Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

Eunrad couldn't refute the words of the White Tiger Tower student. As a senior from the Blue Dragon Tower, this was indeed something to be ashamed of.

"...They're probably doing it together, divided among themselves," Eunrad said, trying to cover for his juniors as a senior.

The White Tiger Tower student nodded as if he had expected this. "Right? As long as they're human, there's no way they wouldn't help. It's probably a bit exaggerated. They'll divide the work. Or maybe Wardanaz gets some special treatment. In our White Tiger Tower, we give special treatment to friends who bring in ingredients."

"..."

How embarrassing, really!

Eunrad changed the subject. "Since you're from the White Tiger Tower, you must be taking swordsmanship classes?"

"Yes, I am."

"Are there any students who stand out? Or any who want to assassinate someone?"

While it was natural for Einroguard students to want to assassinate the skull principal, if someone wanted to assassinate someone else, it would be a serious problem. An outstanding swordsman was a powerful assassin in their own right, and if they also learned magic, they could bring a bloody storm to an entire city.

"I'm not sure about students who want to assassinate someone. As for those who stand out... Moradi and Dolgyu are excellent, but still, it's Wardanaz."

"...???"

Eunrad couldn't believe his ears. There are two students from the Wardanaz family?

"Are you talking about the Wardanaz student you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes."

"He's taking swordsmanship too?"

"So what?"

Unable to hold back, Eunrad asked in a growl, "...Doesn't that seem strange?"

The White Tiger Tower student in front of him was saying something absurd while being so nonchalant about it.

"W-well, now that you mention it..."

Only then did the White Tiger Tower student seem to sense something odd.

"Why the hell is that Wardanaz bastard taking swordsmanship too? It can't be because of his grades."

"I apologize. It wasn't something to ask a student about."

"No, you're right. Hearing it now, it does seem a bit strange."

The White Tiger Tower student nodded and said, "Could it be that Wardanaz has some evil plan?"

"What kind of plan?"

"Like learning all magic and even swordsmanship to defeat the principal and take over the school..."

'That's not a particularly evil plan,' Eunrad thought, but the White Tiger Tower student seemed to find his own words quite plausible and continued passionately.

"He's getting support from the professors and even bastards from other towers, isn't he?"

"Well, of course, if he brings in food like that, he'll get support from other towers too. Even when I was in school, friends who were good at getting food were popular. And professors naturally like hardworking students."

"Oh... Now that you mention it, that's true too."

"And no matter how hard you study, it's impossible to defeat the principal."

"Wouldn't someone like Wardanaz be able to do it? Of course, I'm not saying he'll do it right now, but in a few years."

"..."

Usually, no matter how outstanding a friend was, people didn't say things like 'Wouldn't he be able to beat the skull principal in a few years?'

Eunrad became newly curious about this boy from the Wardanaz family. Just how did he behave and act...

"Are you okay?" his friends asked, and Yi-Han nodded.

It was only natural for his other friends to worry. While everyone else was resting, Yi-Han had almost single-handedly dealt with the phoenix.

The phoenix, exhausted and drained from playing excitedly, left a pattern on the back of Yi-Han's hand and returned to its realm, satisfied.

Although a powerful force could be felt from the phoenix's pattern, left on top of the patterns left by other spirits...

"Let's ask the professor and find a way to remove it."

"Yeah. What if that crazy bird bastard gets summoned again?"

"If it gets summoned this time, it might burn down your room, Wardanaz!"

The Blue Dragon Tower students had become very cold and resolute. The phoenix's rampage had frozen the students' hearts.

From now on, students would be suspicious of any festivals that seemed even slightly dangerous.

"No... it's fine. It's okay even if it's not removed."

"No way, Wardanaz! The phoenix might appear in your dreams and kill you!"

"That's right. That bird bastard won't even remember gratitude!"

Unlike his friends' intense reactions, Yi-Han didn't feel any particular danger from the phoenix's pattern.

Since the other professors didn't say much, Sharakan didn't say much, and Yi-Han himself didn't feel any ominous energy, this was closer to a spirit's pattern.

He hadn't confirmed what effect it had yet, but at the very least, it wouldn't be a loss.

"Wardanaz. It's your turn. Come in."

"I'll be right there."

The Black Tortoise Tower student who had gone in before him came out and called Yi-Han.

Yi-Han, who got up from his seat, felt puzzled. 'What is it?'

The Black Tortoise Tower student was staring intently at Yi-Han.

"Do you have something to say to me?"

"...Wardanaz. Could it be that you really... No, forget it. I shouldn't have said anything. There's no way that could be true."

"??"

Eunrad unconsciously steadied his breathing. He had never thought that he, who had graduated from Einroguard and gained some experience as an imperial bureaucrat, would be this nervous when dealing with a mere first-year student.

But it couldn't be helped. Although Einroguard gathered the empire's geniuses, even among those geniuses, there were bound to be a few who stood out.

And such geniuses were monsters that were hard to fathom with the eyes of those beneath them.

Eunrad had also seen such a genius before. 'He was two years above me, but he was truly a monstrous person.'

Having seen such a genius, Eunrad's nervousness intensified. What kind of student would he be?

"Hello."

Yi-Han politely bowed his head as he entered the room.

Yi-Han basically liked people from the imperial bureaucracy. To be precise, he wanted to make a good impression in advance so that he could easily enter it later.

Although outstanding mages were called upon anywhere, it required extraordinary effort to sit in a comfortable, stable, and good position.

'I must never let my guard down.'

Yi-Han vowed not to make a single mistake. Although his body was tired from the phoenix, his mind was very clear with a strong sense of tension.

He must receive a good evaluation no matter what!

"Please have a seat."

Eunrad said, hiding his surprise. He had expected a very arrogant mage, not only from the Wardanaz family but also with the talents and achievements he possessed.

Specifically, a young version of the skull principal!

There were few mages in the empire who could match the skull principal's magic skills, but there were surprisingly many who could match his nasty personality.

It was a common belief among imperial bureaucrats that the more outstanding a mage's skills were, the more inversely proportional their personality was.

However, Yi-Han was very polite. Eunrad asked Yi-Han, who was seated, "What should I ask first... I heard that you are currently studying all possible schools of magic."

"Yes, that's correct."

"May I ask why?"

Yi-Han didn't answer, 'Because the professors are crazy.' With a gentle smile on his lips, he gave an exemplary answer.

"I have always enjoyed studying magic. As I became curious about various types of magic, the professors recommended that I learn them. Fortunately, there were outstanding educators like Professor Garcia, so I could take them as my role models."

'Wasn't it possible for Professor Garcia because she had troll blood?'

Eunrad thought so inwardly, but he decided not to go against the genius's temper for no reason. After all, it wouldn't be strange to compare the blood of the Wardanaz family with the blood of trolls.

"Were there any inconveniences while taking the classes?"

'A typical trap question.'

Yi-Han wasn't fooled. The imperial bureaucrat in front of him might be making some evil deal with the skull principal behind the scenes, so it would only be a loss for Yi-Han to speak naively.

Moreover, a disciple who badmouthed his professor could be seen as having some character issues.

"Not at all. The professors are all passionately dedicated to teaching. It's a luxury for a student like me."

'Oh my god!'

Eunrad felt chills all over his body as if cold water had been poured on him. He didn't think he was this surprised even when he first saw the skull principal, or when his friend accidentally submerged the magic academy, or when his senior's heart stopped while doing club activities.

Just what kind of soul was he born with to be able to react like that while receiving the harsh teachings of this magic academy??

'This student... is not human!'

Eunrad was amazed. Just as scorching hot lava felt like mere pond water to a phoenix, the teachings of the magic academy seemed to feel like enjoyment to this boy from the Wardanaz family.

"Amazing... I'm truly in awe."

"Is that so? I'm just embarrassed."

Yi-Han inwardly let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he had broken through the trap question and left a good impression on the other person.

"Then I will ask you about a few things that happened this semester."

"Yes."

Eunrad began to ask one by one about the stories he had heard from other students. Since they were seen from the perspective of other students, there could be some exaggeration.

...No, there had to be exaggeration.

"You encountered a mud golem in the mountain range?"

"Yes."

"And I heard you defeated it."

"That's right. I was lucky."

"...I see..."

Eunrad took notes with a quill pen.

Einroguard Mud Golem Subjugation (Confirmed three times. Certain.)

"And when the principal attacked, I heard you defended without a single person being taken away?"

"It was thanks to my friends' cooperation."

"But it's true that you commanded them, right?"

"Yes. As I said, my friends cooperated."

Eunrad's quill pen gradually became busy. The questions continued.

Eunrad asked about the vine monster, the spirit bull, the rock drake, and the incidents with the White Wood Knight Order.

Yi-Han answered as carefully as possible so as not to appear reckless.

"I had no choice at that time."

"For the sake of my friends..."

"The phoenix burned the assignment."

Eunrad nodded. He was already so surprised that he couldn't react anymore.

"Ah, I heard there was a fight with the invaders."

"It was thanks to Professor Garcia's help."

"...What do you mean? I was talking about the adventurers who infiltrated the school."

Eunrad paused.

'Oops, I made a mistake.'

Yi-Han realized that he had made a mistake. Now that it had come to this, if he didn't explain properly, Yi-Han would become a delusional person.

"Actually, the anti-magic extremists..."

"..."

Eunrad's quill pen became insanely fast. When the story of the anti-magic extremists' attack ended, Eunrad looked at the ceiling for a moment.

And he became lost in thought. 'People won't doubt this report, will they?'

Of course, Eunrad knew well that there was no way it would be trusted.

The trust Eunrad was receiving was solid, and the imperial bureaucrats were used to geniuses coming out of Einroguard.

But this was really a bit... No matter what, this was really a bit...

It was such a dazzling achievement that His Majesty the Emperor might call for him separately.

"Excuse me. Sir Eunrad?"

"Ah, please speak."

"I have always respected the imperial bureaucrats who work day and night."

"Is that so? Thank you! It's an honor."

Worried about what kind of shock his report would give to the imperial bureaucrats, Eunrad failed to notice the disappointed expression on the boy's face in front of him.