yi-Han examined the magic firework, but couldn't discern any errors.

Was there a mistake that Yi-Han couldn't perceive but the professor could?

"It's too plain."

"Professor, I actually prefer plain fireworks."

"No, that's no fun. You're just not aware of other methods yet. If you try a different approach, it will surely be more enjoyable."

Professor Beavle, fond of enchantment magic, eagerly pulled Yi-Han along, eager to have his student experience more fun.

After all, enjoyment was more important than talent.

And the student had the advantage of powerful output.

If that was utilized, enchantment magic could become even more enjoyable.

'I have a bad feeling about this.'

Yi-Han was beginning to sense something ominous.

"Now, it's not just about setting off light magic. You have to change the form of the light and maintain it. See this engraved enchantment pattern? Do you feel something?"

"A spell based on light magic... to change and maintain a form... Is it an animal?"

Only a mage with a sharp intuition could feel the flow of mana in the enchantment pattern on the paper and guess the nature of the spell.

However, Professor Beavle, preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn't notice such details.

"Yes, that's right! A cute and simple animal. Wouldn't it be more fun if that appeared?"

"Yes, I suppose so."

Yi-Han resented his own words, which went against his instincts. But what could he do?

The other person was a professor, after all...

'Well, if it's a cute and simple animal, it shouldn't be too difficult. That's a relief.'

Yi-Han thought of a simple monster like a slime, which would be easier to maintain in light...

"What animal, Professor?"

"A dragon."

"...A dragon."

"A dragon. It's cute and simple."

Professor Beavle, as if about to demonstrate, brandished his staff elaborately while casting a spell.

The complexly intertwined flow of mana alone suggested how intricate and delicate the structure of this spell was.

Yi-Han had thought he'd tried everything in elemental control while fighting for his life against Professor Boladi, but watching Professor Beavle work, he realized that was far from the truth. The world of magic was indeed boundlessly vast.

'...The problem is that vast world is being thrust upon me.'

Could Yi-Han, at his level, really manage to create the light magic in the form of a dragon?

Surprisingly, he could.

"You did well! You did well! It was fun, wasn't it?" Professor Beavle exclaimed cheerfully. Yi-Han felt an urge to punch the professor's beaming face.

Professor Beavle neither got angry nor scolded, nor did he pressurize Yi-Han. He just murmured things like 'Did you fail? Why so? Oh dear, it's not that hard...' every time Yi-Han failed.

It didn't take long for Yi-Han to realize that any form of negotiation or bargaining was impossible with Professor Beavle.

"Come on, pull it! Pull it!"

Exhausted, Yi-Han could hardly respond properly. He followed the professor's instruction and pulled the completed firework.

Bang!

A dragon made of light particles revealed itself magnificently above the workshop. Though crude and rough, it was unmistakably a dragon.

As soon as Yi-Han pulled the magic firework, Professor Beavle pulled out a pocket watch and timed it.

"What are you timing, Professor?"

"The duration."

"How long does it usually last?"

"Normally, it would disappear as soon as it bursts."

"...Oh."

Yi-Han felt a slight sense of pride at that. He hadn't felt particularly skilled in enchantment magic, but at least the duration was impressive.

Still, enchantment magic was tougher than he'd anticipated. Or more precisely, Professor Beavle was...

'I need to finish this firework quickly and escape.'

“I have arrived.”

The skull principal was back.

He blinked at the scene inside the workshop.

A dragon made of light floating in the air.

Why was Professor Beavle teaching needless artistry when he was supposed to make magic fireworks?

'Have I given too much time?'

“How quickly did he make the fireworks? And why was that floating there?”

"I didn't do it."

“What?”

"I didn't do it. This kid did."

“...”

The skull principal was at a loss for words, a rare occurrence for the experienced lich that he was.

He didn't even know where to begin pointing out the issues.

He had asked for magic fireworks to be made, yet here was this insanely difficult illusion-making magic being taught, and the student learning it actually managed to pull it off...

“Weren't you supposed to make magic fireworks!”

"This was made from magic fireworks."

“Wait! Why isn't that disappearing?”

The skull principal belatedly realized that the light-formed dragon wasn't vanishing.

There could only be one reason: the peculiar constitution of the boy from the Wardanaz family.

“Alright. It was foolish of me to leave the two alone.”

"As usual with you, isn't it? It's alright."

“So, are all the magic fireworks done?”

"Uh..."

Professor Beavle hesitated.

He had spent all the time perfecting just one magic firework.

The skull principal didn't need any words from Professor Beavle to understand the situation.

“...And you call yourself a professor?!”

"Sorry. Next time, I'll make sure to create them."

“What next time! Every time it's like this... You do this on purpose, don't you!”

As sparks flew towards him, Yi-Han felt immensely wronged.

He was stuck in a cycle of endlessly repeating enchantment magic during the festival period, all because of someone else...!

"Principal, think about it. Why would I bother making a regular magic firework instead of challenging myself with such a difficult masterpiece of a magic firework?"

“That is certainly a valid point.”

"Why not? It's so fun, of course, you'd want to challenge yourself, wouldn't you?"

Yi-Han and the skull principal simultaneously pretended not to hear Professor Beavle's comment.

The skull principal clicked his tongue in displeasure.

“Alright. Can't be helped, you may leave for today.”

"Gonadaltes! You have to send this student back! He likes enchantment magic!"

“You should reflect on your actions! When will you ever remember my words!”

Watching the skull principal lead him out of the tower, Yi-Han felt, for the first time, the principal's reliability.

"Thank you."

“Yes. But I'll send you back tomorrow.”

"..."