Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

"But can't we at least stop by once..."

Ignoring Gainando's muttering beside her, Professor Garcia turned her gaze towards Yi-Han.

"If you all plan to explore the marketplace, let me treat you."

"Is that really okay?"

Yi-Han looked at Professor Garcia, puzzled.

Judging from the atmosphere at Einroguard, it was not common for a professor to treat their students.

Is this really allowed?

"I usually don't do that. But there are exceptions sometimes. This time, I'll treat you."

At Professor Garcia's wink, Nillia spoke as if she understood.

"So it's because he's an exceptional student that he's an exception?"

"No. It's because he's a rather unfortunate student that he's an exception."

"..."

Yi-Han became gloomy and followed behind Professor Garcia. Nillia patted Yi-Han's shoulder, feeling a bit guilty.

Even in the bustling streets of Granden City, mixed with countless races, Professor Garcia stood out.

Of course, the people of the large city of Granden did not flee in a bumpkin-like manner or shout "A troll! A troll has appeared in the city!" upon seeing Professor Garcia.

Instead, they nodded their heads calmly.

"Hmm. A walking troll."

"Probably a mage who underwent a troll transformation experiment."

"Hey, you're not getting scared, are you? Your legs seem to be trembling."

"What are you talking about? Why are you the one avoiding eye contact?"

Even if they didn't flee or shout, people's bodies still stiffened involuntarily.

"Professor."

Yi-Han whispered, and Professor Garcia answered as if it was fine.

"Student Yi-Han. You don't have to worry. I'm used to people reacting like that."

"Ah. That's not... I was going to ask if I could make those people shut up."

Instead of worrying about the professor, the real disciple might be the one who wanted to silence those who insulted the professor.

But Professor Garcia didn't let it slide.

"...You can't."

"I can't?"

"No. Take your hand off the staff."

Professor Garcia spoke sternly.

Bea... No, whoever it was, it was worrying to her that the student was relying on power too much.

"But they'll keep blabbering."

"I said it doesn't matter. Come, the steak sandwiches at this restaurant are really delicious. I'll treat you all."

Professor Garcia pointed a finger at the 3-story brick building on the side of the street.

The old brass sign with a food illustration hung at the entrance, and a long line was waiting in front of it.

'Seems like a famous place.'

And when Professor Garcia joined the end of the line, the people in front suddenly started kindly yielding their place.

"Oh, I... suddenly remembered an appointment. Please, go ahead."

"I owe a mage a favor, so now I always give up my place when I meet one."

"..."

"..."

The students were at a loss for words, stunned.

What nonsensical...

But Professor Garcia just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't seem very surprised, having seen it many times.

"They all yielded so nicely. Great. Shall we go in?"

'The professor also has a bit of an Einroguard vibe at times.'

Thinking the professor might be hurt, Yi-Han took a step forward.

The steak sandwich was as delicious as Professor Garcia had said. The crispy bread was filled with a thick, well-grilled steak, onions, tomatoes, and sauce, giving a substantial sense of satisfaction with each bite.

Gainando looked at Professor Garcia, who had easily entered the popular restaurant without waiting in line, with eyes full of admiration.

"Professor, you're amazing."

'This guy has no sense.'

Yi-Han thought about splashing the drink in front of him.

Fortunately, Professor Garcia didn't get angry or anything, just laughed and answered.

"It's one of the few advantages of being a troll mixed-blood."

"Can I also become a troll mixed-blood?"

"If you practice transformation magic diligently, it's possible."

Professor Garcia encouraged Gainando.

As long as a student was trying to study magic, even if they were a bit strange, Professor Garcia always cheered them on.

"But I don't plan to learn transformation magic."

"Won't that be difficult then?"

"Is it really impossible for me to learn other magic?"

Professor Garcia pondered for a moment.

She was trying to recall what kind of magic Gainando had learned.

Eventually, remembering dark magic, Professor Garcia spoke again.

"Even if you're not a troll mixed-blood, as a dark mage, people will avo... Ah, no."

Professor Garcia realized she had misspoken.

There was no need to tell a student learning dark magic about the sad reality of dark mages.

Gainando didn't notice, but Yi-Han had already caught on.

'I understand, Professor.'

Yi-Han gave a look that said he understood. Professor Garcia felt very apologetic.

"...Eat the sandwich, student Yi-Han. Have a drink too. Do you want a vanilla egg cream or a soda float?"

"I'm really fine, thank you."

Yi-Han felt sorry that Professor Garcia was apologetic.

The mistake was made by the other professors, so why was Professor Garcia like this?

Of course, one couldn't say Professor Garcia had no responsibility at all, but compared to the other professors, Professor Garcia was like an angel.

"I'm enjoying this so much right now. Aren't you, Nillia?"

"Huh? Uh, yes. Enjoying, enjoying. Wow, really enjoying it."

Nillia, who was drinking a milkshake, answered hastily, almost spilling her glass.

Suddenly, Professor Garcia's expression changed.

"Everyone, please continue eating. I'll be right back."

"?!"

As Professor Garcia quickly walked out of the restaurant, the friends looked at Nillia and said,

"How could you answer like that!"

"I-I suddenly got asked, so I couldn't think!"

"Isn't the professor angry?"

"...Yo, Yonaire. Let's switch seats. I want to sit next to Yi-Han."

"Shut up and just sit still, Gainando."

Yi-Han was curious.

Why did Professor Garcia suddenly walk out?

'Did she find someone she knows?'

But her expression was a bit stiff, not like that.

"Professor Krair. Come on. Huh? Hurry up."

"If you keep nagging, I'll just shove tree bark down your throat instead of the deal, you know!"

Professor Krair, who taught divination magic to the students at Einroguard, spoke in an irritated voice.

She wasn't particularly fond of Professor Beavle even on a normal day, but now Professor Krair was in a foul mood, her irritable personality fully on display. She had no patience to tolerate Professor Beavle's whining.

But Professor Beavle was not one to be easily dealt with.

"I got it, so hurry up. You can shove it if you want, just find it quickly."

"..."

Professor Krair gritted her teeth and tried to draw a counting rod from the abacus.

Judging by the way the range was narrowing, they were almost there.

Just one or two more times...

"What the hell are you two doing here?"

"..."

"..."

Even Professor Beavle flinched and shrank at the voice that came from behind. At that voice, Professor Krair's irritable personality quickly fled down below.

The timid personality that had been forcibly dragged out cursed the other personality and made excuses.

"P-Professor Garcia..."

"Are you not going to show your other personality?"

"..."

Once again, the irritable personality emerged.

Professor Garcia glared at the two and asked,

"What were you doing here?"

"We were divining..."

Professor Beavle answered evasively.

"What kind of divination?"

"Abacus divination..."

Abacus divination was a method of reading the future by pulling branches from an abacus, and outstanding diviners could read all kinds of omens with this abacus divination.

As a master among masters, Professor Krair would certainly be able to find the location of a single student.

"I was wrong! I was wrong! Forgive me this once, Professor Garcia! Aren't we friends?"

"The friend I have is the other personality, not you, so shut up."

Professor Krair shut her mouth. She was afraid of Professor Garcia's tightly clenched fist.

"Were you perhaps trying to find a student in exchange for a reward?"

Professor Garcia had already guessed the situation.

Professor Beavle was one of the people at Einroguard who had the most artifacts, so it was quite possible that he had requested Professor Krair's help by offering one of them as a reward.

While Professor Krair's stable personality might not have accepted such a dangerous proposal, the other personalities could not be the same.

It was probably the irritable personality that eagerly accepted the proposal.

"Uh..."

"What did I tell you last time when I sent you back?"

"To meet after the semester starts..."

"Then why?"

"I don't know how it happened..."

"..."

At Professor Beavle's shameless answer, Professor Garcia was at a loss for words.

Well, what use would threats be against a madman who spoke his mind even in front of the skull principal.

It was fortunate that at least Professor Beavle was pretending to listen to her words.

"Go back. You can meet when the semester starts."

"But then the others will try to share the time..."

"It's not 'others', it's other professors, and it's only natural to share time."

"But my magic is more important than the others'..."

"Please just shut your mouth."

The irritable personality of Professor Krair whispered desperately.

While Professor Beavle's life might not be precious, the irritable personality of Professor Krair's life was very precious.

"I really ask you, please. Go back quickly."

With the permission granted, Professor Krair quickly turned and left with Professor Beavle.

The fear that Professor Garcia might change her mind and unleash her wrathful fist was evident.

Professor Garcia sighed, watching their retreating backs.

She had thought Professor Beavle wouldn't listen, but to move so quickly, in just a few days...

'...Surely the other professors aren't doing the same thing.'

"Ah. You're back, Professor Garcia. What happened?"

At the students' worried looks, Professor Garcia lied.

"I just ran into someone I knew and had a quick chat."

"Wow, Professor really does have a lot of friends."

Nillia marveled.

Could it be that a professor of her standing would find an acquaintance among the passersby on the streets of Granden City?

"Not quite that much. Shall we get up and leave? What would you like to drink? Wine? Coffee? Tea?"

"Tea would be nice."

"Great. I'll introduce you to a nice tea house."

Professor Garcia led the students to a regular tea house.

Unlike the restaurant earlier, it was located deep in the alley, giving a relatively quiet atmosphere, and the fragrance of tea wafted through the ivy-covered wooden walls.

"I particularly enjoy the green tea here. Everyone should try... Wait a moment. Please continue eating. I'll be right back."

"???"

As Professor Garcia got up and headed outside again, the students looked at her with suspicion and bewilderment.

What could possibly be going on?