Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

"Let's go! Time to show our abilities!" the alchemist declared with a determined expression.

Yi-Han was slightly taken aback and asked, "Hmm. I'd like to meet Yonaire from the Maykin family..."

"Ah. What a coincidence. The person evaluating us today is none other than Miss Yonaire from the Maykin family. Just follow me," the alchemist replied.

Yi-Han was delighted by the alchemist's words. He had felt bad about interrupting the Maykin family's busy work to call for Yonaire, but it seemed he could meet her just by going along like this.

Ratford tilted his head in confusion. "Mr. Wardanaz. I don't understand... Isn't Miss Maykin also a first-year student like us? I know she's excellent at alchemy, but can she evaluate newly created potions?"

"That's certainly true. Perhaps other members of her family will be beside her to offer advice?"

Noble families often attributed accomplishments to their young members to boost their reputation. It wouldn't be surprising if the Maykin family's alchemists provided advice while the evaluation was done under Yonaire's name.

"Indeed. Noble families are quite interesting."

"Right? Learning about these things will be useful later, Ratford."

"Thank you... Huh?"

Ratford was puzzled. Useful for what?

'Is he telling me to steal?'

"Basic ingredients on the left, additional ingredients in front, leave a note on the right if you need special ingredients, and let us know if you require any alchemical tools! If you cause a major accident inside, we can hold you responsible, so call a supervisor if you're unsure!" the Maykin family servant rapidly rattled off.

Desperation flickered across his face, eager to finish this task and move on to the next.

"Wait. Aren't you a nobleman? Why are you here?" The servant finally noticed Yi-Han and Ratford's attire and was flustered.

If they were from a noble family, there was no need to wait in line with the people outside the residence. Couldn't they send someone in the family's name, make an appointment, and meet separately?

The alchemist sternly interjected, "Even nobles must wait their turn if they're in need."

"What do you...? No, I understand. Please let me know if you need anything!" The servant decided to leave the guests alone rather than risk being rude by meddling in their affairs. Staying quiet was always the safest path.

"Well then. Shall we begin?" The alchemist grinned at Yi-Han.

Until now, they were companions with the same goal, but now they were practically rivals.

"When is the person from the Maykin family coming?"

"Probably after we finish making the potions, no?"

Yi-Han pondered for a moment. Things were getting complicated. Maybe he should go out now, grab a servant, explain there had been a misunderstanding, and clarify the situation.

'Hmm. I'd feel bad though.'

However, doing so could put the gatekeeper and the servant who guided them in an awkward position. Failing to properly receive a guest from another noble family was a significant mistake, and someone had to take responsibility to save face.

"Ratford. I think I should have revealed my identity at the main gate earlier."

"..."

Ratford stared at Yi-Han in disbelief.

No...!

"Was that really the right thing to do? No, something felt off! You're from the Wardanaz family..."

"That's what I'm saying. When everyone said to line up, I naturally got in line."

"If you had revealed it when we entered..."

"I missed the chance because that alchemist shouted first. Though even if I had revealed it then, it would have caused a commotion."

Yi-Han scratched his cheek and made a decision.

"Let's make the potion first and call Yonaire. Once we meet Yonaire, it'll be quietly resolved."

"Understood."

"Hehe. Finally made a decision, I see. What potion did you decide to make?"

"Lesser Vitality Recovery Potion."

"We'll make a Lesser Vitality Recovery Potion."

"?!"

Kaljunin, the alchemist, was startled by their words.

It was a precious opportunity to be evaluated by the Maykin family. Naturally, one should make an exceptional potion they personally developed at 120% perfection, and even that might not be enough.

"Are you sure about that?"

Ratford looked at Yi-Han as if asking how to respond.

However, for Yi-Han, who had been rigorously trained at Einroguard, this situation was as easy as breathing.

"Sometimes, the most basic thing can be the greatest."

"The most basic thing is the greatest?"

"If there's an alchemist who made one potion a thousand times and an alchemist who made a thousand potions once, which alchemist would be more outstanding?"

"...!"

Kaljunin was struck by Yi-Han's words as if lightning had passed through him. It certainly made sense.

'Is that so? Was I being too greedy for no reason?'

Kaljunin had been agonizing over showing more than his actual skills. However, upon reflection, that was excessive greed.

Surely the excellent alchemists of the Maykin family would see through such pretense.

"Indeed...!"

Kaljunin nodded deeply, having gained a profound realization. Rather than making a potion he wasn't confident in, it might be better to showcase the potion he was most skilled at making.

Ratford whispered with an impressed expression, "The story you just told was inspiring."

"Really? But I just threw it out there, so don't take it too seriously."

"..."

The three alchemists began busily moving and making potions. With lively sounds, they chopped ingredients, ground them in a mortar, boiled water in a pot, and chanted spells while waving their staffs...

"The color seems a bit murky? Let it boil for about 1 more minute."

"Understood."

After responding, Ratford suddenly felt something strange and asked, "But this isn't a test, right?"

"If we're going to do it, might as well do it well. It's not like studying only benefits others, right?"

"T-That's true."

Feeling the calm madness of the top student, Ratford shuddered. He thought one had to enjoy studying like that to become the top student.

Yoanen Maykin carefully wiped her crystal glasses before putting them back on. She then asked the servant, "Currently in the west building?"

"Yes. Three people."

"How did they seem?"

"I dare not presume to evaluate them. Ah. Two of them appeared to be of noble birth."

"Huh?"

Yoanen brushed back her red hair with her hand and asked again, "From which family?"

"They seemed to be of noble birth..."

"Then why are they waiting in the west building?"

"...I don't know either."

When the servant looked flustered, Yoanen didn't inquire further. If they simply waited despite being told, what could the servant say?

"Perhaps they wanted to be evaluated based on their skills rather than their family name?"

"Ah! That could be it."

"Good attitude. Let's go."

"Are you sure? I think you should get some more sleep..."

"One hour of sleep per day is enough for a person."

"..."

The servant followed Yoanen with a doubtful feeling. Opening the door to the west building, Yoanen headed to the guest workshop.

As she entered, the alchemists inside tried to stand up to greet her. Yoanen gestured that it was fine and went straight to check the potions.

"Why did you make this olivine potion instead of bringing a new potion? It shouldn't be that difficult."

Kaljunin answered with a tense face, "I originally intended to submit a potion of my own creation. However, I realized that rather than forcibly showing you a potion I can't make perfectly, it would be better to show you the potion I can make the best."

"Indeed. I like that there's no unnecessary pretense. You made a good decision."

"Thank you!"

"Next is..."

Looking at the next potion, Yoanen was slightly dumbfounded.

"No matter how well you can make it, isn't this potion a bit too easy?"

"That's..."

Before Yi-Han could speak, Yoanen opened the glass bottle and examined the potion. Then she was surprised.

'This is?'

The <Lesser Vitality Recovery Potion> was a famous potion with dozens of recipes. Even those who hadn't learned alchemy tried to make it based on rumors and knowledge they had heard.

However, just because there were many recipes didn't mean the quality was the same. The quality varied as much as the diversity.

And this <Lesser Vitality Recovery Potion> was truly outstanding. A well-refined recipe combined with the skill of an excellent alchemist, and...

'How much mana was injected?'

Alchemy didn't end with simply adding the ingredients accurately. The higher the difficulty of the recipe, the more the mage's mana was included.

An excellent alchemist had to be an excellent mage.

But this potion had several times stronger mana than other potions. It was clear that the mage had injected mana to the limit without disturbing the potion's balance.

Mana control ability bordering on art.

"There's no need to even consider this. Pass. What do you want?"

Yoanen took her eyes off the potion and turned her head. Then she noticed two young students looking at her with a slightly perplexed gaze.

"Excuse me, could you please call Yonaire?"

"...??!"

When someone who looked more like Yonaire's older sister than Yonaire herself entered, Yi-Han asked Kaljunin, "Didn't you say Yonaire from the Maykin family would evaluate?"

"Ah... I'm sorry. I must have been nervous and mistaken. It was Lady Yoanen."

"..."

If it were Einroguard, he would have immediately thrown a punch, but unfortunately, this was outside the academy.

Yi-Han endured and waited for Yoanen's potion evaluation.

"...There's no need to even consider this. Pass. What do you want?"

"Excuse me, could you please call Yonaire?"

Yoanen was startled, then belatedly came to her senses.

"Are you perhaps Yonaire's friend? An Einroguard student?"

"Yes."

"You're of noble birth... right?"

"That's correct."

"But you still wanted to receive a proper evaluation?"

Yoanen looked at Yi-Han with very admiring eyes.

Yi-Han firmly replied, "No."

"No?"

Yi-Han briefly explained what had happened since the residence's main gate.

Yoanen responded with an apologetic expression, "I'm really sorry. No matter how busy the work at the residence is, to treat my sister's friend so neglectfully."

"No. It was my mistake."

"Thank you for being considerate of the servants. They're all cherished people."

Yoanen was deeply impressed by Yi-Han's consideration. It was rare for someone from a noble family to show such consideration for servants of another family.

"Which family are you from?"

"Ah. It seems to be an especially busy day today."

Yi-Han subtly changed the subject. When he mentioned the Wardanaz family name, people's reactions were usually divided into two.

One was respect as the empire's top magic family. The other was fear as the empire's crazy magic family.

He didn't want to take a 50/50 chance before even meeting Yonaire.

"Today? No. Today has relatively few guests."

"Pardon? The people in front of the residence..."

"When there are many guests, you might have to wait about a day to enter."

Yi-Han was amazed. The Maykin family was undoubtedly wealthier than he had thought.

"It's a family rule. Since we don't know what kind of talent a visitor might be, we must treat them with our best. In fact, such outstanding people have come, right?"

"No, not at all."

Seeing Yi-Han's humble demeanor, Yoanen was even more satisfied. It seemed her sister had made a good friend.

She had been worried that her sister might not be able to make good friends while taking care of that stupid royal relative.

"By the way. So which family are you from? I didn't get an answer."

"...I'm from the Wardanaz family."

"Where?"

"The Wardanaz family."

"..."