Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy

Yi-Han quickly backed off after noticing the skull principal's shocked gaze.

"I just asked. In an academic sense."

"What kind of bone is that, and what are you saying about jewels?"

The skull principal spoke bluntly.

Unless it was a weak bone that couldn't withstand such souls, the bracelet made by directly carving the skull principal's bone couldn't be escaped by ten thousand demons even if they raged.

Of course, jewels weren't necessary either.

'What a pity.'

'This guy is thinking it's a pity.'

The skull principal cursed while looking at Yi-Han.

That shameless bastard...

If it were Professor Mortum, he would have shed tears of gratitude!

"Are there any precautions when using this bracelet? Like absorbing a lot of mana?"

"If it's a bracelet that absorbs your mana, I don't even want to fathom what level of curse it would have to be. It's not such a dangerous item."

"Tsk."

"...But it's not that easy either. Think about the beings inside it."

Yi-Han pondered deeply after hearing the skull principal's words.

According to what the King of Ghouls said, the beings embedded in this bracelet were those who had been defeated by the King of Ghouls.

Then...

"Do you understand? Strong..."

"Weak... Oh. Are they strong?"

"Then why would he bother trapping such weak bastards like that?"

The skull principal was dumbfounded by Yi-Han's words.

If they were weak beings, there would have been no need to trap them like that, and the skull principal wouldn't have woven them into a bracelet.

Wasn't it made like that because they were quite useful?

"I thought they were weaker than expected since they lost to the King of Ghouls."

The skull principal was a dark mage who was usually ruthless to the undead, but this time, he sympathized with the King of Ghouls.

How hurt must his pride be to receive such disregard from a young 1st-year student?

"You'd better watch your words. The ones inside might be listening. They may be too busy fighting each other now... but someday, one of them might pop out."

The inside of that bracelet was like a miniature version of the underground prison Yi-Han had gone through.

Fierce and noble beings never cooperated even if they were trapped together in defeat. Rather, they tried to relieve their inescapable resentment by trampling on each other.

Although it wasn't visible to Yi-Han, countless souls were fighting inside the bracelet right now.

However, if Yi-Han's skills improved further and he became qualified to attract the interest of the trapped souls...

The souls might stop fighting and attempt to communicate with Yi-Han.

"Communication... You mean they'll obey my orders?"

"Well. I don't know about that. The ones trapped inside are probably all fierce and stupid."

'You just told me to watch my words.'

"But one thing is certain. You are the owner of the bracelet. They are enslaved prisoners. Make sure they recognize that. Then they might listen to your orders."

"Indeed. Like Einroguard students..."

The skull principal ignored it as if he hadn't heard.

Meanwhile, Professor Garcia lifted Ogoldos as lightly as a straw.

"Let's take him out for now."

Yi-Han's respect for the professor suddenly rose at that sight.

It was because of how she took care of the student, not because she lifted Ogoldos lightly.

"It would be better to let him rest here for a day rather than moving him right away. If we make him move unnecessarily, it might get worse."

"Principal..."

Yi-Han was slightly touched.

He didn't expect the skull principal to take care of him like this.

No matter how much they disliked or liked each other, there was no one else but Einroguard people.

"I'm talking about Ogoldos, not you. You're perfectly fine."

"..."

While Ogoldos was snoring and resting well at the inn, Yi-Han asked Professor Garcia about the missed classes.

The fact that he had missed two weeks of classes made Yi-Han more distressed than the fact that he had been trapped for two weeks.

"Two weeks late! I'm finished!"

"Yi, Yi-Han. I don't think it'll be like that..."

"How can I catch up in two weeks!"

'Can't he sufficiently catch up...?'

Professor Garcia thought so inwardly, but she couldn't say it out loud seeing Yi-Han's face distorted with sorrow.

"Since it's the start of a new semester, no one taught much. The other professors all taught only basic things."

In Professor Garcia's view, the progress other school professors were making now was the part Yi-Han had already achieved.

Honestly, it seemed like he could catch up even if he took a break for two months, not two weeks.

"Come to think of it, what are you teaching this semester, Professor Garcia?"

"This semester, I'm teaching magic that is useful in real life."

Since she had introduced other school magic and taught the basics in the 1st semester, she was planning to teach magic that wasn't part of any particular school but would be useful for young mages to know in the 2nd semester.

Knowing these would be advantageous for surviving in Einroguard.

"...To miss such lectures for two weeks!!"

"I, I'll teach you now, so calm down."

The magic Professor Garcia had taught for two weeks were <Component Separation> and <Lesser Dark Vision>.

<Component Separation> was a magic that separated specific mixtures with the power of magic, which was essential for mages preparing potions or reagents, and <Lesser Dark Vision> was a magic that allowed one to see even in the dark, although with unclear vision.

And both were magic that Yi-Han had already learned beforehand.

"Oh. I know both of those spells."

"..."

Professor Garcia found Yi-Han annoying for the first time in a while.

"...I'll explain the 2nd-semester lectures. Since you haven't heard them."

"Thank you."

Unlike Professor Garcia, who taught <Basic Practical Magic>, most lectures hadn't changed much.

Professor Uregor was still teaching <Understanding Basic Alchemy in Depth>.

Likewise, <Basic Imperial Geometry and Arithmetic in Depth>, <Basic Imperial Language and Logic in Depth>, <Basic Riding Training in Depth>, etc., were all lectures that were an extension of the 1st semester.

"Fortunately, none of the professors went missing, so it was maintained as it was."

"..."

Yi-Han got goosebumps at Professor Garcia's smile.

Is it okay to say that so innocently now?

"Wait. Professor. In my case, I couldn't register because I was late, so what should I do?"

"But Yi-Han, don't you take almost all of them anyway?"

"..."

Yi-Han was at a loss for words.

Professor Garcia felt a little sorry and quickly changed her words.

"Th, that doesn't mean you don't need to register. It's just that I registered on your behalf since you weren't there."

Yi-Han received the paper Professor Garcia handed over.

Lectures almost identical to the 1st semester were written.

"Professor. Why is the principal's <Basic Magic Character Education in Depth> included?"

"What? It's a mandatory lecture... You took it in the 1st semester too, right?"

Yi-Han turned his gaze away as if he was disappointed that she didn't understand.

"..."

Professor Garcia glared at him, but Yi-Han looked at the paper as if he hadn't seen it.

'Wait.'

Yi-Han felt puzzled when he saw the list of lectures written under his name.

Basic Practical Magic - Garcia.

Understanding Basic Alchemy 2nd Volume in Depth - Uregor.

Repetitive Training of Basic Magic Combat in Depth - Bagrak.

Magic Character Education!

...

"Why are the handwritings all different?"

"Ah. Some professors came in person, wrote, and left."

"..."

Yi-Han's eyes widened.

Putting aside Professor Garcia writing on his behalf, the professors came, added their lectures, and left.

Is that even allowed?

"Is that even allowed?!"

"We, well, weren't you going to take them anyway?"

"That's true, but I might not take them...!"

"Is there anything you want to remove?"

"There isn't, but..."

"??"

Professor Garcia tilted her head, not knowing what the problem was.

'I have a bad feeling for no reason.'

It was fine now, but the fact that it was possible made Yi-Han afraid.

Of course, she said she had to take over as a proxy due to an emergency situation, but don't the professors at Einroguard tend to think everything is an emergency situation when they are in a hurry?

Yi-Han vowed to submit his registration while avoiding the professors during the registration period in his 2nd year.

"...Huh? Wait a minute, Professor. Why is <Basic Dance and Socializing in Depth> here? I've never taken this."

"What? I didn't write that either?"

"??"

Both Yi-Han and Professor Garcia were puzzled.

An elective lecture that neither of them had heard of nor written was included in the list.

"...I added it."

"No...!"

Yi-Han looked at the skull principal as if he had been betrayed in the most vile way in the world.

The skull principal was dumbfounded by the sense of betrayal as if he had stolen his disciple's soul.

Is adding one more lecture something to react to like that?

"Why would I take that?!"

"The Emperor… No, you are too engrossed in magic. You need to have other hobbies too."

Professor Garcia almost unconsciously nodded her head.

"That's why I'm taking swordsmanship, riding training, geometry, and language."

"Young people in the Empire generally don't call those hobbies. Anyway, it's already decided, so I can't change it. Take at least that much."

"Don't lie. With the principal's magic, you should be able to change it."

The skull principal wanted to hit the disciple who was talking back without knowing his place, but he held back.

If he met the Emperor later and said, "The principal hit me," he might fly over saying, "Come to the capital immediately."

"Wait, the knights are calling me outside!"

"Principal!! Principal!! I can seriously send an anonymous letter to the imperial capital!"

The skull principal flew away, snorting.

"I've heard all sorts of threats, but that's the most absurd threat I've ever heard! Go ahead and try your best!"

The knights really did call the skull principal.

"Mr. Gonadaltes. The adventurers were making such a fuss that we investigated, and among them, there were criminals with bounties. What should we do with the others..."

When one of the party members was a criminal, the disposition of the others became quite ambiguous.

Although there was circumstantial evidence, there was no physical evidence, so it was clean for the highest-ranking person at the scene to make a decision.

And the person in charge of this place was the skull principal.

The skull principal resolved it cleanly.

"Do you know each other?"

"No!"

"You stupid bastard!! Don't answer the mage's question..."

"You're lying. You know each other. Send them to the capital's prison!"

"No! No!!"

Amidst the screaming anti-magic extremists, Bagdugul was shocked.

He couldn't believe how the grand mage of Einroguard knew and arrested them.

Putting aside grudges, his terrifying ability was frightening.

'How...! How did he do it! Did he foresee it with magic!? That's absurd!'

While the skull principal was praising the knights' clean handling of the matter, Yi-Han came out and spoke to him.

"Principal. Senior has woken up."

"Alright. Let's depart soon."

"But about that dance and socializing..."

"Ah. You have one serious problem."

Ignoring Yi-Han's words as if he hadn't heard them, the skull principal changed the subject.

"What is it?"

Although he should have been trembling in fear, Yi-Han looked at the skull principal with a gaze of distrust.

It was enough to startle the knights next to him.

'No matter what, is it okay to act so arrogantly in front of Mr. Gonadaltes?'

'How much favor does he receive...?!'

"Because you stayed too long in the undead realm, an evil aura is strongly emanating from your soul."

When you spend a long time with spirits, the scent of spirits emanates from your soul, but when you spend a long time with the undead, the scent of the undead emanates from your soul.

It wasn't for no reason that dark mages were unpopular.

However, Yi-Han was puzzled by the explanation.

"Doesn't it not matter?"

Anyway, he was unpopular with spirits, and if he was going to learn dark magic, it didn't matter much if he had an evil aura.

It was a bit sad, but...

"Originally, it doesn't. What problem would there be if the scent of the magic you're learning emanates a bit from your soul? The problem is that your mana is more than expected, that evil aura is greater than expected, and lastly, there are undead who hold grudges against you."

A mage who emanates the scent of spirits often receives visits from spirits, while a mage who emanates the scent of the undead often receives visits from the undead.

On top of that, if you have a lot of mana like Yi-Han, strongly emanate an evil aura, and even have undead holding grudges...

It was unknown what kind of dangerous undead might take an interest and come looking.

Yi-Han's face hardened as he realized the seriousness of the situation.

'Dark magic really has too many disadvantages!'

Learning magic diligently leads to visits from the undead.

What kind of magic is this?

"But you don't need to worry too much. There's an easy way."

"Taking dance and socializing?"

"No. Stay in the Immortal Phoenix Tower. The aura of the priests will drive away the evil energy. This semester should be enough."

The skull principal spoke as if it was no big deal. In fact, it was no big deal.

Just staying with the priests would quickly reduce that evil aura.

However, Yi-Han spoke in a serious voice.

"Principal."

"What?"

"Then my friends might starve to death, right?"

"...People don't starve to death that easily. Probably."